Hi gang. Hopefully this information concerning the fob batteries and keeping the fob in the vehicle will help a bit.
Unfortunately, there is no way to check the fob battery status via the fob itself or the vehicle. However, the information display in the vehicle will give a *low fob battery warning* when the fob battery does get low.
To give a general idea: My 2018 MKZ just gave me a low fob battery warning about a month ago, for the fob I always use (original battery). So that battery lasted ~5 1/2 years of "normal" use. And I used that fob for another week or two, until the battery gave up the ghost completely and would not start the vehicle (a curiosity experiment...lol).
So until I could pick up a new fob battery (CR2450 in my case), I switched my house keys to the second fob and began using it (also the original battery). That second fob was extremely rarely used in those 5 1/2 years (less than a dozen times). In the meantime, I replaced the other fob battery, but kept using the rarely used one.
After a few weeks, the information center issued a *low fob battery warning* for that second fob...lol...even though it was rarely used previously. So I switched back to the "original" fob with the now-new battery. And believe it or not, I have had issues finding another CR2450 battery in my local home improvement and other stores (even the one I purchased was the last one Lowe's had in stock). I may have to break-down and order it through Amazon.
So take my experience for what it may be worth concerning low fob battery warnings and fob battery life.
On a related note, the two fobs for my 2007 MKZ still have the original batteries in them. So at least in my direct experience, the Intelligent Access features in our vehicles would certainly seem to decrease overall fob battery life.
Also, leaving the fob in the vehicle should not drain the vehicle battery or fob batteries in a properly working vehicle. As explained in the Owners Manual (or at least it used to be explained): After a short period of time, or a limited number of approaches to the vehicle with a fob on our person (I believe it is ~5 times in my MKZ), the vehicle Battery Management System shuts down certain ancillary features/functions,
until the vehicle has been restarted. This includes disabling the fob waking the vehicle, the "Welcome/Approach" lighting functions, etc.
We can test this by approaching the vehicle with the fob in our pocket until the "Welcome Lighting" illuminates. Then walk away and wait for it to turn off. Repeat this 5-6 times, and you will (or should) eventually see that the "Welcome Lighting" will no longer illuminate when we approach.
For those who like to keep the fob in their vehicle, I would only add this one caveat: Hide it in a location which is more than ~3 feet away from the ignition switch. This is to avoid the vehicle being able to be started with the fob, in the event of a vehicle break-in.
There are other system safeguards in place to help avoid this, but better to play it safe and protect ourselves.
Hope this information helps and good luck.
