Locking devices and anti-theft alarm
Keys
1 — Central locking key with illumination (illumination is activated by pressing the BMW symbol)
2 — Spare key to be stored in a safe place, for example in a wallet. This key is not intended for regular use
3 — Key for doors and ignition lock
This key does not fit the luggage compartment lock or the glove compartment lock. This is convenient when you hand over the vehicle, for example, to a hotel car park.
Keys with Remote Control
1 — Central locking key with remote control transmitter
2 — Spare key for safe storage, for example in a wallet. This key is not intended for daily use
3 — Key for doors and ignition lock
This key does not fit the luggage compartment lock or the glove compartment lock. This is convenient when you hand over the vehicle, for example, to a hotel car park.
Spare key
It can only be obtained from a BMW service centre, which is required to verify the identity of the customer, as the key is an integral part of your vehicle's security system.
Electronic immobiliser
The key as a security feature
The electronic immobiliser increases the level of protection of your BMW against theft. It allows the engine to be started only with the keys for your vehicle. At your request, the electronic codes of individual keys can be deactivated at a BMW service centre (for example, if a key is lost). A deactivated key cannot be used to start the engine.
The key contains an electronic circuit. Via the ignition lock, the vehicle electronics exchange vehicle-specific and constantly changing signals with the electronic module in the key. The ignition, fuel supply and starter are enabled only if the key is recognised as authorised.
If the key is handled carelessly, the built-in electronic circuit may be damaged. In this case, the engine cannot be started.
Central locking
Operating principle
Central locking operates only when both front doors are closed. Central locking locks and unlocks the doors, luggage compartment and fuel filler flap simultaneously. It can be activated from outside by inserting the key into the door or luggage compartment lock, with remote control*, or from inside by pressing the dedicated button or using the door lock switches.
When central locking is activated from outside, the immobiliser is activated simultaneously, which prevents the doors from being unlocked with the door lock switches or the door handles. The alarm system* is also activated (or deactivated).
Except for the functions "Interior light on" and "Open luggage compartment", all functions that can be performed with remote control can also be performed by turning the key in the lock.
In the event of an accident, central locking unlocks automatically, but doors locked with the door lock switches are not unlocked. In addition, the hazard warning lights and the interior light switch on.
Doors (exterior)
Locking and Unlocking
Do not lock the vehicle if there are people inside, as it will then be impossible to open the doors from the inside.
On some export models, the alarm system can only be armed with remote control. Unlocking the vehicle with the key in the central locking lock triggers the alarm on these models. To disarm the alarm, press button 1 (Unlock) or start the engine.
For further details on the alarm system, see the "Alarm system" section below.
Automatic opening and closing
You can open or close the power windows and the sliding/tilting sunroof by turning the key in the driver's door lock.
Opening
With the door closed, hold the key in the "Unlock" position.
Closing
With the door open, hold the key in the "Lock" position.
If you release the key, the windows and sunroof stop moving.
Emergency locking (in case of electrical fault)
Turn the key to the corresponding position to unlock or lock the driver's door.
Unlocking
Press button 1.
The anti-theft system is disarmed, the security alarm* is deactivated and the interior light comes on at the same time.
On some export models, the first press of the button unlocks only the driver's door; a second press unlocks all other locks included in the central locking system.
Automatic opening
The power windows and the sliding roof can be opened using the remote control.
Hold button 1 pressed. If you release the button, the opening of the windows and sunroof stops immediately.
Locking and arming the alarm
Press button 2.
The anti-theft system and the security alarm are armed at the same time.
Do not lock the vehicle if there are people inside, as it will be impossible to open the doors from the inside.
Automatic closing
The power windows and the sliding roof can be closed using the remote control.
Hold button 2 pressed. If you release the button, the closing of the windows and sunroof stops immediately.
For safety reasons, automatic opening and closing of the windows and sunroof is possible only at a short distance (approximately 2 m) from the vehicle. This distance may vary depending on external interference affecting the remote control.
During the closing process, make sure that no one is trapped by the windows or sunroof. If you release the button, the closing process stops immediately.
If, on a vehicle equipped with a security alarm, the automatic closing of the windows and sunroof is interrupted, unlock the vehicle again by pressing button 1 before continuing the closing process. Otherwise, the tilt sensor and the interior radio protection system will be switched off.
Interior light activation
Without unlocking the vehicle, press button 2.
This function allows you to find the vehicle more easily in a parking lot, provided the remote control is within its operating range.
Deactivating the tilt sensor
Without unlocking the vehicle, press button 2 again.
The interior radio protection system (refer to the "Security Alarm" subsection), which is part of the security alarm, will also be switched off.
Opening the trunk
Press button 3.
The trunk lid will open slightly, regardless of whether it was locked or not.
Keys for the central locking system
Keys with the remote control transmitter are keys for the central locking system.
The front passenger door has no lock. This is done to improve the vehicle's anti-theft security.
On some export models, the security alarm can be armed only with the remote control. Unlocking the central locking system triggers the alarm on these models. To switch off the alarm, press button 1 (Unlock) or start the engine.
Children inside the vehicle may lock the doors from the inside. Therefore, when leaving the vehicle, always remove the ignition key and take it with you so that you can open the vehicle from the outside at any time.
Identical frequencies
In some areas, the remote control may malfunction because other systems or devices may use the same frequency.
Doors (inside)
This button allows you to operate the central locking system when the front doors are closed. As a result, all doors, the trunk and the fuel filler flap are unlocked or locked, but the anti-theft system is not armed.
UNLOCKING AND OPENING
There are two ways to do this:
1. Unlock all doors by pressing the central locking button, then pull the handle located above the armrest of the required door.
