The matching vehicle, which has embedded antennas that recognize it and authenticate its presence, is “spoken” to by the smart key via radio waves. On some models, such as recent BMWs (Comfort Access), the door automatically locks or unlocks with a touch of the door handle when the key is 1.5 meters or less from the driver’s car. According to the illustration above, the tailgate is raised by waving a foot beneath the back bumper.
Once inside, starting the car is as simple as pressing the ignition button, which is typically close to the steering wheel. Some smart keys, like those made by BMW, also have the ability to save specific user preferences, making it possible to alter the seat, mirrors, steering wheel, and even the audio system with the push of a single button.
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Describe BMW Display Key
BMW Display Key is regarded as an uncommon gadget because it goes beyond what is expected from a typical key fob. It was first released for the G11 7 Series and is now available for a few additional high-end models. It’s essentially a more sophisticated version of a BMW smart key with a full-color LCD touch screen and a 985-foot operational range. In addition to allowing you to remotely lock and unlock your doors, this device also gives you access to a wealth of vehicle-related data.
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540i xDrive BMW The Display Key for the car was a hot topic at the office. The phrase “technology nobody asked for” was used, and we laughed at the fob’s slightly amusing size.
For those of you who don’t know, the BMW Display Key has an LCD
touchscreen in color. It carries out the typical key fob duties of locking, unlocking, and keyless entry, but thanks to its screen, it can also incorporate a number of Connected app capabilities from BMW.
You might be having similar thoughts to what we did. Why the redundant work? Instead of needing to carry around this huge fob, why not just use the app? If I drop this, how easy will it break? Should I charge this device?
While we can’t genuinely answer some of those questions, we can, at least, answer the last one. The Display Key has a micro USB port on its side, so you may plug it in as needed to charge it. Thankfully, it has wireless charging capabilities as well because who really plugs in their key? The fob would immediately start charging when placed on the charging pad in our 5 Series, which is located on the center console directly in front of the cup holders. Yes, that meant that we frequently had to go back to the car to get the fob that we’d forgotten to pocket when we got off the road. Compared to the first time we tested this key at the start of
What precisely does the Display Key accomplish in addition to the regular smart key operations? It shows the car’s state, including information on the door locks, windows, alarm, fuel level, and anticipated maintenance needs. It enables you to arrange the preconditioning of the car so that the HVAC will set the interior to the desired temperature before you get in. But by far, the most fascinating aspect is the
The window sticker on our tester listed the remote control parking feature as a $750 option.
R/C parking, as it is known, enables you to move the car forward and backward from outside the car (it won’t function if the key is inside the car). It’s a little challenging to complete since the user must maintain pressure on a side button while moving the car by pushing arrows on the LCD screen. It will stop before it meets anything and will utilize the sensors to warn you when another car or item is nearby, but it won’t be able to see curbs or painted lines on the ground. At a speed of around one mile per hour, it can move the car up to 1.5 vehicle lengths. It’s wonderful that it actually creeps because we noted a lag of around a half second between our remote inputs and the car’s response.
One might theoretically use remote parking to maneuver their BMW into small parking spaces. The problem is that, unless they can also remote park, the drivers of those cars will have the same difficulty getting into theirs if you can’t get out of yours without denting the one next to you. The function seems more appropriate for the select few owners whose garage is extremely modest at their residence.
A great party trick is the R/C parking. Our pals keep bragging to their mates about the time they saw us remotely drive a BMW.
Smart technology, but BMW’s iPhone Digital Key Isn’t Really a Fob Replacement
You can use your iPhone or Apple Watch as a key thanks to CR-tested technology created by BMW and Apple.
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Today’s new cars typically come with a keyless fob that you may use to start your vehicle and unlock the doors without ever taking the fob out of your pocket. However, they can be heavy, they add to your load, and you run the risk of losing them. BMW has joined a small but increasing group of businesses that are providing a digital key that enables a motorist to use a smartphone to unlock the doors and start the car in order to address those difficulties.
The Comfort Access option, which is standard on some models and available as part of a costly options package on others, is a requirement for the BMW digital key. As long as the fob is present, users can start the engine inside the car and unlock doors when approaching it with it and an iPhone or Apple Watch. Despite the fact that the key functions, it takes some getting accustomed to, and this innovative addition doesn’t completely replace the fob.
According to Alex Knizek, an engineer at CR’s Auto Test Center, “there is an advantage to just being able to hop in your car when all you have is your smartphone, but the app doesn’t accomplish everything the fob does.” It’s convenient to have the option of using a phone, but he notes that the fob was easier to set up and use.
What does a BMW smart key cost?
