BMW Smart Key
The majority of new cars on the market today come with keyless fobs that let drivers lock and unlock their vehicle without having to insert the physical key. They can be bulky and motorists are more likely to lose or break them.
BMW has added a new high-tech twist to their current phone-as-key technology using the Display Key. Learn all about it in this blog post.
Keyless Entry
With BMW Digital Key, you can lock and unlock your car with a single tap on your smartphone. Download the app using Apple Wallet or Google Play Store and follow the instructions on the screen. After you have linked your mobile phone that is compatible with your BMW Connected Account, you can share your account with up to five friends or family members who also use the app. When someone accepts your invitation, they will be able to unlock and start your vehicle without the need for a physical key. This feature works without or with data connection even if your smartphone is set to airplane mode.
The convenience of the BMW Smart Key goes well beyond just unlocking your car. You can utilize the BMW Smart Key to open the trunk as well as control your HVAC and check the fuel levels and a lot more. You can even make your car's interior conditioned so that it is cool or warm when you arrive. The only caveat is that your BMW should be equipped with Comfort Access from the factory or retrofitted by an authorized BMW dealer. You can determine whether your car is equipped with Comfort Access by using a no-cost online BMW VIN decoder. If you have the feature, it will say "S322A" on the window sticker of your vehicle.
When you are ready to set up your new BMW Digital Key make sure that your smartphone is fully charged and located in the same area as your vehicle. Place your iPhone in the tray of your smartphone and click 'Start Pairing' on the screen of your vehicle's BMW Connected app. Once your phone and the vehicle are paired, you can remove your iPhone from the tray.
You can add new users to your BMW Connected Account and selecting the option to add a New Digital Key. You'll have to enter your contact details and the VIN number of the vehicle to which you wish to grant access. You'll then receive the code to enter into your mobile device. After the code is entered, your phone will display an BMW key icon within the Apple Wallet app.
Remote Control Parking
The latest BMWs come with a variety of tech gadgets that make drivers feel like James Bond, but the most eye-catching is probably the parking function that is remote controlled on the smart key. The driver can remotely start and park the vehicle from outside. It could be useful to park in tight spots in which the vehicle is too large to leave. Or, it could be used to replace an old key fob.
The system is easy to set up, but there are some variations based on what type of BMW you have. If your car is equipped with a push-button start, you'll require an existing key fob that you can program into the app. If you own a BMW Digital Key Plus model from 2021 or later you can unlock your vehicle by securing your phone to the door handle, similar to a regular key.
With both kinds of BMW, you can also make use of the remote start feature to condition the interior of the vehicle. This will help to maintain the temperature of the vehicle at a comfortable level when you're driving, and it's an excellent way to prepare your vehicle for long-distance trips. The BMW app allows you to select the desired climate settings and to start the engine from the comfort of your own home. The smart key will send the required commands to your vehicle, which will then activate the fan and begin heating or cooling the interior.
The BMW display key is an electronic device that can be operated through a touchscreen. It also gives extensive amount of information regarding your car. You can see the status of the sunroofs, windows doors, alarm systems. You can also check the requirements for service, battery level, as well as any other key functions that require attention.
The display key can also be charged like a regular phone. Its USB port can be used to charge compatible mobile devices and it has an indicator light that indicates the status of charging (Blue=Charging and orange is not charging) as well as fault messages.
Driver Profiles
If you want to add an extra layer of protection, you can program a key fob into your BMW which will alert you if someone tries to enter the vehicle without your permission. This feature can be used to close your sunroof and windows. This technology can be useful to you because it helps you prevent theft and conserve fuel.
You can also turn on the BMW remote parking feature by a single press of your key fob. This is great for people who live in areas where parking can be a nightmare. This will allow you park your car in tight spots without worrying about a driver accidentally slamming into your door. This is not a perfect solution. There's still the chance that someone might smash their door into yours while you're away from your vehicle.
The BMW Display Key is an exquisite key fob with a built-in LCD that offers plenty of information on your car's status. It displays security information as well as the status of your door and window, and future service requirements. You can also view your current battery level and fuel consumption so you know when it is time to stop for gas.
If you'd like to share your BMW you can create different profiles for each driver. Your car will be aware of who is driving and adjust its settings to suit, including the position of the steering wheel, the lighting, seat position and climate control. You can also set restrictions for teenagers, such as maximum speed limits and volume control on the radio.
Key fobs can be shared with up to five other users, but they'll require a compatible phone and the BMW Connected app installed on it. You can import profiles from your phone or create a guest account for a person who wants to borrow the car. This is one of the many useful features of your BMW. There's a lot more to discover!
Battery Replacement
If the batteries in your BMW fob are drained you might ask, "Can I change the battery on the BMW key fob?". The answer is dependent on the model you have. The older diamond-shaped BMW fobs, for instance, are not designed to be used to replace batteries. They are glued to the backplate and removing them off the backplate could do some damage to the fob. However, replacement bmw keys can have their batteries replaced by opening the key fob and switching out the CR2450 or CR2032 battery.
For the more popular smart key models (like those in the 1, 3, 5, 7 and X series) You can press the small tab to release the valet key in metal and then open the access port with an screwdriver or other thin tool. This should reveal a small groove in the opening. Utilize the tool to push in the small tab and then pull out the valet key to reveal the CR2032 battery within. Replace the battery, and then replace the cover.
If you have a Display Key with a touchscreen you'll need to take a different approach. The Display Key is water resistant but it is not waterproof like the standard fob. You must be cautious about exposing to too much water. While it can survive an immersion in the washing machine, it is best to treat it as you would treat your smartphonedo not worry about rain however, keep it away from a water body.
If you lose your smart key and are worried that it will end up in the wrong hands Our service technicians can also deactivate the fob so it is not able to unlock or start your vehicle. Contact us if the fob requires repairs.