These instructions apply to the SsangYong Korando Mk4 (C300) 2019-2022.
For other models, please choose your vehicle here.
The SsangYong Korando (C300, 2019–2022) uses a Smart Key with keyless entry and a push-button start, managed by the car’s Smart Key Module. When the coin cell goes flat the long-range radio drops out and the dash warns that the key is not detected — but the car can still read the chip up close, so you are not stranded. Here is the full fallback.
Start the Car With a Dead Smart Key
The transponder inside the Korando fob is passive — the car powers and reads it through a short-range antenna behind the START/STOP button, so a flat coin cell does not block it:
- Get in first (mechanical-key steps below) and sit in the driver’s seat with the door shut.
- Press the brake pedal fully and hold it.
- Hold the Smart Key flat against the START/STOP button, badge face to the button.
- With the brake still down, press START. The Korando cranks and starts.
If nothing happens, square the fob over the button or flip it to the other face — the read coil only reaches a centimetre or two. You may need a couple of tries to find the sweet spot.
Unlock With the Emergency Key
A dead fob will not unlock by radio, so use the blade hidden inside it.
- Slide the release catch on the Smart Key and pull the mechanical blade out.
- At the driver’s door, lever off the small cover on the handle to reveal the keyhole.
- Insert and turn to unlock. The alarm may sound until you start the car.
About the Immobiliser
The Korando’s Smart Key Module runs the immobiliser. The close-range handshake at the start button is the official SsangYong fallback for a flat key battery — it is separate from the radio that handles hands-free unlocking, which is why holding the fob to the button still authorises a start. A crank-but-no-run or a persistent key warning after a fresh cell points at the key or SKM, not the coin cell.
Replace the Coin Cell
The Korando Smart Key uses a single 3V lithium CR2032.
- Pull the mechanical blade out to expose the case seam.
- Twist a coin or small flat screwdriver in the slot to part the halves.
- Lift out the old CR2032 and fit the new one positive (+) side the same way, handling it by the rim.
- Click the case shut and test lock/unlock standing by the car.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start my Korando if the smart key is dead? Hold the fob against the START/STOP button with the brake pressed, then push START.
Which battery does the Korando smart key take? A CR2032 3V lithium coin cell.
Where is the door keyhole? Behind a small cover on the driver’s door handle; pop the cover with the emergency blade.
Do I need to reprogram the key after a battery swap? No. Changing the coin cell does not erase the key; remote functions return once the new cell is fitted.
The dash says “key not detected” even with a new battery — what now? Check the 12V battery first; a weak main battery can mimic a key fault. If it persists, the key or Smart Key Module needs attention.
If a warning light stayed on after you drove away, you can decode the exact fault on our sister site autodtcs.com to see whether it relates to the smart-key system.
Independent guide — not affiliated with SsangYong. Always follow your official service manual and safety precautions. Read our full disclaimer.