Digital Key Considerations: General Motors

The intermingling of technology and automobiles continues, with digital key offerings from most vehicle makers. Digital keys utilize smartphone technology to expand vehicle access and owner convenience. Let’s see what General Motors (GM) has to offer.

GM offers ways to gain access and start their vehicles besides a physical key or key fob, such as:

• Digital Key
• Key Card
• RPO Code BOY

Digital Key, and other vehicle access information and procedures are found under: Safety And Security ➤ Remote Functions.

Per the Digital Key Description And Operation document:

• "Onstar connectivity is not required for operation of the Digital Key ..."
• "When in the interior of the vehicle, mobile device will be allowed to passively start the car, by pushing start stop button."
• "Digital Key remote range can be up to 60 meters."

Per the Key Card System And Operation document:

• "The Key Card is a card that utilizes Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to create a secure method of vehicle entry and power moding."
• "A Key Card must be learned to the vehicle prior to being used."

Digital Keys communicate with multiple UHF Low Energy Remote Control Access Sensor Transceivers positioned in areas like the front and rear bumpers and vehicle entry points, which may be susceptible to collision damage. The sensor transceivers, Key Card and Digital Key communicate with the UHF Short Range Low Energy Remote Control Access Transceiver, also called the Virtual Key Module (VKM).

Some vehicle-specific panel replacement procedures call out the Digital Key Sensor Position Learn procedure, which states:

• "This procedure needs to be completed any time a component of the Digital Key system is replaced."

Be aware of the preparations for the paired device and a stable battery voltage prior to performing the learn procedure.

Additional I-CAR Collision Repair News you may find helpful:

• App-Based Connected Services Considerations: General Motors
• Collision Information Website Access: General Motors
• Digital Key Considerations
• Where Do I Find Other Types Of Information In General Motors?

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Course General Motors (GM) Company Collision Repair Overview