Is your 2015 Nissan Altima key fob not working as reliably as it used to? You might be facing a common issue: a dead or dying key fob battery. For owners of Nissan Altimas from 2013 to 2015, and even drivers of other Nissan and INFINITI models with similar keyless entry systems, replacing the key fob battery is a simple task you can easily handle yourself. This guide will walk you through each step, ensuring you get your key fob back in perfect working order. Whether you drive a Nissan Versa, Maxima, Juke, Rogue, Murano, Xterra, Pathfinder, Sentra, Cube, Armada, Leaf, Quest, Frontier, or an INFINITI 370Z, GT-R, Titan, G25, G37, M35, or M37, this guide may offer valuable assistance.
What You’ll Need for Your Nissan Key Fob Battery Replacement
Replacing the battery in your 2015 Nissan Altima key fob is straightforward and requires only a few readily available items. Here’s what you’ll need to gather before you begin:
-
Replacement Battery: The crucial component is a 3-volt coin cell battery, specifically the CR2032 model. This is a standard battery size, often used in watches and small electronics. You can find these at most drug stores, supermarkets, hardware stores, and online retailers. Brands like Panasonic, Sony, Energizer, Maxell, and Duracell are all reputable choices. To ensure you’re using the exact battery your Nissan originally intended, it’s worth checking your Nissan Altima owner’s manual for the OEM recommendation. Often, it will specify a Panasonic CR2032.
-
Mini Flathead Screwdriver: You’ll need a small flathead screwdriver to gently pry open the key fob casing. Eyeglass repair screwdrivers work perfectly for this task due to their size.
-
Soft Cloth (Microfiber Recommended): To protect both the delicate plastic of your key fob and the internal electronic components, a thin microfiber cloth is ideal. This will prevent scratches and damage during the battery replacement process.
-
Your 2015 Nissan Altima Key Fob: Of course, you’ll need the key fob itself! Remove it from your keyring to make the process easier to manage.
With these simple tools and the correct battery, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle your 2015 Nissan Altima key fob battery replacement quickly and efficiently.
Step-by-Step Guide to Replacing Your 2015 Nissan Altima Key Fob Battery
Follow these detailed steps to replace the battery in your 2015 Nissan Altima key fob and restore its functionality:
-
Prepare the Key Fob: Place your Nissan Altima key fob on a flat surface with the buttons facing downwards. This orientation is important for the next steps.
-
Remove the Emergency Key: Locate the small slider tab on the key fob. This tab is designed to release the mechanical emergency key housed within. Push the slider tab towards the edge of the key fob (away from the metal key ring loop). While pushing the tab, gently pull the bottom edge of the key fob downwards. The emergency key should slide out smoothly. Set the emergency key aside in a safe place where you won’t misplace it. Knowing how to access this emergency key is crucial, especially if your key fob battery dies unexpectedly when you are away from home.
-
Open the Key Fob Casing: Turn the key fob over so the buttons are facing upwards. Look into the slot where you just removed the emergency key. You’ll notice two small notches on the plastic edge of the fob within this slot. These notches are designed as points to insert your flathead screwdriver to carefully separate the two halves of the key fob. Wrap the tip of your mini flathead screwdriver with your microfiber cloth to prevent scratches. Gently insert the covered screwdriver tip into one of the notches and carefully twist or pry to separate the two halves of the key fob. If one notch is too tight, try the other. Take your time and avoid applying excessive force to prevent damaging the plastic casing. Once you’ve created a small opening, you can usually use your fingers to gently pull the two halves completely apart. Remove the top half of the fob to expose the battery compartment.
-
Replace the Old Battery: With the top half of the key fob removed, you will see the old CR2032 battery. Note the orientation of the battery – usually, the positive (+) side is facing upwards. Use your flathead screwdriver to carefully pry the old battery out of its holder. Be gentle to avoid scratching any of the surrounding electronic components. Once the old battery is removed, take your new CR2032 battery and insert it into the battery compartment. Ensure the positive (+) side is facing upwards, matching the orientation of the old battery. Push the new battery firmly into place until it is securely seated in the holder.
-
Reassemble the Key Fob: Carefully align the two halves of the key fob casing – the front and the rear cover. Gently press them back together, ensuring they are flush and even at all edges. You should hear a soft click as the two halves snap back into place. Double-check that there are no gaps along the seam.
-
Reinsert the Emergency Key: Take the emergency metal ignition key you set aside earlier and slide it back into its slot at the bottom of the key fob. Push it in until you hear or feel a click, indicating it is securely locked in place.
-
Test Your Key Fob: Now, test your Nissan Altima key fob to ensure it is working correctly. Press the lock, unlock, and trunk buttons to confirm they are functioning as expected. If everything works, you have successfully completed your 2015 Nissan Altima key fob battery replacement! If it doesn’t work immediately, double-check that the battery is correctly installed with the positive side up and that the key fob is fully reassembled.
Emergency Ignition Key: Always There When You Need It
It’s reassuring to know that every keyless entry system includes a mechanical emergency key tucked away inside the key fob. This thoughtful feature ensures you won’t be stranded if your key fob battery dies unexpectedly. On your 2015 Nissan Altima, the door handle has a discreet keyhole, usually located on the underside of the handle. If your key fob battery is dead, simply insert the emergency key into this keyhole to manually unlock your car door. This is a vital backup plan, especially if you find yourself in a situation where you urgently need to access your vehicle and haven’t yet replaced your key fob battery. Familiarize yourself with how to remove and use your emergency key – it could save you from inconvenience in the future.
By following these steps, you can confidently replace the battery in your 2015 Nissan Altima key fob and regain full control over your vehicle’s keyless entry system. This simple maintenance task can save you time and money compared to visiting a dealership or service center.
