Do you own a vehicle with an automatic key system? If it has an electronic fob, then you are probably wondering what the life expectancy of your key is.

After all, you use your car keys every day and they are exposed to dirt, moisture, and other elements that can cause them to lose their shine and function over time.
To find out how long do key fobs last, you first need to understand what makes up a key. The lock inside a key is called the tumbler and it must be in just the right alignment to rotate freely when removed from the lock cylinder.

As well as this, the pins of the lock are made up of tiny steel filaments that can break over time due to wear and tear or even exposure to weather elements like moisture or extreme heat.

how long do key fob batteries last

The average car fob or remote battery lasts between three and four years. However, as with any battery, it will eventually need to be replaced.

To extend the life of your car fob battery, try to avoid exposure to extreme cold or heat, which can shorten its lifespan.

Key fobs should last at least two year, because they are not in use except when needed. Batteries can lose their charge in a few months when left unused.

So check the fob once a month or so to make sure everything is working. If the fob is not working well, there may be a problem with the battery or the electronics. If the battery is more than a year old, it should be replaced.

Are Electronic Keys Easier To Repair?

As with any mechanical object, keys can break or malfunction over time and need to be replaced.
If you own a car with an electronic key system, it is easier to repair because the tumblers are integrated into the electronics of the key. This makes it easier for technicians to make a new key as opposed to repairing your old one.

It takes less time and money to repair electronic keys because they are more technologically advanced than traditional keys.

How Can You Tell If Your Key Is Dead?

If your key has become too worn, the tumbler will no longer rotate and this will cause the lock to be stuck in place. If this happens, one of two things is usually happening:
1. The locking mechanism inside the key has been compromised
2. The pins have broken off inside the lock

Can A Key Fob Be Reconditioned?

Since the tumbler inside a key fob can be worn down and the pins can break, replacing them is an option.

However, it is important to know that this process could be costly and time-consuming. If you keep your car locked up in a garage or have a back-up car just in case, then it might not be worth reconditioning your key fob.
However, if you decide that it is worth repairing your key fob, then there are several different ways of doing it. Some people prefer to buy a new lock cylinder and tumbler for their existing key fob, while others just want to get the pins replaced.

As well as this, there are also ways of creating brand new keys from scratch by using your old locks and tumblers to create a new key.

How Long do Key Fobs Last? – Expected Life Span of a Key Fob Battery

Although the life expectancy of your key fob battery could vary depending on the brand, you can expect to get anywhere from a few months to years out of your key. This is because most key fobs have a replaceable battery that will give you a few months or weeks runtime after it has been changed.

The actual lifespan of your battery could be anywhere from 2-4 years depending on how much use you put them through and how well they are cared for.
There are three main factors that contribute to the expected life span of your key fob battery:
1) How often your keys are used
2) How well they are maintained
3) The type of batteries used in the key

Should You Replace Your Remote Control When The Key Fob Battery Dies?

The answer is yes, you should replace your remote control when the key fob battery dies. This isn’t because you can’t program a new key system with a dead battery–in fact, it’s quite easy to do.

However, the key fob batteries are expensive and it makes more sense to buy a new one than to try to fix an older one.
Don’t forget about your car keys too! When the battery in your car remote runs out of juice, you need to get a new one or have someone else drive it for you.

Your life will be easier if your keys have fresh batteries and don’t have tiny pieces of metal in them that could break off over time.

Bottom Line

There are many different factors that go into determining the life expectancy of your key fob. Depending on what makes up your key system and how often it’s used, the life expectancy can vary greatly.