These instructions apply to the Land Rover Discovery Mk5 (L462) 2017-Present.
For other models, please choose your vehicle here.
The Land Rover Discovery (L462, 2017–Present) — the fifth-generation “Discovery 5” — is a push-button keyless vehicle: the smart key talks to the car over radio, and a flat coin cell inside the fob breaks that link. When the START/STOP button shows “Smart Key Not Found” or the doors stop responding, the fob battery is almost always the cause — and the L462 has a backup so you can still get in and drive.
Start the Engine With a Dead Fob Battery
The car still reads the key’s transponder chip by induction once the fob is held right against the ignition.
- Sit in the driver’s seat and close the door.
- The message centre prompts “Position As Shown And Press Start Button”, picturing 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 Door With the Hidden Emergency Key
If central locking won’t respond, use the steel emergency blade inside the smart key.
- Press and hold the release catch on the side of the fob, then slide out the emergency key blade.
- The driver’s door lock cylinder is hidden under a small cap at the rear of the handle.
- Insert the blade into the slot at the base of the cap and lever it off to expose the keyhole.
- Insert the blade and turn to unlock the door.
- Refit the cap once you’re inside.
Expect the Alarm
Opening the door with the blade can trigger the alarm, because the car hasn’t seen a valid radio handshake. Get in and complete the dead-fob start — starting the engine with the recognised transponder disarms the immobiliser and silences the siren.
Replace the CR2032 Coin Cell
The L462 smart key uses one CR2032 3-volt lithium coin cell. Slide out the emergency blade, then use the blade slot to split the fob halves. Fit a fresh CR2032 with the + side oriented the same way as the original and click the case shut. Full keyless range returns immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I hold the key to start a Discovery 5? Flat against the START/STOP button, exactly as the dashboard image shows.
Where is the keyhole on the door? Under a removable cap at the rear of the driver’s door handle. Pop it off with the blade.
I have the Activity Key wristband — can I use that instead? If your Discovery is fitted with the waterproof Activity Key, it can lock and unlock the car and start it — but a flat conventional fob still starts the car by the button-hold method above.
The alarm sounded when I used the blade — is that a fault? No. The blade opens the lock but doesn’t tell the alarm a valid key is present. Starting the engine clears it.
How long does the fob battery last? Two to three years typically. Replace the CR2032 as soon as keyless range starts dropping.
If a warning lamp stayed on after the flat-battery episode, decode the stored fault code at autodtcs.com.
Independent guide — not affiliated with Land Rover. Always follow your official service manual and safety precautions. Read our full disclaimer.