2024 BMW 3 Series Keys and Features Guide

2024 BMW 3 Series Keys and Features Guide

Modern technology, classic design, and top-notch performance come together perfectly in the 2024 BMW 3 Series, marking the start of a new age of great cars. The advanced key system, which changes the meaning of ease and safety, is at the heart of its innovation. With better connectivity features, owners can lock and open their cars from afar, start the engine, and even heat or cool the inside of the car—all from their smartphones. The 3 Series interior is very nice, made with high-quality materials and equipped with the latest technologies for entertainment and safety. Every part of the car, from the smart BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant to the surround sound system, was carefully thought out to make driving more enjoyable. Under the hood, several powerful and fuel-efficient engine choices deliver thrilling performance while still using little gas. The 2024 BMW 3 Series is the best luxury sedan ever because it combines style, innovation, and speed in a way that makes it easy to drive in cities or on the open road.

2023 BMW 3 Review, Specs, Price And Mileage (Brochure)

BMW display key

General
The display key is available with pre-heating.
Depending on the national market version, the display key may not be available. In this case, the pre-heating can be operated via the BMW app.
The delivery specification of the display key includes an additional mechanical key. When using the display key, you should also carry the mechanical key, for example in your wallet or purse. The mechanical key is used in the same way as the integrated key.
The display key supports all functions of the standard vehicle key.
The following functions are also available:

• Call up the status of doors and windows.
• Call up the status of the alarm system.
• Call up service information.
• Call up range with the available fuel.
• Operate pre-heating.

For further information on the integrated key, see page 80.

Safety information

WARNING
Persons remaining in the vehicle or pets left inside can lock the doors from the inside and lock themselves in. In this case, the vehicle cannot be opened from the outside. There is a danger of injury. Carry the vehicle key with you so that you can open the vehicle from the outside.

WARNING
With some national-market versions, unlocking from the inside requires specific knowledge.
There is a risk of severe or fatal injury if persons or animals remain in the vehicle for extended periods, which exposes them to extreme temperatures. Do not lock the ve-hicle from the outside if there are persons or animals inside. Do not leave babies, toddlers, or animals alone in the vehicle.

WARNING
Unsupervised children or pets in the vehicle can set the vehicle in motion and endanger themselves and other road users, for example, by the following actions:

• Pressing the Start/Stop button.
• Releasing the parking brake.
• Opening and closing doors or windows.
• Engaging selector lever position N.
• Operating vehicle equipment.

There is a risk of accident or injury. Do not leave children or pets unsupervised in the ve-hicle. When leaving the vehicle, take the vehi-cle key with you and lock the vehicle.

Overview

Buttons on the BMW display key.

Unlock.

 

 

Lock.

 

 

Depending on the equipment: Open/close the luggage compartment. Open the luggage compartment.

 

For home lights, see page 176.

 

 

Switch display on/off.

 

 

Micro-USB charging socket.

 

 

Back.

 

 

Reception range
The number of available functions of the display key depends on the distance to the vehicle.

• In the close reception range, all functions of the display key are available.
• In the wider reception range, it is possible to call up status information and to operate pre-heating.
• Outside the reception range, it is possible to display the most recent status informa-tion transmitted from the vehicle.
  This icon is shown on the display if one of the buttons is pressed outside the reception range.

Display

General
The display is divided into the upper-status line, the information area and the lower-status line.

Upper-status line
The upper-status line shows the following information:

• Vehicle locked/vehicle unlocked.
• Time set in the vehicle.
• State of charge of the battery of the display key.

Information area
The information area is where information can be called up and additional functions carried out.
Page indicators are displayed below the information if the information area contains more than one page.
The current page is indicated by a filled-in icon.
Swipe to the left or right to switch between the pages.
If further information can be accessed on a page, tap on the corresponding icon.
Tap the icon below the display to return to the higher-level page.

Lower status line
The lower status line shows whether the display key is within the reception range.

