To unlock your car with a dead Lexus key fob battery, locate the small button on the key fob that releases the key. Depending on the Lexus model year, the placement may be different.

On the new smart key fobs, there is a small button on the top left side of the fob—press it, then pull down from the keychain to remove the mechanical key.

Now go to the driver’s side door and pull the handle open to expose a small keyhole. Insert and turn your key, then pat yourself on the back; you unlocked your Lexus!

Note: If you lock your vehicle using the manual key, you’ll also have to unlock it using the manual key.

How to start a Lexus when your key fob battery is dead

When you enter your Lexus to start the ignition, you’ll probably see a “key not detected” message pop up. But don’t panic, just follow these steps:

Place the Lexus emblem on the back of the key fob agasint the start/stop push-button in your car

Put your foot on the brake

Press the start button.

Once your car starts, it may be a good idea to head to the store and buy a replacement CR2032 battery!

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How to enable Lexus key fob tricks

Once you have a new battery in your key fob, it’s time to learn what it can do, and enable some of the fob’s hidden features.

Lexus key fob basics: remote start, unlock, and lock

How to remote start your Lexus vehicle:

Click the lock symbol once to lock the vehicle.

Press the lock button three times, holding for three seconds on the third press.

Once you see the hazard lights flash several times, the engine will start within 10 seconds.

Your Lexus will run for 10 minutes until any door is opened, the brakes are pressed, or the engine is remotely turned off.

Unlocking your Lexus:

Hit the unlock symbol once to open the driver's door.

Hit the unlock lock symbol a second time to unlock the remaining doors.

If you’ve opened your Lexus using the key fob, it will automatically relock after 30 seconds if you don’t enter the car.

Locking your Lexus:

Hit the lock button once.

With a double touch of the lock button, the lights will flash to confirm your vehicle is locked.

How to lower all your Lexus’s windows from outside

Unfortunately, this one isn’t wholly DIY—If you want to be able to roll down all the windows with your Lexus key fob, you’ll first have to speak to a Lexus automotive technician at your local Lexus dealership to have the mods enabled.

Once your fob has been programmed, you can use your fob to roll down your Lexus’s windows using these steps:

Hold down the unlock button for three seconds.

Continue to hold until the windows and the sunroof or moonroof are entirely open.

Keep in mind: Your windows cannot be closed from outside the car once they're down.

Rolling down the windows from outside isn’t only something you can do with new Lexuses. You can also use your mechanical key to roll down your windows on older models:

Insert the key into the keyhole

Turn it to the right

Hold until the windows roll down

Program the door unlock settings

Using the key fob to unlock and lock your Lexus is helpful, but if your key fob is buried in your bag or pocket, you can also touch the door handles to unlock your vehicle. To change the default settings to open the doors by gripping any door handle:

Turn the engine off

Press and hold the lock and unlock button on the key fob simultaneously

Hold for seven seconds, or until the vehicle beeps three times.

If you want to restore the default settings, repeat the same process.

Set battery saving mode

If you’re heading out of town for a few weeks and aren’t planning to use your Lexus key fob, you can activate battery-saving mode to minimize battery depletion:

On your key fob, press and hold the lock button

Simultaneously press and hold the unlock button twice.

You’ll see the electronic key indicator—a small light in the top right corner of the key fob—flash four times to confirm the fob has been turned off.

When the key fob is turned off, it does not receive signals, but you can reactivate it by pressing any button on the key fob.

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