Q&A for How to Replace the Battery in a Key Fob

Fobs generally use small, coin-shaped batteries like CR2025 or CR2032. You can usually find them at general stores, home improvement stores, and some auto part stores. To find the specific type of battery yours uses, consult the owner's manual of inspect the fob and battery for a label.

Not always. They both have 3 volts and the same diameter, but 2.3 mm of the CR2032 is not as thick as 2.5 mm of the CR2025 cell. Some devices may have adequate spring travel for the difference, but other devices will only work with the proper cell thickness.

No, it is not the same as either of those. For one thing, the 2016 and 2032 are different sizes, i.e., a difference of 160 micrometers in thickness. You might be able to shim a 2016 with conductive foil as a temporary substitute in some cases. Similarly, the CR2025 is 7 tenths of a millimeter thinner than a CR2032 and 9 tenths of a mm thicker than CR2016.

Battery prices range, like anything else, according to the quality and the availability. If you order online, they may be cheaper in bulk, say $1 each. If you go to the corner convenience store, it might be a package of two for $5.

This will vary from vehicle to vehicle. If it is a "smart" vehicle with alerts that appear on a screen and can be accessed from the in-dash computer, there is likely a way to clear it via commands on your dash buttons or steering wheel buttons. If it is a car without that technology and a battery dash light is on, it could be an issue with the dash indicator itself.