[dbjb]

Haven't tried this yet but as a father of 2 preteens, it makes me think twice. On occasion, I've run into the grocery store with my 12 year old in the car. Never did it on a hot day but when done, we always lock the car for her safety. Sometimes she's locks it. Sometimes I. Now, what if I had an accident somehow inside the store. My daughter may have been put in trapped and in danger?! That's a scary thought.

For those questioning the intelligence of this little girl, shame on you. You don't know the circumstance. Perhaps she didn't have strength. Perhaps she figured her brother would soon return. Perhaps by the time she realized she was in danger, she couldn't react appropriately. Who knows. Either way its tragic.

[BMWrules7]

Originally Posted by dbjb

Haven't tried this yet but as a father of 2 preteens, it makes me think twice. On occasion, I've run into the grocery store with my 12 year old in the car. Never did it on a hot day but when done, we always lock the car for her safety. Sometimes she's locks it. Sometimes I. Now, what if I had an accident somehow inside the store. My daughter may have been put in trapped and in danger?! That's a scary thought.

For those questioning the intelligence of this little girl, shame on you. You don't know the circumstance. Perhaps she didn't have strength. Perhaps she figured her brother would soon return. Perhaps by the time she realized she was in danger, she couldn't react appropriately. Who knows. Either way its tragic.

Agreed. She could have fallen asleep.

[davjo68]

Originally Posted by BMWrules7

Well that settles it then. Your extensive knowledge on the central locking system of 15 year old cars combined with your objective experimentation on modern vehicles solves the mystery.

Never-mind the BMW published documentation that contradicts your statements and let's forget about the testimony of people that actually drove the vehicle in question when new. Instead, we will all roll over and play dead whilst we take your word for it.

I never said I was speaking to the specific car in the story, only to my experience with my F30 and the experience I had with an E90 that had a malfunction (that was later corrected by BMW, though I don't know the specifics of the exact repairs required.) I then stated my opinion of BMW engineering and the story that started this thread, sorry if I didn't make it perfectly clear to you that those statements were my opinion.

[Blubaron79]

Why couldn't she press BMW assist? I'm assuming she didn't know..

[BMWrules7]

Originally Posted by Blubaron79

Why couldn't she press BMW assist? I'm assuming she didn't know..

That's what I was thinking initially, but one poster pointed out that it was a '97 328i.

My kids were concerned about this. Even though many posters feel this is no longer a potential danger.

We tried to come up with ideas for 12 year olds to exit a locked car. We thought about kicking the windshield. We also talked about where to kick. The windshield is strongest at its center.

We also talked about using the seatbelt clip as brass knuckles and punching a window.

Any other ideas?

[Weaselboy]

Originally Posted by BMWrules7

Any other ideas?

Buy one of these things and keep it in the glovebox? It cuts off seat belts and can break out a windshield.

[sn3rd]

Just tried this in my 2013 335i. No comfort access.

The car locks, the unlock button on the dash does not work, the door handles do not work, regardless of the number of times that I pull them. Ignition does not work, and so no electric windows.

Pretty scary!

I would be interested to know more about the "special knowledge" that is required.

Edit: the alarm did start going nuts after a bit. When it did, I still could not open the car. However it is pretty loud, so to the point of this thread, I would think someone would have noticed and helped the girl?

[bcl0328]

Originally Posted by Weaselboy

Buy one of these things and keep it in the glovebox? It cuts off seat belts and can break out a windshield.

or if you are in a car without one, use the metal part of your seat belt.

[jdong]

Originally Posted by sn3rd

Just tried this in my 2013 335i. No comfort access.

The car locks, the unlock button on the dash does not work, the door handles do not work, regardless of the number of times that I pull them. Ignition does not work, and so no electric windows.

Pretty scary!

I would be interested to know more about the "special knowledge" that is required.

Edit: the alarm did start going nuts after a bit. When it did, I still could not open the car. However it is pretty loud, so to the point of this thread, I would think someone would have noticed and helped the girl?

The alarm package isn't standard in the 328i...

[izzyM2]

2013 328i, no comfort access no alarm. My awesome wife locked me in. The unlock button in the dash does not work but I was able to gets out with two pulls from the side lever.

[Kabrich]

Originally Posted by Weaselboy

Buy one of these things and keep it in the glovebox? It cuts off seat belts and can break out a windshield.

