Lincoln Continental key fob battery
Every model year listed for the Lincoln Continental has a proven battery. The most common answer is CR2032. Rows below run oldest to newest; a year can appear twice when the car came with more than one kind of key.
- 1996-2000Remote (separate)
CR2032
FCC ID CWTWB1U343Two sites agree: manualowl.com and uhs-hardware.com (checked Nov 1, 2026)
Find CR2032 on Amazon - 2001Remote (separate)
CR2032
FCC ID CWTWB1U343Owner's manual: manualowl.com and uhs-hardware.com (checked Nov 1, 2026)
Manual text: “one coin type three-volt lithium battery CR2032 or equivalent”
Find CR2032 on Amazon - 2002Remote (separate)
CR2032
FCC ID CWTWB1U343Two sites agree: manualowl.com and uhs-hardware.com (checked Nov 1, 2026)
Find CR2032 on Amazon - 2017-2020Smart key
CR2450
FCC ID M3N-A2C940780Two sites agree: uhs-hardware.com and energizer.com (checked Nov 1, 2026)
Find CR2450 on Amazon
Changing the battery
Separate remote fob
- A separate fob has no key blade inside, so it opens with nothing but a coin or a small screwdriver.
- Turn it over: some older fobs use one small screw, newer ones just clip. Pry at the seam once any screw is out.
- Swap the cell or cells, keeping the same side up as the old ones.
- Reassemble and test from a short distance.
A CR2032 is 20 mm across and 3.2 mm thick. CR2032, CR2025 and CR2016 share the same width but not the same thickness, so a swap between them can leave a loose contact or a case that will not close.
Smart key (push-button start)
- Find the small release on the edge or back of the fob and hold it while you pull out the metal emergency key.
- The gap left by the metal key usually has a pry point. A slow twist with a thin flat tool (tape on the tip saves the plastic) opens the two halves.
- Note which side of the old coin cell faces up (usually the side with the writing), lift it out with a plastic tool, and press the new one in the same way.
- Close the case until it clicks all the way round, put the metal key back, then try the buttons and a push-button start.
Lincoln fobs usually have a release for the emergency key, and the case opens at the slot it leaves.
A CR2450 is 24.5 mm across and 5.0 mm thick, much fatter than a CR2032. A thinner cell will rattle and lose contact, so buy the exact size.
Keep spare coin cells away from small children. A swallowed coin cell can burn the throat within hours; if it happens, go to an emergency room at once.