Don’t (Hit the) Panic (Button).
What do you do if your car won’t start? First, take a deep breath — we all know that troubleshooting car issues doesn’t necessarily make for the best day.
Your car not starting could be the result of many different issues. On the heavier side of the potential causes, it could be total engine failure (not ideal). But on the lighter and more common side, it could have something to do with the key fob (which is still annoying, but typically much easier to deal with).
Modern cars — especially connected cars— have remote key fobs that do so much more than just unlock your vehicle. They’re quickly replacing the physical car keys that many of us have used since we learned to drive. Instead of requiring you to actually insert a key into the ignition, your car simply detects whether your key fob is with you as you push the start button.
So if your car won’t start? First, check that you actually have your key fob on you. If you do and your car still won’t start, check to make sure the fob is working properly. Try testing the buttons on your fob to see if its other remote features, like locking or unlocking the doors, still work. If none of the controls on your key fob are functioning, it could be a dead battery or weak signal in the fob itself.
Pro tip: Try not to sit on your key fob. Sometimes people accidentally drain their key fob’s battery because they’re constantly butt-dialing commands.
If the key fob isn’t why your car won’t start, the car battery is also worth investigating (here’s how to jump-start a dead car battery). And if it doesn’t come back to obvious battery issues, it may be time to give your dealership or trusty mechanic a call.
