It’s a common scenario for Subaru owners: you approach your vehicle, reach for the door handle, and nothing happens. Your key fob is unresponsive. Before you panic, the most likely culprit is a dead battery in your Subaru key fob. Changing the battery in your Subaru key fob is a straightforward process that you can easily do yourself, saving you time and a trip to the dealership. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about changing your Subaru key fob battery and ensure you’re back on the road quickly.
One of the primary factors affecting your Subaru key fob battery life is the quality of the battery itself. Not all CR2032 coin batteries are created equal. While it might be tempting to opt for cheaper, generic brands, investing in reputable brands like Energizer or Duracell can make a difference in longevity and reliability. Occasionally, even with quality brands, a faulty battery can slip through quality control. If you have a battery tester, it’s a worthwhile step to quickly check the new battery before installing it in your fob. This simple check can prevent potential headaches down the road.
Another aspect that significantly impacts battery life is usage habits. Do you frequently press the lock and unlock buttons multiple times when approaching or leaving your Subaru? This habit, while common, can drain your key fob battery faster. Subaru vehicles are equipped with touch-sensitive locking and proximity unlocking features. Utilizing these features can significantly reduce battery consumption. For instance, instead of repeatedly pressing the lock button, use the touch sensor on the door handle to lock your Subaru. Furthermore, for those moments of doubt after walking away, the MySubaru/Starlink app offers a convenient way to check and control your vehicle’s lock status remotely, preventing unnecessary button presses.
Lastly, consider where you store your key fob when you’re at home. There’s evidence suggesting that keeping your smart fob too close to your Subaru can lead to battery drain in both the vehicle and the key fob. Maintaining a certain distance between your fob and the vehicle allows the car to fully enter a sleep state, reducing unnecessary communication and battery drain. Alternatively, consider using a Faraday cage or a signal-blocking valet tray to store your key fob at home. These devices block the fob’s signal, preventing communication with your Subaru and minimizing battery drain.
In conclusion, changing your Subaru key fob battery is an easy task. By understanding the factors that influence battery life – battery quality, usage habits, and proximity to the vehicle – and by adopting some simple best practices, you can extend the life of your key fob battery and avoid unexpected surprises. Regularly replacing your Subaru key fob battery, typically with a CR2032, ensures you’ll always have reliable access to your vehicle.
