How to Charge a BMW Key

Co-authored by Ed Beery

Last Updated: September 7, 2024 References

If you own an E, 5, or 7 series BMW, your key probably has some sort of rechargeable battery. You may see a service message on the dashboard of your car indicating that the battery is low, or you might notice that the buttons on the fob don’t always work—which is often a sign of a weak battery. The key is built to charge inductively while you are driving, but there are a few hacks you can do at home if your battery is completely dead and won’t work to lock or unlock your car.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Driving Your Car to Charge the Key

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1
Keep your BMW key battery charged with regular driving. Each time your key is inserted into the ignition and turned to position 1 or position 2, the battery will automatically charge. If you don’t drive your car regularly, try to at least take it on 1 or 2 long drives per year to make sure the battery stays charged.
- Position 1 or “KL R” turns on the accessories.
- Position 2 is when the car is running.
Driving your car for about 30 minutes will charge the key battery enough to get 15 key presses on the fob. The longer you drive, the more the battery will charge and the more key presses you will be able to make.^{[1]
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Drive 30 hours total to fully recharge a dead key battery. The discharge time on the key battery is about 18 months. Since the key battery charges while you drive, it’s not likely that your key will ever fully die until it reaches the end of its life. At this point, the battery (or the entire key, depending on the model) will just need to be replaced.^{[2]
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- A completely dead key most likely occurs with a spare key that has gone unused for at least 18 months.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Inductive Chargers

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Invest in a wireless cell phone charger to double as a key charger. Wireless phone chargers charge cell phones by inductive charging, which uses electromagnetic fields to transfer energy between 2 objects. This will work to charge your BMW key as well.
- Simply set your key on top of the charging pad and keep it there for a few hours or overnight.
- You can find a wireless charger online or in your local department store for as little as $10.00.
2
Charge the key on an electric toothbrush charger if you own one. The BMW key charges through induction and so does an electric toothbrush. Take the electric toothbrush off of its charging station and place the key there instead.^{[3]
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- Allow the key to rest on the charging station for a few hours or overnight.
Simply set the key in the cradle of the smart watch charging station. Allow it to sit for about 30 minutes to recharge the battery in your key.^{[4]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Charging the Display Key on a 5 or 7 Series BMW

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Insert the display key into the charging pocket for wireless charging. Open the center console of equipped BMW models and locate the charging pocket along the side of the console, closest to the driver’s seat. Put the display key into the center of the pocket.^{[5]
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- Make sure the lock button on the key fob is facing upwards.
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Ensure that the blue LED light is illuminated. Once the display key is properly inserted into the charging pocket, the blue LED light will turn on to indicate that the key is charging.^{[6]
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- If the light is not on, re-position the display key until it comes on.
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Plug the display key into a micro USB cable for wired charging. Insert the power connecting end of the USB cable into the USB port in your car. Plug the device-connecting end of the micro USB cable into the charging port on the display key.^{[7]
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- You can also charge the display key on a micro USB cable connected to your home computer or another charging station in your home.

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Question

What is a display key?

Animers

Community Answer

This is a key generally used in hotel rooms to prevent any unauthorized entrance. When used to operate a given lock of a master-keyed lock system, this key prevents the lock from being opened by any other key, except an emergency key.

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Where is the wireless charging pocket in BMW 5 series?

Hailey Scott

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The wireless charging pocket is typically located inside the center console. Here’s how you can find it: Lift the armrest to access the storage compartment inside the center console. The wireless charging pocket is usually positioned along the side of the console, closest to the driver’s seat. It’s designed to securely hold your phone while it charges. Simply place your Qi-compatible phone into the charging pocket. Make sure it’s centered for optimal charging. Your phone should start charging automatically. You can check the charging status on your phone’s screen or the car’s infotainment display. If your phone has a thick case, it might interfere with charging. Consider removing the case for better contact. Be sure there are no metal objects between your phone and the charging pad, as they can disrupt the charging process.

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Where is the port for charging with the USB?

Hailey Scott

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The USB port for charging your BMW key is typically located in the center console of your car. Look for a small USB port or charging socket, often found near the armrest or in the storage compartment within the center console. You can use this port to connect the micro USB cable to your BMW key for charging. If you have a display key, you can place it in the wireless charging pocket in the center console with the lock button facing up for convenient charging. .

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Tips

If the battery completely dies and will not charge at all, check with your local dealership for options. Some models allow you to replace the battery, but many newer models require that you replace the entire key.

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Warnings

You may find some information online that suggests you can replace the battery by cutting open and then soldering the key. Please note that the fob wasn’t made to be serviced, which is why it is so difficult to open and reseal.

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