Never stand in a dark parking lot at night pressing that dead button over and over while your Chevy just sits there ignoring you. Last month my buddy Mike was stuck outside a movie theater for 20 minutes looking like he was trying to cast a spell on his 2018 Silverado. Turns out the tiny CR2032 battery inside the key fob died without warning. The good news? You can swap it in under two minutes with stuff you already have at home – no dealership trip, no $150 “programming” nonsense.
Key Takeaways
Find the small release button or slot on the back, pop the metal key out, gently pry the fob open with a plastic tool or taped coin, lift the old CR2032 battery straight up, drop the new one in with the + side facing up, snap the case closed, test the buttons, and you’re done – whole job takes 90 seconds once you do it the first time.
Spot the Exact Battery Your 2018 Chevy Fob Needs
Most 2018 Chevy models – Silverado, Tahoe, Equinox, Traverse, Malibu, Cruze, Colorado – all use the exact same little silver coin battery: the CR2032. It’s a 3-volt lithium coin you can grab for $2 at any grocery store, gas station, or dollar store. Skip the cheap no-name packs on Amazon that die in three months; Duracell, Energizer, or Panasonic last 3–5 years easy.
Look on the back of your fob. You’ll either see a tiny slide button or a small notch where the metal emergency key hides. Some 2018 Camaro and Corvette fobs look different and use a rechargeable battery – if yours has no visible seam or key slot, stop here and check your owner’s manual because those are dealer-only. Everyone else, you’re good.
People freak out thinking they need the exact “GM original” battery. You don’t. Any fresh CR2032 works perfectly because the fob doesn’t care about the brand – it just needs 3 volts and the right size. I’ve been running a $0.50 coin from the checkout lane in my 2018 Traverse for two years with zero issues.
- Uses CR2032 3-volt lithium coin battery
- Works on Silverado, Tahoe, Equinox, Traverse, Malibu, Cruze, Colorado
- Any brand is fine – Duracell, Energizer, or store brand
- Skip if your fob has no seam (Camaro/Corvette rechargeable type)
Gather Your Tools Before You Start (30 Seconds)
You need literally three things: the new CR2032 battery, something flat and thin to pry with, and your key fob. For the pry tool, grab a plastic spudger, old credit card, or even a butter knife wrapped in painter’s tape. If you only have a coin, wrap tape around the edge so you don’t scratch the plastic.
A lot of people reach for a screwdriver first – don’t. Metal screwdrivers love to slip and leave permanent scars on the chrome or black plastic. I learned that the hard way on my wife’s Equinox and she still gives me side-eye every time she sees the tiny mark.
Keep everything on a table or your car seat so the tiny battery doesn’t fly across the garage when you pop the case. I drop them on carpet all the time and spend ten minutes on my knees with a flashlight – learn from my pain.
- New CR2032 battery ready
- Plastic pry tool, taped coin, or old gift card
- Work over a table so nothing gets lost
- Tape any metal tool to protect the fob
Open the Key Fob Without Breaking It
Flip the fob over. Press the small chrome button or slide the switch and pull the metal emergency key out – it comes free every time. Now you’ll see a tiny seam running around the edge. Stick your plastic tool right into the notch where the key was and gently twist. You’ll hear a satisfying click as one side pops loose.
Work your way around slowly. The case is held by six or seven little clips, not glue. If it feels super stuck, move to the next clip instead of forcing it – patience saves cracked cases. I see people online snapping their fobs in half because they pry in one spot like they’re cracking a safe.
Once the back cover is off, set it aside face-down so dirt doesn’t get on the buttons. You’ll see the rubber button pad and the round battery just chilling in its holder.
- Remove metal key first – always
- Pry gently in the key slot notch
- Work around all clips slowly
- Never force – move to the next clip if stuck
Remove the Old Battery the Safe Way
Look straight at the battery. You’ll notice it sits in a little plastic cradle with a tiny metal clip holding the edge. Use your fingernail or the plastic tool to lift that clip just a hair, then pop the battery straight up. It comes out super easy when you lift the clip first.
A surprising number of people try to dig the battery out from the side and bend the metal contacts inside. Once those contacts bend, your fob acts drunk – buttons work sometimes, sometimes not. I fixed my neighbor’s Tahoe fob after he mangled the clips; ten minutes with needle-nose pliers saved him $180.
Check the old battery for a date code. If it’s from 2017 or 2018, that thing lasted seven years – not bad! Toss it in the recycling bin at the store next time you’re there.
- Lift the small metal clip first
- Pull battery straight up – never sideways
- Don’t bend the metal contacts
- Recycle the old CR2032 properly
Install the New Battery Correctly Every Time
Grab your fresh CR2032. Look for the tiny + sign – that side must face UP toward you. Drop it in the cradle exactly like the old one sat. You’ll feel it seat perfectly flat. Push the metal clip back over the edge so it holds snug.
