What's Holding Back The BMW Key Fob Industry?
What's Holding Back The BMW Key Fob Industry?
Blog Article
What Functions Does a BMW Key Fob Have?
Your BMW key fob is likely to have many functions. You can use it for a variety of purposes, including opening your doors, controlling your windows as well as starting the engine.
However, there are some hidden tricks that you might not have heard of. Here are some of the best.
Functions
The BMW key fob is a small, rectangular piece of plastic that has many buttons built into its side. Most of them unlock and lock the car however, a few are distinctive. For instance, BMW owners can activate an invisible function on their key fob to lower all of their windows simultaneously by pressing the unlock button two times. This is ideal for people who want to cool their car during the summer heat.
The BMW key fob can be used to start your vehicle. This is a security measure to prevent unauthorized access to the vehicle. To start the engine, drivers must first press the lock button on the key fob, then press the circular arrow. This feature is also available on newer BMW models to start the vehicle remotely. This feature is particularly useful when the driver is late to work and does not have time to open the door.
The BMW key fob also has the capability of controlling the interior climate system. This is especially helpful for those traveling with multiple individuals as each key fob can be used to determine the preferred temperature for each person. For those who have a hybrid BMW key fob, it can be used to determine the status of charging the battery in the vehicle.
Dropping them in water is not recommended. It is recommended to keep the key fob inside its case of protection when not in use. If you happen to lose the key fob, a replacement is available to disable it, rendering it useless for thieves. Contacting the dealer or our technicians will do this. You can purchase a new BMW key fob to repair your car's functionality.
Design
BMW key fobs were once huge, clunky rectangular shapes in black that, from a distance, appeared like a bottle-opener. They were simple but functional. Then BMW began to make them smaller and also added a plastic case around the key's base that made it look nicer and less resemble a bottle opener. This new design also minimized the rough key edges that could poke through pockets or bags and made the keys easier to hold.
BMW then introduced the Display Key which puts all the functions of your car in your palm. The BMW key fob has small LCD screens which allows you to lock and unlock your vehicle, control the air conditioning, and access vehicle information. Even hybrid models can have remote parking!
If you're in need of an alternative, you can get the same functionality and features by using the BMW Digital Key. You can unlock your car by using your smartphone, provided you have a compatible model. This feature is available for 2021 and newer BMW cars that use the iDrive 8 operating system.
The Connected Remote key is another innovative key from BMW that allows you to start your vehicle and operate certain functions using your smartphone. The app lets you remotely control the climate control of your car and check battery levels. You can see the amount of fuel left in your car, if it's equipped with this feature.
The process of replacing a BMW Digital Key is the same, whether you use the traditional key or a BMW Digital Key. Our technicians will help you in the process if you bring both your old key and new one to Patrick BMW. You can also purchase a BMW Key Protection Plan, which will cover replacement costs when keys are 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 will erase all programming and render it unusable. This is accomplished by turning the key from position one, then back quickly, five times in a row. Then you can turn the key until it is at zero and remove it from the ignition.
Security
The BMW Digital Key makes it easy to start your car. The fob works with your smartphone or Apple Watch and works with BMW Connected Drive to unlock the vehicle, start the engine, and much more. You can also share the key with five other people.
The key fob is encrypted and transmits signals with the vehicle. This makes it impossible for hackers to intercept and clone the signal. The UWB technology of the BMW Digital Key also prevents attacks on relays even when it is moving. The system uses an alarm to prevent unauthorized starting and disables ignition switch.
BMW offers a range of optional security features. Passive Start is one of them. It disables the starter motor when the key fob doesn't remain within close proximity to your car. This feature is available in many of the brand's models and offers peace of mind.
A number of the more advanced BMW models offer keyless access, which lets drivers enter and start the car without having to manually use any buttons or insert a physical key. This feature is typically activated by pressing the fob's lock button three times in the span of a second. In some cases it is possible to press the lock button on the fob three times to then turn on a separate remote start feature on the dashboard or on the steering wheel.
Some people prefer to carry their BMW key fob in a signal-blocking pouch that reduces the chance of a third-party broadcasting the identifying signal from the fob and allowing access to the car. Some people prefer to use a standard case that doesn't have this feature, but it still protects the fob against scratches.
A few BMW owners have reported that their vehicles were stolen by criminals who just employed a signal amplifier to boost the identifying signal. This type of attack is referred to as "Relay Attack" and can be prevented by keeping the key fob in a signal-blocking pocket or by here using a signal blocker app on your phone.
Replacement
Everyone has experienced this - the battery in your BMW key fob dies or you'll need to purchase an extra one for your family. It's simple and inexpensive to get a replacement BMW fob and then program it into your car. BMW authorized locksmiths or dealers can offer you a replacement key fob. A new key fob can cost between $400 and $650, depending on the type of BMW you drive.
To program the new key fob into your BMW first, ensure that there isn't another key in the ignition. You should also close all doors inside your vehicle. Put your new key fob in the ignition, then quickly move 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 then turn on the vehicle. You should hear your vehicle's doors lock and unlock. This means that the new key fob was successfully programmed.
Depending on the model of your car, you could have a key blade on your key fob or one without. 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 key fob with a metal key inside will need to be placed in the ignition whenever you want to start the car.
If you have a BMW with Comfort Access, the process is even more straightforward. After you have programmed a new key fob, simply insert it into the ignition of your BMW and press the start button.
While your BMW is a fantastic way to travel around Decatur, it is important to keep your key fob in good condition. If you are looking for an updated BMW key fob, or a replacement for your existing one, contact the parts department at Patrick BMW. We can help you find the perfect key fob for your car and can upgrade your BMW with a Comfort Access upgrade to allow keyless entry and engine starting.