New 2009 2010 BMW Z4 - ZPOST
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Go Back   New 2009 2010 BMW Z4 - ZPOST > BMW Z4 Forum (E89) > 2009-Current Z4 Forum (E89) General Discussion

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      11-30-2016, 09:15 PM   #1
cruisingdownthestreet
Second Lieutenant
No_Country
122
Rep
258
Posts

Drives: Z4
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: LA county

iTrader: (0)

z4 key fob: rooftop activation distance and other functions

i perused through several pages but did not find what i was looking for. in this youtube video, there are a lot of functions just from the fob alone and the person operating the remote appears to be at least 10 feet away.

my key fob only works in the most simplest of ways and i have to stand no more than a foot away and must hold the buttons. is my key fob a defect or an M sport package amenity?

thanks in advance.
Appreciate 0
      11-30-2016, 09:39 PM   #2
jts1981
Captain
jts1981's Avatar
212
Rep
887
Posts

Drives: n54
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: NYC

iTrader: (0)

Thats an after market version, Smart Top.

So a few things.

The distance for oem key fob to open/close top/ windows is 1 meter away from the car, but I hear others have longer distance. Like yours, mine only works when I'm close to the car. I was thinking maybe confront access maybe limiting the distance some how..idk.

For the mirror you can have this coded in w/o Smart top. I have mine coded so I hold the lock button for 3 seconds and the mirrors will fold in.

Off topic a coder can give you other functions as well.

I had my navigation warning turned off on start up, and European style hazards and emergency braking tail lights, and DVD in motion added. Euro Hazards flash twice and the pause, as opposed to flat /pause. Emergency braking lights will have your brakes flash in bursts under hard braking.
__________________
GC LITES / BQ TUNE / MHD / FUEL IT BT ECA / WALBRO 525 LPFP / KW V3 / E9X M3 CONTROL ARMS / TURNER REAR CAMBER ARMS / RE BUSHINGS / H&R SWAYS / LUXON STRUTBAR / VRSF 7.5" FMIC / ER CP / TIAL BOV / VTT IN/OUTLETS / AFE PRO5R INTAKE / AR C.L. DP / BMS OCC / RB PVC / CF LIP + SIDE + SPOILER + DIFFUSER / IND REFLECTORS / BLK GRILLS / STUBBY / PB BBK / Forgestar F14 F: 19x9 et35 R: 19x10 et38/ Michelin PSS F: 245/35/19 R: 275/30/19
Appreciate 1
      11-30-2016, 09:41 PM   #3
NoQuarter
Captain
United_States
164
Rep
906
Posts

Drives: 2008 535xi / 2011 Z4 35Is
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Indiana

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2018 BMW X2  [0.00]
2008 535xi  [0.00]
2011 Z4 35is  [0.00]
I didn't watch the video. But I saw the title.

The Smart Top is something you can buy from a third party. Not BMW. It adds extra functionality.

Edit... Ha! Just saw the previous post.

Comfort access does provide the functionality but you do have to be in very close proximity. That is just how the CA antennas work.
Appreciate 1
      11-30-2016, 09:44 PM   #4
jts1981
Captain
jts1981's Avatar
212
Rep
887
Posts

Drives: n54
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: NYC

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by NoQuarter View Post
I didn't watch the video. But I saw the title.

The Smart Top is something you can buy from a third party. Not BMW. It adds extra functionality.

Edit... Ha! Just saw the previous post.
hehe, btw I sent you a message of what can be done with coding...
__________________
GC LITES / BQ TUNE / MHD / FUEL IT BT ECA / WALBRO 525 LPFP / KW V3 / E9X M3 CONTROL ARMS / TURNER REAR CAMBER ARMS / RE BUSHINGS / H&R SWAYS / LUXON STRUTBAR / VRSF 7.5" FMIC / ER CP / TIAL BOV / VTT IN/OUTLETS / AFE PRO5R INTAKE / AR C.L. DP / BMS OCC / RB PVC / CF LIP + SIDE + SPOILER + DIFFUSER / IND REFLECTORS / BLK GRILLS / STUBBY / PB BBK / Forgestar F14 F: 19x9 et35 R: 19x10 et38/ Michelin PSS F: 245/35/19 R: 275/30/19
Appreciate 1
      11-30-2016, 10:29 PM   #5
NoQuarter
Captain
United_States
164
Rep
906
Posts

Drives: 2008 535xi / 2011 Z4 35Is
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Indiana

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2018 BMW X2  [0.00]
2008 535xi  [0.00]
2011 Z4 35is  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by jts1981 View Post
hehe, btw I sent you a message of what can be done with coding...
No message showing up.
Appreciate 1
      12-01-2016, 12:19 PM   #6
SpikeMilligan
35is driver
16
Rep
60
Posts

Drives: 2012 S-drive 35is
Join Date: May 2014
Location: U.S. East Coast

iTrader: (0)

I have comfort access and can lock/unlock the doors from at least 10 meters/30 feet away, but have to be within a meter/3 feet to operate the roof. My guess would be that because there are numerous pinch points in the mechanism, for safety they didn't want it to be operable without being very close by to observe and stop the operation in case someone had their hands in the mechanism.

As to how they detect the distance, I would guess a ping-and-response between the car and the fob with the time being measured to determine distance.
Appreciate 1
      12-01-2016, 12:28 PM   #7
NoQuarter
Captain
United_States
164
Rep
906
Posts

Drives: 2008 535xi / 2011 Z4 35Is
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Indiana

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2018 BMW X2  [0.00]
2008 535xi  [0.00]
2011 Z4 35is  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by SpikeMilligan View Post
I have comfort access and can lock/unlock the doors from at least 10 meters/30 feet away, but have to be within a meter/3 feet to operate the roof. My guess would be that because there are numerous pinch points in the mechanism, for safety they didn't want it to be operable without being very close by to observe and stop the operation in case someone had their hands in the mechanism.

As to how they detect the distance, I would guess a ping-and-response between the car and the fob with the time being measured to determine distance.
You are giving this technology way too much technical credit!

The doors and windows work via an RF radio signal the same as any car remote control allowing it to operate from a distance.

The top opening and closing, as you say is more dangerous, so it requires the operator to be very nearby. The close proximity is determined via the Comfort Access antennas located in multiple locations of the car.

Now... if you tell me you do not have Comfort Access then I need to rethink my comments on this. Or... you do have Comfort Access and do not know it.

edit: good grief. Reading these threads on a mobile is killing my reading comprehension.

I see you do in fact have Comfort Access. That is why it works when you stand close.

Jim
Appreciate 1
      12-04-2016, 02:44 PM   #8
airmarc
Private First Class
United_States
22
Rep
190
Posts

Drives: '10 BMW Z4,'14 BMW X3, '17 X1
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Charlotte, NC

iTrader: (0)

Interesting topic. I had my car coded so my key fob could open the roof (closing it is not possible since I do not have comfort access). I can now open my top from the same distance as I can unlock my door, this can EASILY be 30 feet away.
Appreciate 0
      12-04-2016, 03:38 PM   #9
NoQuarter
Captain
United_States
164
Rep
906
Posts

Drives: 2008 535xi / 2011 Z4 35Is
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Indiana

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2018 BMW X2  [0.00]
2008 535xi  [0.00]
2011 Z4 35is  [0.00]
Sounds like the same experience with coding for windows and sunroof on my 535.

I could close the sunroof from a distance however.

I have been in between old and new computers. I should be able to get back to coding soon and see what can be done with the Z4.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:31 AM.




zpost
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST