Push Start/Stop Standard? - XBimmers

wagsoja · 03-16-2011, 06:40 PM

Hi guys, even though my X3 28i should be coming in within the next couple weeks I have a question. I know the comfort access package lets you start/stop the engine without entering the key fob anywhere. But how do you start/stop the car if you don't have that option? Do you still insert the fob, and push the fob in, or is the start/stop engine button still there and you push that in once the key is inserted. Just curious, and I don't want to wait until the X3 comes in! Thanks.

jijioben · 03-16-2011, 06:46 PM

It's the same even if you do not have the Comfort Access package. This feature is now standard in all X3s (at least in North America).

MA78 · 03-16-2011, 06:57 PM

Yep. No need to insert a key into anything. Keyless Start/Stop is now standard.

Lotus7 · 03-16-2011, 07:07 PM

As jijioben said, All X3's have the big push button and no F25 X3's have a key slot, except for the "emergency" mechanical keyhole in the driver's door handle.

The system actually is redundant and has (2) ways of allowing the car to start:

Normally, with a fully functional key fob with a good internal battery, the key fob sends a coded signal to the car's receiver that "unlocks" the ignition and disables the theft prevention interlocks. The car then sends a status signal to the fob, which is stored, that records the vehicle condition, mileage and any fault codes. Supposedly, the key can be read at a dealership and the condition of the car can then be evaluated without the car actually being there!

If the key fob lithium battery dies, you can still start the car by holding the bottom surface of the key fob in contact with a specially marked space on the right side of the steering column. It appears that the key fob has a coded RFID chip and if the Start/Stop button is pressed with no normal fob RF signal present, the car will then scan for the RFID chip. This is a very short-range signal so the key fob must be positioned correctly.

The F25 X3 key fob uses a primary battery that is not recharged in the vehicle (unlike some others that are recharged), so expect to have to replace the battery at some point in the future (see pp. 32 in the X3 manual).

wagsoja · 03-16-2011, 07:08 PM

wow. thats awesome. when did that become standard? they don't really promote that fact anywhere. I was searching!

Lotus7 · 03-16-2011, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wagsoja

wow. thats awesome. when did that become standard? they don't really promote that fact anywhere. I was searching!

Haven't checked any other countries, but since the UK and USA configuration websites have been up (many months), all that has been available has been the current push button Start/Stop system.

It's sophisticated, and that means it's probably a fairly expensive key to replace. I don't have a reference handy, but believe I read somewhere that the system will handle up to (4) keys with (2) sets of presets for each key. Therefore you can have up to (8) different drivers' settings (seat & mirror positions) and (4) radio presets, cell phone directories, iDrive settings, etc.) stored and automatically changed as the key is activated.

MA78 · 03-16-2011, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lotus7

As jijioben said, All X3's have the big push button and no F25 X3's have a key slot, except for the "emergency" mechanical keyhole in the driver's door handle.

The system actually is redundant and has (2) ways of allowing the car to start:

Normally, with a fully functional key fob with a good internal battery, the key fob sends a coded signal to the car's receiver that "unlocks" the ignition and disables the theft prevention interlocks. The car then sends a status signal to the fob, which is stored, that records the vehicle condition, mileage and any fault codes. Supposedly, the key can be read at a dealership and the condition of the car can then be evaluated without the car actually being there!

If the key fob lithium battery dies, you can still start the car by holding the bottom surface of the key fob in contact with a specially marked space on the right side of the steering column. It appears that the key fob has a coded RFID chip and if the Start/Stop button is pressed with no normal fob RF signal present, the car will then scan for the RFID chip. This is a very short-range signal so the key fob must be positioned correctly.

The F25 X3 key fob uses a primary battery that is not recharged in the vehicle (unlike some others that are recharged), so expect to have to replace the battery at some point in the future (see pp. 32 in the X3 manual).

A wealth of information as always!

Lotus7 · 03-16-2011, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MA78

A wealth of information as always!

I just hope that someone doesn't decide that lithium disc batteries are bad for the environment (as the US government has done for mercury and some silver oxide batteries and R-12 refrigerant) and leaves us with a bunch of cars that can't ever be started.

I'm not worried about oil shortages, but lithium primary batteries may be another story!

