Is your Nissan 2015 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. Don’t worry, replacing the battery in your Nissan Altima key fob is a straightforward process you can easily do yourself, saving you time and money compared to a dealership visit. This guide from keyfobx.com, your trusted source for automotive expertise, will walk you through each step to get your key fob functioning like new again.
This guide isn’t just for the 2015 Nissan Altima. If you own any of the following Nissan or INFINITI models with a similar keyless entry system, these instructions will likely be helpful:
Nissan Models:
- Versa
- Maxima
- Juke
- Rogue
- Murano
- Xterra
- Pathfinder
- Sentra
- Cube
- Armada
- Leaf
- Quest
- Frontier
INFINITI Models:
- 370Z
- GT-R
- Titan
- G25
- G37
- M35
- M37
Whether you’re in a rush to get back on the road or just prefer the satisfaction of DIY car maintenance, changing your key fob battery is a quick win. Let’s get started!
Gather Your Supplies: What You’ll Need
Before you begin, gather these simple items to ensure a smooth and efficient battery replacement:
1. Replacement Battery: CR2032 3V Coin Cell Battery
The heart of your key fob’s power is a small, circular 3-volt coin cell battery, specifically the CR2032 model. This is a very common type of battery, often used in watches and other small electronics. You can find CR2032 batteries at most drugstores, hardware stores, supermarkets, and online retailers. Brands like Panasonic, Sony, Energizer, Maxell, and Duracell all offer reliable CR2032 batteries.
While any brand will generally work, consulting your Nissan Altima owner’s manual is always a good practice to identify if a specific brand or type was originally equipped. For instance, your 2015 Nissan Altima might have come with a Panasonic CR2032 from the factory. If you’re unsure, or prefer the peace of mind of using the exact recommended battery, checking your manual or contacting a Nissan dealership can provide that information.
2. Tool: Mini Flathead Screwdriver
To open the key fob casing, you’ll need a mini flathead screwdriver. Think of the size used for eyeglasses repair – something small and thin enough to gently pry apart the two halves of the key fob without causing damage.
3. Preparation: Soft Cloth (Microfiber Recommended)
To protect both the delicate internal components of your key fob and the plastic casing itself, grab a thin, soft cloth. A microfiber cloth is ideal as it’s gentle and lint-free. You’ll use this to cover the tip of your screwdriver, preventing scratches and ensuring a clean working environment.
4. Emergency Ignition Key: Know Its Location
It’s important to be aware that your Nissan Altima key fob contains a hidden emergency ignition key. This metal key is a crucial backup if your key fob battery dies unexpectedly, preventing you from being locked out of your vehicle. Before you start the battery replacement, familiarize yourself with how to remove this emergency key – we’ll cover this in the steps below. Knowing how to access and use this key ensures you always have a way to enter and start your car, even with a dead fob battery.
Now that you have everything prepared, let’s move on to the step-by-step guide for replacing your Nissan Altima key fob battery.
Step-by-Step Guide: Replacing Your Nissan Altima Key Fob Battery
Follow these detailed instructions to replace your 2015 Nissan Altima key fob battery quickly and correctly:
Step 1: Prepare the Key Fob
Place your Nissan Altima key fob on a clean, flat surface, such as a table. Ensure the buttons on the key fob are facing downwards. This orientation is important for the next steps.
Step 2: Remove the Emergency Metal Key
Locate the small slider tab on the key fob. This tab is usually positioned on the side or bottom of the fob. Push this slider tab in the direction indicated (often towards the outer edge of the key fob). While pushing the tab, gently pull the bottom edge of the key fob downwards. This action will release the emergency metal ignition key, allowing it to slide out. Carefully set the emergency key aside in a safe place where you won’t misplace it.
Alt text: Removing the emergency key from a Nissan key fob by sliding the release tab.
Step 3: Pry Open the Key Fob Casing
With the buttons now facing upwards and the emergency key removed, examine the slot where the key was just located. You should see two small notches on the plastic bottom edge of the key fob within this slot.
Take your mini flathead screwdriver and cover the tip with your soft cloth to prevent scratches. Carefully insert the covered screwdriver tip into one of the notches. Gently twist or pry the screwdriver to begin separating the two halves of the key fob. If one notch is too tight, try the other notch. Work slowly and patiently to avoid damaging the plastic casing. Once you create a small opening, you can usually use your fingers to gently pull apart the top and bottom halves of the key fob. Remove the top half of the fob and set it aside.
Alt text: Using a small screwdriver to carefully pry open the two halves of a Nissan key fob casing.
Step 4: Battery Replacement
With the top half of the key fob removed, you will now see the battery compartment and the old CR2032 battery. Note the orientation of the battery – specifically which side is facing upwards (usually the positive side with a “+” symbol).
Using your screwdriver, gently pry out the old battery. Be careful not to scratch any of the surrounding electronic components. Once the old battery is removed, take your new CR2032 battery and push it into the battery compartment. Ensure the positive (+) side of the battery is facing upwards, matching the orientation of the old battery. You should feel a slight click as the new battery is securely seated in place.
Alt text: Inserting a new CR2032 coin cell battery into a Nissan key fob, positive side facing up.
Step 5: Reassemble the Key Fob
Now it’s time to put the key fob back together. Line up the top half and the rear cover of the key fob. Gently press them together, ensuring they are flush and aligned at all edges. You should hear or feel a click as the two halves snap back into place.
Finally, take your emergency metal ignition key and slide it back into its slot until it clicks securely.
Step 6: Test Your Key Fob
Congratulations! You’ve successfully replaced your Nissan Altima key fob battery. Test the key fob’s functions – lock, unlock, and panic button – to ensure everything is working correctly. Your key fob should now be functioning optimally with its fresh new battery.
Conclusion: Back to Keyless Convenience
Replacing the battery in your 2015 Nissan Altima key fob is a simple maintenance task that can save you inconvenience and potential costs. By following these steps, you can quickly restore the convenience of your keyless entry system.
For more helpful car care tips and guides, visit keyfobx.com. And if you’re in the market for a new or pre-owned vehicle, be sure to explore the inventory at your local Nissan dealership. They can also assist with any key fob issues or other car maintenance needs you may have. Enjoy the renewed reliability of your Nissan Altima key fob!
