Porsche Ignition Key

One day, when I got into the Panamera, I noticed an unfamiliar message on the meter. It read, “Ignition key battery low. Replace ignition key battery.”

My husband’s key had shown this message before, and he had already replaced the battery. Although it’s been about two years since delivery and I drive the Panamera more often, it’s interesting how the battery life differs even between the same keys.

So this time, I decided to try replacing the battery myself without asking for my husband’s help.

Replacing the Porsche Key Battery!

When it comes to replacing the Panamera’s battery, the first question is “What kind of button battery should I prepare?” At times like this, the owner’s manual is the go-to resource. I looked up the Panamera’s manual online and found:

For battery replacement, please use (CR 2032, 3 V).

I immediately went to a 100-yen shop and bought the specified button battery. Then, just to be safe, I had my husband watch over me at home as I followed the manual to replace the battery.

1. Remove the Emergency Key

First, you remove the part called the emergency key, but it’s quite stiff. When I said, “No way, I can’t do this!” my husband replied, “Come on, it definitely opens!” We tried several times, but because my nails are quite long, I couldn’t use the pads of my fingers, and using my nails felt like they might break off.

Worried about breaking my nails, I ended up asking my husband for help right from the start (-_-). He also said,

Yeah, this is really stiff. Mine opened much more easily though.

Maybe it depends on the key.

2. Remove the Key Housing

Next, remove the housing of the driver key by pulling it left and right. This is also quite stiff. Although I’m a woman, I have strong grip and arm strength and am confident in arm wrestling (not sure if that matters, lol), so I was sure I could open it, but again, my long nails made it impossible to get a good grip.

Once again, I had my husband do it.

3. Remove the Battery Cover and Replace the Battery

Then, turn the battery cover counterclockwise to remove it and take out the button battery. After swapping the battery, just reattach the battery cover and snap the left and right parts of the driver key housing back on, and you’re done.

The process itself is simple and doesn’t require superhuman strength, so I think women can replace the battery on their own. However, “women with long nails will find it difficult,” so in that case, using a flathead screwdriver or similar tool might be better.

Honestly, it was a bit embarrassing… (-_-)

By the way, battery replacement for ignition keys is almost the same for the GT3 and Boxster (with slight differences depending on key shape).

Next time I replace the battery, I want to try again when my nails are freshly trimmed and short.