Model Year 25/26 Key Battery Needs Replacing After 6 Months?

[Steve-Formentor]

Getting a message to replace key battery, car is 6 months old, is this normal?

 

[SRGTD]

I’ve read on other VAG forums of owners of cars with keyless entry / keyless start needing to replace the key fob battery within the first year, so it’s not unheard of.

 

[Steve-Formentor]

I’ve read on other VAG forums of owners of cars with keyless entry / keyless start needing to replace the key fob battery within the first year, so it’s not unheard of.

Thanks, do have Kessy so that could explain it, better get a stock of 2032 batteries in.

 

[Rob66]

We had a few month old Formentor Loan car and that flashed up that the battery needed changing, car was on about 2k miles - i was surprised. I guess its because they are constantly 'talking' to the car. Don't wont to jinx it but mine has lasted years but its not keyless.

 

[SRGTD]

@Rob66; yes key fob batteries seem to last forever in cars without keyless. In my experience they were still going strong after 4.5 - 5 years which is when I sold each of the cars.

I’ve since had two cars with keyless entry / keyless start. I deactivated the keyless functionality on day-one of getting each of those cars for security reasons and each key fob battery lasted pretty much two years.

 

[tracktoy]

The other thing to remember is that Cheap 2032 batteries don't last as long as quality ones.

 

[James_R]

For KESSY "smart keys" 3 months battery life is considered quite a normal lifespan by VWG.

I would strongly encourage the use of VARTA CR2032 batteries for the best results. They can be picked up for as little as 40 pence a unit.

 

[Steve-Formentor]

For KESSY "smart keys" 3 months battery life is considered quite a normal lifespan by VWG.

I would strongly encourage the use of VARTA CR2032 batteries for the best results. They can be picked up for as little as 40 pence a unit.

So 6 months is good! Think I might disable Kessy, can do without it anyway. Have ordered pack of 5 Varta from Amazon.

 

[trew]

I've had to renew wiper blades that were only about a year old. Maybe Cupra don't fit the best quality 'consumables' (wiper blades/batteries/12v batteries, etc) to new vehicles?

 

[James_R]

I've had to renew wiper blades that were only about a year old. Maybe Cupra don't fit the best quality 'consumables' (wiper blades/batteries/12v batteries, etc) to new vehicles?

Ze Germanz recommend replacing the wiper blades every 6 months, the 12v batteries are usually German made Varta or Clarios and the key fob batteries from the factory tend to be Panasonic.

There's a lot more demand placed on components now, which is why the batteries don't seem to last, the wipers on the other hand, are just turd.

 

[KJA]

Yes, Funny I replaced mine few days back probably a year or less. In nearly 2 1/2 year of ownership this is 3rd battery I think. So whenever I remember I usually buy battery pack from argos and keep one in dashboard and use it.

 

[SRGTD]

For KESSY "smart keys" 3 months battery life is considered quite a normal lifespan by VWG.

I would strongly encourage the use of VARTA CR2032 batteries for the best results. They can be picked up for as little as 40 pence a unit.

+1 for Varta CR2032 batteries for key fobs; I’ve used these for some years now.

 

[James_R]

+1 for Varta CR2032 batteries for key fobs; I’ve used these for some years now.

Same here. I buy in bulk because they're in my house alarm sensors.

They're also what VWG now supplies to dealers too.

 

[serdar_18fr]

I've had to renew wiper blades that were only about a year old. Maybe Cupra don't fit the best quality 'consumables' (wiper blades/batteries/12v batteries, etc) to new vehicles?

Same here. Bought the car brand new in December 2024, had to replace the wiper blades in November of the next year, after they started to sound horrible. Now almost one more year have passed and same thing happened so I had to replace them again earlier this month. Looks like they have been using some low quality rubber.

 

[Tell]

Rear wiper blades... think I'm on the original after 10 years and yes they do sound horrible . I ve changed the front.

