How long does a key last? I regularly see a dunger driver with only one key crying. They never do anythng about it until they have no key ?
depends which part of the key you are talking about.
the
buttons usually last around 5 years depending on use, some people dig their nail into them killing them fast.
chemicals/oils on the hands degrade the rubber too.
the
blade on non pkes keys can last quite a long time before wearing down and become troublesome, pkes keys last longer than the owner.
the
electronics in the key are all solid state so that part can last decades, it would outlast the vehicle.
the
battery life depends on use case and technology in the key...
pkes keys are always sending an intermittent "low energy" ping looking for a response from the vehicle, if received it will start to send data to allow you to enter the vehicle.
this consumes battery power and reduces its lifespan especially if your key is within a short distance to the vehicle while parked in your driveway because the key will keep communicating with the vehicle.
it might not let you enter the vehicle but it is still communicating because the vehicle has a mix of long range and short range sensors and if the ping can be picked up by the vehicle it will cause the key to send out a ping for the short range sensor to detect proximity to the vehicle.
this is why you see this
type of attack, they are amplifying the signal to get the key to respond with the short range ping and they have that relayed back to the vehicle allowing you to unlock and start it
non pkes keys only use battery power when you push the buttons so the battery lasts much longer.
changing the battery every 1~2 years is something that should be done imo regardless of its condition.
