This is how to start your car if your key fob battery suddenly dies

We’ve all been there, you press the button on your car key in a rush and…your car doesn’t unlock, well, this is how to start your car if your key fob battery stops playing ball.

It is one of those annoying modern car moments that can ruin your day fast.

The good news is that most keyless cars have built-in backups that work even with a dead fob.

You just need to know where to hold it, where to slot it, or how to use the hidden key.

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Start your car even with a dead car key

To try to revive your car, you first have to try the simplest fix: bring the fob right up to the start button.

Many cars can still read the fob at very close range, even when the battery is too weak for normal keyless starting.

Hold the fob against or next to the start button, then press the button as you normally would.

If your car has a specific backup location, use it because some vehicles have a dedicated ‘secret spot.

It’s where the car can detect the key fob without relying on the fob’s battery, like an area in the center console on certain Ford models.

If you know your car has one, place the fob there and try starting again.

There is also some clever engineering behind the fact that in some vehicles, an induction coil in the car can energize a matching coil in the fob when they are close together, allowing the car to authenticate the key and start.

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What happens when your key fob battery dies

If you have a second fob, grab it.

Most new cars come with two, and the backup usually gets used less, which often means its battery is still healthy.

No spare fob available? Use the hidden physical key.

Many smart fobs have a small release switch that lets you slide out a key blade, use that to unlock the door, then look for a traditional key slot or an emergency start method inside the cabin, depending on your car.

If your car supports a companion app or digital car key, you may be able to unlock it from your phone, and sometimes more, depending on the brand and any subscription requirements.

Worst case, roadside assistance and a replacement coin cell battery will get you moving, but most cars are designed to keep you from being stranded by a dead fob.

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