How to Reset My Car Remote
by Sebastian Malysa
A car remote is one the most convenient car inventions in recent years, allowing you to lock and unlock your car with the push of a button. Occasionally, you must reset or reprogram your car remote. Due to the number of car remote types---not to mention the number of car makes---resetting your car remote can seem like a challenging process. Luckily, armed with the right information, you can reset your car remote within a matter of minutes.
Step 1
Check the car remote's battery by either replacing it with a new battery or conducting a battery check (consult your car remote manual to find out how to check the battery for your specific unit). To check the battery on most car remotes, hold down the "Lock" button for five seconds, if the light does not blink, the battery requires changing. If the battery is not the issue, proceed with the following steps.
Step 2
Get into your car with all the doors firmly closed. Put your key into the ignition and turn it to the "On" position (two clicks, just before actually turning on the car).
Step 3
Press and hold the "Lock" button on your car remote for one second within five seconds of putting the key into the ignition and turning it to the "On" position. Turn the key to the "Off" position; the lights should turn off.
Step 4
Without removing the key, turn the key to the "On" position and repeat Step 2. Perform this step twice more for a total of four times. Each time you repeat this process, do so within five seconds of the previous time. Upon the fourth time you do this, the locks should make a noise, and the car remote will enter reprogramming mode. At this point, do not turn the key to the "Off" position; leave it on.
Step 5
Press and hold the "Lock" button on each of the additional car remotes to program them as well at this point. Complete this step within 10 seconds of initiating the reprogramming mode.
Step 6
Turn the key to the "Off" position, and take it out of the ignition. Step out of the car, and close the door. Test your car remote; it should now be reprogrammed. If not, repeat the above process.
References
Tips
- If the above instructions don't work for you, consult your owner's manual for information about how to reset your particular remote. If you have lost or misplaced it, look for it at Owner's Manual Source (OMS) online (see link in Resources section.) OMS offers hundreds of free owner's manuals.
- If your owner's manual doesn't contain any information about resetting your car remote, you can find almost every car remote manual at Program Your Remote (PYR) online (see Resources section). PYR offers hundreds of car remote manuals which you can browse to match your exact remote.
- Some car remote manufactures design their remotes so you cannot reprogram the remote yourself and must go to the dealer for assistance.
Writer Bio
Based in Victoria, British Columbia, Sebastian Malysa began his writing career in 2010. His work focuses on the general arts and appears on Answerbag and eHow. He has won a number of academic awards, most notably the CTV Award for best proposed documentary film. He holds a Master of Arts in contemporary disability theater from the University of Victoria.