Ca'mon now guys - no battery hording

MA78 · 03-16-2011, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lotus7

I just hope that someone doesn't decide that lithium disc batteries are bad for the environment (as the US government has done for mercury and some silver oxide batteries and R-12 refrigerant) and leaves us with a bunch of cars that can't ever be started.

I'm not worried about oil shortages, but lithium primary batteries may be another story!

Ca'mon now guys - no battery hording

wagsoja · 03-16-2011, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lotus7

I just hope that someone doesn't decide that lithium disc batteries are bad for the environment (as the US government has done for mercury and some silver oxide batteries and R-12 refrigerant) and leaves us with a bunch of cars that can't ever be started.

I'm not worried about oil shortages, but lithium primary batteries may be another story!

Ca'mon now guys - no battery hording

I used to work in a research lab on Li battery systems, and they are no longer a safety or environmental concern.

Nahoa · 03-16-2011, 09:24 PM

Li batteries are now biodegradable like my breakfast banana peel?

Not buying . . .

wagsoja · 03-16-2011, 09:46 PM

Ive never heard that one, but when you hear lithium battery, the electrodes are not pure lithium. They used to be back in the old days (80s) but those where unsafe. The lithium is inserted into a matrix of usually carbon or some oxide such as vandadium oxide. The battery electrochemistry stays similar, but the safety is a whole lot better.

Lotus7 · 03-16-2011, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wagsoja

I used to work in a research lab on Li battery systems, and they are no longer a safety or environmental concern.

Whew! I was only being "half-serious", but I'll sleep better tonight!

wagsoja · 03-16-2011, 09:48 PM

haha, must be the scientist in me. Just wanted to put you at ease, atleast the half of you that was concerned.

jaymk5 · 03-16-2011, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wagsoja

wow. thats awesome. when did that become standard? they don't really promote that fact anywhere. I was searching!

I am thinking bmw purposefully do not want to explicitly advertise this fact, since many including me and you, mistook that the start / stop button comes only when we buy comfort access package, first dealer that I talked to mentioned that it comes with the comfort access package, second dealer I talked to mentioned explicitly that it was standard, as well bluetooth is standard which was also not told very clearly. That is where this forum comes handy with a wealth of information. I trust our fellow bimmers in this website more than bmwna or dealers.

tuco44 · 03-16-2011, 11:16 PM

Yep, I just found out the same thing today from my SA. About all Comfort Access gets you now is the ability to lock/unlock by touching the door handle. CA not much a big deal now.

flash3 · 03-16-2011, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuco44

Yep, I just found out the same thing today from my SA. About all Comfort Access gets you now is the ability to lock/unlock by touching the door handle. CA not much a big deal now.

Yep, this forum is a great tool when it comes to learning about what the features really include.

MA78 · 03-17-2011, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flash3

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuco44

Yep, I just found out the same thing today from my SA. About all Comfort Access gets you now is the ability to lock/unlock by touching the door handle. CA not much a big deal now.

Yep, this forum is a great tool when it comes to learning about what the features really include.

Especially since most SAs are clueless.

Hawkshaw · 03-17-2011, 07:54 AM

Yeah, when I bought my e90 330i "comfort access" was an option - one of the few I didn't get, which means I have to perform the two step start method of inserting fob then pressing the start/stop button. Kind of silly if you ask me. Glad they got it right on the X3.

sfax · 03-17-2011, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MA78

A wealth of information as always!

I'm still trying to think of something really complicated that Lotus won't know the answer to......

MA78 · 03-17-2011, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfax

Quote:

Originally Posted by MA78

A wealth of information as always!

I'm still trying to think of something really complicated that Lotus won't know the answer to......

I know. He's like a BMW Rain Man.

roders · 03-17-2011, 11:20 AM

Comfort Access is different to Keyless start.....
Comfort Access options allows you to lock and unlock the doors just by touching the handle. You do not need to use the key to lock/unlock the doors.