• “Connected”: the display key is located in the reception range.
• “Updated”: the display key is located outside of the reception range. It indicates when the last data transfer from the vehicle took place.

Switching off/on

The content of the display is hidden automati-cally after a brief time to reduce battery power consumption.
To manually hide the display: press the button on the left of the display key.
To show content on the display:

1. Press the button on the left of the display key.
2. Next, swipe your finger from the bottom to the top to cancel the display lock.

Switch off the display to increase the battery life:

1. Unlock the display if necessary.
2. Press and hold the button on the left side of the display key for longer than 4 seconds.
3. “OK”

To switch on the display:
Press the button on the left of the display key.

Operating principle
There are four main menus through which sub-menus can be accessed.

Main Menu	Information \ Function
“Security information”	Status of the doors. Status of the alarm sys-tem. After alarm activation: date, time and reason for the alarm activation.
	Status of the windows. Status of the glass sunroof.
“Vehicle information”	Maintenance displays of the Condition Based Service CBS. Status of the parking lights.
“Range information”	Range with the available fuel.
“Preconditioning setting”	Operate pre-heating.

Battery of the display key

General
Bear the following in mind:

• If the charge state of the display key bat-tery decreases, the display is automatically switched off. The battery must be charged so the display can be switched on again. The standard buttons remain functional until the battery is completely flat.
• Charge the battery for at least three hours before using the display key for the first time or if the key has not been used for an extended period.
• The display key can be used while charging via the USB port. If the battery is fully discharged, it can take some time before the display key can be used again.
• Due to the large number of USB chargers available on the market, there can be no guarantee that every charger will work perfectly. The charging time depends on the battery charger used.
• Charging via the USB port can cause the battery charger and the display key to heat up.
  Charging in the wireless charging tray can cause the dock and the display key to heat up.
  At higher temperatures, the charge current may be reduced to prevent the display key from overheating and in exceptional cases, the charging process is temporarily interrupted.
• When inserting the display key into the wireless charging tray, make sure there are no objects between it and the wireless charging tray.

Safety information

WARNING
When charging a Qi-compatible device in the wireless charging tray, any metal objects that are in the tray together with the device can become very hot. If storage media or electronic cards, for example, smart cards, cards with magnetic strips or cards for transmitting signals, are located in the tray together with the device, their function may be impaired. There is a danger of injury or material damage. When charging mobile devices, make sure there are no objects in the tray together with the device.

Charging

Via USB
Connect the display key to a USB port using the micro-USB charging interface.

In the centre console

1. Open the cover of the dock.
2. Place the display key in the middle of the wireless charging tray in front of the cup holders.
   Make sure that the display is pointing upwards.
3. Close the cover of the dock.

LED displays

Colour	Meaning
Blue	The display key is charging. The blue LED stays illuminated once the inserted display key is fully charged.
Orange	The display key is not charging. The display key may be exposed to excessively high temperatures or there may be foreign bodies in the charging tray.
Red	The display key is not charging. Contact an authorised Service Partner another qualified Service Partner or a specialist workshop.

Malfunction

General
A Check Control message is shown. It may be difficult for the vehicle to detect the BMW display key in some circumstances, including the following:

• The battery of the display key is flat.
• Disruption of the radio link by transmission masts or other equipment transmitting powerful signals.
• Shielding of the display key by metallic objects.
• Disruption of the radio link by mobile phones or other electronic devices in the immediate vicinity.
• Interference with the radio transmission is caused by the charging process of mobile devices, for example, a mobile phone.

Do not transport the display key together with metallic objects or electronic devices.
If there is a malfunction, the vehicle can be unlocked and locked from the outside with the mechanical key.

Switching on a drive-ready state by emergency detection of the BMW display key
The drive-ready state cannot be switched on if the display key has not been detected.
If this happens, proceed as follows:

1. Hold the back of the display key against the mark on the steering column. Pay attention to the display in the instrument cluster.
2. If the display key is detected:
   Switch on the drive-ready state within 10 sec-onds.

