15 Things You Don't Know About BMW Keys

What to Do When You Lose Your BMW Keys BMW cars are expensive, and are equipped with sophisticated anti-theft technology. This makes them extremely difficult to take away however, it can also make things when you lose a key. The first thing you should do if you've lost your BMW key is to contact the dealership. However, this isn't the most efficient solution. Instead, you may think about hiring the services of a locksmith. 1. Call the Dealership You've had a long, tiring day. You just want to get home and curl up in your cozy sweats. Take a bite of pizza and binge-watch your favorite TV show. But before you can do any of that, you have to make one last stop and give your keys back to your vehicle that you haven't seen since the beginning of the day. Fortunately, you have several options for finding your BMW key replacement. The first option is to visit the dealership. You'll need to present proof of ownership as well as a valid photo ID, and any other keys that you have. The dealership will then order the right key for your car and then pair it with the computer chip. This process could take as long as two weeks and cost you $200 if don't have a spare key. Another option is to call an expert locksmith. Locksmiths are able to cut BMW keys for less than what dealerships charge. In addition to cutting the blank, a locksmith can also program it into your vehicle. This will save you time and money. However, you'll require an expert locksmith who is trustworthy. If you have an extra key, you may try to use it to unlock your vehicle. If not, you'll need to have your vehicle towed to the dealership to replace the lost key fob. This is a costly, inconvenient and costly way to get back on the road, unless you have a roadside emergency plan like Emergency Roadside Service by GEICO. An alternative to going to a dealership is to buy an uncut BMW key from an online retailer. This is a less expensive option, but you'll need to have it programmed for the specific vehicle by a dealer or locksmith and this can increase the overall price of the replacement. If you do choose to purchase a blank from the internet make sure you check the seller's reputation and customer reviews. 2. Call a Locksmith While the BMW key and fob might appear like a small thing to lose however, they are sophisticated pieces of technology created to improve security. BMW keys come with transponder chips that provide a unique identification to the vehicle whenever they are placed in the ignition. They can also be programmed to store personal settings, such as seat and mirror positions, radio presets and more. This level of sophistication makes the keys extremely secure and difficult to steal. However, it makes them harder to replace if they're damaged or lost. As such, it is essential to be prepared for this type of scenario by storing a spare key in a safe location and having a dependable locksmith in your phone contacts, and understanding the basic cost of replacing a key. It is essential to determine the kind of fob or key in your vehicle, since replacing them will be different due to the unique design. For instance, if you have a classic double-edged car key with a key fob on it, you can typically get a new one from an hardware store in your area for less than $10. But if bmw keys have an advanced key fob that requires special programming, then you'll need to go to an auto locksmith or a dealership to make sure the new fob is set up correctly to work with your vehicle. To protect against fraud or unauthorized key duplication The locksmith will need to verify that you are the owner of the vehicle as well as your identity. This typically requires a copy of your driver's license, vehicle registration or title. It is important to be aware that getting a replacement fob and key could take up to two full weeks. During this time you won't be able to drive in your car. As a result, it is recommended to invest in key protection insurance which will cover the cost of replacing your lost keys and will provide you with rental car reimbursement in the event of an unexpected loss. 3. Cut a Blank Key It's been a long, tiring day and you just want to go home, change into some comfy sweatpants, order some pizza and binge watch your favorite TV show. You realize you've lost your car keys. It's the most awful feeling and could ruin your evening plans. There are ways to avoid this hassle and make sure you always have a spare. You can get an uncut, new key made. This can be accomplished by a dealer or by a locksmith. The process is simple and only requires just a few tools. You'll first need to find the keyhole on your BMW. The keyhole is located in the lower part of the door handle, beneath the trim panel. You can take off the trim once you've located the keyhole. Then take the blank and the original in a vise. Use a file to shape a blank to resemble the original. Be sure to file carefully and slowly so that you don't to scrape the original key. Once the blank has been cut, you can hold it against a flame to make it black with soot. This will help make it easier to see the transfer marks created by the lock. 4. Get a Replacement You'll also need to replace the smart key when your BMW has one (also called a proximity key). These keys emit a unique electronic code that can unlock the doors of your vehicle and then start the engine. This is a great anti-theft measure that keeps your vehicle secure. However it's not perfect and smart keys are still lost. The dealer will need to purchase a new key, which could be costly. It can take up to one week for the dealer to process and ship your new key, which will increase the cost. The good news is that it's not hard to find a replacement for the BMW key fob. You can purchase BMW remote key fobs and have them delivered to your home. They're usually less expensive than purchasing them from a dealer and they can also save you the hassle of having to drive to the dealer to pick up a new key. To avoid confusion when purchasing a replacement, make sure that you have your VIN and proof of ownership handy. Another advantage of buying online BMW key fobs is that they come with batteries. This is crucial because the battery inside a regular keyfob is eventually worn out and need to be changed. If the battery is defective the fob might not function properly, and this could be dangerous for drivers. Fortunately, you can find a replacement for your BMW's key fob from the manufacturer without much hassle provided you have your government ID and proof of ownership ready to go. It's always a hassle to lose your keys but losing a BMW key can be especially frustrating. You must know your options in the event of replacing a lost BMW Key, so that you can select the right one for your particular situation. In the future, you should try to be extra cautious with your keys to your car so that you don't lose them in first place! If you do, be sure to check your pockets as well as your car and places you don't typically keep them.