Starter Battery Message

Speedbird71 · 01-17-2023, 10:50 PM

When I opened the My BMW app tonight the message below appeared. As a result I went for an impromptu 30 minute drive.

My theory is that am using Digital Key in my phone, haven’t driving in a couple of days, but I walk by my garage multiple times a day, each time which causes the car to wake up and then shut down. Which i also am made aware of because the digital key in my Apple Watch taps my wrist when the car locks. The power for this activity has to come from somewhere hence the low battery message.

After seeing that message I went for a drive. The car started fine. The message went away after 30 minutes. When I parked tonight I put the car into deep sleep until I figure this out. Now to play with settings to try to stop the unintentional waking without disrupting the convenience of the car locking & unlocking based on proximity. Or get a trickle charger for when the car is parked.

FlashMonkey929 · 01-17-2023, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speedbird71

When I opened the My BMW app tonight the message below appeared. As a result I went for an impromptu 30 minute drive.

My theory is that am using Digital Key in my phone, haven’t driving in a couple of days, but I walk by my garage multiple times a day, each time which causes the car to wake up and then shut down. Which i also am made aware of because the digital key in my Apple Watch taps my wrist when the car locks. The power for this activity has to come from somewhere hence the low battery message.

After seeing that message I went for a drive. The car started fine. The message went away after 30 minutes. When I parked tonight I put the car into deep sleep until I figure this out. Now to play with settings to try to stop the unintentional waking without disrupting the convenience of the car locking & unlocking based on proximity. Or get a trickle charger for when the car is parked.

Interesting. I haven’t had much time with my X1 yet, but so far I have to be within 6 feet for the car to unlock itself. I can see how this would be annoying if you have a house with attached garage, since you’d be more likely to trigger the sensors. Thankfully I live in a condo, so I don’t think I’ll run into issues.

OneAnOnlyOC · 01-18-2023, 01:19 AM

I believe I saw in the settings section (Doors and Windows?) where you can specify how the car locks/unlocks itself. I recall changing mine to know when I walk away from my car to automatically lock, and it does the same as I approach (unlocks).

I do not have a cool Digital Key though, so I'm not sure if that is different or not...but I am curious as to where you get the Digi Key. Mine is a US Spec but living in Italy, so unfortunately, I'm unable to connect it to a US system for unlocking CarPlay and other things.

OneAnOnlyOC · 01-18-2023, 01:20 AM

Also forgot to add that mine shows "Battery Replacement" when I picked it up w/only 64 miles on it. The European dealer told me that it just needs to be driven more for the alternator to charge it up? No clue, but I'll give it a week or two and if no change will have it looked at by the local BMW.

tex2670 · 01-18-2023, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlashMonkey929

Interesting. I haven’t had much time with my X1 yet, but so far I have to be within 6 feet for the car to unlock itself. I can see how this would be annoying if you have a house with attached garage, since you’d be more likely to trigger the sensors. Thankfully I live in a condo, so I don’t think I’ll run into issues.

Yeah - another reason I deleted the digital key from my phone. My laundry room is next to the garage, and that is within range of the car in the garage. I carry my phone with me in the house, but not my key fob.

bcdx93 · 01-18-2023, 06:58 AM

How many times do you walk near your car to make the battery drain. I am worried about the battery quality. Like @OneAnOnlyOC mentioned in his post about the replace battery msg, only 64 miles and the battery already drained?

FlashMonkey929 · 01-18-2023, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tex2670

Yeah - another reason I deleted the digital key from my phone. My laundry room is next to the garage, and that is within range of the car in the garage. I carry my phone with me in the house, but not my key fob.

You could just disable the auto unlock and still use the digital key though, right?

tex2670 · 01-18-2023, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlashMonkey929

You could just disable the auto unlock and still use the digital key though, right?

I don't keep the car locked in my garage; I have auto lock disabled. It doesn't change the fact that the key is detected within range and wakes the car up every time.

FlashMonkey929 · 01-18-2023, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tex2670

I don't keep the car locked in my garage; I have auto lock disabled. It doesn't change the fact that the key is detected within range and wakes the car up every time.

Ahhhh, gotcha. I’m gonna have to play around with my settings. I went down to the car a little while ago to grab something I forgot and the car woke up and started the stereo just by opening the door, not sure I like that. Especially because it’s 3AM here and quiet enough to hear a cockroach fart.

tex2670 · 01-18-2023, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlashMonkey929

Ahhhh, gotcha. I’m gonna have to play around with my settings. I went down to the car a little while ago to grab something I forgot and the car woke up and started the stereo just by opening the door, not sure I like that. Especially because it’s 3AM here and quiet enough to hear a cockroach fart.

I hate that. You either have to mute the stereo by quick pressing the volume knob before getting out of the car, or actually shutting down the screen by long pressing the volume knob. For 8 years, I hated the double press of the ignition button in my F30....and now I miss it....

Speedbird71 · 01-18-2023, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneAnOnlyOC

Also forgot to add that mine shows "Battery Replacement" when I picked it up w/only 64 miles on it. The European dealer told me that it just needs to be driven more for the alternator to charge it up? No clue, but I'll give it a week or two and if no change will have it looked at by the local BMW.

Fully discharging a car battery is generally a bad thing so seeing this message on my phone didn't give me the warm & fuzzy feeling though thankful for the advanced notice.

Speedbird71 · 01-18-2023, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tex2670

I don't keep the car locked in my garage; I have auto lock disabled. It doesn't change the fact that the key is detected within range and wakes the car up every time.

