Key Not Inside; Key Battery Needs Replacing

[Stuart]

I recently saw this amusing message on the screen:

If the key is not in the car, how does the car know the key battery needs replacing?

And if the key battery truly is dead, can the car really be certain the key is not inside?

 

[jhs_7645]

It’s distinctly possible that it did get a signal from the fob as you walked to the car, and determined that the voltage was low, but the signal is still not strong enough to identify it’s location.

My personal relevant observation: I have had my key fob signal blocked when I have my iPhone in the same pocket, but yesterday morning I got the ‘Key Not Inside’ message and all I had was one of those glasses cleaning wipe pouches in my pocket with the fob. Sure enough.. pulled that out of my pocket.. boom.. back in business. It seems it’s *very* sensitive regarding the positioning of the fob since it happily unlocked the car as I walked up, but did not think the key was inside.

 

[patn]

Useful info - unlike many other car keyfobs the Tesla key fob battery is trivial to replace. It opens easily and takes a CR2032 battery.
You can get a five pack of the batteries for $2 with free shipping from Amazon: Amazon.com: Maxell CR2032 lithium batteries -pack of 5: Home Improvement

 

[pete8314]

Your SC should also replace them or give you a couple of spares during your annual service as well. Well worth keeping one in your glovebox...you can open your car from your phone, but you need a working key to actually start it.

 

[patn]

Actually you should be able to start the car with a dead key fob battery. Quoting somebody from the Tesla forum:

Roblab | July 3, 2012 -

At present the dead key fob will unlock the car if placed just behind the passenger side front wheel. RFID works at about one foot. Once inside the then opened car, the dead key fob is placed near the front of the driver's seat cushion, which will start the car. A key in the pocket would most likely be withing RFID range.

 

[pete8314]

Actually you should be able to start the car with a dead key fob battery. Quoting somebody from the Tesla forum:

Yeah, I read something similar about placing it in the cupholder if it's dead. Either way, it seems easier (assuming you have your phone with you) to open it via that, rather than fishing around under the wheel well.

 

[ACDriveMotor]

I thought the location was passenger side windshield.

 

[jerry33]

The windshield location is to unlock the car, but neither location will work with a dead battery (according to other posts), they might work with a weak battery. Best advice is to buy a pack of CR2032 batteries and keep them outside the car (they don't do much good when inside it and you can't get in).

 

[pete8314]

The windshield location is to unlock the car, but neither location will work with a dead battery (according to other posts), they might work with a weak battery. Best advice is to buy a pack of CR2032 batteries and keep them outside the car (they don't do much good when inside it and you can't get in).

But that's where you use your phone to unlock the car, assuming of course there's an Android or iPhone handy, but based on what I see from my store analytics, that's very, very likely for most Tesla owners!

 

[jerry33]

But that's where you use your phone to unlock the car, assuming of course there's an Android or iPhone handy, but based on what I see from my store analytics, that's very, very likely for most Tesla owners!

Yes, you're right. The phone works. It would be nice if you could also start the car with the phone as well.

 

[bradc]

The phone will work only as long as the car has connectivity to the internet. Which means if you're parked in a large underground parking structure where the car has no connectivity, you can't rely on the phone or even Tesla Service to unlock your car remotely. This applies even if your phone has signal. Remember the phone is not communicating directly with the car; it's communicating with Tesla's servers on the internet, which then reach out to the car over its cellular connection.

I bought several extra CR2032's and keep them at home, at work, and in the car. Haven't yet figured out a good place to keep a spare battery on the outside of the car though.

 

[ACDriveMotor]

Perhaps keep one in wallet or in the holder with your fob? I've thought about creating a coin cel holder that has a key ring. I am going to experiment with a guitar pick holder and see if it fits.

 

[pete8314]

... Haven't yet figured out a good place to keep a spare battery on the outside of the car though.

I have a good solution coming for that in a couple of days...;-)

 

[pete8314]

I have a good solution coming for that in a couple of days...;-)

Following up on this, our new Leather FobPockets have a small pocket to safely store a spare battery.

 

[Cottonwood]

Amazon.com: Sony CR2032 Lithium 3V Batteries (2 x Pack of 5): Health Personal Care

10 FOB batteries for $4.45 with shipping! Sprinkle a few around; treat them like pencils; buy enough that there is always one handy.