If the display key is not detected, change the position of the display key slightly and repeat the procedure.

Resetting the BMW display key
If the charged display key can no longer be switched on, or the display no longer responds to inputs, the display key can be reset.
Press and hold the following buttons on the display key simultaneously for at least 10 sec-onds until the display switches off and on again:

• 

 

• 

 

Access to vehicle interior

Safety information

WARNING
Persons remaining in the vehicle or pets left inside can lock the doors from the inside and lock themselves in. In this case, the vehicle cannot be opened from the outside. There is a danger of injury. Carry the vehicle key with you so that you can open the vehicle from the outside.

WARNING
With some national-market versions, unlocking from the inside requires specific knowledge.
There is a risk of severe or fatal injury if persons or animals remain in the vehicle for extended periods, which exposes them to extreme temperatures. Do not lock the ve-hicle from the outside if there are persons or animals inside. Do not leave babies, toddlers, or animals alone in the vehicle.

WARNING
Unsupervised children or pets in the vehicle can set the vehicle in motion and endanger themselves and other road users, for example, by the following actions:

• Pressing the Start/Stop button.
• Releasing the parking brake.
• Opening and closing doors or windows.
• Engaging selector lever position N.
• Operating vehicle equipment.

There is a risk of accident or injury. Do not leave children or pets unsupervised in the ve-hicle. When leaving the vehicle, take the vehi-cle key with you and lock the vehicle.

Actions during unlocking

Depending on the settings, the following functions are performed when unlocking the vehi-cle:

• Only the driver’s door and the fuel filler flap will be unlocked or all access to the vehicle will be unlocked.
• The unlocking of the vehicle can be confirmed with a light signal or a sound signal.
• The welcome light can be turned on when the vehicle is being unlocked.

The following functions are also carried out:

• If a BMW ID or driver profile was assigned to the vehicle key, this BMW ID or driver profile will be activated.
• The interior lights are switched on unless they were switched off manually.
• Depending on the equipment, folded exterior mirrors are folded out. If the exterior mirrors are folded in using the button inside the vehicle, they are not folded out when the vehicle is unlocked.
• The anti-theft security system is switched off.
• The alarm system is switched off.

For further information:

• For settings, see page 101.
• Welcome light, see page 176.
• BMW ID/driver profiles, see page 73.

Actions during locking
Depending on the settings, the following functions are performed when the vehicle is locked:

• The locking of the vehicle can be confirmed with a light signal or a sound signal.
• Depending on the equipment, the exterior mirrors can be folded in automatically during locking. If the hazard warning lights are switched on, the exterior mirrors are not filled in.

The following functions are carried out:

• All the doors, the tailgate and the fuel filler flap are locked.
• The anti-theft security system is switched on. This prevents the doors from being unlocked using the locking button or the door openers.
• The alarm system is switched on.

If the drive-ready state is still switched on when locking, the vehicle horn sounds twice. If this happens, switch off the drive-ready state using the Start/Stop button.
For further information: Settings, see page 101.

2023 BMW 3 Review, Specs, Price And Mileage (Brochure)

With the vehicle key

Unlocking the vehicle
Press the button on the vehicle key.

 

If only the driver’s door and the fuel filler flap have been unlocked because of the settings, press the button on the vehicle key again to unlock the other vehicle access points.
The lighting functions may depend on the ambient brightness.

Manually locking the vehicle

1. Close the driver’s door.
2. Press the button on the vehicle key. All vehicle access points are locked.

 

On the outside door handle

Principle
This feature allows you to access the vehicle without having to use the vehicle key.
The vehicle key is automatically detected near the vehicle.

General
The function is available with Comfort Access.

Operating requirements

• Carry the vehicle key with you, for example, in your trouser pocket.
• To lock the vehicle, the vehicle key must be located outside the vehicle in the vicinity of the doors.
• After locking, approx. 2 seconds must elapse before unlocking is possible.

