Estimating the life of your key fob battery is pretty easy. Manufacturers recommend changing the battery in most standard key fobs once every year. However, this estimate will vary when considering a new LED key fob or a motorcycle key fob.
Simple three or four button key fobs need their batteries changed once a year. This is per most car manufacturer's directions. All domestic and Japanese designed key fobs such as Toyota and Nissan take a standard watch battery that can be found at any local drug store or jewelery counter. A lithium CR2032 battery is recommended for all domestic and foreign vehicle key fobs.
Today's modern key fobs, such as those featured with the most recent models of Cadillac, Corvette and Volvo, can tell you an extraordinary amount of information, including tire pressure, car temperature, mileage and even fuel economy. These new key fobs have a LED display to accommodate the information. The life span for an LED key fob battery is about the same as a standard key fob as the LED display does not draw much more power than a regular key fob.
Key fob life for motorcycle key fobs vary greatly depending on the particular make. Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha and other foreign motorcycle key fobs last about a year. However, domestic motorcycles such as the Harley-Davidson need to be changed in about eight to nine months. Motorcycle riders should always carry a spare battery in their wallet or their motorcycle's storage to ensure that they can still start their cycle if the battery stops working.
