Ignition Key Battery

HTM101 · 04-26-2018, 05:49 PM

The key for my car is fully functional yet it seems I need to be within 8' of the car for it to function remotely. Is this distance normal?

Thanks,
David

pungo · 04-26-2018, 06:53 PM

Correct, remote distance suck, probably more so on the coupe with the metal roof. The antenna is in the center mirror. Just put the metal end the the key against your chin then press a button, the distance will improve 10x, really...

StickMon · 04-27-2018, 01:25 AM

Nah. Roadster range sucks, too.
The putting the key against your chin, of YouTube and Top Gear lour, is unbelievable.
I'm and RF Engineer for NASA, and I don't have a good explanation for why it works, but I can't argue with results.

Bottom line, David, your key is as good as it gets.

elerner61 · 04-27-2018, 09:44 AM

I've been using this technique now for years and it truly does extend the range. Unfortunately, I now can hear Radio Free Europe broadcasts from WWII at night if I sleep with my mouth open.

racerbruce · 04-27-2018, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elerner61

I've been using this technique now for years and it truly does extend the range. Unfortunately, I now can hear Radio Free Europe broadcasts from WWII at night if I sleep with my mouth open.

Love it!

unluky · 04-27-2018, 03:09 PM

3rd to holding it to your head! IT at least doubles the range, no matter how stupid you look! Hold it to your head, look at the car and open your moth and you can almost triple it! Me and my GF didn't either, but we tried it in a huge empty parking lot at night using the spaces as markers - try it.

HTM101 · 04-28-2018, 06:18 AM

OK guys, thanks. I’ll try the head amping thing just to see if you’re pranking me.

David

wdb · 04-28-2018, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elerner61

I've been using this technique now for years and it truly does extend the range. Unfortunately, I now can hear Radio Free Europe broadcasts from WWII at night if I sleep with my mouth open.

You too?

mmm-five · 04-28-2018, 08:39 AM

I've got 3 keys.

One works from about 30 feet away, one works from about 10 feet away, and one will only work from right next to the car door.

I've tried charging #3 by using it for long trips, but it hasn't become any better.

pungo · 04-28-2018, 02:34 PM

Full recharge (ignition must be in position 2 or 3) from empty takes ~30 hours. 1 hour of charge typically gives 15 lock/unlock cycles (on completely flat battery) depending on age of course.

I put my key in my inductive sonic toothbrush charger for a couple days to charge them up. I do switch keys periodically to evenly wear the battery.

accent · 04-29-2018, 07:35 AM

I guess the battery in my chin is dead since holding the key to it does not increase the distance I can open the door.
Anyone know how to charge my chin battery?

pungo · 04-29-2018, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by accent

I guess the battery in my chin is dead since holding the key to it does not increase the distance I can open the door.
Anyone know how to charge my chin battery?

Some peoples heads are thicker than others so YMMV

HTM101 · 05-11-2018, 08:08 PM

I've been away for 2 weeks and today was my first chance to test the extended range by placing the key on my body. I laid it on my tongue and held my mouth open, for the heck of it. The range increase is bizarre. I showed my wife several hours later and she was speechless.

David

SD ///M4 · 05-11-2018, 09:29 PM

Holding the key to your temple gives you more range than the chin.

There is a YouTube video, which I can't seem to find, of a British scientist, who not only explains it, but also demonstrates the same effect by holding up a plastic gallon jug of water and holding the remote to the side of the jug.
The explanation is that the water in your brain amplifies the signal from your remote, thus extending the range. Using the jug of water does the same thing because it's the water that amplifies the signal, not your gray matter.

I have a SmarTOP convertible top controller, so I like to open the windows and lower the top to let the car cool off from as far away as possible. I've done it this way ever since seeing the video and I can lower the top from 100 feet away.

3002 tii · 05-12-2018, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StickMon

Nah. Roadster range sucks, too.
The putting the key against your chin, of YouTube and Top Gear lour, is unbelievable.
I'm and RF Engineer for NASA, and I don't have a good explanation for why it works, but I can't argue with results.

Bottom line, David, your key is as good as it gets.

Like a NASA engineer would ever admit to the real reason...

