BMW Z4 key fob battery
5 of the 21 model years listed for the BMW Z4 have a proven battery. The most common answer is Rechargeable. Rows below run oldest to newest; a year can appear twice when the car came with more than one kind of key.
- 2003-2008Key-head remote
Not confirmed yet
- 2009Key-head remote
Rechargeable
Owner's manual: manualowl.com and manualslib.com (checked Nov 2, 2026)
Manual text: “Each remote control contains a rechargeable battery”
- 2009-2011Smart key
CR2032
FCC ID KR55WK49147Two sites agree: bestkeysupply.com and americankeysupply.com (checked Nov 1, 2026)
Find CR2032 on Amazon - 2009Smart key
Not confirmed yet
- 2010Key-head remote
Rechargeable
Owner's manual: manualslib.com (checked Nov 1, 2026)
Manual text: “Each remote control contains a rechargeable battery”
- 2010Smart key
Not confirmed yet
- 2011-2013Key-head remote
Not confirmed yet
- 2011Smart key
Not confirmed yet
- 2012-2016Smart key
Not confirmed yet
- 2012-2016Smart key
Not confirmed yet
- 2014Key-head remote
Rechargeable
Owner's manual: manualslib.com (checked Nov 2, 2026)
Manual text: “contains a rechargeable battery that is automatically recharged”
- 2015-2016Key-head remote
Not confirmed yet
- 2019-2024Smart key
Not confirmed yet
- 2025Smart key
CR2032
Owner's manual: manua.ls (checked Nov 1, 2026)
Manual text: “Insert a type CR 2032 3 V battery with the positive side facing up.”
Find CR2032 on Amazon
Changing the battery
Key with remote in the head
- Here the key blade and remote are one piece. You open the plastic head, not the blade.
- Work a thin flat tool into the seam near the blade and twist; go round slowly if it does not open at once.
- The coin cell is usually under or on the back of a small board. Keep the rubber button pad in place while you swap the cell.
- Snap it closed and press each button. The car still starts with a dead remote battery on most of these keys, because the start chip needs no battery.
The owner's manual says this remote has a rechargeable cell. It charges while the key is in the ignition or the car is driven. There is no coin cell to buy; if it no longer holds a charge, a dealer replaces the remote.
Smart key (push-button start)
- Start by freeing the hidden metal key: there is a latch or slide on the case, and the blade comes out once it moves.
- Look inside the empty key slot for a notch. Put the tip of the metal key or a small flat screwdriver wrapped in tape there and twist gently until the shell splits.
- Before you take the old cell out, look at its face. Put the new cell in with the same side showing, and avoid touching both faces at once.
- Close the case until it clicks all the way round, put the metal key back, then try the buttons and a push-button start.
A CR2032 is 20 mm across and 3.2 mm thick. CR2032, CR2025 and CR2016 share the same width but not the same thickness, so a swap between them can leave a loose contact or a case that will not close.
If a child might have swallowed a coin cell, treat it as an emergency and get to a hospital right away.