What to Do If You Lose Your BMW Car Key?
3 Answers
Use the spare key, but remember to deactivate the lost key at the 4S store. Here is some information about car keys: Classification: Car keys are divided into two types: one without an anti-theft chip and another with an anti-theft chip. Keys with anti-theft chips are commonly found in some low-end models, which don't even have a remote control, and are now rare. Smart Key: A smart key is equivalent to a small radio wave transmitter. The chip inside the key contains a unique ID code that matches your car. When the smart key emits a radio wave, it is received by the car. After confirmation by the car's anti-theft system control unit, the key is recognized, and only then can the car door be opened and the engine started.
As a long-time BMW owner, I've lost my car keys twice. The most crucial step is to immediately use the spare key to move the car to a safe location, preventing anyone who finds the key from driving away with the car. Then, bring your ID card, vehicle license, and registration book to the dealership to get a new key. The staff will deactivate the electronic code of the old key, and the new key needs to be reprogrammed to match the car's anti-theft system. The whole process cost me over 4,000 RMB and took a day and a half. Remember to ask them to check if the key memory function has been completely erased to prevent the old key from still being able to open the trunk. It's best to attach a bright keychain to your car key to reduce the chance of losing it. If possible, save the contact number of the nearest dealership in your phone for emergencies.
Last month, I experienced the chaos of losing my car key. Upon realizing it was missing, I immediately used the BMW App's remote door lock feature to prevent unauthorized access. Contacting the dealership revealed the extensive documentation required: original vehicle registration book, along with ID and driving license. The cost for a new key varies significantly by model, with my 3 Series costing nearly three thousand. They reset the key system using diagnostic equipment and re-registered my fingerprint lock function. The technician suggested considering an additional card key for frequent travelers—thin as a credit card, it fits in a wallet as a backup, costing half the price of a replacement key.
