What Functions Does a BMW Key Fob Have?
If you have an BMW, chances are that your key fob comes with many functions. It can be used for many things, including unlocking your doors, controlling your windows, and even starting the engine.
But there are some secret techniques that you may not have heard of. Let's take a look some of the most useful ones.
Functions
The BMW key fob is a small rectangular piece of plastic, with many buttons built into its side. Most of them allow you to lock and unlock your car however, a few are unique. For example, BMW owners can activate an in-built function on the key fob to lower all their windows at once by pressing the unlock button twice. This is ideal for those who wish to cool off their car in the heat of summer.
The BMW key fob can be used to start your car. This feature is a safety measure that prevents unauthorized access to the vehicle. To start the engine, the driver has to press the lock button on the key fob, then the circular arrow. This feature is also available on the latest BMW models 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 open the door.
Additionally, the BMW key fob can also be utilized to control the vehicle's interior climate system. This is particularly helpful for those who travel with multiple individuals, as it's possible to set each individual's preferred temperature with their own key fob. The key fob on a hybrid BMW can be used to check the battery's charge status.
Dropping them into water is not recommended. It's best to keep the key fob in a safe case when not in use. If you lose the key fob, a replacement is available to disable it, making it useless for thieves. This can be done by contacting the dealer or one of our technicians. You can purchase a replacement BMW key fob to restore your car's functionality.
Design
BMW key fobs used to be big, clunky black rectangles that looked a bit like an opener for bottles from a distance. They were simple, but functional. BMW then made them smaller and added a plastic casing around the base to make it appear more appealing and less like an opener for keys. This new design also reduced the rough edges of keys that could poke through bags or pockets, and made keys easier to hold.
Then BMW introduced the Display Key, which puts all of your vehicle's functionality in your hand. The BMW key fob features an LCD screen that allows you to lock and unlock your car, control the air conditioning and view vehicle information. Even hybrid models have remote parking!
If you're in need of an alternative key fob, you can have the same great functionality with a BMW Digital Key. You can unlock your vehicle with your smartphone when you own an appropriate model. This feature is only available to BMW vehicles made after 2021 that use the iDrive 8 system.
Another exciting new key from BMW is the Connected Remote Key, which allows you to start your car and use certain functions using your smartphone. The app allows you to remotely control the climate control of your car and check battery levels and more! You can check the amount of fuel left in your car if it has this feature.
The process of replacing the BMW Digital Key is the same regardless of whether you're using an old-fashioned key or a BMW Digital Key. You'll have to bring your original key and the new one to Patrick BMW, and our technicians will help you with everything. You can also purchase a BMW Key Protection Plan, which will cover replacement costs in the event that your keys are lost or stolen.
If you do lose your BMW key, don't panic! The first thing you have 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 one row. Then, turn it to position zero and then pull it out of the ignition.
Security
The BMW Digital Key is a convenient method to start your car. The fob works with your Apple Watch or smartphone and is compatible with BMW Connected Drive. It allows you to unlock your vehicle and also start the engine. It also allows you to share the key with up to five others.
The key fob transmits encrypted signals with the vehicle. This makes it difficult for hackers to intercept and clone the signal. Additionally the UWB technology in the BMW Digital Key prevents relay attacks, even if the fob is moving while it's being carried. The system employs an alarm to prevent unauthorized starting and disables ignition switch.
BMW offers a variety of security options that can be added. Passive Start is one of them. It disables the starter motor when the key fob does remain in close proximity to your vehicle. This feature is available on a variety of BMW models and provides additional security.
BMW's more sophisticated models include keyless entry, which lets users to start their vehicle without having to manually inserting a key or pressing any buttons. This feature can be activated by pressing three times on the lock button of the fob in just one second. In some cases you may have to press the fob's lock three times to activate a remote start feature on the dashboard or steering wheel.
Some people choose to carry their BMW key fob in a signal-blocking pouch, which reduces the risk of a third party broadcasting the identification signal from the fob and allowing access to the car. Some prefer a standard key case, which doesn't have this feature, but it will protect the fob from scratches.
A few BMW owners have reported that their cars were stolen by criminals using an amplifier for signal strength to boost the identifying signals. This kind of attack, referred to as "Relay Attack", can be prevented by placing the key fob into a pocket that blocks signals or by using an application on your smartphone to block signals.
Replacement
Everyone has had this experience - the battery in your BMW key fob goes out or you have to purchase an extra one for your family. It's easy and affordable to get a replacement BMW fob, and program it into your vehicle. You can purchase the replacement from any dealership or locksmith that is authorized by BMW. A new key fob will typically cost between $400 and $650, based on the model of BMW you drive.
To program a new key fob for your BMW, first make sure that there isn't another key in the ignition. You should also close all doors in your vehicle. Insert your new key fob in the ignition, and quickly change it from position 1 to position zero, and then back to position 1. Then, press the unlock button on your BMW key fob and press the BMW logo three times in rapid succession. After you have finished this, take off your key and turn the vehicle on. You should hear your vehicle's doors lock and unlock. This means that the new key fob was successfully programmed.
Based on the model of your car, you may have a key fob that has a physical key blade inside it, or a fob without one. Each one has a distinct process to sync with your vehicle, but the steps for each are almost identical. The only difference is that the metal key fob has to be inserted into the ignition to start your vehicle.
If you own a BMW equipped with Comfort Access the process is even simpler. Once you have programmed your new key fob to your BMW and inserted it into the ignition and press start.
While your BMW is a fantastic vehicle to get around Decatur however, it is vital that you keep your key fob in good condition. If you're looking get more info for an entirely new BMW key fob or a replacement one, you can reach the parts department at Patrick BMW. We can assist you in finding the perfect key fob for your vehicle, and we can even upgrade your BMW with a Comfort Access upgrade to allow keyless entry and engine starting.