07-04-2013, 10:33 PM | #1 |
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Key fob wireless range is abysmally low?
Never realized this before due to the comfort entry feature, but the other day I tried to unlock the car remotely using my key fob and it would not work. Realized that I needed to come as close as about 20-30 feet for it to work.
Also, panic mode is barely useful while trying to find your car in a busy parking lot since you got to be really close to the car for the alarm to go off. With all my previous cars the key fob had a range of at least 100 to 150 feet. Not sure if the key fobs are defective. Do you'll have the same observations too? |
07-04-2013, 10:48 PM | #2 | |
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I guess I've never lost a car in a car park, but I'm relying on the Remote app to deal with that - flash the lights or sound the horn if I ever get that separated from my car. |
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07-04-2013, 11:00 PM | #3 |
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have you tried the top gear key FOB trick?
just put the key to your head http://youtu.be/_jACSPipPSE [u2b]http://youtu.be/_jACSPipPSE[/u2b] |
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07-04-2013, 11:26 PM | #4 |
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Lol does that really work? Ive had the same problem with my F30 I was kind of lost at one of those huge outlet malls and I was about 100ft away and the panic button wouldnt work, I tested the range and the car would not start beeping until about 15-20 away.
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07-05-2013, 03:28 AM | #6 |
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I came to know about the chin-antenna technique just a couple of hours back while I was researching more on this topic. Wonder if the brains get fried a bit each time you use the head as an antenna!!
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07-05-2013, 06:28 AM | #8 | |
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07-05-2013, 08:23 AM | #9 |
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.. and my gf calls me crazy every time i do the chin-antenna trick.. but screw her, it works
yes, i noticed the range is pretty weak but it doesn't bother me too much |
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07-05-2013, 09:58 AM | #10 |
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range is pretty far from my end... i furthest i have seen is about 30 yards
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07-05-2013, 11:02 AM | #11 |
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07-05-2013, 11:56 AM | #12 | |
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07-08-2013, 06:04 PM | #13 |
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Same problem, except way worse. My wife keeps the key in her purse on her lap and she could not start the car this morning. I just checked both battieries and they read ~3v. I also bought a new battery just in case. Tested using both key fobs with the new battery and I can't unlock the car doors outside of 6 feet using the button. Can't re-lock the doors without standing 3 feet from the car. We'll be taking it to the dealer because this is obviously a problem.
Car is a 2012 328i built sometime in or right after April. |
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07-08-2013, 10:26 PM | #16 |
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I locked and unlocked my car from the eleventh floor of my office building to the third floor of the parking garage two blocks away, unobstructed save for the Window.
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07-09-2013, 07:22 AM | #17 |
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Michael Knight could do the same with his car remote, but then KITT drove over to him, to pick him up in the eleventh!
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07-09-2013, 09:47 PM | #18 |
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BMW remote apps on IOS , unlock anywhere and lock from anywhere. Good tool to use if you have doubt you didn't lock the door.
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07-10-2013, 12:09 AM | #20 | |
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07-10-2013, 11:18 PM | #21 |
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Another reason why the smartphone app needs to work correctly - including turning on AC via smartphone in the USA. Ridiculous it works in Europe and not USA.
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07-11-2013, 01:15 PM | #22 |
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My FOB range also seem unusually short, always has been. When I've had non-F30 BMW loaners, the range has been longer. Also, the alarm "beep" seems to be quieter than other BMW loaners I have had recently. Neither has been a problem, just a minor quibble for me.
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