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?
If you own an BMW it is likely that your key fob is equipped with a lot of functions. You can use it for a variety of purposes, including opening your doors, controlling your windows and even starting your engine.
There are a few hidden tricks that you might not know about. Here are some of the most effective.
Functions
The BMW key fob consists of a small rectangular piece of plastic that has several buttons incorporated in its side. Most of these buttons are used to unlock and lock the vehicle, and certain buttons have additional functions. For example, BMW owners can activate an in-built function on the key fob to lower all of their windows at once by pressing the unlock button two times. This is ideal for people who want to cool their car during the scorching summer days.
Another major function of the BMW key fob is that it can be used to start the vehicle. This feature is a safety measure that prevents unauthorized access to the vehicle. To start the car, the driver has to first press the lock on the key fob and then press the circular arrow. For the latest BMW models, this feature can also be used to remotely start the car. This feature is especially beneficial when a driver is late for work and does not have the time to pull the door.
The BMW key fob is also capable of controlling the interior climate system. This is especially convenient for those who travel with multiple people, since it is possible to set each individual's preferred temperature using their own key fob. The key fob on a hybrid BMW can be used to monitor the battery's charge status.
Dropping them into water is not recommended. It's best to store the key fob inside its case that is protected when it is not in use. If you do lose the key fob, a replacement can be provided that will disable it, rendering it unusable for thieves. This can be done by contact with the dealer or one of our technicians. You can purchase a replacement BMW key fob to restore the functionality of your vehicle.
Design
BMW key fobs were large, clunky rectangles of black that, from a distance, appeared like a bottle opener. They were basic, but they served a purpose. BMW then made them smaller and added a plastic casing around the base to make it appear better and less like a key opener. This new design also minimized the rough key edges that could pierce bags or pockets, and made the keys easier to hold.
Then BMW introduced the Display Key, which puts all the functions of your vehicle in your hand. The BMW key fob features small LCD screens which allows you to lock and unlock your vehicle, control the air conditioning and display vehicle information. It even allows remote parking on hybrid models!
BMW Digital Keys are a great replacement if you need to replace your BMW key fob. Simply use your smartphone to replace the BMW key fob and unlock your car! This feature is only available to BMW vehicles built after 2021 with the iDrive 8 system.
The Connected Remote key is another cool new key from BMW that lets you start your car and control certain functions using your smartphone. The app lets you remotely control the climate control of your car and monitor battery levels. You can even check how much gas you have left in your tank, if the car is equipped with that feature.
No matter if you're using a BMW Digital Key or a traditional key fob the process for getting the replacement is the same. You'll have to bring the original key along with the new one to Patrick BMW, and our technicians will help you with everything. You can also choose to purchase an BMW Key Protection plan, which will cover the cost of a replacement in the event that 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 will erase all programming and render it useless. This is done by turning the key to position one and then back in rapid succession five times in a row. Then you can turn the key to zero and remove it from the ignition.
Security
The BMW Digital Key makes it easy to start your car. It is compatible with your Apple Watch or smartphone and is compatible with BMW Connected Drive. It allows you to unlock your vehicle and start the engine. You can also share the key with five people.
The key fob communicates encrypted signals to the vehicle. This makes it impossible for hackers to steal and replicate the signal. The UWB technology of the BMW Digital Key also prevents relay attacks even if it is in motion. The system also has an alarm built-in to stop non-authorized starts and disables ignition switch, which is a common target for thieves.
BMW offers a range of security options that can be added. Passive Start is one feature that will disable the starter motor if the key fob does not remain within close proximity to your vehicle. This feature is available on many of the brand's models and provides additional security.
A number of the more advanced BMW models come with keyless access which allows drivers to get in and start the car without having to manually press any buttons or insert an actual key. This feature is activated by pressing three times on the lock button on the fob in just one second. In some cases you may have to press the lock on the fob 3 times in order to activate a remote start feature on the steering wheel or dashboard.
Some people keep their BMW keyfob in a bag that blocks signals. This decreases the possibility of a third-party broadcasting the identification code from the fob in order to gain access to the vehicle. Others prefer to use the standard key case which does not have this feature, but it will protect the fob from scratches.
A few BMW owners have reported that their vehicles were taken by criminals using an amplifier for signal strength to increase the signal strength of the identifying signals. This kind of attack is referred to as "Relay Attack" and can be prevented by keeping your key more info fob in a signal-blocking pocket or by installing a signal-blocking app on your phone.
Replacement
Everyone has experienced this - the battery in your BMW key fob goes out or you have to purchase a spare one for a family. It's simple and inexpensive to purchase a new BMW fob, and then program it into your car. BMW authorized locksmiths or dealers can sell you an alternative key fob. A new key fob costs between $400 and $650, depending on the kind of BMW you drive.
Make sure that there isn't other ignition key in your BMW before you begin programming a new keyfob. Close all doors in your vehicle. After that you'll need to insert your new key fob into the ignition, and move it to position 1 before turning back to position 0 five times quickly. Hold the unlock button and quickly press the BMW logo on your BMW keyfob. After you've completed this, take off your key and turn your car on. The vehicle's doors unlock and lock. This means that the new key fob was successfully programmed.
Based on the model of your car depending on the model of your car, you could have keys that have an actual key blade in it or a key fob that does not have one. The procedure for syncing new fobs to your car differs for each, but the steps are similar. The only difference is that the fob that has a metallic key inside will need to be inserted into the ignition when you want to start the car.
If you have an BMW equipped with Comfort Access, the process is even simpler. Once you have programmed your new key fob to your BMW, insert it in the ignition and press start.
It is crucial to maintain your BMW key fob in good condition. If you're in search of a new BMW key fob or a replacement, you can contact the parts department at Patrick BMW. We can help you choose the correct key fob and also upgrade your BMW to Comfort Access for keyless entry and engine starting.