Owners Manual Q and A for fun

JohnL135I · 03-03-2009, 11:39 AM

Just noted this in the owner’s manual, so I'll start with a question then the answer

Comfort access key FOB, while inserted in the dash will charge the FOB battery, true or False?

Answer: True and False. Cars without comfort access, the key FOB has a rechargeable battery. Cars with CA have a "replaceable" battery.

Haywood · 03-03-2009, 05:54 PM

That's good because since I have CA, I NEVER plug the key in!

KeithLM · 03-03-2009, 06:02 PM

Well the answer to your question is false only. The question asks about comfort access key fobs, not all key fobs.

Also, I was told by my SA to put the fob in on occasion because certain information is downloaded to the fob pertaining to the car's state. When you take the car in for service they can check the fob and get a certain amount of diagnostic info from that. Naturally they can still pull it from the car, but it might speed the process up for you if you're taking it in because of a CEL or the like.

Tom K. · 03-03-2009, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeithLM

Well the answer to your question is false only. The question asks about comfort access key fobs, not all key fobs.

Also, I was told by my SA to put the fob in on occasion because certain information is downloaded to the fob pertaining to the car's state. When you take the car in for service they can check the fob and get a certain amount of diagnostic info from that. Naturally they can still pull it from the car, but it might speed the process up for you if you're taking it in because of a CEL or the like.

Thanks for the reminder.
Tom

Rawhide · 03-03-2009, 09:28 PM

I have comfort access too (which I friggen love btw) and never put the fob in. The dealer told me the same thing about transferring info over to the fob when it's inserted.

Knowing BMW it'll be $250.00 and 4 hours in the shop to replace the fob battery lol.

ZIPNBYE · 03-04-2009, 07:00 AM

The CA fob's battery will only be used if you're pressing the buttons...everything else is by RFID, which doesn't use the battery at all.

You have to insert the CA fob into the car at least once...to set a seat / mirror memory (1 or 2).

KeithLM · 03-05-2009, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZIPNBYE

The CA fob's battery will only be used if you're pressing the buttons...everything else is by RFID, which doesn't use the battery at all.

You have to insert the CA fob into the car at least once...to set a seat / mirror memory (1 or 2).

I've noticed that my car seems to behave inconsistently with regards to returning the seat to the proper position. Is there some specific procedure you have to do to tie the key to the memory position? Do you just need to insert the key, press M then press 1 or 2?

IDBMW · 03-05-2009, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeithLM

Also, I was told by my SA to put the fob in on occasion because certain information is downloaded to the fob pertaining to the car's state. When you take the car in for service they can check the fob and get a certain amount of diagnostic info from that. Naturally they can still pull it from the car, but it might speed the process up for you if you're taking it in because of a CEL or the like.

I took my 135i in for service and the SA could not get the fob to work correctly. He went out to my car, put the fob in the slot, started the car, and turned it off. When he came back in the he was able to access the information he needed.
I have CA and never put the fob in the slot.

singular · 03-05-2009, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rawhide

I have comfort access too (which I friggen love btw) and never put the fob in. The dealer told me the same thing about transferring info over to the fob when it's inserted.

Knowing BMW it'll be $250.00 and 4 hours in the shop to replace the fob battery lol.

I have comfort access and I just popped open the fob.

The battery is a standard battery you can get at any drugstore or electronics shop. Easy to do your self and cheap - probably just a couple of bucks.

ZIPNBYE · 03-06-2009, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeithLM

I've noticed that my car seems to behave inconsistently with regards to returning the seat to the proper position. Is there some specific procedure you have to do to tie the key to the memory position? Do you just need to insert the key, press M then press 1 or 2?

Basically yes. Are you sure you're using just one key?

KeithLM · 03-06-2009, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZIPNBYE

Basically yes. Are you sure you're using just one key?

Yes, I have a pocket knife on one keyring, there can be no mistake. But at times when the seat has been moved I'll unlock the car and get in and it won't move back automatically, even though I have it set to do that when I open the door. However the day I put the aluminum pedals in it regularly moved back on me whenever I would open and close the door.

