How to Program a BMW Key

You love driving your new BMW from Chino Hills to Corona. Maybe you want to share the joy with other drivers and need to learn how to program a BMW key for someone else in your family. Or, perhaps you need to program a key after a BMW key battery replacement. The service department at BMW of Ontario is here to help you learn how to program a BMW key from home.

How to Program a BMW Key From Scratch

If your BMW key fob stops working, chances are you don’t need a BMW key fob replacement. You probably just need to reprogram your BMW key fob. It’s this easy:

1. Insert the key into the ignition and turn it to position 1 and back rapidly 5 times, then remove the key.
2. Hold the unlock button and press the BMW logo 3 times, then release the unlock button.
3. Turn on the ignition to complete the process.

If this process doesn’t work, it’s likely that you just need a new BMW key battery.

How to Program Several BMW Keys

Whether you have several drivers in your family or you just want to have some backups in Upland, you can be a BMW key programmer extraordinaire when you learn how to program several BMW keys.

1. Get in the car with the programmed key fob along with the ones you want to program. Close the doors and windows.
2. Put the working key into the ignition and turn to position 1. The dash lights and accessories should turn on. Turn the key back and remove.
3. On the programmed key, hold down the unlock button and press the BMW logo 3 times, then release the unlock button. The doors will then automatically lock and unlock.
4. Take the new key and hold down the unlock button while pressing the BMW logo 3 times, then release the unlock button. Again the doors should lock and unlock.

BMW Key Battery Replacement

Another issue you might encounter with your BMW key fob is a dead battery. Your BMW key fob uses a CR2032 battery. Remove the key fob cover, swap BMW key fob batteries, and you’re good to go!

BMW Key Fob Replacement

If you need a BMW key fob replacement because you’ve lost yours, you can purchase a new one. Just contact us with your BMW’s 17-digit VIN and we’ll order a new one for you.