Car starts without key in ignition!

[AshOz125i]

So maybe I'm late to the show here but I figured I'd see if anyone else knew about this.

Anyone else noticed u don't need the key fob in the ignition to start the car? I thought without it I could only use the accessories but this evening I just jumped in and pushed on the start button for a second like normal and a yellow key symbol popped up on the instrument cluster then the car started. I was like "what was that",then realised I had my key in my hand still.

[Knightelf]

If your car starts without the key it's called comfort access (an option) lol

[TS135i]

Mine does the same, however it was a $1000 option

[AshOz125i]

Oh I thought comfort access only let me lock and u lock the car with the door handle lol. Winner!

[Tab135]

You must put your key in the ignition sometimes, don't be fooled it actually charges your key!

[MMorbo]

I don't have comfort access, but I have found if you put the key in the ignition, start the car... Stop the car... Take the key out then start the car and it starts without the key in...

Did it to me the other day while I was parking and had a brain fart...

[UR25IO]

Originally Posted by MMorbo

I don't have comfort access, but I have found if you put the key in the ignition, start the car... Stop the car... Take the key out then start the car and it starts without the key in...

Did it to me the other day while I was parking and had a brain fart...

WTF.... that is so true.... after reading your comment I went to try it out without the key and it works!!

[05C4R]

Originally Posted by UR25IO

WTF.... that is so true.... after reading your comment I went to try it out without the key and it works!!

ha ha it works too, but only within a few seconds, after a while it doesn't

[Walter K]

I believe that with comfort access, the battery doesn't get charged when the fob is inserted into the ignition. I have comfort access and I had that assumption when i first got my car that it would charge until my fob battery died. Then the manual and other forums confirmed that CA doesn't charge the fob.

[perth_vert]

From what I read in the manual, the comfort access has a normal long life non
rechargeable battery for this reason but non comfort access has a rechargeable battery that charges when docked.

[NORAGRETS]

I just tried this and drove home without the key in the ignition and it felt totally normal. I do not have comfort access...weird!

[Zuzu]

Originally Posted by KD135

You must put your key in the ignition sometimes, don't be fooled it actually charges your key!

Incorrect..

Originally Posted by Walter K

I believe that with comfort access, the battery doesn't get charged when the fob is inserted into the ignition. I have comfort access and I had that assumption when i first got my car that it would charge until my fob battery died. Then the manual and other forums confirmed that CA doesn't charge the fob.

Correct..

[Jin-ActiveMotorwerke]

It's a safety feature. If you just stop your car and somehow need to get away quicktly for an emergency, you can start your car straight away with the key in the ignition/slot. From memory, it only last about few minutes.

[John_01]

My car has this comfort access too. I would never have paid for it, but it was standard on the 325i. I think its a useless feature because I need somewhere to put my car keys while I am driving. I can't believe people think its too much trouble to press a button to unlock their cars.

[Jin-ActiveMotorwerke]

I think majority of the people will find it very useful. It's not standard on any E90/E91/E92/E93 except M3s. I think you mean it came with your 325i because it just happened to be optioned with it. I don't understand why you need a place to put it? Where do you keep your keys normally when you are walking around? Most people would put it in there pocket, yeh? So one would just leave it in his/her pocket, and not have to take it out to start the car. It's very useful especially for the ladies, where the keys are noramlly kept in their handbag. There is a reason why BMW is going to make it standard on all cars.

[John_01]

My car was a factory order and it came standard as base spec in the 325i LCI in mid 2009. No I don't like to keep my keys in my pocket while I drive. Fair enough if there is demand for it though.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by KD135

You must put your key in the ignition sometimes, don't be fooled it actually charges your key!

IF your car has CA(comfort access) the key fob does NOT get charged when its in the "slot". The CA fob has a replaceable lithium battery that needs to be replaced over time.

Only cars without CA get their key fob charged while driving. This is why IF you do not have CA its important to rotate your "other key" from time to time to charge it up. Non CA key fobs are sealed an once the battery is dead you will need a new key fob. That is why its wise to rotate your keys and keep them charged up. (if you only have one driver per car).



Here is how to tell which one you have...

[Jin-ActiveMotorwerke]

There you go, my mistake. Didn't realised they chuck in the feature standard from LCi on. Damn, I really wanted that. Should have gone for a LCi.
Oh, well. I guess the N54 is more important than that.

[GJA003]

Hardly use my second key just swapped them thanks Dackelone

As for not having CA i still use the feature for starting it with out the key.
Example when its cold start it lock it do stuff for couple minutes come back jump in and off i go

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Jin.ActiveMotorwerke

There you go, my mistake. Didn't realised they chuck in the feature standard from LCi on. Damn, I really wanted that. Should have gone for a LCi.
Oh, well. I guess the N54 is more important than that.

CA was an option for all 1er's(e82/e88) cars. Not just for LCI models.

[Caduceus]

Originally Posted by Jin.ActiveMotorwerke

It's a safety feature. If you just stop your car and somehow need to get away quicktly for an emergency, you can start your car straight away with the key in the ignition/slot. From memory, it only last about few minutes.

Something to do with car jacking IIRC? So you are stopped at the lights with the window down and some goon reaches in to grab your keys to hold you up. Just press the button and GTFO of there. Not a common problem in Australia, thankfully. Apparently all the rage in places like South Africa though.

[perth_vert]

Originally Posted by Caduceus

Something to do with car jacking IIRC? So you are stopped at the lights with the window down and some goon reaches in to grab your keys to hold you up. Just press the button and GTFO of there. Not a common problem in Australia, thankfully. Apparently all the rage in places like South Africa though.

Least the key is on the left side of the steering wheel (on a right hand drive) that is unlike the convention right hand side - I wonder if this was designed this way for car jacking reason?