The Honda CR-V is Honda’s most popular model. It owes its fame to its functionality and comfort.
Alongside its fuel-efficient engine, it also provides its users with a spacious luggage compartment, safety features, and roomy seats. This is why the CR-V is the top choice for singles and young couples.
In this article, we explore essential information about Honda CR-V keys that every driver should know.
Table of Contents
Honda CR-V Key Fob Buttons, Functions, and Tricks
Honda CR-V key fobs have five buttons: Lock, Unlock, Remote Start, Trunk Release, and Emergency Alert/Panic Button.
The Lock button locks your car.
Drivers use the Unlock button to unlock the CR-V.
The Remote Start button lets users start the car without inserting the key in the ignition.
Press the Trunk Release button to open your vehicle’s trunk automatically.
The Panic feature sets off a security alarm to scare thieves away from the vehicle. Drivers use the Panic button if they notice a suspicious person near their car while they are far away from the vehicle.
Also, some of these buttons let you perform tricks with your vehicle. Pressing the Unlock button twice when your Honda CR-V is locked will lower all your windows at the same time.
How Much Does an Extra Honda CR-V Key Cost?
Usually, replacing a Honda CR-V key costs between $50-$320. That said, some factors can affect the price of your Honda CR-V extra key.
These factors are:
- Type of key: There are three types of Honda CR-V keys: Transponder keys, non-transponder keys, and remote key fobs. Owners of vehicles with non-transponder keys may pay less to get a replacement key than people whose vehicles use transponder keys.
- Model Year: Replacing a key of an earlier Honda CR-V model year is often cheaper than buying a new key for a later model year. For instance, a replacement key for a 2012 Honda CR-V will most likely cost more than a 2002 Honda CR-V replacement key.
- Time of purchase: In most cases, dealers and locksmiths charge more than the standard price when a driver buys a key after working hours.
- Where you bought the replacement key: It is usually more expensive to buy a Honda CR-V extra key from a dealership than to purchase it online.
What Batteries Do Honda CR-V Keys Use?
Honda CR-V keys use 3-volt batteries.
Some appropriate batteries for your Honda key fob are CR1620, CR2032, and CR1626 lithium batteries.
Check here for the best deals on Honda CR-V key batteries on Amazon.
Can You Change the Honda CR-V Key Battery Yourself?
You can replace your Honda CR-V key battery yourself if you follow the directions below:
- Turn to the back of your key fob to find the button that releases the metal key in your key fob.
- Press the button and pull out your metal key.
- Next, insert the metal key between the key fob to pry open its sides.
- Use a flathead screwdriver to remove the back of the key fob. This will expose your key battery.
- Now, you have to remove the battery. While replacing the battery, hold down your key fob to prevent the pieces from falling apart.
- Insert your new battery and replace the back of the key fob and the metal key, ensuring to maintain the old battery’s polarity.
Please also read our article about Honda CR-V lights.
What to Do When Your Honda CR-V Key Is Stuck in the Ignition
The makers of Honda CR-V program the vehicle’s ignition to lock when the driver switches off the engine.
Your key may get locked up alongside the ignition if you don’t pull it out immediately you turn off the engine.
Here’s how to remove your key when it gets stuck in the ignition:
Hold your steering with your left hand and give it a wiggle. At the same time, grip your key with your right hand and attempt turning it from the Off position to other positions.
Keep doing this until you can turn your key freely in the ignition. Now, turn your key back to the ‘Off’ position and remove it immediately.
Popular Honda CR-V Key Fob Covers
First, you MUST see the silicon keyfob featured in our ac about gear and accessories for the Honda CR-V.
Here are some of the most popular Honda CR-V key fob covers you can get online:
- Hey Kaulor Leather Cover Key Fob Case
- Ezzy Black Leather Key Fob Cover
- Coolbestda Smart Soft Key Fob Remote TPU Case
- FlashMost Car Key Fob Cover for Honda
- Cajek Black TPU Key Fob Cover
- Sindeda for Honda Key Fob Cover
- N/P Car Key Fob Case
Click here to get the best price for Honda CR-V key fob covers on Amazon.
How to Find the Key Code for Lost Honda CR-V Keys
You can find your key code in the owner’s manual of your Honda CRV.
If you can’t find the manual, you may proceed to a certified Honda dealership to request your key code.
Before a Honda dealer gives you your vehicle’s key code, they may require you to provide proof of ownership.
A sale agreement from the dealership where you bought your Honda CR-V and a Certificate of Title qualify as proof of ownership.
What to Do If My Honda CR-V Key Won’t Turn
If you can’t turn your Honda CR-V key in the ignition, it might be due to the following reasons:
1) You are using the wrong ignition key:
Honda designs the ignition of its vehicle to start the engine only when the driver uses the original key. Each ignition system contains an immobilizer system that the brand builds to read and recognize key codes.
The immobilizer system can only recognize keys with the car’s actual key code. If you insert a wrong key in the ignition, the key won’t turn because the immobilizer system will not recognize it.
2) Your Honda CR-V key is stuck in the ignition:
Your key may get stuck in the ignition if you don’t remove it immediately you turn off your engine. When this happens, give your steering wheel a jiggle and try turning your key at the same time. Repeat this action until your key moves freely in the ignition.
Then, move the key back to the ‘Off’ position’ and pull it out instantly.
3) The car is not in Park or Neutral:
If your CR-V uses an automatic transmission, the key won’t turn if the gear is not in Park or Neutral.
4) Your battery is dead:
Your car may also not turn if the car’s battery is dead or too weak to provide the current needed fire the ignition.
Also read our article about how long Honda CR-Vs last.
My Honda CR-V Key Won’t Go in the Ignition
A lot of things can prevent your car key from going into the ignition.
When dirt fills up the ignition, you may not be able to insert your Honda CR-V key.
You can use your key to clear up the debris in the ignition. Try pushing your key in continuously until you can insert the whole key to remove the dirt.
A bent or worn key may also not enter the ignition. The problem might also be a broken ignition cylinder, which will likely require a repair or replacement.
What to Do If the Keys Are Locked in My Honda CR-V
If someone is in the locked vehicle, you can tell them to press the unlock button on your door handle.
Otherwise, you might need to use an inflatable car wedge and a wire hanger to open the door.
Follow the guide below to unlock your car door without your car keys:
- Insert a car wedge in the opening between your car’s door and frame.
- Inflate the pump on the car wedge to increase the size of the opening.
- Straighten the wire hanger, insert it into the larger opening, and use it to pull the door handle from within.
There are also several other methods, but getting a locksmith to open the car might just be the best option if you are in a hurry.
Make sure to also read our article about the Honda CR-V in snow and winter driving.
Honda CR-V Immobilizer Explained
The immobilizer is a system in the ignition that protects the Honda CR-V against theft. This system relies on key codes to determine whether to start the vehicle’s engine.
When you insert your key into the ignition, the immobilizer reads the key code and starts the engine if it recognizes the code.
If your key is faulty or you lose it, the Honda dealer will ask you to provide the key code of your original key. They will then use the key code to cut you a new key that works with your vehicle’s ignition.
What Does the Key Light on My Honda CR-V Dashboard Mean?
The key light on your Honda CR-V dashboard indicates that you have inserted the wrong key into your ignition.
When the key light appears, check that you are using the right key. If the key light still comes on when you insert the correct key, there might be an issue with your car.
How Do I Extend the Battery Life of My Honda CR-V Key Fob?
Get a key fob cover for your key. This cover safeguards your key fob and its battery against dirt, dust, and heat, thereby prolonging its life.