2011 key fob battery?

[RichBZ]

My car is 5.5 years old and I was thinking the key fob batteries need replaced. My car does not have the comfort convince option. The manual shows the key fob with a access lid but my key fob's look solid. Is this a rechargeable fob?

Rich

[Putzo]

My understanding of this is, if you DO NOT have Comfort Access, then your fob is rechargeable. They recharge whenever they are inserted in the car. At 5.5 years of age, the rechargeables might need to be replaced if you are noticing weakness in their performance.

[paris1]

Originally Posted by Putzo

My understanding of this is, if you DO NOT have Comfort Access, then your fob is rechargeable. They recharge whenever they are inserted in the car. At 5.5 years of age, the rechargeables might need to be replaced if you are noticing weakness in their performance.

I thought it was recommended that even with Comfort Access you're supposed to occasionally stick the fob in the dash slot to charge the battery?

[Putzo]

Originally Posted by paris1

I thought it was recommended that even with Comfort Access you're supposed to occasionally stick the fob in the dash slot to charge the battery?

I could be wrong, but I don't believe the Comfort Access fob batteries are rechargeable. I only plug the fob into the dash when on the way to the dealer to make sure the most up-to-date data has been written to it. Not even 100% sure that matters.

[paris1]

Originally Posted by Putzo

I could be wrong, but I don't believe the Comfort Access fob batteries are rechargeable. I only plug the fob into the dash when on the way to the dealer to make sure the most up-to-date data has been written to it. Not even 100% sure that matters.

You're right, I just opened mine and it takes one of those ubiquitous CR2032s that most manufacturers seem to use for this purpose these days. Had one left from my CX-5 Mazda, so I changed it out to be safe. Key fob batteries used to last much longer than they do today because much more is required of the fob in modern cars. Mazda fobs go through a battery every 18-24 months. I haven't heard that about BMW fobs, but better safe than sorry.

[SpikeMilligan]

With comfort access, I keep a couple of spare CR2032 batteries in the glovebox, in case the battery ever dies on me. That way I can use the key built into the fob to open the car, then change batteries before starting it.

[torq]

The standard key fob has a rechargeable battery. The key fob for Comfort Access uses a CR2032 battery.

This summer, I bought a 2011 BMW Z4 3.0i—just like yours. It has the Comfort Access feature, but I couldn't get it to work. I had to replace the batteries in both fobs. After putting in two new CR2032s, I was able to open and close the doors and start the car with the fob in my pocket.

Here's what it says in the manual:

For the standard key fob (page 28):

General information
The vehicle is supplied with two remote controls with keys.

Each remote control contains a rechargeable battery that is automatically recharged when it is in the ignition lock while the car is being driven. Use each remote control at least twice a year for longer road trips in order to maintain the batteries' charge status.

In vehicles equipped with Comfort Access*, the remote control contains a replaceable battery, refer to page 36.

For the Comfort Access key fob (page 36):

Replacing the battery
The remote control for Comfort Access contains a battery that will need to be replaced from time to time.