These instructions apply to the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Mk2 (L551) 2019-Present.
For other models, please choose your vehicle here.
The Land Rover Range Rover Evoque (L551, 2019–Present) uses a proximity smart key and, on most trims, sleek flush deployable door handles that sit retracted until they sense the key. When the fob’s coin cell dies, those handles stay tucked in, the touch-to-enter sensors go quiet, and the START/STOP button reports “Smart Key Not Found”. The good news is the second-generation Evoque has a built-in backup for exactly this situation.
Start the Engine With a Dead Fob Battery
The car can still read the key’s transponder chip by induction once the fob is held right at the ignition.
- Get into the driver’s seat and close the door.
- Watch the message centre — it will display “Position As Shown And Press Start Button” with a picture of the fob against the START/STOP button.
- Hold the smart key flat against the START/STOP button as shown.
- Press and hold the brake pedal.
- With the fob still in place, press the START/STOP button. The engine starts and you can drive away normally.
Unlock the Flush Door Handle With the Emergency Key
The L551’s flush handles work differently from a conventional pull handle — there is no separate keyhole cap.
- Press and hold the release catch on the side of the fob, then slide out the steel emergency key blade.
- At the driver’s door, press firmly on the front edge of the flush handle. The rear edge pivots outward.
- Pull the handle fully out to its deployed position. The lock cylinder is now exposed at the rear of the handle.
- Insert the emergency blade and turn to unlock the door.
If your Evoque has conventional fixed handles rather than the flush type, the lock cylinder instead sits under a small cap at the rear of the driver’s handle — pry the cap off with the blade to reach it.
Why the Alarm May Sound
Unlocking mechanically doesn’t pass a valid radio handshake to the car, so the alarm can trigger. Climb in and complete the dead-fob start above — the recognised transponder disarms the immobiliser and silences the siren.
Replace the CR2032 Coin Cell
The L551 smart key runs on one CR2032 lithium coin cell. After removing the emergency blade, use the blade slot to split the fob halves. Swap the old cell for a fresh CR2032 with the + face oriented the same way, then snap the case shut. Full keyless and deployable-handle operation returns at once.
Frequently Asked Questions
My door handles won’t pop out — is the car broken? No. The flush handles only deploy when they detect a live key. A dead fob battery leaves them retracted; press the front edge to pop the rear and pull the handle out manually.
Where do I hold the key to start the L551? Against the START/STOP button, exactly as the dashboard image shows.
Does mild-hybrid (MHEV) electrical kit change the procedure? No. The 48V mild-hybrid system doesn’t affect how the smart key is read — the dead-fob start is identical.
The alarm sounded when I opened the door — normal? Yes. Mechanical entry bypasses the radio handshake. Starting the engine clears the alarm.
How often should I replace the battery? Every two to three years, or sooner if keyless range starts dropping off.
If a dashboard warning light remained on after the flat-battery event, you can decode the stored fault at autodtcs.com.
Independent guide — not affiliated with Land Rover. Always follow your official service manual and safety precautions. Read our full disclaimer.