In this video, we demonstrate how to manually unlock and start a BMW with a malfunctioning key fob. The BMW i3 electric car and the BMW X3 xDrive30e are the vehicles shown in this video. Of course, both newer and older BMW cars are covered by the procedure.
The more specific stages can be found in the video below, but here are some high-level ones:
2. Slide out the metal key blade after pressing the key release button on your key fob. 3. Locate your door handle’s keyhole. 4. Use the key blade to activate the cover panel. 5. To open the door, insert the key blade.
1. Insert the key blade if your vehicle has a keyhole. 2. Hold the key fob on the marks of the steering column if there isn’t a keyhole (like with new BMWs).
View our instructional video below, and don’t forget to learn everything there is to know about BMW before anyone else! Get the BMWBLOG automobile channel right away!
In This Article...
How is a BMW x1 door unlocked?
When the unlock button is hit, you can choose to unlock all or just one door. There is no need for coding if your door already opens when you remove the key and you have iDrive. If not, coding is required.
When the engine is turned off, an iDrive setting allows all doors to be unlocked. But it doesn’t work for me. The documentation states that it should function. Ensure that the kid safety locks are not activated. On a recent road trip, where we regularly needed to retrieve cargo in the back, I battled it with a friend. No matter what we did, the front doors would only unlock. On another thread, I read of a guy who hacked his doors to unlock, but it wasn’t going to work unless he long-pressed the start/stop button to turn the car off. Didn’t work for me, thus despite what the manual claims, I think the “unlock all” function must be coded. No huge deal. Just annoying. When I need to open the back doors, I like the convenience access, but I have to use the unlock button on the dashboard, look for my keys, or tap the driver door handle twice.
I have CA, and my setup is as follows: all doors automatically lock when the car moves forward at 2 mph and unlock when I depress the start/stop button without keeping it down. Using coding tools from BMW, I coded it myself. Please let me know if someone requires all connected codes.
I had to use iCarly to code my CA so that when I long press the start/stop button, everything is unlocked.
Apart from the unlock button above the radio, I don’t see any further options on my car’s iDrive system.
As soon as you press the stop or srat buttons, look for the option to eject the key. You won’t have to keep the button held to get immediate unlock.
I own icarly, but I don’t know how to code it. Originally, I had this feature (ignition turn off automatically open all doors) coded into my car, however I must have disabled it while experimenting with iCarly. I’m having trouble understanding what I’m expected to code once more right now. Help.
Having keys inside a BMW, how do you unlock it?
Simply turn the key to the “on” position to disengage the deadlock mechanism if the keys were left in the ignition, and then use the interior power door lock or the inside handle to unlock the vehicle.
If I don’t have a key fob, how can I lock my BMW?
If you don’t have a key and want to lock your car, enter from the passenger side, use the central locking button to lock the doors, open the passenger door, and then exit by pushing the knob (the black object that rises when you open the door) down and closing the door.
Without a key, how do you open a BMW boot?
The trunk can be opened manually with a key blade or from the inside.
You need a BMW with a key slot in the trunk and a BMW key fob with an extra blade inside in order to open the trunk with a key blade. Simply squeeze your key fob on the tab on one end and pull the blade from the other to remove the key blade.
Simply move to the backseats of your vehicle, open and pull down the center portion of your seats, and squeeze through to the trunk if you want to open your BMW trunk from the inside. Once you arrive, all you need to do is release the trunk latch to begin.
Simply move to the backseats of your vehicle, release, and pull down the center portion of your seats, and wriggle yourself through to the trunk to open your BMW trunk from the inside out. Once there, all you need to do is pull the emergency release handle to start moving. Naturally, your BMW must come equipped with an emergency release handle.
On a BMW x1, how do you access the boot?
Simply pressing the unlock button on the key fob’s top will unlock your BMW. Within the settings menu of the automobile, you may select whether to unlock all the doors or simply the driver’s door. The alarm system will also be engaged and all the doors, the boot, and the fuel cap will lock when you press the BMW roundel in the key fob’s center. When the lock button is pressed and held down, some models will also fold in the wing mirrors, close the sunroof, and any open windows. Press the boot lid button on the key fob’s bottom to open the boot lid while standing outside the vehicle. For BMWs with automated tailgates, holding it down will unlock the lock and open the boot. There is no need to be concerned if, in the odd case, neither supplied key fob is functional. The integrated key can unlock and lock both the glove box and the vehicle.