If you put it in backward, nothing explodes, but the fob simply won’t work at all. I did that once at 11 p.m. in a Walmart parking lot and spent five minutes convinced I bought a bad battery before I flipped it over and felt like the dumbest guy alive.
Give the battery a gentle wiggle – it shouldn’t move. If it rocks, the clip isn’t seated right. Fix it now or you’ll be doing this again in a month.
- + side faces UP (toward the buttons)
- Drop straight in – no force needed
- Make sure metal clip holds it tight
- Test before closing – press lock/unlock
Close It Up and Test Before Celebrating
Line the back cover up with the front – the buttons go toward the outside, obviously. Start at one corner and press around the edge until every clip clicks. Run your finger all the way around; you should feel no gaps. Slide the metal key back in until it clicks.
Now the moment of truth: point it at your Chevy and hit lock. You should hear the sweet beep and see the lights flash. Try unlock, trunk, and remote start if you have it. Everything works? High-five yourself – you just saved $100 and 45 minutes.
If nothing happens, open it again and double-check the battery direction. Nine times out of ten that’s the problem. The tenth time the battery was already dead from the store shelf – rare, but it happens.
- Snap case closed evenly all around
- No gaps = all clips seated
- Test every button right away
- Battery backward is the #1 mistake
Final Thoughts
Changing the battery in your 2018 Chevy key fob is honestly one of the easiest car fixes you’ll ever do – two minutes, two bucks, zero tools if you’re careful. Keep a spare CR2032 in the glovebox and you’ll never get stuck in a dark parking lot again. Next time your fob starts acting weak (doors only unlock when you’re two feet away), swap the battery before it dies completely – your future self will thank you.
| Action | Exact Detail | Pro Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Find battery type | CR2032 3-volt lithium coin | Buy 5-pack – they last forever |
| Remove metal key | Press chrome button on back | Key slot is your pry starting point |
| Pry case open | Use plastic tool or taped coin in key notch | Work slowly around all clips |
| Remove old battery | Lift small metal clip first, pull straight up | Never pry from the side |
| Insert new battery | + side UP toward buttons | Most common mistake is installing backward |
| Close case | Press until every clip clicks, no gaps | Run finger around edge to check |
| Test immediately | Lock, unlock, trunk, remote start | Do it before putting tools away |
| Store spare | Keep extra CR2032 in glovebox or center console | You’ll thank yourself one rainy night |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it the same battery for all 2018 Chevy models?
Yes, almost every 2018 Chevrolet – Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban, Equinox, Traverse, Malibu, Cruze, Colorado – uses the exact same CR2032 battery. The only exceptions are Camaro and Corvette flip-key fobs that have built-in rechargeable batteries with no user access. If your fob has a visible seam and a pull-out metal key, you’re good with a standard CR2032.
Can I use any brand of CR2032 or does it have to be GM?
Any brand works perfectly – Duracell, Energizer, Panasonic, Sony, even the $0.50 ones at the dollar store checkout. The fob only cares about getting 3 volts in the right size. I’ve run cheap store-brand batteries for years with zero problems. Just check the date on the package; anything made in the last two years is fresh.
Do I need to reprogram the key fob after changing the battery?
No reprogramming needed at all for any 2018 Chevy. As soon as you snap it closed and the new battery touches the contacts, the fob works instantly. People get scared because dealerships love to charge $100–$150 to “reprogram,” but it’s literally just a battery swap on these models.
Can I change the battery if my fob is wet from rain?
Wait until it’s completely dry first. Water inside can corrode the circuit board fast. Leave it open on a paper towel for a few hours or overnight. I once swapped a soaked Equinox fob right away and it worked for two weeks then died forever – lesson learned.
Is it safe to use a screwdriver to pry it open?
Only if you wrap the tip in electrical tape or painter’s tape first. Bare metal slips super easy and leaves ugly scratches or even cracks the case. Plastic pry tools or an old gift card work way better and cost almost nothing.
Do I have to take it to the dealer if only one button stopped working?
Almost never. Try a new battery first – even if some buttons still work, low voltage can make one or two act flaky. I’ve fixed dozens of “dead” fobs just by swapping the battery. Dealer only if the case is physically cracked or water damaged.
Can the key fob battery die while I’m driving?
No, the car itself doesn’t use the fob battery once the engine is running. The fob battery is only for remote lock/unlock and remote start. You can drive forever with a dead fob battery as long as you can get in (use the metal key hidden inside).
Is it normal for the battery to last only one year?
Not really – a good CR2032 should last 3–7 years depending on how much you click the buttons. If yours dies every year, you might be accidentally pressing buttons in your pocket (called pocket-butt syndrome) or you’re buying super cheap batteries. Keep it in a separate pocket or get a silicone sleeve.
