Key issue

[Malcolm Berger]

Have a 2016 520d bought January at 33k. Last month local BMW garage replaced both key batteries. (Spare never worked). 2 weeks ago ignition with main key would not start and sign came up to put key next to steering column. Car then started ok. This happened intermittently a few times so am now using spare key without a problem but found all radio pre-sets cancelled, (now re-set ok,) the heater temp settings had gone down to 16C and it now needs 2 clicks on key to open back doors. Is this a battery issue or some other problem. Malc. None-techie!

[Greydog]

Morning Malcolm

Welcome to the Forum

Seems the Key they key with the battery issue was not registered correctly or has some other issue, was it a BMW Franchised Dealer or a Specialist who changed the batteries.

The car can retain settings for each Key things like seat settings, Radio presets, and Lock/Unlock settings the key you are currently using has been set to 1 push Drivers door unlock 2 pushes all other doors. I believe you can alter settings in iDrive 

Dave

[Malcolm Berger]

Thanks for your reply Dave regarding key issue. Always used a local independent specialist BMW garage for about 20 years for a 7 series, then 2, 3 series and now the 5. Always had fair charges and reliable work. Thanks for advice, will try the I-drive settings and if unable to fix I'm sure my garage will quickly sort it.

[Greydog]

Morning Malcolm

May Help

Key fob driver profiles

BMW Key Fob function available in F/E/G-Series models. 

Have you ever had to change your seat position, mirrors, lights, air conditioning, door locks or other car settings after lending your car to your friend? Or maybe you have to do that everyday, as you share your BMW with your spouse? Anybody who has ever been in one of those situations knows how time consuming everyday car adjustments can be. 

Fortunately, BMW's from the last decade or so have a function called Driver Profiles, so that all of your personalized settings can be paired up to a certain key fob retaining all of your settings. So, for example, if you and your partner use separate key fobs, and your partner drives with the seat set very close to the steering wheel, the key fob assigned to his/her driver profile will remember these settings and automatically change the seat position from yours to theirs. An array of other settings such as navigation, last temperature adjustments, lights, door locks or mirrors (if they come with automatic folding) will also be stored in the profile.

Hence, if both of you use completely different in-car settings and are often in too much of a rush to change up every detail, having two key fobs with different profiles may come out as a huge advantage. If you only have one key left and share your car often, you can easily order another fob from BimmerTech to take full advantage of driver profiles.