Will my BMW start without the key?
Even if your E90 doesn’t have comfort access, there is a way to start the engine and start driving without a key. A BMW anti-hijack feature, that is. Simply put the key in the ignition and start the vehicle as usual. Once you’ve finished, turn off the engine and take the key out of the ignition. Pushing the start button now without a key will start the automobile in roughly 10 seconds, allowing you to take off. Although many of you may already be aware of this feature, I figured I should still share it with those who don’t realize that their BMW has it.
It’s more of a safety feature than anti-hijack. The automobile will still start if you have a key issue and stall out on the railroad lines, allowing you to get off the rails.
done this previously. After considering the potential consequences, I decided to stop using the “DIY comfort access” method. hehe. however, thank you for posting for others.
It works for both my 2007-1 series and 2008-3 series coupes, however if you open the driver-door or wait a little bit longer before restarting the engine, this option is disabled. I tested this about a month ago.
Since learning about it on this forum, I’ve been doing this for approximately a month. I haven’t had any problems with it, and yes, I also use it to warm up my car. No need to panic because the radio turns off after a few minutes, and in case you’re wondering, the car will still be running even if the key fob is distant from the vehicle. I put this to the test the other day when I visited Walgreens.
I do this to get my car warmed up. not necessarily to warm the engine up, but more to warm my seat and the cabin. It’s excellent if my car is parked on the street or somewhere else where you can’t leave the doors open while it warms up. (Or use the laser key to unlock the door)
I regularly engage in this. You don’t even need to hold the brake pedal down; just reapply it, press the start button, lock your doors, and dash into the store or back into your house. However, I suppose you have leftover heat if you are entering the store.
Yes, I’d rather to take a chance than have my valve train begin to tick because they aren’t getting lubricated during short trips when the car isn’t warmed up. I appreciate the guidance nonetheless.
SURPRISINGLY, not every recommendation made by businesses is in your best interests. They’re a business, so if they can convince you to ignore your automobile and end up having to pay for more extensive repairs later on, they win.
Not to bring up an old topic, but wouldn’t starting the car twice be necessary for those who use this method to warm it up? Since the initial cold start is the toughest on the engine, I believe it is best to let the car warm up at that time rather than turning it off and putting it through a second cold start. Any thoughts?
How is a mechanical BMW key started?
Nowadays, keyfobs are used in most vehicles instead of their metal equivalents. But just in case, BMWs come with an emergency key in the keyfob. To start your BMW with a mechanical key, adhere to these steps:
- Push the button on the back of your key fob and pull the emergency key out of the key fob first.
- The driver’s side door can be unlocked with the use of the key. Although the automobile alarm might sound, don’t be alarmed. When you start the automobile, it everything turns off.
- Insert your key if your BMW has an ignition. If it doesn’t, insert the key fob into the slot marked with a key next to the steering wheel.
- Press the Stop/Start button after holding down the brake.
Your automobile ought to start once you’ve completed those instructions! If it still doesn’t work, your key may be broken or the ignition module may be malfunctioning. At that time, you ought to take your car to a mechanic so they can look at it.
Get roadside assistance from Jerry if you’re concerned about being locked out of your automobile. Your connection to their nationwide network of more than 55,000 service providers is made possible by Jerry’s premier roadside assistance. This way, no matter where you are, you all have access to lockout services, new keys, jumpstarts, and more!
When your car’s keys are locked inside, how can you unlock it?
If your keys are locked in your automobile, one solution is to have a locksmith create a new key specifically for your vehicle. Giving the locksmith the VIN, or vehicle identification number, is one of the finest ways to achieve this. The locksmith will be able to create a new key that will fit the lock using the VIN.
You might need to provide ownership documentation to obtain a new key. The following is a summary of some of the details you might need to give a locksmith in order to have a new key made:
- VIN
- Keycode found inside the front door panel or in the owner’s manual
- Title
- Registration for the vehicle using your name and VIN
- Identity card for insurance bearing your name and VIN
Getting a new key created may seem like a lot of trouble, but it is all done to keep automobile owners safe from criminals. You wouldn’t want a burglar to have the ability to make a key for your automobile by calling a locksmith, would you?