MOCKBA · 03-06-2009, 07:41 PM

I do not see how battery can be charged, fob look identical and no any charging contacts.

sixpack · 03-06-2009, 08:09 PM

Comfort Access is one option that I absolutely Love!! Thanks for reminding me to insert the fob during my next drive

03-03-2009, 11:39 AM	#1
JohnL135I Donkey Kong King 89 Rep 1,129 Posts Drives: 2012 Boss 302 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sahuarita, AZ iTrader: (3)	Owners Manual Q and A for fun Just noted this in the owner’s manual, so I'll start with a question then the answer Comfort access key FOB, while inserted in the dash will charge the FOB battery, true or False? Answer: True and False. Cars without comfort access, the key FOB has a rechargeable battery. Cars with CA have a "replaceable" battery.
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03-03-2009, 05:54 PM	#2
Haywood I know a thing or 2 about a thing or 2... 3101 Rep 3,470 Posts Drives: E36 M3 Coupe, e39 M5, i3s Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: LI, NY iTrader: (11) Garage List 2003 BMW e39 M5 [0.00] 1997 BMW e36 M3 [0.00]	That's good because since I have CA, I NEVER plug the key in! __________________ 2019 Imperial Blue Metallic i3s BEV 2003 Le Mans Blue e39 M5 Dinan S1 1997 Alpine White e36 M3 (the old gal) 2013 Mineral White e92 M3 (sold ) 2014 Carbon Black 650i M-sport (sold)
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03-03-2009, 06:02 PM	#3
KeithLM Proud 1er 24 Rep 699 Posts Drives: Crimson/Coral 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Wylie, TX iTrader: (0)	Well the answer to your question is false only. The question asks about comfort access key fobs, not all key fobs. Also, I was told by my SA to put the fob in on occasion because certain information is downloaded to the fob pertaining to the car's state. When you take the car in for service they can check the fob and get a certain amount of diagnostic info from that. Naturally they can still pull it from the car, but it might speed the process up for you if you're taking it in because of a CEL or the like.
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03-03-2009, 09:28 PM	#5
Rawhide Captain 363 Rep 794 Posts Drives: 2022 M340ix Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: USA, KC iTrader: (0)	I have comfort access too (which I friggen love btw) and never put the fob in. The dealer told me the same thing about transferring info over to the fob when it's inserted. Knowing BMW it'll be $250.00 and 4 hours in the shop to replace the fob battery lol.
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03-04-2009, 07:00 AM	#6
ZIPNBYE Let's save military ranks for those who earn it! 45 Rep 1,161 Posts Drives: ...on the Ragged Edge Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada iTrader: (6) Garage List 2013 BMW e92 M3 Cou ... [7.50] 2013 BMW e84 X1 xDr ... [7.00]	The CA fob's battery will only be used if you're pressing the buttons...everything else is by RFID, which doesn't use the battery at all. You have to insert the CA fob into the car at least once...to set a seat / mirror memory (1 or 2). __________________ Richard 2013 BMW M3 Individual -- Fire Orange (sold) 2013 BMW X1 xDrive35i M-Sport -- Valencia Orange (sold) 2011 BMW 1-series M Coupe (#205/220) -- Valencia Orange (sold) 2009 BMW 135i M-Sport Coupe -- Space Grey (sold)
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03-06-2009, 07:41 PM	#12
MOCKBA Captain 54 Rep 870 Posts Drives: 135 convertible Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SFBA iTrader: (0)	I do not see how battery can be charged, fob look identical and no any charging contacts. __________________ 535i/HUD Kamerton brings me true sound fidelity
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03-06-2009, 08:09 PM	#13
sixpack Enlisted Member 1 Rep 48 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada iTrader: (0)	Comfort Access is one option that I absolutely Love!! Thanks for reminding me to insert the fob during my next drive __________________ 2009 128i Sedona Red\|Black Leather\| Premium Package\| Nav\| Premium Sound\| Comfort Package\| Park Distance Control\| Build 10/08
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