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Computers, cellphones and other eletronics drain key fob battery if they're close together?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by TheChosenOne, Mar 4, 2016.

  1. TheChosenOne

    TheChosenOne Member

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    I think I read this in the manual. Is it as bad as it seems? How far should our key fob and electronics be from each other? Is it easy to change the battery or would we need to go to dealer for that?
     
    #1 TheChosenOne, Mar 4, 2016
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  2. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Your Fob battery should be a CR1632, which is under $5 at any jeweler. (under $2.50 on Amazon)

    Plan on replacing it every 3 years.

    Your Fob uses radio waves to communicate with the car but is not all that bright, and may try to communicate with other wireless devices.
     
    #2 JimboPalmer, Mar 4, 2016
    Last edited: May 21, 2016
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  3. KenzoTH

    KenzoTH Member

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    FYI: That battery (CR 1632) is also commonly available at drugstores CVS and RiteAid, many supermarkets and most bicycle shops as it is a battery used by many cycling computers and heart-rate monitors.
     
    #3 KenzoTH, Mar 6, 2016
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  4. TheChosenOne

    TheChosenOne Member

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    How do we change the battery though? Looking from the outside, I can't see a way to open it.
     
    #4 TheChosenOne, Mar 7, 2016
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  5. Pantelis

    Pantelis Junior Member

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    Hello!



    I found this but unfortunately it's for 2 Gen... Sorry...
     
    #5 Pantelis, Mar 7, 2016
    Last edited: Mar 7, 2016
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  6. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    #6 JimboPalmer, Mar 7, 2016
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  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    is this gen 4? fob looks a little different.

    o/p, i would keep the fobs at least 15 feet from the car when not in use, but you should check your manual for specifics, who knows what might have changed. i have my phones a few feet from the fobs with no problems, but very once in a while, someone will have battery draining issues for no known reason.
     
    #7 bisco, Mar 7, 2016
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  8. SUPERCOOLMAN

    SUPERCOOLMAN Junior Member

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    it may not be battery draining issue. I have it happened a couple times over the last couple years when placing fob right next to phone with bluetooth enabled. I stopped replacing battery on the fob and it has been working just fine for over 2 year now
     
    #8 SUPERCOOLMAN, Mar 25, 2016
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  9. Geo13647

    Geo13647 Junior Member

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    I usually keep my phone & fob close together, not had any issues with it in 3 yrs, mr T usually charges about 4-5 times the price of the batt, so as previous poster said, easy enough to change yourself every 3 yrs. I notice that when the cars are in for a service etc, the keys are usually kept between the wipers, this seems to be a dead spot for the internal antennas. When washing the car I usually keep the fob about a metre or so in front of the car. Works for me, but easy enough to test.
     
    #9 Geo13647, Mar 27, 2016
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  10. Autoist

    Autoist Member

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    I found the owner's manual has the instructions on page 628. (Prius 3)
     
    #10 Autoist, May 21, 2016
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  11. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),24 Venza Limit,B52-D,G,F,H

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    #11 ETP, May 21, 2016
    Last edited: May 22, 2016
  12. HamiltonPrius

    HamiltonPrius Member

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    To help save battery life you can turn the Fob off.
     
    #12 HamiltonPrius, May 22, 2016
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  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    cool! is there a switch on the 2016 fob?
     
    #13 bisco, May 22, 2016
  14. HamiltonPrius

    HamiltonPrius Member

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    Press the door open button twice while holding the door close button
     
    #14 HamiltonPrius, May 22, 2016
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