Your Kia is a fantastic piece of automotive engineering, but so is your key fob. A lot has changed since the old days when keys were only keys. Your Kia key fob has many useful features. We'll cover what they are and how to use them for your convenience below.
Locking and Unlocking With Your Kia Key Fob
The Kia key fob has the traditional lock and unlock buttons, but they work a bit differently than those of most vehicles. Pressing the lock button once locks all your car doors. Pressing it twice within two seconds will set your Kia's alarm system and sound the horn. If you don’t hear the warning, it means the system wasn't properly activated.
Pressing the unlock button a single time will unlock the driver's door. Pressing it twice in a row unlocks all the doors and the cargo trunk or hatch. If your Kia has the keyless entry feature, all you need to do is stand near your vehicle and touch your thumb to the door handle spot. The door will then unlock on its own without prompting from the fob buttons.
Hatch and Truck Functions
If your Kia has a manual trunk or hatch, it can be unlocked by holding the trunk button for at least one second. Vehicles with powered hatches and trunks can have their cargo areas opened by pressing and holding the dedicated button. To reverse the process, a driver should press the button again.
The Panic Alarm Function
The panic alarm is simultaneously a convenience and safety feature. It can help you find your Kia when it’s lost in a massive parking lot or scare off would-be car thieves. Hold down the panic button for at least a half second to activate it. This will trigger an audio and visual alarm combination, including repeated car horn blasts and light flashes. Holding the panic alarm button down for a short time will deactivate and reset the system.
Drivers shouldn't worry if someone in their car suffers from visually triggered seizures. The lights don't flash quickly enough to cause those kinds of health issues.
Though the panic alarm may ward off a thief, it’s never wise to engage with them. Drivers confronted with such situations should trigger the panic alarm and withdraw immediately to a safe location from which they can contact the authorities.
What To Do With a Low Power or Dead Key Fob
The fob doesn't become useless when it runs out of battery power. There are two tricks that can be used to start your Kia even when the fob battery power is low or dead. The first involves touching the key fob to the start button. The system will read a chip inside the fob, recognize it as properly programmed and paired, and activate the vehicle. A standard key is set into the fob. It can be used if the first method fails.
How To Replace a Kia Key Fob Battery
Battery replacement for the fob works differently depending on the variety. All Kia fobs use standard 3-volt lithium batteries. They are available at dealership shops and in most automotive stores. Here are the normal procedures for replacing smart and standard Kia fob batteries, respectively:
Smart Fob Battery Replacement
Start by accessing the mechanical key using the tiny button at the fob's base. Use the key to access the fob's battery chamber by twisting it in the slot. Remove the old battery and replace it with the new one. Replace the battery chamber hatch and squeeze it shut to reseal the fob.
Standard Fob Battery Replacement
Set the key fob down with the back facing upward. Use a small flathead screwdriver or similar tool to access the battery slot and pry open the hatch. Remove the spent battery and dispose of it as instructed in your owners manual. Place a new battery where the old one was. Close the key fob battery chamber and squeeze it shut.
Kia Key Fob Programming
Dealerships always use specialized transponder computers to activate and program key fob remotes. Only dealers and qualified locksmiths have access to these machines. You can reset the programming yourself if, for whatever reason, your fob programming fails. Make sure all of your Kia's doors are closed before you get started. Insert the key into the ignition, and then turn it off and on again repeatedly until the door locks cycle. It is imperative that you end with the key in the on position for proper programming.
Press the unlock or lock button on the fob. The fob's programming is reset if your Kia recognizes the lock or unlock command. Turn the ignition off, and the locks will cycle again. This means that the programming sequence is complete, and the programming mode has been deactivated. Your fob or Kia may be in need of dealership servicing if this process doesn't unfold as described. It may be tempting to take them into a small shop, but it is best to take them into a certified Kia dealership . No one knows Kias, their programming, or their fobs better.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if My Fob Battery and Kia Are Fine, but My Fob Still Won't Work?
This means that the chip inside the fob has failed in some way. In these cases, the entire fob needs to be replaced.
How Much Will It Cost for a Locksmith To Work on My Fob?
On average, a locksmith will charge $85 to $400 to repair a key fob. That is far too high a cost when drivers can take advantage of their warranties and have the work done at a certified dealership, such as Team Kia El Cajon.
The expertly trained and well-informed personnel here at Team Kia El Cajon can help you with all your Kia and key-fob-related needs. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions or need work done on your fob.
Kia Forte by James Case is licensed with CC BY 2.0