Remote start is a sought-after feature for many car owners, allowing you to pre-condition your vehicle’s interior for comfort before you even step inside. Traditionally, BMW owners have utilized the BMW Connected app for remote start functionality. However, a recent discussion among BMW iX owners on Bimmerpost, a popular BMW forum, has shed light on an alternative method: using the key fob for remote start.
It appears many BMW iX drivers, including the original poster “Young04”, were unaware that their key fob could also initiate remote start. Young04, driving a 2023 BMW iX M60, discovered this feature by accident and questioned if it was a standard capability.
The method is surprisingly simple: press the lock button on your BMW key fob three times. This action reportedly activates the remote start, or as BMW terms it, “climatize” function, allowing you to pre-heat or pre-cool your BMW iX.
This revelation was corroborated by other forum members. “javapro,” another iX owner, confirmed the three-press lock button method successfully started pre-conditioning on their vehicle. Even “freshxdough,” a self-proclaimed BMW Elite Master Tech, initially expressed surprise but later verified the key fob remote start functionality on their BMW iX 50.
While the BMW Connected app offers remote start from virtually anywhere with a cellular connection, the key fob method presents a valuable alternative, especially in situations where app connectivity is unreliable. As “Young04” pointed out, app functionality can be inconsistent in areas with poor cellular signal or when the car’s 12V battery charge is low, hindering remote functions. In such cases, the key fob remote start emerges as a dependable backup.
The discussion suggests this key fob remote start feature might be linked to newer BMW software versions, possibly “SP21,” and might be available on models like the iX, 7 Series, and the latest 5 Series. Interestingly, the BMW i4, as mentioned in the forum, may not have this key fob functionality, relying solely on app-based remote start or, in some markets, a diamond button on the key fob not available in the USA.
While some users like “javapro” argue that key fob remote start is less practical in the age of connected car apps due to its limited range, others emphasize its reliability when app-based remote start fails. Moreover, as highlighted by “NomoTesla,” BMW key fobs often include other convenient features like remote window control, adding further value to these physical keys.
In conclusion, the Bmw Key Fob Remote Start, activated by three presses of the lock button, appears to be a somewhat hidden but functional feature for certain BMW models like the iX. While the BMW Connected app provides broader remote access, understanding and utilizing the key fob remote start can be a useful and reliable alternative for BMW owners, ensuring cabin pre-conditioning even when app connectivity is limited. For BMW owners, especially those with iX models, testing this three-press lock button method is worthwhile to unlock this potentially unknown convenience.
