Gaucho KeysCold weather drains key fob batteries faster, makes the plastic case brittle, and can leave your fob acting up on the worst possible mornings. A few small habits go a long way through a Winnipeg winter.
Why the cold is hard on your fob
A key fob runs on a small coin-cell battery, and cold weather lowers how much power that battery can deliver. A battery that was a bit weak in the fall can suddenly feel dead at minus thirty. The plastic case also gets brittle in deep cold, so a drop on a frozen driveway is more likely to crack it than the same drop in summer.
On top of that, moisture is everywhere in winter. Snow melts in your pocket, condensation forms when you move between cold and warm, and that damp is not good for the electronics inside.
Signs your fob is struggling in the cold
Watch for these, especially first thing in the morning:
- You have to stand closer to the car for the buttons to work
- The fob works inside but not outside in the cold
- Locking or unlocking takes a few tries
- Remote start range drops right off
- The fob works fine again once it warms up in your hand
Simple cold-weather habits
You cannot change a Winnipeg winter, but you can make it easier on your fob:
- Replace a weak fob battery before the deep cold sets in
- Keep the fob in an inside pocket close to your body, not out in a bag
- Dry it off if it gets snowy or wet rather than leaving it damp
- Keep a spare key somewhere safe in case one fob acts up
- Learn the manual key override in your door in case the buttons fail
When it is the fob and when it is the car
A cold morning can make it hard to tell whether the trouble is your fob or your vehicle. If warming the fob in your hand brings it back, the battery is the likely culprit. If a fresh battery does not help, or the fob feels cracked or water-damaged, the fob itself may need attention.
If your fob quits in the cold
If your fob has finally given up, or you are locked out in the cold, I can help. I am a mobile auto locksmith, so I come to you anywhere in Winnipeg and the surrounding area, including Selkirk, Lockport, St. Andrews and Headingley. A car lockout starts from $150, a spare or duplicate key from $160, and a full lost car key replacement from $200, depending on your vehicle.
Key fob and remote programming depends on the specific vehicle, so that is a quote. Tell me your year, make and model and I will confirm what you need and the price up front. I work on most makes and models from 2000 and newer, and we are open 8 AM to 9 PM, seven days a week. Just note that we are not a 24-hour service, so it is worth sorting out a flaky fob before the coldest nights.
Frequently asked questions
- Why does my key fob stop working in the cold?
- Cold weather reduces how much power the coin-cell battery can deliver, so a slightly weak battery can feel dead on a frigid morning. If warming the fob in your hand brings it back, the battery is usually the cause.
- How can I protect my fob during a Winnipeg winter?
- Replace a weak battery before the deep cold, keep the fob in an inside pocket close to your body, dry it off if it gets wet, and keep a spare key handy in case one acts up.
- Can you help if my fob dies or I'm locked out in winter?
- Yes. I come to you anywhere in Winnipeg and the surrounding area, 8 AM to 9 PM, seven days a week. A lockout starts from $150. Tell me your year, make and model for a key or programming quote up front.
Need a car key, fob or lockout in Winnipeg?
Mobile auto locksmith — we come to you, 7 days a week.