Kessy key batteries last about 6 months or so. I use Duracell off Amazon but not Amazon market place. You can be naughty with the original Ateca keys and squeeze a 2032 into them to get more life. Old Skoda trick. Newer Seat / Cupras Kessy keys they changed to CR2032. The older remotes you can end up denting the battery with the Skoda trick, so then you dont get the extra life out of the bigger battery. Formentors will be on the new batteries.

The give away sign on a dead battery is pressing the remote control button. It should flash read. No sign of red it's a dead battery. The front display will tell you or an errors scan VCDS / Obdeleven.

Over the years a dead battery has locked me out... the other one is leaving a warm house. The battery then cools down outside in winter and you can't lock the car. You always carry a spare on you. That happened in the Arona with CR2032. The power collapses in the battery then you are stuffed if you haven't got a spare on you.

It was the CR2025 they used on the earlier implementation of the Kessy fods then changed the fods to a new style that uses CR2032.

Remote battery CR2025 / CR2032 Replacement

ODBEleven reported that both keys were getting problematic on the error check. B147918 - Remote key 1 Voltage too low static B147A18 - Remote key 2 Voltage too low static I didn't get a screen warning thou. Had the car since November 2016, built in September so judged...

www.seatcupra.net

 

[Seastormer]

I have used Panasonic CR2032's and get over I.5 years, Kessy was switched off at delivery on my request.

 

[Tell]

I have used Panasonic CR2032's and get over I.5 years, Kessy was switched off at delivery on my request.

I use the Kessy so it's the chatter between the key and the car the drain on the battery. I never touch the key, it stays in my bag except for service, tyre change etc when I have tomdig it out. Virtual pedal on the back etc.

@James_R will tell you the difference between the improved Kessy and the original which stops hijacking the data link. Way of telling.

If you keep the key well inside the house it shouldn't occur. Faraday pouch for those that don't trust it, tabacco tin etc. Think you can now turn Kessy off on the menu for newer cars. If you live in an area of not high crime, nothing to worry about. Urban areas they break down the door to get the keys. Snatch and grab.

 

[Steve-Formentor]

I use the Kessy so it's the chatter between the key and the car the drain on the battery. I never touch the key, it stays in my bag except for service, tyre change etc when I have tomdig it out. Virtual pedal on the back etc.

@James_R will tell you the difference between the improved Kessy and the original which stops hijacking the data link. Way of telling.

If you keep the key well inside the house it shouldn't occur. Faraday pouch for those that don't trust it, tabacco tin etc. Think you can now turn Kessy off on the menu for newer cars. If you live in an area of not high crime, nothing to worry about. Urban areas they break down the door to get the keys. Snatch and grab.

I was assured that the latest keys go to sleep after being stationary for a few minutes so don't think there is a need to keep it in a Faraday pouch. I'll look to see if it's easy to turn kessy off.

 

[Tell]

Indeed.

From a What Car piece.

>>
What are car brands doing to deter thieves?

Brands with sleeping keyfobs

Audi, BMW, Cupra, Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Mini, Nissan, Porsche, Seat, Skoda, Volkswagen, Volvo
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Brands with ultra-wideband technology

Audi, BMW, Genesis, Kia (EV9 only), Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz (some models), Mini, Porsche, Tesla

Brands with key emulation protection

Audi, BMW, Land Rover

Brands with CAN bus protection

Audi, BMW, Land Rover
<<
So the newer Kessy in Seat / Cupra use the sleeping key for method. I suspect they also get the Audi protection as well now mentioned above.

Original kessy was liable to the relay method. Obviously if disabled you don't get all the benefits of touch entry etc. I prefer to have Kessy fully working than disabled. I would not have proximity unlock and lock on mind you. Thats asking for trouble that can be toggled off on the menu as all of Kessy can these days. No need for VCDS coding to disable Kessy these days.

 

[trew]

I was assured that the latest keys go to sleep after being stationary for a few minutes so don't think there is a need to keep it in a Faraday pouch. I'll look to see if it's easy to turn kessy off.

I didn't know about that. Thanks.
I'll carry on putting mine in the faraday box though - can't be too careful, especially as I recently had an expensive vehicle (not the Cupra) stolen off my front drive by those lovely local gypsies.