While our "new" '10 Lexus only had 15,000 miles on it when we bought it last month, the key fobs had three years on 'em. This afternoon I had some trouble locking the car. So I tried to "reboot" it by turning it on and off. Initially, the dash flashed a message that the key was not recognized. After I pushed the start button a couple of times again, the car did start. I'm wondering if it's time to replace the key fob's battery.

 

I thought there was supposed to be a low battery message on the dash to alert you.

Was your phone anywhere near the key? I know that my iPhone interferes with my key. If placed next to each other, i get the "Key not detected" message

 

The Scheduled Maintenance Log says "Replace Smart Key battery" at 18 months or 15,000 miles.

Guess you're there and beyond !!

 

Do yourself a favor and go to the local large box retailer (Walmart, Staples, Office Depot...) and pick yourself up three (3) CR1632 lithium button batteries. Replace all three at the same time.

http://drivers.lexus.com/t3Portal/do.../sec_04_03.pdf

http://drivers.lexus.com/t3Portal/do.../sec_01-02.pdf

 

THIS

 

oh yes, very easy!
pop out the valet key, and you will notice a small rectangular shaped slot. using the actual end of the valet key, slide the end into the slot and simply twist! this will pop the key open into two parts - change out the battery!

good luck!

 

I visited Radio Shack today and bought a set of 3 new batteries and switched them out with the old ones. I only have two fobs so I now have one to spare. (I should've checked Amazon first, actually; I could've bought five Panasonic batteries there for half the price of the Radio Shack batteries) Now I'm wondering whether my iPhone, which was in the same pocket as the fob, and was on, was interfering with it -- which could explain why it worked better out of my pocket.

 

Did you ever get this resolved?

 

Yes. I got a fresh battery, but I think my iPhone may have been running interference.

 

On page 62 of my manual it says that the fob uses weak radio waves and that communication between it and the vehicle may occur when carrying it with a portable radio, cellular phone, cordless phone or other wireless communicaton devices. They also mention PDAs, digital audio players (iPods) and portable game systems.

On page 65 they say to not leave it within 3 ft of the following that produce a magnetic field:
TVs
Personal computers
Cellular phones, cordless phones and battery chargers
Induction cookers (thank god mine is halogen)
Table lamps.

Cheryl
2014 RX 450h AWD

 

I think keeping the phone and fob in separate pockets helps.