04-26-2018, 05:49 PM	#1
HTM101 Private 57 Rep 83 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 Coupe Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	Ignition Key Battery The key for my car is fully functional yet it seems I need to be within 8' of the car for it to function remotely. Is this distance normal? Thanks, David __________________ 2007 Z4M Coupe
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04-26-2018, 06:53 PM	#2
pungo Colonel 877 Rep 2,543 Posts Drives: Z4MC-X3-35i-525i, Corrado G60 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: MD iTrader: (5) Garage List 2011 BMW X3 x35i [0.00] 2001 BMW 525i [0.00] 2007 BMW Z4 M Coupe [8.76]	Correct, remote distance suck, probably more so on the coupe with the metal roof. The antenna is in the center mirror. Just put the metal end the the key against your chin then press a button, the distance will improve 10x, really...
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04-27-2018, 01:25 AM	#3
StickMon My other car is on Mars 636 Rep 3,124 Posts Drives: 2006 MR Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Lo-Cal iTrader: (1)	Nah. Roadster range sucks, too. The putting the key against your chin, of YouTube and Top Gear lour, is unbelievable. I'm and RF Engineer for NASA, and I don't have a good explanation for why it works, but I can't argue with results. Bottom line, David, your key is as good as it gets. __________________ Warning: May contain traces of nuts.
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04-27-2018, 09:44 AM	#4
elerner61 Major 157 Rep 1,107 Posts Drives: '07 Z4M Roadster Join Date: May 2011 Location: Mount Kisco, NY iTrader: (0)	I've been using this technique now for years and it truly does extend the range. Unfortunately, I now can hear Radio Free Europe broadcasts from WWII at night if I sleep with my mouth open.
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04-27-2018, 03:09 PM	#6
unluky Major 7519 Rep 1,247 Posts Drives: 04 z4 3.0 Sport & 15 X5 35i XD Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Sedalia, MO iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW X5 XDrive 35i [0.50] 2004 BMW Z4 3.0 Spo ... [0.00]	3rd to holding it to your head! IT at least doubles the range, no matter how stupid you look! Hold it to your head, look at the car and open your moth and you can almost triple it! Me and my GF didn't either, but we tried it in a huge empty parking lot at night using the spaces as markers - try it. __________________ 2015 X5 XDrive 35i - 2004 Z4 3.0 Sport
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04-28-2018, 06:18 AM	#7
HTM101 Private 57 Rep 83 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 Coupe Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	OK guys, thanks. I’ll try the head amping thing just to see if you’re pranking me. David __________________ 2007 Z4M Coupe
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04-28-2018, 08:39 AM	#9
mmm-five First Lieutenant 222 Rep 374 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4MC + 2015 320D M-Sport Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Liverpool, UK iTrader: (0)	I've got 3 keys. One works from about 30 feet away, one works from about 10 feet away, and one will only work from right next to the car door. I've tried charging #3 by using it for long trips, but it hasn't become any better.
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04-28-2018, 02:34 PM	#10
pungo Colonel 877 Rep 2,543 Posts Drives: Z4MC-X3-35i-525i, Corrado G60 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: MD iTrader: (5) Garage List 2011 BMW X3 x35i [0.00] 2001 BMW 525i [0.00] 2007 BMW Z4 M Coupe [8.76]	Full recharge (ignition must be in position 2 or 3) from empty takes ~30 hours. 1 hour of charge typically gives 15 lock/unlock cycles (on completely flat battery) depending on age of course. I put my key in my inductive sonic toothbrush charger for a couple days to charge them up. I do switch keys periodically to evenly wear the battery.
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04-29-2018, 07:35 AM	#11
accent Enlisted Member 8 Rep 35 Posts Drives: '03 2.5 Z4 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Hamilton, ON, Canada iTrader: (0)	I guess the battery in my chin is dead since holding the key to it does not increase the distance I can open the door. Anyone know how to charge my chin battery?
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05-11-2018, 08:08 PM	#13
HTM101 Private 57 Rep 83 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 Coupe Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	I've been away for 2 weeks and today was my first chance to test the extended range by placing the key on my body. I laid it on my tongue and held my mouth open, for the heck of it. The range increase is bizarre. I showed my wife several hours later and she was speechless. David __________________ 2007 Z4M Coupe
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05-11-2018, 09:29 PM	#14
SD ///M4 ///Multiple 2992 Rep 4,243 Posts Drives: M4 Coupe \| M3 \| Z4M Roadster Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 BMW Z4 M Roadster [8.81] 2016 BMW M4 Coupe ( ... [10.00] 2018 BMW M3 (Euro D ... [0.00] 2011 BMW 335is Coup ... [10.00]	Holding the key to your temple gives you more range than the chin. There is a YouTube video, which I can't seem to find, of a British scientist, who not only explains it, but also demonstrates the same effect by holding up a plastic gallon jug of water and holding the remote to the side of the jug. The explanation is that the water in your brain amplifies the signal from your remote, thus extending the range. Using the jug of water does the same thing because it's the water that amplifies the signal, not your gray matter. I have a SmarTOP convertible top controller, so I like to open the windows and lower the top to let the car cool off from as far away as possible. I've done it this way ever since seeing the video and I can lower the top from 100 feet away. __________________ The Coupe: 2016 M4 \| Sakhir Orange \| Black Full Merino Leather \| CF Trim \| M-DCT \| More \| ED 5/13/16 The Sedan: 2018 M3 \| San Marino Blue \| Black Full Merino Leather \| CF Trim \| M-DCT \| ZCP \| ED 7/18/18 The Roadster: 2006 Z4 \| Interlagos Blue \| Black Extended Nappa Leather \| Carbon Leather Trim \| Purchased 7/19/12
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