Unlocking the vehicle
Fully grasp the handle of a door.

Locking the vehicle

1. Close the driver’s door.
2. Touch the grooved surface on the handle of a closed door with your finger for approximately 1 second, without gripping the door handle.
   
   

Malfunction
Wet or snowy conditions may disrupt the lock-ing request detection on the outside door handles.
If a fault occurs, unlock and lock the vehicle with the buttons on the vehicle key or with the integrated key.

Touchless unlocking/locking of the vehicle

Principle
The vehicle is unlocked when the driver approaches the locked vehicle with the vehicle key.
If the driver moves away from the unlocked ve-hicle with the vehicle key, the vehicle is locked.

General
The function is available with Comfort Access.
The vehicle is unlocked when an authorised vehicle key is detected in the unlocking zone.
The unlocking zone is located within a radius of approx. 1.50 m, 5 ft around the side and rear of the vehicle.
The vehicle is locked when the vehicle key leaves the locking zone.
The locking zone is located within a radius of approx. 3 m, 9 ft around the side and rear of the vehicle.
If the vehicle key remains within the unlocking zone without moving for a prolonged period, the vehicle is locked automatically.
If a person is detected on the front passenger seat when locking, and if the front passenger’s seat belt is in the seat belt buckle when lock-ing:

• The vehicle is locked, but not protected against theft.
• The fuel filler flap remains unlocked.

Actions during unlocking
If the settings specify that only the driver’s door and the charging socket flap will be un-locked, note the following:
The driver’s door and charging socket flap will only unlock when the driver is located within the unlocking zone of the driver’s door.
For settings, see page 101.

Operating requirements

• Carry the vehicle key with you, for example, in your trouser pocket.
• Unlocking: When entering the unlocking zone, the doors and luggage compartment must be closed.
• Locking: When leaving the locking zone, the doors and luggage compartment must be closed.
• Automatic unlocking and locking must be activated in the settings.
• The drive-ready state must be switched off.
• For contactless locking of the vehicle, no second vehicle key may be within a radius of 6 m, approx. 18 ft around the vehicle.
• If the vehicle has been in rest state for several days, contactless unlocking/locking is not possible until the vehicle has been driven.

For further information: Settings, see page 101.

With the Key Card

Principle
The Key Card is a chip card on which a digital key is installed. The key card can be used to unlock and lock the vehicle.
For further information: on Key Card, see page 95.

General
The Key Card is available with Comfort Access.

Locking/unlocking the vehicle
Hold the activated Key Card directly and centrally up against the outside door handle on the driver’s door.
When locking the vehicle with the Key Card, make sure that all doors and the luggage compartment are closed.
If the Key Card is not detected, slightly change the position of the Key Card and repeat the process.

With the BMW Digital Key

Principle
Depending on the national-market version and equipment, a digital key can be installed on
a compatible smartphone and used to unlock and lock the vehicle.
For further information: on BMW Digital Key, see page 97.

Locking/unlocking the vehicle
Hold the NFC antenna on the smartphone directly and centrally up against the outside door handle on the driver’s door. The position of the NFC antenna will depend on the smartphone model.
When locking the vehicle with the smartphone, make sure that all doors and the luggage compartment are closed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What measures can be taken to enable a vehi-cle to be opened if the vehicle key has accidentally been locked inside the vehicle?

• The Remote Services of the app can be used to lock and unlock a vehicle, for example.
  This requires an active BMW Connected-Drive contract and the app must be installed on a smartphone.
• Unlocking of the vehicle can be requested via the BMW ConnectedDrive call centre. This requires an active BMW Connected-Drive contract.

FAQs

Useful Links

View Full PDF: 2024 BMW 3 Series User Manual | Auto User Guide

2023 BMW 3 Review, Specs, Price And Mileage (Brochure)

2024 BMW 3 Series Alarm System User Guide