Can a Car Key Still Be Used After Being Washed in a Washing Machine?
4 Answers
In most cases, it can still be used. What to do if the car key has been washed: If a smart key is accidentally washed in a washing machine, avoid pressing any buttons to prevent burning out the components on the electronic board due to power flow. Do not attempt to shake off the water, as this may spread the moisture inside the key. Instead, place the car key in a well-ventilated area to dry naturally or use a hair dryer to dry it. Alternatively, you can disassemble the car key, remove the battery, and let it dry. After drying, reassemble the key and test it. If it still doesn't work, the key may need to be replaced. How to maintain a car key: Most smart keys today have internal circuits that are relatively weak against impact. They can easily be damaged by severe collisions or drops, which can shorten the key's lifespan. Additionally, prolonged contact or collisions with metal objects or hard items may also damage the key. Avoid exposing the smart key to high-temperature environments, such as direct sunlight, and do not place it under the windshield. Keep it away from humid environments or contact with liquids, as water exposure can burn out the internal circuits, leading to remote control failure. Be cautious when replacing the battery of a smart car key, as any mistake can damage the circuit board inside the key.
Oh, I once accidentally washed my car keys in the washing machine too, but they still worked because I dealt with it promptly. Modern car keys generally come in two types: mechanical keys and smart keys with remote control. Mechanical keys are no big deal—just dry them off after washing and they're good to go. But smart keys have circuit boards inside, and water can easily cause a short circuit, leading to malfunction. After retrieving the key, don’t test it right away, as this could cause further damage. Quickly use an absorbent method—place it in a bag of rice for 24 hours to soak up the moisture, or use a hairdryer on a low setting to dry the surface moisture. After that, try unlocking the car. If it still works, congratulations! If not, the battery might be dead and replacing it could solve the problem, or the circuit board might be damaged, requiring professional repair or a new key. Develop a habit of checking your pockets before doing laundry, or buy a waterproof key cover to prevent such mishaps. This small incident is a big lesson—don’t forget to keep a spare key handy to avoid the embarrassment of being locked out.
As a seasoned driver with over twenty years of experience, I've seen cases where keys were damaged by washing. Whether a car key still works after getting wet depends on its type and the extent of damage. Traditional mechanical keys are generally fine—just let them dry thoroughly to unlock the car. Remote smart keys, however, are more vulnerable because impurities in water can corrode internal components, leading to button failure or ignition issues. The immediate response is critical: remove the key promptly, wipe the exterior dry, disassemble it to take out the battery (to prevent short-circuiting), and use silica gel packs or desiccants to absorb internal moisture. Test it after a day; if functionality is impaired, visit a repair shop for inspection or a replacement, with costs ranging from tens to thousands. Prevention is key—avoid casually tossing keys into laundry baskets and use a bright key lanyard to minimize risks. From a safe driving perspective, this serves as a reminder to regularly check if your car is locked, preventing minor oversights from causing major hassles.
My experience with a water-damaged key: it still worked but required some finesse. The interior of a key is like a miniature electronic device—water can short-circuit the battery or circuit board. Immediately remove the power source upon retrieval: take out the battery to prevent further damage, then thoroughly dry it: wrap it in absorbent paper towels and place it in a warm area to air dry. Wait 24 hours before reassembling and testing. Some waterproof-designed keys might survive, but most standard types are prone to damage. If it stops working, consider replacement: low-end car key batteries are cheap to replace, while high-end smart key pairing can be costly. Preventive measures include keeping a spare key and using a key protective case, plus developing the habit of checking pockets before doing laundry. This isn’t a major issue—most cases can return to normal use.
