Key fob wireless range is abysmally low?

rallybull · 07-04-2013, 10:33 PM

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?

dinonz · 07-04-2013, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tojo_m

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?

I consider it a security feature - if the transmission level is low, then the chance of thieves scanning codes is very low.

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.

Wombat · 07-04-2013, 11:00 PM

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]

armanm · 07-04-2013, 11:26 PM

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.

joeyb26 · 07-05-2013, 12:29 AM

yeah i've had the same issue, first world problems haha

rallybull · 07-05-2013, 03:28 AM

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!!

Wombat · 07-05-2013, 06:13 AM

it should work for all key fobs! not sure on the brain part... used it many times and i'm still sane........ (as far as i can tell

)

johnofcross · 07-05-2013, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wombat

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]

I'll have to try this!

finaloption · 07-05-2013, 08:23 AM

.. 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

DrivenByE30 · 07-05-2013, 09:58 AM

range is pretty far from my end... i furthest i have seen is about 30 yards

OC40 · 07-05-2013, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tojo_m

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!!

+1 on chin technique

Mamasgotkids · 07-05-2013, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wombat

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]

I love Top Gear. Clarkson never fails to amuse me.

Bmr4life · 07-08-2013, 06:04 PM

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.

amf · 07-08-2013, 07:45 PM

My range is pathetic. Let us know if someone finds a fix

Losco · 07-08-2013, 07:50 PM

btw lock range is much longer than unlock range. most likely security feature.

bizzyqu · 07-08-2013, 10:26 PM

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.

oceanview · 07-09-2013, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bizzyqu

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.

Michael Knight could do the same with his car remote, but then KITT drove over to him, to pick him up in the eleventh!

mrbob · 07-09-2013, 09:47 PM

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.

rayusaFL · 07-09-2013, 10:29 PM

I feel better now!! I thought mine was an isolated issue!!

Kowboi · 07-10-2013, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrbob

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.

The current BMW remote app will no longer unlock your doors. Instead it instructs you to call BMW Assist and provides you the phone number. Also with mentioning, the BMW Remote app does not enable the car alarm if you use the remote app. Not sure why. -- use an older version of the BMW remote app to have unlock capabilities.

Kabrich · 07-10-2013, 11:18 PM

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.

AWF30MSPORT · 07-11-2013, 01:15 PM

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.

07-04-2013, 10:33 PM	#1
rallybull Major 179 Rep 1,044 Posts Drives: F30 335i w/PPK Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	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?
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07-04-2013, 11:00 PM	#3
Wombat Private 8 Rep 66 Posts Drives: Sparkling Bronze F31 328i Join Date: May 2013 Location: HK iTrader: (0)	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
armanm Lieutenant General 48 Rep 397 Posts Drives: 2018 540i M Sport2015 535i M S Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Los Angeles, California iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW 328i [0.00]	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. __________________ 2018 540i M Sport Alpine White 2015 535i M Sport (Past) 2012 328i Luxury Line (Past)
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07-05-2013, 12:29 AM	#5
joeyb26 Captain 282 Rep 775 Posts Drives: 2020 M340i xDrive Join Date: May 2013 Location: North NJ iTrader: (1)	yeah i've had the same issue, first world problems haha
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07-05-2013, 03:28 AM	#6
rallybull Major 179 Rep 1,044 Posts Drives: F30 335i w/PPK Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	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, 06:13 AM	#7
Wombat Private 8 Rep 66 Posts Drives: Sparkling Bronze F31 328i Join Date: May 2013 Location: HK iTrader: (0)	it should work for all key fobs! not sure on the brain part... used it many times and i'm still sane........ (as far as i can tell)
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07-05-2013, 08:23 AM	#9
finaloption Captain 187 Rep 632 Posts Drives: '13 f30 n26 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	.. 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
DrivenByE30 Brigadier General 592 Rep 3,870 Posts Drives: '12 F30 Lux 335i 6MT Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: OC - SoCal iTrader: (0)	range is pretty far from my end... i furthest i have seen is about 30 yards __________________ all 3 are MT > F30 Luxury 335i 6MT- The dream driven... _..._4/12/12 ED trip MASSIVE photo thread here <<<
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07-08-2013, 06:04 PM	#13
Bmr4life New Member 2 Rep 8 Posts Drives: Infiniti QX50 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	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, 07:45 PM	#14
amf Private First Class 9 Rep 149 Posts Drives: 2012 328i sport Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: H-Town (Houston, TX) iTrader: (0)	My range is pathetic. Let us know if someone finds a fix
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07-08-2013, 07:50 PM	#15
Losco Second Lieutenant 14 Rep 231 Posts Drives: F10 528i M-sport Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Japan iTrader: (0)	btw lock range is much longer than unlock range. most likely security feature.
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07-08-2013, 10:26 PM	#16
bizzyqu Captain 148 Rep 604 Posts Drives: 2019 M240i xDrive Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	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. __________________ 07 E83 X3 BSM Sport-->10 E90 335i xDrive BSM M-Sport-->13 F30 335i xDrive EB M-Sport-->16 MKVII LB Golf R --> 19 F22 M240i xDrive MG
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07-09-2013, 09:47 PM	#18
mrbob New Member 2 Rep 14 Posts Drives: F30, 335i M package, XDrive Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Montreal iTrader: (0)	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. __________________ 2013 335i M-Sport Estoril Blue, AT, M Package, 19", XDrive
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07-09-2013, 10:29 PM	#19
rayusaFL Second Lieutenant 30 Rep 200 Posts Drives: 2018 BMW M4 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0)	I feel better now!! I thought mine was an isolated issue!!
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07-10-2013, 11:18 PM	#21
Kabrich Banned 354 Rep 1,986 Posts Drives: '13 AH3 (335IH) 3F93 MSport Join Date: May 2013 Location: Florida iTrader: (6)	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
AWF30MSPORT Lieutenant 65 Rep 497 Posts Drives: '15 Porsche 981 Cayman GTS Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	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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