Small but mighty, the key fob to your vehicle is an impressive piece of radio technology. It may not look like much, but the plastic shell of your keychain controller encompasses a tiny circuit board with a radio transmitter and control chip. It sends a code and a command to the receiver in your vehicle, with ongoing communication that continues when you are in, or near, your car.
This slight but powerful device performs helpful tasks like locking and unlocking the doors, opening the trunk, and starting the car remotely. And don’t forget how helpful it is when you can press the alarm button because you forgot where you parked! In some vehicles, you never even have to touch the key fob: you can simply tap your door to unlock it if the transmitter is within range!
Don’t let this convenient gadget turn into a curse. If you park your vehicle in a secure area, like an enclosed garage, it can be tempting to leave your key fob in the car or hanging nearby. Fight the urge and store it at least 15 feet away from your car. When a fob is stowed near or inside the vehicle, the transmitter and receiver continue to communicate with your car. This can cause your car battery to drain at an accelerated rate, leaving you with the dreaded click-click-click sound of a vehicle that won’t start.
Preventative maintenance helps ensure you don’t find yourself with a car that won’t start at the most inconvenient of times, like when you’re miles away from home or running late for work. A lead car battery usually lasts for three to six years, depending on a variety of factors. Extreme heat or cold; harsh wear and tear; short, infrequent drives; and age all affect its lifespan. A healthy car battery is more resistant to parasitic drains like a key fob that is “chatting” with your car. If you are unable to drive your vehicle, a Battery Tender is a great tool for long-term storage and battery maintenance that brings your battery back to full power without overcharging it.
If you find yourself with a car that won’t start, rest assured, that the CAA Niagara Mobile Battery Service Program continues to be here for you when you need us. When the time comes to replace your battery, a Battery Service Technician comes to you – on the road, on vacation, at home, almost anywhere – to deliver and replace it onsite. They also safely recycle your old battery.
Visit caaniagara.ca/mobile-battery-service or call 1-800-263-3616 for car battery service.