11 Ways To Completely Revamp Your BMW Key Fob

What Functions Does a BMW Key Fob Have?

Your BMW key fob probably has many functions. You can use it to unlock your doors, operate your windows, and even start your engine.

There are some tricks that you might not know about. Let's look at some of the most effective ones.

Functions

The BMW key fob is an incredibly small piece of plastic that has several buttons incorporated in its side. Most of them allow you to lock and unlock your car however, some are distinctive. BMW owners, for instance can activate a hidden function on their key fob by pressing the unlock button twice quickly. This is ideal for those who wish to cool down their vehicle on a hot summer's day.

Another important function of the BMW key fob is that it can be used to start the vehicle. 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 push the lock on the key fob and then the circular arrow. For the latest BMW models, this feature can also be used to remotely start the vehicle. This is especially useful when the driver is late for work and doesn't have time to get out of the car to get the door.

Finally lastly, the BMW key fob may also be used to control the car's interior climate system. This is especially useful for people who travel with several people as each key fob is able to set the preferred temperature for each person. For those who have a hybrid BMW key fob, it can be used to monitor the state of charge of the battery in the vehicle.

Dropping them in water is not recommended. It is best to store the key fob inside its case of protection when it is not in use. If you lose your key fob we can provide a service which will deactivate the device, making it inaccessible to thieves. Contacting our dealer or technicians will do this. A replacement for the lost BMW key fob could be purchased to restore functionality to your car.

Design

BMW key fobs were huge, clunky rectangular shapes in black that, from a distance, looked like a bottle opener. They were simple, but functional. Then BMW began to make them smaller and also added an aluminum case around the base of the key that made it appear more elegant and a little less like an opener for bottles. This new design also minimized the rough key edges which could puncture bags or pockets, and made keys easier to hold.

Then BMW introduced the Display Key, which puts all the features of your car in your hand. It lets you lock and unlock your car, operate your air conditioning, and see the vehicle's information on a small LCD touchscreen on the BMW key fob. It even allows remote parking on hybrid models!

BMW Digital Keys are a great replacement if you need to replace the BMW key fob. You can unlock your vehicle by using your smartphone, if you have an appropriate model. This feature is available on 2021 or later BMW cars that use the iDrive 8 operating system.

Another exciting new key from BMW is the Connected Remote Key that allows you to start your vehicle and operate some of its features with your smartphone. The app lets you remotely control your car's climate control as well as check the battery level and much more! You can check how much fuel is left in your car if it is equipped with this feature.

The process for replacing a BMW Digital Key is the same, whether you use an old-fashioned key or a BMW Digital Key. You'll need to bring your working 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 when keys are lost or stolen.

If you do lose your BMW key, don't panic! The first step is to reset the key, which erases any programming that was stored on it and make it unusable. This is done by turning the key to position one and back quickly, five times in a row. Then, turn it to read more position zero and take it out of the ignition.

Security

The BMW Digital Key makes it easy to start your vehicle. The fob is compatible with your smartphone or Apple Watch and works with BMW Connected Drive to unlock the vehicle and start the engine and more. You can also share the key with five other people.

The key fob communicates with the vehicle via encrypted signals. It is therefore impossible for hackers and cloners to intercept the signal. The UWB technology of the BMW Digital Key also prevents attacks on relays even when it is moving. The system also incorporates an alarm built-in to stop unauthorized starts and disables the ignition switch, which is a common target for thieves.

BMW offers a range of optional security features. Passive Start is one such feature that disables the starter motor if the key fob doesn't remain in close proximity to your car. This feature is available on many of the brand's models and gives you security.

BMW's more advanced models feature keyless entry, which lets drivers access and start their vehicle without having manually insert a key or press 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 need to press the button to lock the fob three times, and then switch on an additional remote start feature on the dashboard or on the steering wheel.

Some people prefer to carry their BMW key fob in a pouch with a signal blocker that reduces the chance of a third-party broadcasting the signal that identifies the fob and using it to access the car. Some people prefer to use an ordinary case that does not have the feature, but it does protect the fob from scratches.

Some BMW owners have reported that their vehicles were stolen by criminals who simply employed a signal amplifier to boost the identifying signal. This type of attack is known as "Relay Attack" and can be prevented by keeping your key fob in a signal blocking pocket or by using a signal-blocking app on your phone.

Replacement

It happens to everyone - your BMW key fob battery dies or you need a spare for someone in your family. Thankfully, getting an alternative BMW key fob and programming it to your car is easy and inexpensive. You can buy an alternative from any dealer or locksmith authorized by BMW. A new key fob will cost between $400 and $650 based on the kind of BMW you drive.

Check to see if there is other ignition key in your BMW before you start programming the new keyfob. Also, close all doors in your vehicle. Put your new key fob into the ignition and swiftly change it from position 1 to 0, 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've completed this, remove your key and turn the car on. The doors should unlock and lock, indicating that your new key fob is successfully programmed.

Based on the model of your car, you may either have a key blade inside your key fob or one that isn't. Each one has a distinct process to sync with your car, however the steps for each are nearly identical. The only difference is that the metal key fob has to be put into the ignition to start your vehicle.

If you have a BMW equipped with Comfort Access the process is much simpler. Once you have programmed your new key fob to your BMW then, you can insert it into the ignition and press start.

It is crucial to ensure that your BMW key fob in good in good working order. Patrick BMW's parts department can help you find a new BMW fob or a replacement. We can assist you in selecting the right key fob and also upgrade your BMW to Comfort Access for keyless entry or engine starting.