Glovebox is too far away and impossible to get to if water is rushing in after one drives into a pond/lake and one needs to cut seatbelt.

As a result I keep mine in the Driver's door storage area.

[Kabrich]

Originally Posted by BMWrules7

Well, I am a systems guy. If you note, I am blaming a "thing" and not a person.

I see this issue as having been reasonably foreseeable.

Using your logic for "BMW kills 14 Year Old", all drunk drivers who injury or kill anyone should immediately be set free as they did not actually injury or kill anyone - the car did it.

[RoundelM3]

The BMW didn't kill the girl - the shitforbrained idiot who locked her in the car killed her!

[BMWrules7]

Originally Posted by Kabrich

Using your logic for "BMW kills 14 Year Old", all drunk drivers who injury or kill anyone should immediately be set free as they did not actually injury or kill anyone - the car did it.

Lol, I see your point.

But, doesn't it all come down to intent. If the BMW key fob had a label on the lock button that said, "trap all occupants until dead," then you'd be correct.

Instead, the button is said to "lock" the car and not "trap all occupants until dead." So, when the person Iocked the car with the child in it, I am pretty sure he or she thought no great harm would come to her.

Now, why do I blame the vehicle rather than the person? Because, by blaming the vehicle we shine light on the questionable design rather than the silly proposition that the person locking the car wanted to cause harm to the occupant.

[Steve33]

Originally Posted by Weaselboy

Buy one of these things and keep it in the glovebox? It cuts off seat belts and can break out a windshield.

I scrolled down the page fast, that didn't look like one of those safety tools...

[snowghost]

Originally Posted by roundel335

The BMW didn't kill the girl - the shitforbrained idiot who locked her in the car killed her!

He probably locked the car to protect his little sister and was obviously totally ignorant of how the security system works.

I read the manual as well about the "special knowledge", but didn't realize how locked down it really is never having tried it.

[RoundelM3]

Nonetheless - you don't lock a child in a car, period! Take the kid with you, but never leave a kid in a car like that.

[Jbrock22]

My wife locked me in, CC unlock does not work but the door handles do.
F30 2012 328i

[RedlinePSI]

Originally Posted by BMWrules7

That's what I was thinking initially, but one poster pointed out that it was a '97 328i.

My kids were concerned about this. Even though many posters feel this is no longer a potential danger.

We tried to come up with ideas for 12 year olds to exit a locked car. We thought about kicking the windshield. We also talked about where to kick. The windshield is strongest at its center.

We also talked about using the seatbelt clip as brass knuckles and punching a window.

Any other ideas?

The "windshield", or the side windows? I think if you are trying to bust out, the side windows would be a better target no? Some people claim that since the front windshield is only secured with adhesive it can be pushed out (with ALOT of effort). I dunno about that, I still think i'd rather spend my energy breaking through the side. Kicking is an obvious good choice, but also using your elbow is a really good option. Possibly the best option, at least for somebody with the strength.

[Kabrich]

Originally Posted by BMWrules7

But, doesn't it all come down to intent. If the BMW key fob had a label on the lock button that said, "trap all occupants until dead," then you'd be correct.

Instead, the button is said to "lock" the car and not "trap all occupants until dead." So, when the person Iocked the car with the child in it, I am pretty sure he or she thought no great harm would come to her.

Now, why do I blame the vehicle rather than the person? Because, by blaming the vehicle we shine light on the questionable design rather than the silly proposition that the person locking the car wanted to cause harm to the occupant.

Your argument still says all Drunk Drivers should be immediately released as the start button is labeled "start" not "run down innocent victims". The drunk drivers are pretty sure no harm would come to anyone else either.

You used a Thread Topic that is very misleading and essentially incorrect. If you had titled it "14 Year old killed while trapped in BMW" you would have been correct, but you decided to use a sensational, hyped and incorrect topic.

[elistan]

I'm not sure that kicking a side window would be all that effective.

I'm not sure about the seat-belt cutter thing either. (NSFW language)

[trey100]

BMW is somewhat to blame as I am sure no one could have predicted that the car would go into such a lock down mode. In fact, enthusiasts here have had to run experiments to see that this was actually true. And for what reason does the car need to go into this lockdown mode?? To catch a burglar? Really?