Keyfob battery life

[By-Tor]

The other day my car displayed a message in the DIS telling me that I needed to change the battery in the keyfob. I was a bit surprised by this given that my car is under 2 years old and I try and alternate my two keys to give them equal usage. I got in the car the day after with the other key, and the DIS gave me the same message. I appreciate that everyone's usage is different (number of journeys, etc.) but less than two years for both keyfob batteries seems a bit short ... I've had cars in the past for up to four years and never needed to change the batteries.

Could this be a software glitch? Anyone else had this message?

TIA

[Guest 2]

From brief memory I needed to change the one in my C6 A6 just after 2 year old.

[By-Tor]

Thanks Chris. Just seems odd that they've both got to the battery level warning stage at exactly the same time, hence my wondering whether it was the car that was detecting them incorrectly (software issue).

[Guest 2]

If you're in any doubt then get Audi to check it out, if they've had similar use then I'd be gussing it could be pretty much accurate.

[ukgroucho]

I doubt that usage makes a huge difference.. at the end of the day the keyfobs are transmitting their ID (or listening for a request from the car to transmit their ID) 24x7...

[diecastsink]

My keys are stored within 20ft from the carage, and I have noticed that sometimes the LED blinks even hours after leaving the car (not locked). I think if both keys are within the range, they both are challenging the car, which then uses the battery more than the driving usage.

[By-Tor]

My keys are more like 20m from the car and I can't say I've ever noticed the LED blink, but then again they're normally safely tucked away in a drawer ...

[Lukenkarl]

I hav never had the DIS warning, but noticed it takes two or three goes to lock the car. So put fresh battery in and it was ok

[Olio]

Also bear in mind there is battery and battery.

In my watch, I had a CR1632 from Renata, a Swiss company. It lasted over 6 years. When I needed it replaced, all I could find from the "cheap guys" were Sony batteries with a 12 to 18 months life.

The same goes for your fob. Put in some good quality batteries, they'll last much longer.