Digital Key Considerations: BMW

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 BMW has to offer.

BMW offers ways to access and start their vehicles beyond using a physical key or key fob, as part of their Comfort Access optional equipment (SA322), including:

• Ultrawideband (UWB) enabled smartphone
• BMW Digital Key
• BMW Digital Key Plus
• NFC-enabled key card
• BMW Key Card
• BMW Service Card
• BMW Digital Key Setup Card
• BMW Digital Key Classic

The BMW ConnectedDrive webpage has a How-To Guides Resources area near the bottom of the page. This area contains useful documents, including the Service Availability Matrix that provides factory-installed options and upgrades initial availability by model year or production date.

The Digital Key Get Started Guide includes information on setup, operation, and precautions for BMW Digital Keys.

Per the Digital Key Get Started Guide document:

• "Neither the Setup Card nor the Physical Key Fob will be required to unlock or operate the vehicle or to perform Digital Key functions, including opening and closing windows or accessing the trunk or tailgate."
• "Neither the Setup Card nor the Physical Key should ever be stored in the car."
• "Use the Service Card in all cases where a physical key needs to be handed over, e.g. for scheduled service appointments, valet parking or breakdowns."
• "Before returning the Service Card to storage, it must be deactivated."

BMW Digital Key Plus is part of the Comfort Access system, which interacts with multiple Bluetooth and UWB-compatible remote-control receivers mounted on the vehicle's exterior and interior.

The Ultra-Wideband Technology (UWB) document, found under the Functional Descriptions area of vehicle-specific service information, states: "If a UWB-enabled remote control receiver has been renewed, it has to be re-paired with the other remote control receivers with the aid of a secure token via the diagnostic system."

Initializations and function tests require a scan tool and must be done as part of a complete, safe, and quality repair.

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

• ADAS, Calibration, And Scanning Article Hotspot
• App-Based Connected Services Considerations: BMW
• Collision Information Website Access: BMW/Mini
• Digital Key Considerations
• Hybrid And Electric Vehicle Article Hotspot
• Step-By-Step: Accessing BMW/Mini Repair Information

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