Why do I have to use key slot
 

I have an ‘08 Portfolio XKR. I use to be able to keep the key in my pocket and it would recognize the key.
I tried using the key slot as I had never used it before. Now it wants it in the slot all the time.
Is there a simple fix for this?

Did you replace the battery in the key fob

No. Put will definitely do that. How often do the need replaced? Yearly? Thanks.

Once a year is usually the norm.

CR2032 battery life varies greatly depending on how long it sat on the shelf before you bought it, the manufacturer, and how often it's used. I recommend that you never buy them online because you have no way of knowing if it's genuine or a cheap Chinese knock-off and you can't verify the date code. I always buy a 2-pack of brand name CR2032 batteries at a local chain drug store so I can check the date code. Changing the battery is easy and no programming is needed. Keep the other one in your glove box as a spare for when you get the dashboard warning that your keyfob battery is low.

Thanks you gents. I don’t remember getting a battery low messsage on the dash readouts. But then I don’t remember what was for dinner last night.
I will get a Duracell 2 pack and change them both out

I can't resist. Obviously your car is female and once you stuck it in it won't settle for just having it in your pocket.

Very demanding. We will see how she likes it with new alkaline copper top batteries.

The rear of the Smartkey case wasn't applying firm pressure on the battery with the early models and was subsequently redesigned. Assuming you use premium CR2032 batteries, a new case could get over this issue.

I fitted new cases to the remotes on my 2007 XK when I found out they were only about one tenth the cost of a new remote. If you do this, use only OE Jaguar - there's some Chinese rubbish listed on ebay etc.

Graham

I've had some batteries last a month, others a couple months. You make a quarter year and you're overdue to replace it IMHO.

???
I don't know about all THAT...
I've replaced the batteries in my smart key one time, about three years after I purchased it. THAT was from a Lease Return, and I assume it had fresh batteries installed prior to the sale. I did get one new remote when I thought a grand kid lost one, but later found it under the PAX seat.
The current battery is probably two years old now, the one that was originally in the new key I got from Jaguar. The other two keys still have the ones from three years ago, and both still work.
Maybe I'm just lucky? I have had OTHER batteries in remotes go bad quick. My F150 specifically, I need to change THAT one twice a year.

My remote battery is about 1.5 yrs old but I do keep mine on the CTEK when not in use :icon_tongue:

Wow! How do you hook up the Ctek to that little bitty battery?

My CR2032 experience is like Cee Jay's. They last for years in both my XKR and XJ. As I previously said, buy them locally, name brands only, and check the date code. The fresher the battery, the longer it will last.

Ok. I bought the car Jan of ‘18. It did have new batteries installed then because I couldn’t get it unlocked.
This year when I got in the car it wanted the slot. I had the car display ‘doesn't recognized key’. I’ll get new batteries.
Thank guys!

If your Smartkey fob is in your pocket and blocked by your sunglasses or anything else, it might not be recognized if its battery is weak.

Just a FYI but cell phones and credit cards in a wallet will block the key fob signal.

New Batteries Do Matter
 

I finally bought new 2032 Lithium’s and everything is normal now. Key in pocket or cup holder push start and go. One of the old was showing slight corrosion/leakage. I guess this will be a regularly 6 month replacement item.