How Long Does The Key Remote Batter Last?

I haven't pulled out my manual to find the page, but I believe you can still operate the car. You just have to use the mechanical key to lock/unlock the doors, and then hold the fob next to the start button to start it.

 

Rod is right

 

In the GenII there is a slot to insert the key so even if the battery is dead, the vehicle will still start. I am not sure if the Gen III has the slot for FOB insertion.

 

Find out what battery it uses and go buy one. The small batteries are more stable and have a much longer shelf life than the hi amp batteries, like the D, C, AA, AAA. Then tape it to the top of your glove box.

 

Mine lasted about 4.5 years, then I started getting a beep at shutdown to inform me the FOB power was beginning to weaken.

This model looks easier to open and the battery is different (but it looks like a fairly common size and is listed online for $2.75).
.

 

From page 541 of the 2010 Owner's Manual pdf:

1. To enter the car when the electronic key is not working properly, pull the mechanical key out of its slot and use it to unlock the door.

2. To operate the car when the electronic key is not working properly:

(a) Apply the brakes and touch the Toyota emblem side of the
electronic key to the “POWER” switch.

(b) An alarm/buzzer will sound.

(c) You then have 10 seconds to do what you normally do with the "POWER" button (switch to ACCESSORIES mode, switch to ON mode or start the car/put in READY mode). So,

--- to change to ACCESSORIES or ON mode, within 10 seconds of the alarm/buzzer sounding, release the brake pedal and press the
“POWER” switch once for ACCESSORIES or twice for ON.

--- to start the car, within 10 seconds of the alarm/buzzer sounding, press the “POWER” switch while keeping the brake pedal depressed.

* * * * * * *

The battery is a coin/disk battery - size CR1632. I think it's a common watch battery that's available online or any place where watch batteries are sold.You install it with the positive/+ side facing up.

 

The battery typically lasts about 1 yr if used 10 times a day.
However, since most people use it twice a day, it is typical to last about 4-5 yrs.
Your "mileage", of course, may vary depending on how often you use it.
Also, try to keep the fob away from the Prius (at least 20 ft) when not in use.

 

My 2011 Prius is 22 months old. The batteries (CR1632) measured 2.895v on Remote#1 and 2.896v on Remote#2. The fresh 3V batteries measured 3.3v. I think 2.895v or 2.896v is nearing the end of the useful life, so I went ahead and replaced them.

 

The SKS key fob batteries lasted 2 years on my Camry.

Just remember that you can start your car with a dead or low fob battery by holding the fob next to the Start button for a few seconds before pushing the Start button.

SCH-I535

 

We have a 2010 with 53,000 miles. Earlier this month, the car would give us a warning: "Low key battery," upon start-up. We replaced the battery and everything is fine.

 

My 2010 hatchback is 38 months old (since purchased) and a low fob battery warning appeared on my dash yesterday.

 

If you have a digital multimeter, could you please help to measure voltage of the used battery? Thanks.

 

About four years. Both my GenIII fob batteries were low enough to cause the Low Key Battery alert. In fact it was four years to the day I picked up the car new. Batteries Plus had the lowest price $3.49 - about half of Radio Shack / Walmart prices. Very easy to change fob batteries yourself. Easily less than one minute per fob.

 

One of mine started giving a low battery alarm after about 3 1/2 years, I used it for another 2 weeks or so and it never failed to work. The other never alarmed but I replaced both batteries anyway.

 

I have a 2010 GenIII that will be 3yrs old the end of November. 90K miles, at the moment. We've had some key fob problems, but with both batteries having been replaced, all seemed to be working well till I recently had mine quit working regarding "proximity locking", or unlocking. Even had to pass the fob over the start button a time or two. Never failed to work when that was done. Well, now I've had problems with the fob not working despite having it in my pocket, from all outward thoughts it would be "battery", BUT, I have found that if I take the battery out of the fob, rub it off with a soft cloth & put it back in, all is well. So that tells me that there can be a failure due to the current that is available not passing through, (kind of like corrosion on the terminals of a regular car battery....?). The fob batteries do last an amazingly long time considering all that they have to do on this car. And there are plenty of warnings of something going wrong, so I personally wouldn't worry about carrying a "spare" battery with me. Just know what size you need, and where to obtain one, or two from when you need them. I bought two when my wife's one started acting up. Put the other one in a drawer in the house until mine started acting up, then installed it. Simplest job to do there is! Just try not to handle the battery with your bare hands, as that probably was the problem that caused me to have to take mine out & "polish" it. I bought mine at a local pharmacy where you had to buy a packet of two, to get one! Price was competitive from what was quoted here for one. No need to involve a dealer for the purchase of or the replacement of the fob batteries, EASY job!

 

On two different occasions, a service technician has said that carrying a cell phone will decrease fob battery life. Has anyone else heard this?

 

...never heard the cell phone thing to my recollection over the last several years on Prius Chat.

I see Gen3 went to different battery than Gen2 (2032), but Amazon tends to have cheap prices. I have found on other devices different battery brands seem to have wildly different life for the 2032. Either that or my other device is defective.

 

The exact same thing happened to me yesterday in my 2010 ii with 54,000 miles. Just replaced the battery (I had a backup battery in my glove box) after I got the message on the instrument panel, and everything is fine.