Is there an anti RF sleeve for the keyless remote?

[Armchair Bronco]

I just had to replace both batteries on the keyless remotes for my CX-9 because they were drained after only 2+ months. When I bought the car, I went straight to Radio Shack and picked up a couple of coin-size batteries which I tested before I installed. The dealer said that if the keyless remotes are stored within 20-25 feet of our car (which they are), then they will be on continuously, 24/7 365 days a year.

So: is there some kind of RF sleeve I can use to temporarily shut off the RF broadcasts from the remotes when they're not being used? My wife & I like to keep our Mazda keys in the keybox that's right next to the front door; it's not convenient for us to store these keys in the back of the house.

I read about something similar for credit cards and passports -- it's an RFID blocking sleeve. Here are the details:

http://www.idstronghold.com/

 

[xarthan]

really? mine are less than 20 ft away from the car

 

[Armchair Bronco]

really? mine are less than 20 ft away from the car

Yep, unless you change your ways, you'll be buying new batteries every 2.5 to 3 months! And when the batteries start to go bad, all kinds of strange things start happening.

I really think that some kind of shielded sleeve (or a shielded keybox) is the way to go.

 

[ceric]

Household tin foil serves the purpose well.

 

[Force-1]

Household tin foil serves the purpose well.

Yep--I know Corvette owners that store an extra smart remote in their car, and wrap it in tin foil so it's not recognized.

 

[Armchair Bronco]

Yep--I know Corvette owners that store an extra smart remote in their car, and wrap it in tin foil so it's not recognized.

That'll work for long-term storage, but for daily use I think I'll go with the RFID shield I linked to -- $3.49 for 5:

 

[ceric]

Armchair Bronco,
You said your keycard is 20 ft away from CX9. Is there usually any obstacle in between?
Doors, drawers, boxes, anything?
Mine is usually placed inside a drawer in the kitchen. There is a door between kitchen and garage. By distance, it is less than 25ft I would say. I have no problem with battery draining.
It has been almost two years.

 

[xarthan]

anyone know what battery # is in these smart keys?

 

[ceric]

CR2025 (popular model)
(note: non-smart key remote uses a different type)
The battery will last about 1 year when used 10 times a day.
(says so in WorkShop manual)

 

[Armchair Bronco]

I'm just repeating what the Mazda service manager told me. I'll admit that I'm a little skeptical. When I put new batteries in at the end of the summer, I tested them first and both looked great.

We were starting to have random key-related issues with the car over the last month or so. We'll see if the new batteries help...and how long they lost. If the problems re-appear, then obviously something else is going on.

 

[xarthan]

CR2025 (popular model)
(note: non-smart key remote uses a different type)
The battery will last about 1 year when used 10 times a day.
(says so in WorkShop manual)

Looks like u can get 50 on ebay for 12 bucks, cheapo replacement if it does run out.