Author Topic: Mk8 Key Battery lifespan  (Read 3891 times)

Offline Exonian

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Mk8 Key Battery lifespan
« on: 27 November 2022, 22:56 »
23.5 months in and my second key battery is about to throw in the towel (according to the dash binnacle every time I start the car).
The first one lasted a fair bit longer than the Duracell replacement.

Is anyone else suffering sudden key battery mortality syndrome?
‘23 8R, ‘20 8CS, ‘19 135iX, ‘19 TCR, ‘17 Ed40, ‘17 GTD, ‘15 7R, ‘13 GTI PP, ‘11 GTI, ‘09 GTI, ‘98 Ibiza Cupra, ‘05 GTI, ‘06 Polo GTI, ‘04 GT TDI, ‘05 Fabia vRS, ‘02 GTI T, ‘03 Ibiza TDI 130, ‘01 Leon 180, ‘89 mk2 16v, ‘99 Ibiza TDI, ‘96 VR6, ‘98 Ibiza TDI, ‘92 VR6, ‘88 mk2 8v, ‘92 Polo G40, ‘91 mk2 8v, ‘89 mk2 8v, 205 GTI 1.9, ‘83 mk1 GTI, ‘80 Scirocco GTI, plus some others I’ve forgotten 

Offline JoeGTI

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Re: Mk8 Key Battery lifespan
« Reply #1 on: 27 November 2022, 23:19 »
I think it’s not unusual with “keyless” cars, I seem to remember getting the low battery warning in my MK7 at around the 12-14 month mark. I haven’t had it yet on the MK8 (15 months old).
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Offline Mk8Clubby

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Re: Mk8 Key Battery lifespan
« Reply #2 on: 27 November 2022, 23:38 »
Changed mine for the 1st time a few days ago after approx 18months of ownership. Message to change it had been on for a couple of weeks. Original was a Panasonic battery, perhaps the Duracell will last longer.

Offline Brenbo

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Re: Mk8 Key Battery lifespan
« Reply #3 on: 28 November 2022, 05:35 »
Is the type of battery and way to change battery on key fob similar to the MK7 Golf key fob?

Offline Adam T7

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Re: Mk8 Key Battery lifespan
« Reply #4 on: 28 November 2022, 08:06 »
I had a keyless Discovery, fob battery needed changing every 2 years.
MY2019 GTI Mk 7.5 Performance. DSG, 5 Door, Rear Camera, Climate Windscreen and Rear Window Factory Tints, Indium Grey.

Offline SRGTD

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Re: Mk8 Key Battery lifespan
« Reply #5 on: 28 November 2022, 10:10 »
Had the ‘replace fob key’ warning on the instrument display in my 2020 Polo GTI+ a couple of weeks ago. Replaced the original Panasonic CR2032 with the Duracell CR2032 I had kept in the car just in case the fob battery completely died on me unexpectedly. Car was 26 months old when I replaced the battery and it has keyless entry.

On the previous four VW’s I’ve owned (none had keyless) the original fob batteries outlasted my ownership of the cars, and I owned each of them for around 4.5 years.
2020 Polo GTI Plus; Pure White, DSG (because they all are)
Gone but not forgotten;
2016 Polo GTI; Blue Silk
2011 mk6 Golf GTD; Carbon Grey
2007 mk5 Golf GT (2.0 170bhp TDI version); Deep Black Pearl
2002  mk4 Golf GTI (the 150 bhp diesel version); Deep Black Pearl

Offline Exonian

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Re: Mk8 Key Battery lifespan
« Reply #6 on: 28 November 2022, 11:42 »
Is the type of battery and way to change battery on key fob similar to the MK7 Golf key fob?

Yes, same battery and similar way to change it. The fob itself is different so you have to ‘eject’ the key blade via a hidden button and use it to lever the cover off. You also have to be careful it all goes back in exactly as you found it or the blade doesn’t slot back in tightly if the spring clip isn’t 100% in the right place. If the blade isn’t in properly it’ll come adrift from the rest of the fob in your pocket or bag eventually I’d imagine.




The pic shows how the blade sits if the spring clip isn’t seated correctly.

I used the spare key to compare and ensure the blade went back in tightly after taking that pic.
‘23 8R, ‘20 8CS, ‘19 135iX, ‘19 TCR, ‘17 Ed40, ‘17 GTD, ‘15 7R, ‘13 GTI PP, ‘11 GTI, ‘09 GTI, ‘98 Ibiza Cupra, ‘05 GTI, ‘06 Polo GTI, ‘04 GT TDI, ‘05 Fabia vRS, ‘02 GTI T, ‘03 Ibiza TDI 130, ‘01 Leon 180, ‘89 mk2 16v, ‘99 Ibiza TDI, ‘96 VR6, ‘98 Ibiza TDI, ‘92 VR6, ‘88 mk2 8v, ‘92 Polo G40, ‘91 mk2 8v, ‘89 mk2 8v, 205 GTI 1.9, ‘83 mk1 GTI, ‘80 Scirocco GTI, plus some others I’ve forgotten 

Offline fredgroves

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Re: Mk8 Key Battery lifespan
« Reply #7 on: 28 November 2022, 14:39 »
I think my first one lasted 12 months almost to the day and I suspect the one I replaced it with won't last any longer.

Also, both the key I use and the one I don't both died at the same time...

I seem to remember reading a VW technical note that the new keyless system is so lower power that the battery will last 10 years  :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin:
Current: Mk8 GTI DSG, Adelaides, DCC, HUD, HK, Winter Pack, Rear Camera.. Aka "HMS Weasel"

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Offline Ubique

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Re: Mk8 Key Battery lifespan
« Reply #8 on: 28 November 2022, 15:52 »
Mine flashed up for the first time today. 18 months in.

Offline ajmoir36

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Re: Mk8 Key Battery lifespan
« Reply #9 on: 28 November 2022, 17:07 »
Not for the Mk8 but I tended to use the Energizer cell batteries, found them to be far better than Duracell.
Diagonally parked in a parallel universe.
On Order: Mk8 R, Pure White, Reversing Camera, Harmon Kardon, Heated seats all round.
Gone: Mk7.5 R, 5dr, DSG, Deep Pearl Black, 18” Cadiz, Nav, Winter Pack, Keyless, Dynaudio and Reversing camera.
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