Weapat1

I have had the battery replaced twice in my 2013 ES350 in the past 6 months. Has anyone had problems with the battery? Dealership suggested that the key not be placed near a cellphone or other remote device. Also hinted that I am not turning the car off correctly. This is my third Lexus ES and I never had this problem before. Any ideas?

Arty101

I hear that if you leave the key fob near the car (like in the car or garage), it will drain the battery faster since it's continuously pinging the car.

Weapat1

I don't leave a key in the car, but I have one in the garage. I will move it and see if that helps. Is this a problem with 2013, because this is not a problem with my 2012 HS nor 2009 ES?

Arty101

Can't answer that. Perhaps the 2013 is more sensitive compared to the earlier models or the HS. Did you have a remote fob (not just the remote key) in those too?

SLH

You can put the remote into a "battery saving" mode.

From page 129 of manual:
Electronic Key Battery-Saving Function
When battery-saving mode is set, battery depletion is minimized by stopping the electronic key from receiving radio waves. Press (unlock button) twice while pressing and holding (lock button). Confirm that the electronic key indicator flashes 4 times. ... To cancel the function, press any of the electronic key buttons.

Alternatively, just keep the spare key away from the car.

If you keep a remote key fob too near the car, it will talk with the car constantly, and run down the battery.

SLH

And, read pages 710-711 of the manual. Then buy a few CR2032 batteries and keep them as spares. The batteries are cheap enough I really don't worry about the cost -- less than a buck each.

atoyota

I've had no problems with the batteries. The fob and my cellphone are very often both in my pocket or folio.

lesz

I don't know about problems caused by the fob and a cell phone being close to each other, but my understanding from talking with the service techs at the dealership is, as others have said, that, if the key fob is stored in close proximity to the vehicle itself, that can quickly deplete both the vehicle's battery and the battery in the fob because the fob and the vehicle will be making continuous attempts to communicate with each other. As SLH posted, if you must, for some reason, keep a fob in or near the vehicle, the solution is to put the fob into the battery saving mode.


Do those other vehicles have push button start or do they have a conventional key? The battery drain issue when a fob is left in or near the vehicle only applies to vehicles with push button start, and it does not apply to vehicles with a conventional key that is used to start or enter the vehicle.

atoyota

OK thanks. I was replying directly to the OP's question and his comment that he was told to keep the fob away from cellphones.

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Weapat1

Thanks for the info. Yes my cars are push button starters. I will put the fob in battery saver mode.