2. Pull the handle of the required door twice: the first pull unlocks the door, the second opens it.
LOCKING
There are two ways to do this:
1. Lock all doors by pressing the central locking button.
2. Push down the door lock knobs. To prevent accidental locking, the driver's door cannot be locked by pushing down its lock knob when the door is open.
In the event of an accident, doors locked with the lock knobs are not automatically unlocked. Therefore, do not lock the doors with the lock knobs while the vehicle is moving.
Children inside the vehicle may lock the doors from the inside. Therefore, when leaving the vehicle, always remove the ignition key and take it with you so that you can open the vehicle from the outside at any time.
Trunk
Only keys for the central locking system fit the trunk lock (refer to the "Keys" subsection).
Separate locking of the trunk
Applying some force, turn the key to the right and remove it in the horizontal position.
This locks the trunk and disconnects its lock from the central locking system. As a result, a person, for example a hotel employee, who has received key 3 for the door and ignition (refer to the "Keys" subsection) will not be able to open the trunk.
Opening from outside
Press the button. The trunk will open.
Emergency use of the trunk lock
(in case of electrical system failure)
Insert the central locking key into the trunk lock and turn it to the left as far as it will go. The trunk will open.
The trunk locks again as soon as the trunk lid is closed.
Opening from inside
If the trunk lock is not under security alarm control, it can be opened by pressing this button*. The trunk cannot be opened with this button while the vehicle is moving.
Tension belts
To secure small items in the luggage compartment, use the tension straps on the luggage compartment floor.
If you place items on these straps, their rough surface will prevent the items from shifting while driving.
Special loops are provided in the corners of the luggage compartment for attaching cargo nets* or straps used to secure individual items.
Hook
A hook is located on the left side of the luggage compartment for hanging shopping bags and similar items.
Closing the luggage compartment lid
The handle (shown by arrow) located next to the locking mechanism makes it easier to close the luggage compartment lid.
To prevent exhaust gases from entering the passenger compartment, the luggage compartment lid must always be closed while the vehicle is in motion. If you must drive with the lid open, then:
1. Close all windows and the sliding/tilting sunroof.
2. Set the heating and ventilation system or automatic climate control to maximum airflow.
Anti-theft alarm system*
The anti-theft alarm system responds to:
- opening of a door, hood or luggage compartment lid
- movement inside the vehicle (interior monitoring system)
- change in vehicle inclination, for example, when attempting to steal a wheel or during towing
- interruption of battery power supply
If unauthorized persons perform any of these actions, the system responds as follows:
- the alarm sounds for 30 seconds
- the hazard warning lights are activated for 5 minutes*
- the low beam headlights flash in sync with the hazard warning lights*
Arming and disarming the alarm
Arming and disarming the alarm takes place simultaneously with locking and unlocking the vehicle by turning the key in any lock or by using the remote control.
The interior monitoring system is activated approximately 30 seconds after the last turn of the key in the lock.
If the alarm has been armed correctly, the hazard warning lights will flash once.
The luggage compartment can be opened after the alarm has been armed by pressing button 3 on the remote control. After the luggage compartment lid is closed, it is again monitored by the alarm system.
On some export models the alarm system can only be armed using the remote control. Unlocking the vehicle with the key from the central locking system triggers the alarm on these models. Pressing button 1 (Unlock) or starting the engine deactivates the alarm.
Indicator lamp signals
The indicator lamp under the rear-view mirror in the passenger compartment lights continuously: the anti-theft alarm is activated.
The indicator lamp flashes when the alarm is armed: a door, hood or luggage compartment lid is not properly closed. Even if nothing is done, the other properly closed components will be monitored, and the lamp will light continuously after about 10 seconds. However, the interior monitoring system is not activated.
The indicator lamp goes out when the alarm is disarmed: no unauthorized manipulation of the vehicle has been performed.
The indicator lamp flashes for approximately 10 seconds when the alarm is disarmed: signal that unauthorized access has occurred.
After the alarm has been triggered, the indicator lamp will again light continuously.
Tilt sensor
To prevent an alarm signal from being triggered by spontaneous activation of the tilt sensor (for example, in a two-level garage or when transporting the vehicle by rail) or as a result of the interior monitoring system, these systems can be deactivated simultaneously.
Lock the vehicle twice, i.e. arm the alarm twice. In other words, press button 2 on the remote control twice or lock the vehicle twice with the key.
The indicator lamp will flash briefly, then light continuously. The tilt sensor and interior monitoring system will remain switched off until the vehicle is disarmed.
Interior monitoring system
For flawless operation of the interior monitoring system, close the windows and the sliding/tilting sunroof.
Switch off the interior monitoring system if:
- children or animals must remain in the vehicle;
- windows or the sunroof must remain open.
Interrupting the closing of the sunroof and windows within the first 10 seconds and then immediately resuming it leads to deactivation of the tilt sensor and interior monitoring system. If this happens, to reactivate the tilt sensor and interior monitoring system, disarm the alarm and then arm it again.
Emergency alarm deactivation*
If normal deactivation of the alarm on a locked vehicle is not possible, proceed as follows:
PROCEDURE
1. Unlock the driver's door with the key (the alarm will sound for 30 seconds).
2. Sit in the driver's seat, close the door and, before the audible signal stops, insert the key into the ignition and turn it to position 1.
3. Wait until the indicator lamp goes out and the central locking system unlocks the other doors (approximately 10 minutes). During this time do not open your door, and the key must remain in position 1 in the ignition.
As a result, the alarm will be deactivated, but the system must be checked at a BMW service center.
Test yourself
A quick BMW 1 quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.