Radio turns on without the key

[bmw1racer]

I just took delivery of my 2012 Alpine White 128i yesterday() and while fiddling with the various controls and settings, I noticed that I can turn on and off the radio even though the key is not plugged in.

Is this normal?

[rps]

In a word...Yes.

[bmw1racer]

Okay... Any idea what the reasoning behind this is?

Isn't there the possibility you could leave it on after you've left the car? I recall my friend's 1980's VW Scirocco did this and he drained out his battery...

EDIT: I guess I can check to see if locking the doors from the outside will shut the radio off.

[rps]

That way you can listen to the radio while you are sitting in the car. I've also noticed that if I am on a call call when I turn off the car and I've transferred the call to the phone from BT the radio will stay on. I just push he radio button and it turns off. I don't know if it will turn off when I lock the car, never tried that since I'm usually in the garage and leave the car unlocked. You should have a timer in the car that will turn off accessories after a set interval. I know my trunk light will turn off after 10 minutes if I have left the trunk open.

[eaglemike]

DO you have comfort access? The car is sensing the key in your pocket/where ever if you do.

[bmw1racer]

Thanks for the replies, guys.

After some more reading of the owners manual, I discovered that the radio stays on for 20 minutes when turned on without the key/remote plugged in...

[rajtech113]

My 2008 without comfort access does not do this. You need to insert the key. You may be able to turn this off at the dealer. The old VWs used to do this in order to listen to the radio wo the key.

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by rajtech113

You may be able to turn this off at the dealer.

Maybe, but I won't bother now that I know it's not a defect.

The old VWs used to do this in order to listen to the radio wo the key.

Yup... As I mentioned earlier, my friend's Scirocco had that "feature."

[AW128i]

My '08 does this and it comes in quite handy when cleaning the interior of the car. I've owned many VWs and Audis and they've all had this ability.

[sochermit]

[QUOTE=bmw3racer;12151246]Thanks for the replies, guys.

After some more reading of the owners manual, I discovered that the radio stays on for 20 minutes when turned on without the key/remote plugged in...[/QUOTE

I interpreted the manual to say that you are able to turn the radio on in a 20 minute period following turning the car off not that the radio will play for 20 minutes. I believe the radio will play continuously until the battery runs down.

Now I'm confused.

[AW128i]

No. You can turn the radio on at any time when the ignition is off. The radio will play continuously (unless you manually turn it off) for 20 minutes and then it will shut off. This is to prevent battery drain.

[sochermit]

Originally Posted by AW128i

No. You can turn the radio on at any time when the ignition is off. The radio will play continuously (unless you manually turn it off) for 20 minutes and then it will shut off. This is to prevent battery drain.

Thank you for clearing that up for me. I thought it would be a bad idea to let the radio run on until the battery dies. Good to know.

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by AW128i

My '08 does this and it comes in quite handy when cleaning the interior of the car.

Good point, though I usually have a boombox in the garage playing away.

I've owned many VWs and Audis and they've all had this ability.

BMW copping ideas from VW/Audi????

[BrokenVert]

Just wait until you take out the key. Close the door and lock the car. Only to for the radio to spring back to life.

Yeah that happens sometimes and they have no idea what causes it.

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

Just wait until you take out the key. Close the door and lock the car. Only to for the radio to spring back to life.

Yeah that happens sometimes and they have no idea what causes it.

Yikes, I haven't seen that happen.... Yet.

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by bmw3racer

Yikes, I haven't seen that happen.... Yet.

It not all that common. Its happened to me 2 or 3 times in the 4 years ive owned the car.

But its hilarious when it does happen

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

But its hilarious when it does happen

Not so if it sucks the life out of the battery.