Golf gti mk 8 key fob

[valentino]

Picked up my car yesterday. Asked at the garage about changing the keyfob battery (i was caught out in my Mk7.5, when the battery died without warning). Was told just to drop the fob on to the charging platform near the cup holder. The question is do you always travel with the fob charging, . Is there a dashboard warning before the the battery is getting low on power. At some stage as with all batteries it will need replacing, what battery, and can it be done without involving the dealer?

[Ubique]

I was told by my dealer that that mat by the cup holder isn’t actually a charging point. It’s there for you to put the key if you have had to use the physical metal key to enter the car, placing the key fob there just allows you to start the car if the battery is already dead. Hope that makes sense.

[massimo23]

Yes as Unique correctly stated putting the key in the cup holder will not charge the battery but will allow the key to be recognised by the car so it will start.

[fredgroves]

Yes, its like the thing on the Mk7 with keyless where the sensor patch was by what would have been the ignition key barrel.

Its not a charging point... if it was there would be warnings about not putting anything metal there - like the phone charging pad...

[valentino]

Thanks very much for the replies. (my dealer salesperson obviously doesnt know what he is talking about). I can see now how to open the fob to replace the battery when it goes flat, and in the mean time the area as a get you home type device

[fredgroves]

Don't forget to familiarise yourself with the other part - the getting the door open with no battery in your keyfob...

You need to get in before you can start the car 

[valentino]

If its like the Mk7. presumably the alarm will go off if the key is used in the door, but will go off when the car is started using the emergency start pad