Bmw Cars

[whiskeryron]

I live in Herefordshire & once a month I go by train from my local rail station to a meeting of old colleagues in Birmingham. Yesterday I parked my car as usual in the station car park at 08.30 & someone had parked a BMW Saloon car, the lights were left on & the engine was running ( the car was locked & I could not see ignition keys) when I returned at 17.30 the car was still there with lights on & engine running. My query is this, surely one needs to take out the ignition key in order to lock the car from outside, or do BMW have some sort of stupid method whereby the doors automatically lock when one gets out ?

[AB Editor]

It's probably keyless entry - if you have the key in your pocket it unlocks when you're near enough, and locks when you're far enough away.

[Baldric]

That'll ^^^ be the one Ed!

[society]

Were you able to see inside the car? Were the windows tinted?
Perhaps there were people in the back seat 'making out'. lol

[TWR]

I'd think His / Her Insurance would have something to say about this WR,

[sunny-dave]

Obviously a big tanker ...

[Baldric]

//one needs to take out the ignition key in order to lock the car from outside//

What a quaint olde tradition!
;-)

[vulcan42]

Sometimes I wish they wouldn't keep "improving" car systems.On my earlier cars you removed the key, locked the door and that was it. On the present car the onboard computer has decided there is a door open (which there isn't) and the interior lights come on and the alarm goes off. At the moment, until it's fixed I have to disconnect the battery every time I park. Progress is just changing one nuisance for another.

[whiskeryron]

//
AB Editor
Mark as Best Answer
It's probably keyless entry - if you have the key in your pocket it unlocks when you're near enough, and locks when you're far enough away//

OK Ed the key is in your pocket & you walk away & the doors lock, why is the engine still running ?

[heathfield]

Well I suppose it says something for BMW that the engine hadn't overheated and blown up!

[Milvus]

It's probably because the car has a button start. You have to press the button to turn the engine off. The owner has probably made a dash for the train and forgotten.

[chanel5]

If this had happened where I live in Belfast, the police and army would have been there within half an hour, and carried out a controlled explosion on the car, due to the fact that it appeared to have been abandoned with the engine running (a favourite tactic of bombers planting car bombs). That would have taken care of the locking problem.

[whiskeryron]

Thanks to all who answered

Ron.

[Clanad]

Actually (blush) I've done the same thing with my ancient but dependable 1997 Ford F-150 pickup here in the U.S.

On a recent exceptionally cold morning I parked by trusty (only 67,000 miles on odometer) steed and exited to plug in the block heater and when I returned to the cab... lights on, engine running... doors locked, I had to call Mrs. C. to bring a spare key (which I've since fitted to an under wheel-well, hidden device).

Not being especially swift, I figured out that the pick-up is equipped with electric door locks, and a switch mounted on the left arm rest will lock all 3 doors if unitentionally pushed. Getting out that below zero (F) day in heavy parka, I managed to brush the switch unknowingly and locked the doors. It's now on my checklist...

[whiskeryron]

Cheers Clanad that throws a different light on things.