Those With Spare Keys

[Yeineken]

Heres something I just realized. I haven't used my spare key since I got the car. The keys get charged when they are in the ignition right? My spare is locked up in my safe. Is that key dead by now? Should i switch to it every now and then to charge it?

Just something I realized and I don't want to find myself in a lost key and dead key situation.

[CAVU]

For US cars, I believe it depends on whether or not your car has Comfort Access (CA). Key fobs for cars with CA have replaceable batteries, while fobs for non-CA cars are recharged by placing into the ignition slot. See p.30 of the OM.

[litebulb]

My SA told me that the CA fobs still have an internal battery that needs to be ignition slot charged. Not too sure if it is true but it isn't too much effort so I just plug it in every now and then.

[Yeineken]

My keys are not CA. Should I just use it once a week every few months?

[Billup]

I don't have CA. I have my spare key. I haven't used it in a year and it still seems to work fine (gf used it when I was at work with the bike one day).

[Esteban]

My owner's manual on page 18 states "each remote control contains a rechargeable battery that is automatically recharged when it is the ignition lock while the car is being driven. Use each remote control at least twice a year for longer road trips in order to maintain the batteries' charge status. In cars with Comfort Access, the remote control contains a replaceable battery, refer to page 27."

[Qunadry]

If you can not unlock the car remotely, take the "key" out of the fob, open the driver side door with it, re-insert the key in the fob and use the fob in the slot.

[Stock4Evr]

I have CA and have only put the FOB into the key slot when going to the dealership. I would say twice maybe 3 times and the car was picked up in 2012. My other FOB has never been in the key slot and still opens the car.

[JimD]

Originally Posted by Qunadry

If you can not unlock the car remotely, take the "key" out of the fob, open the driver side door with it, re-insert the key in the fob and use the fob in the slot.

When I was single, I tried to remember to use my backup key once a month or so. Then I married a lady with her own e88. Now both backup keys are in the "key bowl" and get used if I need to move her car or vice versa. So far, that infrequent use has kept the keys functional. She has comfort access, I do not.

[MuNkY6913]

You can see the replaceable battery slot. If yours has this then I would think you should probably check it and make sure. Mine lasted 4 years before it started giving me a signal in dash. Also at the same time one went through the wash and needed a new one anyways.

[Gray_Panther]

These keyfobs draw like microamps of current. These batteries should last for several years on the cr2023 batteries.

[Yeineken]

Alright good to know! Thanks for all the helpful information guys. Ill take my spare out and use it this weekend to give it a little charge.

[Andrewcoja]

Cars without comfort access do not have a replaceable battery. I bought my car last August and put the spare key on a shelf and then tried it about a month ago (sitting for about a year). It unlocked the door just fine and I was able to start the car.

[Fifty3bags]

I have a spare key, but its for my previous black 135i I bought my car with only 1 key and they let me keep the one from my old 135i. I don't think that the keys can be swapped over unfortunately.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by RickMsport

For US cars, I believe it depends on whether or not your car has Comfort Access (CA). Key fobs for cars with CA have replaceable batteries, while fobs for non-CA cars are recharged by placing into the ignition slot. See p.30 of the OM.

^^Correct! Only non CA key fobs do not charge in the slot. When the battery goes, you need a new battery. Most people with CA have already replaced their batteries under warranty. New batteries are under $10.

For cars with out CA... its best to rotate the keys and charge them in the "slot" every few months. Replacing these key fobs isn't cheap! ~$400 each.


Dackel

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Fifty3bags

I have a spare key, but its for my previous black 135i I bought my car with only 1 key and they let me keep the one from my old 135i. I don't think that the keys can be swapped over unfortunately.

You could have your dealer code that other key to your car. Each car can have up to ten "working" keys, unless the car has been coded with the new sw update to only work with TWO key fobs. You can order a new mechanical metal fey from your dealer for under $50 I believe.

Dackel

[CAVU]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

^^Correct! Only non CA key fobs do not charge in the slot. When the battery goes, you need a new battery. Most people with CA have already replaced their batteries under warranty. New batteries are under $10.

For cars with out CA... its best to rotate the keys and charge them in the "slot" every few months. Replacing these key fobs isn't cheap! ~$400 each.


Dackel

I was in my dealer's service department waiting around when a guy walks in and tells his SA that his X5 key no longer opens the doors or takes a charge. The SA says "you need a new key, it is about $400.00". The guy says "OK" without a frown or batting an eye. That would have made me wince a bit for sure.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by RickMsport

I was in my dealer's service department waiting around when a guy walks in and tells his SA that his X5 key no longer opens the doors or takes a charge. The SA says "you need a new key, it is about $400.00". The guy says "OK" without a frown or batting an eye. That would have made me wince a bit for sure.

^^Yup, me too. You know that old saying when you have to ask for the price... you can't afford it.


There was a thread a day or two ago(in the general forum - I think?) where a forum member locked his key inside the car. His title was also inside the trunk. The car was parked for a few months unused. His second key was lost with his jacket. So the only key he had was inside the car!! He did not know how to get a replacement key from his local dealer. He took his Bill of Sale, which had the VIN to his dealer... and they ordered a metal key, for $50 to open the car and show them his 1st key fob. Then they ordered his the TWO key fob set for $500. Just FYI guys.


Lost second set of keys help
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1035726

[Fifty3bags]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

You could have your dealer code that other key to your car. Each car can have up to ten "working" keys, unless the car has been coded with the new sw update to only work with TWO key fobs. You can order a new mechanical metal fey from your dealer for under $50 I believe.

Dackel

@dackelone thanks! I'll have to ask them about that next time I have to take my car in. For some reason I thought I couldn't use that second key. That or it would've been more than I wanted to pay.

[BrokenVert]

Wow I just remembered that my car has a spare key. Its been six years, I wonder where it is. Maybe my parents key drawer?

[Yeineken]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

Wow I just remembered that my car has a spare key. Its been six years, I wonder where it is. Maybe my parents key drawer?

good thing you haven't lost the primary key this entire time.

[pj.rodriguez]

Originally Posted by litebulb

My SA told me that the CA fobs still have an internal battery that needs to be ignition slot charged. Not too sure if it is true but it isn't too much effort so I just plug it in every now and then.

Not true I don't think. In the manual it says not to put the CA fob in the ignition at all except for some circumstances. The CA fob has a battery that is just replaceable.