Dead key fob? Your car still starts. And no, you're not stranded. Pull the hidden metal key, unlock the door, then, on many cars, press start with the dead fob itself. No tow truck. No dealer. No paying hundreds of dollars for a brand-new fob. But the start part is where people get stuck: just pushing the button won't wake the car. Step one. Find the little button or sliding tab on the fob's plastic housing.

Slide it, and a real metal key pulls right out. It's in there for exactly this. Step two. Your driver's door still has a keyhole. It's just hiding from you. Look on the bottom or side of the handle, or under a small plastic cover. Turn the key. Step three. Get in and put your foot on the brake. Clutch in, if it's a manual. Step four. Hold the fob right against the start button, and press the button with it.

Step five. Nothing happens? Check your owner's manual for a backup slot or pocket, then press Start. Step six. Replace the fob's coin battery soon. This is a stopgap, not a fix. Myth: a dead fob means you're locked out, and you need a tow or the dealer. Fact: most fobs hide a metal key, and many cars start with the fob pressed to the button. Second myth: it stopped working, so it's broken. Consumer Reports says check the battery first.

That's a few bucks for a coin cell, versus hundreds of dollars for a new fob. Here's the part nobody tells you: many cars can still recognize a fob with a dead battery. It just has to be touching the start button, or sitting in its own backup spot. Ford reads it from a pocket in the center console, or a slot in the steering column. On average, that little coin battery lasts 1 to 2 years, then it starts to weaken.

The warning signs: shorter range, pressing buttons several times, dashboard messages, and on-and-off operation. But what if the dash lights up, and the engine still refuses to start? Brake down, and push again. Without the pedal, a Honda just switches over to accessory mode. And once the button turns on, Honda gives you a 10-second window to press it. Fresh fob battery and still nothing? A fully discharged 12V car battery can stop smart entry too.

And that fob on a hook near the car? It can keep chatting with it, and drain the fob's battery. Metal key. Hidden keyhole. Foot on the brake. Fob right against the button. Then spend a few bucks on a battery, not hundreds on a whole new fob. The fob died. Your plans didn't have to.