I love the auto lock & unlock when I'm out in the wild. And I love the digital key. Not having to carry around another thing is part of why I bought this car. But I don't need (or want) this when the car is in my garage. Was reading the manual last night and saw those settings but per your comment tex, they don't look like they will help. Deep sleep may be the only answer if you want to continue using digital key.

bluecrabby · 01-18-2023, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speedbird71

I love the auto lock & unlock when I'm out in the wild. And I love the digital key. Not having to carry around another thing is part of why I bought this car. But I don't need (or want) this when the car is in my garage. Was reading the manual last night and saw those settings but per your comment tex, they don't look like they will help. Deep sleep may be the only answer if you want to continue using digital key.

my office building's underground garage requires everyone to leave a key at the security office. I'm trying to figure out if it's easier to leave a physical key fob or the digital key card? Or is there no real difference?(assuming that they don't lose it) Only need to give them the ability to unlock/lock and start the car to move it, since they are the ones who actually park the cars.

I currently give them the thin emergency key for my Mercedes, which has a mechanical key inside to lock/unlock doors, since it has no buttons. The wagon is started by inserting that thin key fob into the slot. (like this one below)

BMWZ4 · 01-18-2023, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluecrabby

my office building's underground garage requires everyone to leave a key at the security office. I'm trying to figure out if it's easier to leave a physical key fob or the digital key card? Or is there no real difference?(assuming that they don't lose it) Only need to give them the ability to unlock/lock and start the car to move it, since they are the ones who actually park the cars.

I currently give them the thin emergency key for my Mercedes, which has a mechanical key inside to lock/unlock doors, since it has no buttons. The wagon is started by inserting that thin key fob into the slot. (like this one below)

Why not give them the valet key?

bluecrabby · 01-18-2023, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWZ4

Why not give them the valet key?

which is the valet key? I read that the X1 comes with only two key fobs and one digital key card? Or is there an additional key for valet?

Thanks!

BMWZ4 · 01-18-2023, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluecrabby

which is the valet key? I read that the X1 comes with only two key fobs and one digital key card? Or is there an additional key for valet?

Thanks!

All BMWs have a valet key built-in to the fob

bluecrabby · 01-18-2023, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWZ4

All BMWs have a valet key built-in to the fob

you mean the mechanical key inside the fob? if I only give them that, how will they start the engine?

BMWZ4 · 01-18-2023, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluecrabby

you mean the mechanical key inside the fob? if I only give them that, how will they start the engine? :

Yeah, nevermind...that won't work for your situation. Only works if your fob battery is dead.

bluecrabby · 01-18-2023, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWZ4

Yeah, nevermind...that won't work for your situation. Only works if your fob battery is dead.

Thanks!

I think I'll just leave the key card... seems to be much cheaper to replace than the key fob...

BMWZ4 · 01-18-2023, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluecrabby

Thanks!

I think I'll just leave the key card... seems to be much cheaper to replace than the key fob...

Agreed

tex2670 · 01-18-2023, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWZ4

Why not give them the valet key?

What valet key?

tex2670 · 01-18-2023, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluecrabby

Thanks!

I think I'll just leave the key card... seems to be much cheaper to replace than the key fob...

You are going to be walking to retrieve your own car then. There is no way the valet is going to be able to figure out that you need to place the card key in the wireless charger to start the car.

And if the valet loses my key fob, guess who's going to be paying for the new fob? (Hint: it ain't me)

01-17-2023, 10:50 PM	#1
Speedbird71 Second Lieutenant 179 Rep 211 Posts Drives: 2023 X1 xDrive28i Join Date: Oct 2022 Location: California iTrader: (0)	Starter Battery Message When I opened the My BMW app tonight the message below appeared. As a result I went for an impromptu 30 minute drive. My theory is that am using Digital Key in my phone, haven’t driving in a couple of days, but I walk by my garage multiple times a day, each time which causes the car to wake up and then shut down. Which i also am made aware of because the digital key in my Apple Watch taps my wrist when the car locks. The power for this activity has to come from somewhere hence the low battery message. After seeing that message I went for a drive. The car started fine. The message went away after 30 minutes. When I parked tonight I put the car into deep sleep until I figure this out. Now to play with settings to try to stop the unintentional waking without disrupting the convenience of the car locking & unlocking based on proximity. Or get a trickle charger for when the car is parked. Attached Images
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01-18-2023, 01:19 AM	#3
OneAnOnlyOC Enlisted Member 29 Rep 35 Posts Drives: 2022 BMW X1 xDrive28i Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: Italy iTrader: (0)	I believe I saw in the settings section (Doors and Windows?) where you can specify how the car locks/unlocks itself. I recall changing mine to know when I walk away from my car to automatically lock, and it does the same as I approach (unlocks). I do not have a cool Digital Key though, so I'm not sure if that is different or not...but I am curious as to where you get the Digi Key. Mine is a US Spec but living in Italy, so unfortunately, I'm unable to connect it to a US system for unlocking CarPlay and other things.
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01-18-2023, 01:20 AM	#4
OneAnOnlyOC Enlisted Member 29 Rep 35 Posts Drives: 2022 BMW X1 xDrive28i Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: Italy iTrader: (0)	Also forgot to add that mine shows "Battery Replacement" when I picked it up w/only 64 miles on it. The European dealer told me that it just needs to be driven more for the alternator to charge it up? No clue, but I'll give it a week or two and if no change will have it looked at by the local BMW.
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01-18-2023, 06:58 AM	#6
bcdx93 Private First Class 58 Rep 158 Posts Drives: 23 X1 Join Date: Dec 2022 Location: US iTrader: (0)	How many times do you walk near your car to make the battery drain. I am worried about the battery quality. Like @OneAnOnlyOC mentioned in his post about the replace battery msg, only 64 miles and the battery already drained?
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