We had the chance to experiment with BMW’s newest keyfob at the media debut of the 2016 BMW 7 Series. The touch-sensitive key, also known as the BMW Display Key, is an optional accessory for the new 7 Series and is just $250 in the United States. The key has four buttons on the front for lock, unlock, trunk release, and panic for that small price—which is less expensive than many other BMW keyfob replacements.
The key has a full color touchscreen in the middle that allows you to swipe through various features, such as door locking status, toggle lighting, fuel range, and climate control scheduling. Although the U.S. regulatory bodies have not yet approved it, the BMW Digital Key can be used to self-park your 7 Series in Europe.
According to BMW, the key’s battery lasts for around a week and can be wirelessly recharged in the armrest of the vehicle. Even if the touchscreen is broken, you can still open the car with the key.
It’s incredible what BMW has accomplished with something we always considered to be a simple tool, and we anticipate that keyfobs of the next generation will become much smarter.
What model BMW has a digital key?
The 2023 X1 and a whole new electric SUV called the iX1 are two new vehicles that BMW introduced this week that would utilize its Digital Key Plus technology.
Without a physical key, eligible BMW automobiles can now be locked, unlocked, or started using an iPhone or Apple Watch thanks to Digital Key Plus. However, Digital Key Plus makes use of Ultra Wideband technology to detect when you are near the vehicle, allowing you to keep your iPhone in your pocket. The regular NFC version of the function requires the iPhone or Apple Watch to be held near the driver-side door in order to open the vehicle.
Additionally, Digital Key Plus enhances security by preventing relay attacks, in which a third party jams or intercepts the radio signal between the iPhone and the vehicle, thanks to Ultra Wideband’s precise location awareness.
With the digital keys stored in Apple’s built-in Wallet app, Digital Key Plus requires an iPhone 11 or newer, or an Apple Watch Series 6 or newer. More BMW vehicles are gradually receiving the function, including the 2022 iX and the present 2023 X1 and iX1. A complete list of BMW vehicles that use the standard NFC-based Digital Key function is accessible on Apple’s website for models manufactured in 2021 and later.
The My BMW app can be used to set up Digital Key Plus, and up to five additional users may share digital keys. The functionality continues to function for up to five hours even if your iPhone’s battery goes out thanks to a Power Reserve mode.
What BMW models support a digital key?
Use the My BMW app [App Store link] from the German automaker to program a digital car key for your BMW. You can simply cancel access to digital car keys and distribute them with others. For up to five hours after the battery on your iPhone dies, you can still open your car with a digital car key thanks to Apple’s power reserve mode.
Digital keys are also supported by further BMW models, such as the 2022 i4 and 2022 iX. To get a list of all the automakers that support digital vehicle keys, go to Apple’s CarPlay microsite. The first vehicle to use the most recent Digital Key 3.0 standard is BMW’s iX. The big mobile wallets from companies like Apple, Google, Samsung, and others that have access to the device’s embedded security element can use these digital car keys.
Read Apple’s support article on using your iPhone or Apple Watch as a car key for further information on using digital car keys.
What is a smart car key?
A universal car key with convenience and security is called a smart key. Although it has additional features, it resembles the remote control key in appearance. The smart key can lock and open the door from a greater distance than the remote control keys because it connects with the car using low-frequency technology. In addition, the automobile unlocks the door when a smart key is nearby, activates Welcome Motion, and identifies the smart key.
Additionally, most smart keys lack the turnkey starter in favor of buttons. In the past, the immobilizer was controlled by a chip in the key handle. With a smart key, however, the immobilizer is controlled by an antenna, allowing the car to identify and start the vehicle if one is present. You can also use a smart key to park your car outside the vehicle for vehicles like the Hyundai Sonata and the Kia K5 that have Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA). For inexperienced drivers who believe that parking or reversing out of a tight place requires such a move, this feature is helpful.
Can I use a digital key to operate a BMW?
The BMW Digital Key is currently compatible with a number of iPhones, however it is not yet available for Android devices. The Apple Watch Series 5 is compatible with iPhones. iPhone X
If my BMW has a digital key, how do I know?
Digital Key for iPhone is compatible with any BMW model equipped with Comfort Access (S322A), an automatic transmission, and iDrive 7.0 or higher. Additionally, practically all new BMW models will be compatible with this technology, including the following lineup of models created after July 2020:
- Series 1
- Series 2
- Series 3
- Series 4
- Series 5,
- Series 6
- Series 8
- X5
- X6
- X7
- M5
- M8
- X5 M
- X6 M
- Z4
Do you want to confirm that your car is compatible? If you notice a section called “Digital Key” with a checked box, it signifies your car is compatible. To join your vehicle to your account, log into the BMW Connected App or My BMW App with your BMW ID. Get in touch with your local BMW dealer if you want to confirm it in another way.