03-16-2011, 06:40 PM	#1
wagsoja Private Drives: 2011 BMW X3 28i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 67 iTrader: (0)	Push Start/Stop Standard? Hi guys, even though my X3 28i should be coming in within the next couple weeks I have a question. I know the comfort access package lets you start/stop the engine without entering the key fob anywhere. But how do you start/stop the car if you don't have that option? Do you still insert the fob, and push the fob in, or is the start/stop engine button still there and you push that in once the key is inserted. Just curious, and I don't want to wait until the X3 comes in! Thanks.
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03-16-2011, 09:24 PM	#11
Nahoa Lieutenant Colonel Drives: F25 35i Mineral Silver/Black Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,853 iTrader: (0)	Li batteries are now biodegradable like my breakfast banana peel? Not buying . . . __________________

03-16-2011, 11:16 PM	#16
tuco44 Major Drives: 2012 E82 135i MSport Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 1,196 iTrader: (0)	Yep, I just found out the same thing today from my SA. About all Comfort Access gets you now is the ability to lock/unlock by touching the door handle. CA not much a big deal now. __________________ 2012 135i E82 MSport DCT LeMans Blue Previous BMWs - 2011 X3 35i MSport VR (sold), 2009 M3 Sedan AW (sold), 2008 535xi MSport AW (sold), 2007 328xiT Barbera (sold), plus 11 others in the 70s & 80s.

03-17-2011, 07:54 AM	#19
Hawkshaw Major Drives: X3 xDrive28i Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Fredericton, NB, Canada Posts: 1,013 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Yeah, when I bought my e90 330i "comfort access" was an option - one of the few I didn't get, which means I have to perform the two step start method of inserting fob then pressing the start/stop button. Kind of silly if you ask me. Glad they got it right on the X3. __________________ Paul

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03-16-2011, 06:46 PM	#2
jijioben Second Lieutenant Drives: 2011 F25 X3 35i Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 242 iTrader: (0)	It's the same even if you do not have the Comfort Access package. This feature is now standard in all X3s (at least in North America).

03-16-2011, 06:57 PM	#3
MA78 TK-421 Drives: 2011 X3 35i Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 610 iTrader: (0)	Yep. No need to insert a key into anything. Keyless Start/Stop is now standard.

03-16-2011, 07:07 PM	#4
Lotus7 Major Drives: xxxx Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: xxxx Posts: 1,041 iTrader: (0)	As jijioben said, All X3's have the big push button and no F25 X3's have a key slot, except for the "emergency" mechanical keyhole in the driver's door handle. The system actually is redundant and has (2) ways of allowing the car to start: Normally, with a fully functional key fob with a good internal battery, the key fob sends a coded signal to the car's receiver that "unlocks" the ignition and disables the theft prevention interlocks. The car then sends a status signal to the fob, which is stored, that records the vehicle condition, mileage and any fault codes. Supposedly, the key can be read at a dealership and the condition of the car can then be evaluated without the car actually being there! If the key fob lithium battery dies, you can still start the car by holding the bottom surface of the key fob in contact with a specially marked space on the right side of the steering column. It appears that the key fob has a coded RFID chip and if the Start/Stop button is pressed with no normal fob RF signal present, the car will then scan for the RFID chip. This is a very short-range signal so the key fob must be positioned correctly. The F25 X3 key fob uses a primary battery that is not recharged in the vehicle (unlike some others that are recharged), so expect to have to replace the battery at some point in the future (see pp. 32 in the X3 manual).

03-16-2011, 07:08 PM	#5
wagsoja Private Drives: 2011 BMW X3 28i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 67 iTrader: (0)	wow. thats awesome. when did that become standard? they don't really promote that fact anywhere. I was searching!

03-16-2011, 09:46 PM	#12
wagsoja Private Drives: 2011 BMW X3 28i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 67 iTrader: (0)	Ive never heard that one, but when you hear lithium battery, the electrodes are not pure lithium. They used to be back in the old days (80s) but those where unsafe. The lithium is inserted into a matrix of usually carbon or some oxide such as vandadium oxide. The battery electrochemistry stays similar, but the safety is a whole lot better.

03-16-2011, 09:48 PM	#14
wagsoja Private Drives: 2011 BMW X3 28i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 67 iTrader: (0)	haha, must be the scientist in me. Just wanted to put you at ease, atleast the half of you that was concerned.

03-17-2011, 11:20 AM	#22
roders Second Lieutenant Drives: BMW X3 3.0D MSport F25 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Perth, WA, Australia Posts: 207 iTrader: (0)	Comfort Access is different to Keyless start..... Comfort Access options allows you to lock and unlock the doors just by touching the handle. You do not need to use the key to lock/unlock the doors.