20 April 2021: Updated Ever wonder how to restart your BMW vehicle when the key fob’s battery runs out? Read this article through to the end to learn how to accomplish it.
Article original from December 25, 2019 – Today, the majority of cars come equipped with keyless entry and a start-stop feature. Even while it may appear sophisticated and practical to some, it has flaws. What if you require a manual start because the key fob’s battery is dead? You might not be able to use the keyless entry if the car’s battery is dead.
step-by-step manual to resolve all your issues
In the first step, take the metal blade from the BMW key fob. It is located on the side opposite the buttons.
4. Apply the brakes and depress the start/stop button. If your car has a manual transmission, engage the clutch before activating the button.
In This Article...
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?
jat335i
This is how Comfort Access functions in your automobile. In addition to manually unlocking and shutting the doors, Comfort Access features a smart key system that can determine whether the driver is within the cabin. As a result, the driver can turn on or off the engine without having to insert the key fob. You may just press the start/stop button while keeping it in your pocket.
Can the key fob be used to start a BMW?
How to Remotely Start a BMW. If you have a BMW vehicle key: If your key fob doesn’t have a light-up display, you can still start your car by pressing the lock button three times in a row. In exactly the same manner, you can also turn off the engine.
Will my car start without my key fob?
I don’t have a replacement car key and my purse was stolen yesterday. It starts with a push button. I need to start the vehicle so that I may take it to the dealer and obtain a new key. Without a key, how do I start the car?
In less than two minutes, find out if your auto insurance is being overcharged.
We regret learning that your handbag was taken. You will need to utilize a mobile app or hire a locksmith to start the car as you don’t have a spare key and a push-button ignition.
Try a handful of these techniques if you want to start the automobile without the key:
- Start the engine with the Caras smartphone application.
- Replace the electronic control unit (ECU), which, if it detects that someone is attempting to steal your car, disables certain parts of it. But this can cost $1,000 or more, so it’s a pricey repair.
- Just as you would if you had locked your keys in your car, dial a locksmith.
- Ask a dealer what the best cure is by getting in touch with them.
Always keep a spare key or key fob in a protected location in the future. You might also want to think about getting roadside assistance from Jerry or adding towing and labor coverage as an addition to your auto insurance policy.
You can access their nationwide network of more than 55,000 service providers through the Jerry appas industry-leading roadside help. A membership can be purchased for as low as $4.16 per month and includes services like towing, jumpstarts, key replacements, and lockouts!
What do I do if my key fob stops working?
The Family Handyman claims that you can still start your car even if the battery in your key fob dies. Put the metal key back in the fob after using it to unlock your doors; then, instead of pressing the “start” button with your finger, use the fob. Many manufacturers utilize this backup device to make sure the car can start even if the key fob is dead.
Now, the Mini has a slot where the key fob can be inserted to start the vehicle. But at this time, this design seems a touch dated. This is why it’s always a good idea to consult your car’s manual.
Some Mazdas and a few other vehicles may have an actual key slot along the steering column, according to the Family Handyman. The least frequent method to start a car with a dead key fob is this, though.
How can I get a new BMW key fob?
- Go to a nearby BMW shop like BMW of Bloomington.
- The 17-digit VIN number of your car, which can be located in the driver’s door jamb or close to the front of your windshield, will be required by the technician.
- To have BMW mail you the replacement key, you’ll have to pay a charge.
The cost of a BMW key fob
The price of a 2020 Toyota Sienna fob was comparable. Dealers, however, gave prices as low as $150 to replace a key fob for a 2017 Honda Accord. A number of BMW retailers claimed that the additional security features built into the 2020 X5 key fob justifies the roughly $500 they spend to replace and program one.
The best way to start a car without a key
Remove the electronics from the plastic cover that is located underneath the steering wheel. Then, pound or drill a screwdriver into the ignition flaps until it is firmly in place. The screwdriver should then be turned in the same way as an automobile key. This will begin the vehicle.
Is it possible to steal a BMW without a key?
Yes, keyless autos are frequently more difficult to steal. Having said that, it also relies on the situation and the specific model. Some versions include keyless entry, which opens the doors when the key is nearby, but they still require a traditional key to start the vehicle. Keyless entry and keyless start vehicles are the most susceptible to relay theft.
Relay theft is also not a recent occurrence, therefore manufacturers have been working on solutions to stop it for some time. As a result, some more sophisticated vehicles include features built to prevent keyless auto theft.
What occurs if you start your car without the key fob?
Push-button start and keyless ignition are two examples of the amazing and incredibly entertaining technology that comes with new cars. What occurs, however, if your keyfob is lost? The response is situation-specific. For instance, whether you lose your keyfob before getting into the car or after, your experience will be very different. Simply put, you won’t be able to start your automobile if you lose the keyfob that activates your push-button start before you try to drive in it. But what happens if you misplace your key fob while you’re on the road? That calls for a totally different response, and we have located a video that does just that.
Can I use my phone to start my BMW?
A number of updates and new services for BMW automobiles have just been published. BMW owners may now choose from a variety of other options in the ConnectedDrive Store to add to their vehicles in addition to the “Uneven Road Surface alert” feature. One of them allows you to remotely preheat the temperature of your BMW vehicle, and it is called “Remote Engine Start.” While Remote Engine Start has been a feature of BMW vehicles from MY 2019, it is now also available as a new “Function on Demand” that can be added to eligible cars that weren’t initially equipped with it. This functionality can be purchased through the ConnectedDrive Store.
Through Remote Software Upgrade, the new functionality can be downloaded and installed wirelessly. This is a fantastic feature for the sweltering summer and icy winter months. You can preheat the interior by turning on the heat or the air conditioning while starting the engine from inside your house or place of employment.
Simply tap a button in the My BMW app to turn on Remote Engine Start, and your BMW’s engine will start, allowing the cabin to reach the ideal temperature. A triple-click of the lock button on the BMW key fob will also activate Remote Engine Start.
What happens if your BMW key is lost?
If you still have one key, you must bring your car, one piece of personal identification, one form of address identification, and the V5C logbook to your selected BMW Center*. You will need to make arrangements for your automobile to be delivered to your preferred Center along with the necessary documentation if you have lost both keys and are unable to access the vehicle.
* A photocard driver’s license cannot be used for both address identification and personal identification.
To keep you safe, our Centers are required to adhere to these security precautions. Additionally, you’ll have to sign for your new key upon picking it up.