Smart key, dumb question

[Bruce M.]

I need to replace the battery in my smart key (happily, the spare is fine, so it's not an emergency). The manual (which I continue to believe is the worst owner's manual ever written) advises to remove the manual key, then use a "slim tool" to pry open the back cover to access the battery. Well, I don't know what kind of slim tool they mean, but using a very thin kitchen knife, I can't find a way to pry the thing open at all. Am I missing something obvious? I'm reluctant to be too rough and break something, but it seems like there's a trick to this that I haven't figured out, and the illustration in the manual is useless.

 

[Wildeyed]

I need to replace the battery in my smart key (happily, the spare is fine, so it's not an emergency). The manual (which I continue to believe is the worst owner's manual ever written) advises to remove the manual key, then use a "slim tool" to pry open the back cover to access the battery. Well, I don't know what kind of slim tool they mean, but using a very thin kitchen knife, I can't find a way to pry the thing open at all. Am I missing something obvious? I'm reluctant to be too rough and break something, but it seems like there's a trick to this that I haven't figured out, and the illustration in the manual is useless.

Yup, you're being too dainty for fear of breaking things. I used the edge of a steak knife and it took a fair bit of prying and a twist to crack it open. No harm done.

 

[Bruce M.]

Hmmm... I guess I will try to summon my inner Sylvester Stallone. In a pinch the car goes in for its regular service next week, so the dealer can presumably fix or replace whatever I break.

 

[hieronymous]

My Kona smart key has a flat square-end slot above the hole for the mechanical key. I have found the best tool to use in the slot for opening the case is the business end of a medium screwdriver - it needs to be a good fit in the slot. Then a good, firm twist is needed..

 

[Wildeyed]

Hmmm... I guess I will try to summon my inner Sylvester Stallone. In a pinch the car goes in for its regular service next week, so the dealer can presumably fix or replace whatever I break.

Absolutely! When in doubt let somebody else break it!

 

[Bruce M.]

Okay, I got it done. I remain baffled that the owner's manual couldn't give clearer instructions (and that the section for "key" is listed in the index under "S" for "smart key." WTF?).