I'm based in Sydney and after just under a year of driving the new C, I've got a message on my display that I need to change the battery for my key.

I picked up the keyless go option on the car and so I'm wondering if anyone out there had noticed that the battery lasts such a short period of time.

Also, if there are other guys in Sydney (or Oz) can you tell me where you got your batteries from??...is it just a matter of taking it back to the dealer and they use special devices to take the key apart and replace with special battery, or can I just pick up a battery from somewhere and open the key myself.

thanks guys.
glee88

Hey mate welcome to GCZ it is always nice to see aussie members here, especially when they are from Sydney, mind if I ask which dealership did you purchase your car from?

It seems a little quick for the battery to run out within a year, it might be a keyless go thing, or some dodgy battery.

You can change the batteries yourself, they are CR 2025 3 V. You can open the battery tray using the little metal key, just slot it in the gap on top of the key and slide it open. It should tell you in the owner's manual with diagrams, so it won't be a problem. As for the actual battery I don't know where to get them, try watch shops I guess, or go back to the dealers.

Hi

Maybe Keyless Go is "on duty" more that the regular smartkey? The key is permanently searching for the car? Don't know really.

In Canada, Electronics outlets or auto parts stores sell batteries for about 1/4 of what dealers ask. May need to re-synchronise them after?

HTH

Yes, Keyless Go keys use more juice than non KG keys. I also read that KG keys have two batteries.

Old KG keys only had one battery, but newer ones have two.

Thanks for all of the input guys...I decided to play with the key a little and got it open...as you all know, it was pretty straight forward once you know where all of the latches are.

Monster, I got the car from Airport Express...put the order down 6 months before it was here and decided to get it there because the sales guy was the most knowledgable of all the other dealers.

As the other of you had mentioned, it does have 2 batteries...

I called a dealer a little closer to where I live (Chatswood) and they said that they would change them free of charge....so I'm going there tomorrow...can't see the batteries costing them that much (maybe $10 max) and for a customer to get some stuff for free just boosts relations.

Thanks all
glee88

Good to hear What are your impressions of the car so far?

Monster,

Love the car.

Was initially looking at getting a 3 series...but when heard that Merc was refining the existing C, thought would hold off...was worth it.

I still think the 3 is a more 'solid' ride...but the new C is extrememly close...and the other selling factor for me was all of the gadgets....the 3 is quite plain inside...overall, I'm glad I got the C.

only thing that really bugs me is the convenience phone dock....I didn't get the convenience phone, however the centre console still has teh dock inside and it's extremely difficult to store things. Initially I was really tempted just to rip the damn thing out, however I'm over it now.....

did you pick one up aswell?

yeah there seems to be less and less storage space in new cars. Do you like storing things inside the cup holders instead of the normal storage space?

Not yet, still waiting for a test drive in the new C wagon, they are still quite rare and my dealer doesn't have one for a test drive yet.

How are other people treating your car, I have noticed it is inevitable that people like to vandalise other people's car, even if you leave it for 10 min or less. I hope the people are more considerate up in the northern suburbs.

people were quite positive when I got it.......was one of the first in Aust to get one becuase I put in the order as soon as they got pricing.....back in March last year...and have had it for just under a year now.

got many people coming up and asking questions about the drive and how it compares with previous models.....so got an overall nice response...

now it's getting more and more common to see them on the road now, it's really not that much of a big deal.

Fortunately, (*touch wood*) no one has been so evil to damage the my car...and I've drive it every day to work.

as for storage, I dont' like to use the cup holders for this purpose...try to keep stuff in the car to a minimum, so I guess the fact that the storage is a little bit light on and difficult to store things, shouldn't be that much of an issue for me, but it's one of the things that I've picked up on......but my hair still stands up on the back of my neck when I use the command system...it's such a simple concept to have a screen flip up when the car starts..but it's just sooo cool.

I've only seen 1 wagon on the road to be honest....looks pretty nice....you got family or need the extra space izzit?...hope you get to test drive one soon