comfort access locking?

[X135iM]

As far as locking the vehicle (for left hand drive) I usually keep my key in my left front pants pocket. Many times when I leave the vehicle and try to lock it from remote (with right hand, left side facing away from car) it refuses to do so. Once I swing my pocket closer to the car, it will lock. Anyone experience this? I cant imagine my remote battery would be low a month after the car was brand new.

I know I probably sound insane but ... yeah.

[flguy400]

I have noticed that I often have to have a direct line of sight to lock the car and that it won't lock or unlock if I am trying to click it too early when walking to my car in a parking lot or trying to unlock from inside my house.

I personally like the limited range. I used to have a 350z and the keys could lock/unlock it from inside my 3 story apartment 80 yards away from the car. I found that i often set off the panic alarm on my Z by having the keys in my pocket and accidentally hitting them in my apartment.

[Twix]

Mine does the same even when the key is in my right pocket which would be 6 inches away from the handle when locking. It seems to be a bit better when the weather is warmer, but my comfort access isn't alway comfortable. The trunk is even worse than the driver's door.

[X135iM]

Interesting findings here ... I haven't had the car in the summer yet so I guess that will be the real test. I also like the limited range, I think they do this purposely so that you cannot accidentally unlock the car without knowing.

[X135iM]

I also just realized I mistakenly said "when I try to lock it with the remote" I intended to type "when I try to lock it via comfortaccess"

[NumberSix]

mine works fine, even with gloves on.

The rear hatch is easy once you realize that the unlock feature doesn't require you to push up on the bottom, but to merely touch and briefly keep you hand in place to unlock. Then, lift up to unlatch the hatch (poetic, eh?)

[X135iM]

^^ You still have to press the physical hatch release button on the hatch itself though. It's not like the doors where your hand is sensed .. or am I crazy

[NumberSix]

For either the front doors or hatch, a touch and hold will unlock. A subsequent pull (front door) or upward "push" (hatch) will open the door/hatch. The front door(s) can be unlocked and opened with what seems to be one action whereas it is really two actions: unlock then open followed by pull the door open. The rear hatch works the same way, but because you're actually lifting the heavy hatch on opening it seems to work with two actions (press and push) followed by lift.

Page 37:

Grasp the handle on the driver's or front passenger door completely,
This corresponds to pressing the button

Unlocking the tailgate separately
Press the button on the exterior of the tailgate.
This corresponds to pressing the button.
If a remote control accidentally left in the cargo
area is detected in the locked vehicle, the tailgate
opens again.

[X135iM]

I'll just have to wait until summer to see if this changes. I also coded for an extended hold (1 sec) to fold mirrors so sometimes I am standing there like an idiot pressing my handle like ... cmon ... lock already. lol

[NumberSix]

Mine comfort access works as it is supposed to with temperatures down to to -20 fahrenheit. Even works with my glove on (unpadded, though).

[zeevette]

Mine's intermittent, too, but mostly on the passenger's side. Sometimes it refuses to unlock, even though I can hear it click. It's surprising BMW does some things rather poorly, even compared to much cheaper domestics.

[X135iM]

I mean I'm sure there's reasons behind all of this stuff (unwanted operation etc. that we never see behind the scenes stuff) but for example, buddies Cadillac w/ keyless .. car locked him out.. WITH the remote in the car. Point being, wouldn't drive a domestic for anything lol. But, yeah, I guess this does frustrate me slightly, but it's really a minor thing.

[mwtrogus]

For the most part I like comfort access and it works fairly well for me.
The issue for me comes when I wash my car and it locks and unlocks the doors due to me being close to the vehicle(w/ key in pocket) and then water running on the inside of the door handles... drives me nuts for a few minutes until I place the keys in the garage and out of my pocket!

[X135iM]

^^ That I have experienced, lol.

[rps]

Originally Posted by mwtrogus

For the most part I like comfort access and it works fairly well for me.
The issue for me comes when I wash my car and it locks and unlocks the doors due to me being close to the vehicle(w/ key in pocket) and then water running on the inside of the door handles... drives me nuts for a few minutes until I place the keys in the garage and out of my pocket!

Had the same problem and solved it the same. Thank goodness it wasn't just me.

[Ameray]

I am feeling short changed with Comfort access. It is not working properly as far as locking and unlocking the doors. I am for the most part not using that feature any more - it is too frustrating to try it each time, and then every now and again have to give up and take out the key.

[jaeezzy]

With the comfort access now I'm habituated to leave my key fob in my pocket. I don't say it's flawless. I have come across couple times recently that holding door handle would just not open the door. Normally I just hold the door handle to unlock and don't care how I'm holding it but on such (kinda embarrassing) occasions I've tried and held it properly/correctly couple times but still would not open. Then I had to go into my pocket and manually press the unlock button on the key fob to unlock the door. This has happened couple times in the last couple months. However, opening boot when locked with key in the pocket has never failed.

I don't know if this is correct but I occasionally insert key fob in the ignition slot while driving assuming it charges the battery other times it just sits quietly in my pocket

[Black Flagged]

Originally Posted by rps

Had the same problem and solved it the same. Thank goodness it wasn't just me.

Same thing happens to me, I always start washing and forget the key is in my pocket. Doesn't take long to whip it out and put it of to the side. Cheers

[Kevman]

I really dont understand why when I am washing the car with key fob in my pocket doors keep locking and unlocking...I am not touching the handle...Otherwise it works perfectly for me.....

[X135iM]

the water is triggering the CA system. Not entirely sure of the systems dynamics but it assumes it is your hand.

[Twix]

The system uses heat to detect the hand for the lock portion. That's why in rain or winter it seems to act up. The unlock probably uses a combo of heat and IR to unlock, but I assume it's only heat otherwise a stream of water alone shouldn't cause the system to function the way it does while at the car wash.