3 Reasons 3 Reasons Why Your BMW Key Fob Is Broken (And How To Fix It)
3 Reasons 3 Reasons Why Your BMW Key Fob Is Broken (And How To Fix It)
Blog Article
What Functions Does a BMW Key Fob Have?
If you own an BMW it is likely that your key fob is equipped with a lot of functions. It can be used to do a variety of things, such as opening your doors, controlling your windows and even starting your engine.
There are some tricks you may not know about. Let's look at some of the most useful ones.
Functions
The BMW key fob consists of a small rectangle of plastic with several buttons incorporated into its side. The majority of the buttons are used to unlock and lock the vehicle, but some have additional functions. BMW owners, for example can activate a hidden function on their key fob by pressing the unlock button two times quickly. This is ideal for those looking to cool off their car during a hot summer day.
The BMW key fob can also be used to start your car. This feature is a safety measure to ensure that no one is able to gain access to the vehicle. To start the car, the driver must first press the lock on the key fob, and then press the circular arrow. For newer BMW models the feature can be used to remotely start the car. This is particularly helpful in situations where the driver is in a hurry for work and doesn't have the time to get out of the car to get the door.
Finally it is worth noting that the BMW key fob can be used to control the car's interior climate system. This is particularly useful for those who travel with several individuals, as it's possible to set each individual's preferred temperatures with their individual key fob. If you have a hybrid BMW key fob can be used to monitor the state of charge of the battery in the vehicle.
While standard BMW key fobs can handle normal levels of humidity, dropping them into water can cause severe damage. It is recommended to keep the key fob in its protective case when not in use. If you do lose the key fob, a solution is available to deactivate it, making it useless for thieves. Contacting our dealer or technicians will be able to do this. A replacement for a lost BMW key fob can be purchased to restore functionality to your vehicle.
Design
BMW key fobs were large, clunky rectangles of black that, from a distance, looked like a bottle opener. They were simple, but functional. Then BMW began to make them more compact and added a plastic case around the key's base that made it appear more elegant and less resemble an opener for bottles. This new design also minimized the rough key edges that could poke through bags or pockets and made the keys easier to hold.
BMW has since introduced the Display Key which puts all the functions of your car in your hands. The BMW key fob comes with an LCD screen which allows you to lock and unlock your vehicle, control the air conditioning, and access vehicle information. Even hybrid models come with remote parking!
If you're in need of an alternative key fob, you can have the same great function with a BMW Digital Key. You can unlock your vehicle using your smartphone if you have an appropriate model. This feature is available on 2021 or later BMW vehicles with the iDrive 8 operating system.
Another cool new key from BMW is the Connected Remote Key, which allows you to start your vehicle and operate certain features using your smartphone. The app allows you to remotely control your car's climate control, check battery levels, and more! You can also see how much gas is left in your tank, should your car be equipped with that feature.
No matter if you're using a BMW Digital Key or a traditional key fob the process for getting an replacement is the same. Our technicians will assist you with the process if you bring both your old key and the new one to Patrick BMW. You can also choose to purchase a BMW Key Protection plan, which will cover the cost of a replacement if your keys get lost or stolen.
If you do lose your BMW key, don't panic! The first thing you need to do is reset the key. This erases all programming and render it unusable. This is accomplished by turning the key from position one and back in quick succession, five times in a row. Then you can turn the key to zero and take it out of the ignition.
Security
The BMW Digital Key is a easy method to start your car. The fob pairs with your smartphone or Apple Watch and works with BMW Connected Drive to unlock the vehicle and start the engine and much more. You can also share the key with five others.
The key fob communicates with the vehicle via encrypted signals. It is therefore impossible for hackers and cloners to intercept the signal. Additionally to this, the UWB technology of the BMW Digital Key prevents relay attacks even if the fob is in motion when it is being transported. The system utilizes an alarm to block unauthorised starting and disables ignition switch.
BMW offers a range of optional security features. Passive Start is one such feature that disables the starter motor when the key fob doesn't remain close to your car. This feature is available on many BMW models and can provide an additional level of security.
A lot of the more sophisticated BMW models have keyless access, which lets drivers enter and start the vehicle without having manually push any buttons or insert a physical key. This feature is usually activated by pressing the lock button on the fob three times in the span of a second. In some cases you may need to press the lock on the fob three times to activate the remote start feature on the steering wheel or dashboard.
Some people carry their BMW keyfob in a pouch that blocks signals. This minimizes the risk of a third-party broadcasting the identifying code from the fob to gain access to the car. Some prefer an ordinary key case which doesn't have this feature, but can protect the fob from scratches.
Some here BMW owners have reported that their cars have been stolen by criminals who just employed a signal amplifier to boost the identifying signal. This type of attack is known as "Relay Attack" and can be prevented by keeping the key fob in a signal blocking pocket or by using an app that blocks signals on your phone.
Replacement
Everybody has experienced this: the battery in your BMW key fob goes out or you need to buy an extra one for your family. Fortunately, finding a replacement BMW key fob and programming it to your car is simple and affordable. BMW authorized locksmiths or dealers can offer you an alternative key fob. A new key fob will cost between $400 and $650 based on the model of BMW you drive.
Check to see if there is other ignition key in your BMW before you begin programming the new keyfob. Also, close all doors inside your vehicle. Insert your new key fob into the ignition and swiftly change it from position 1 to 0, and then back again. Then, hold down the unlock button on your BMW key fob and press the BMW logo three times in rapid succession. After you've completed this, remove the key and turn on the vehicle. You should hear your car's doors lock and unlock. This means that the new key fob was successfully programmed.
Based on the model of your car, you could either have a key blade inside your key fob or without. The process of synchronizing new fobs with your car is different for each however, the steps are nearly identical. The only difference is the metal key fob has to be placed in the ignition to start your car.
If you own an BMW equipped with Comfort Access, the process is even easier. After you have programmed an entirely new key fob simply connect it to the ignition of your car and press the start button.
It is crucial to maintain your BMW key fob in working condition. Patrick BMW's parts department can assist you find a replacement BMW fob or a replacement. We can assist you in finding the perfect key fob for your car and can upgrade your BMW with an upgrade to Comfort Access to enable keyless entry as well as engine starting.