Need seat memory explanation

[njmurvin]

I (actually, it's the wife's) 2001 330cic.

I have the memory 2 setting set to my dimensions. Sometimes, after locking the car, when I unlock it goes to another setting and sometimes it doesn't. This is always when using the same key. I was told by a BMW service guy that it isn't tied to a key. It is simply tied to the last time the car was locked by the remote. Whatever it is, it doesn't seem to be consisitent. How is this supposed to work?

 

[bmwrocks]

It is tied to the key, contrary to the service rep. When you lock the car the seat position is set to that key. If the other key is then used and the seats are moved, then the car is locked with that key, the seat position is set to that key. Then if you use your key to unlock it, the seats are supposed to move to your saved position. Then you get out and lock it. Then the other is used to unlock it and the seats move to the other keys position....ad nauseum. Thats the way it is SUPPOSED to work.

It only works if the car is locked every time with both keys.

My 330 has always worked perfectly.

My X5 on the other hand is intermittent. i.e sometimes the mirrors will move to some random position when I unlock it. Then I push the memory2 button to get everything to my settings. Then I lock it when I get to the store or wherever. Then I unlock it and everything is fine from then on for that day. My wife sometimes complains theat the same thing happens to her. I had it reprogrammed numerous times under warranty, then finally gave up and I live with it.

 

[TheBry]

Actually, I think you're both sortof right (according to the owner's manual and my dealer). I just had one of my master keys programmed for setting 1. In fact, that's why BMW supplies the color-coded stickers for the backs of the keys... because the seat and mirror settings can be set for each individual key. It doesn't happen by itself -- you have to have your dealer do this (part of checklist of customizable options).

Here's the way it works for me (now that the dealer has coded key 1): Let's say I've parked and let someone out of the back seat of my car by using the little power sliding arrow switches on the upper side of the seatback (to glide the seat forward, easing egress for rear passengers). When I close the door and lock the car using the remote, the doors lock and I get the audible beep that the alarm has been set but the seat remains in the last position (slid forward). When the car is "unlocked" with the remote, the seat automatically returns to memorized driving position #1 (because I'm using the #1 key with the car). If I had my second master key coded for memory setting #2, the same would apply for that key, except it would move the seat to memorized driving position #2.

Clearly I'm not an authority, as I'm a relatively new BMW owner, but that's how it works for me. Your set-up could be different.

 

[bmwrocks]

Actually, I think you're both sortof right (according to the owner's manual and my dealer). I just had one of my master keys programmed for setting 1. In fact, that's why BMW supplies the color-coded stickers for the backs of the keys... because the seat and mirror settings can be set for each individual key. It doesn't happen by itself -- you have to have your dealer do this (part of checklist of customizable options).

Here's the way it works for me (now that the dealer has coded key 1): Let's say I've parked and let someone out of the back seat of my car by using the little power sliding arrow switches on the upper side of the seatback (to glide the seat forward, easing egress for rear passengers). When I close the door and lock the car using the remote, the doors lock and I get the audible beep that the alarm has been set but the seat remains in the last position (slid forward). When the car is "unlocked" with the remote, the seat automatically returns to memorized driving position #1 (because I'm using the #1 key with the car). If I had my second master key coded for memory setting #2, the same would apply for that key, except it would move the seat to memorized driving position #2.

Clearly I'm not an authority, as I'm a relatively new BMW owner, but that's how it works for me. Your set-up could be different.

Ponder all this:

Is it that the seat is set to the key when the key is in the ignition? That would explain the seat returning to the last position when the key was in the ignition, not the position you moved it to with the key out of the ignition?

I don't think the key is coded to the memory position setting. I think if you were to move the seat away from memory position 1 while driving, then removed the key and locked the car, then unlock the car, the seat would not move from the new position. Try that to verify, I will try it too.

Actually, I think the color stickers are used for distinguishing keys if you own more than one BMW (all BMW keys look the same). For instance I have colored my 330 keys red, and my X5 keys blue. This way I can tell which key on my ring is for my 330 and which is for the X5 (likewise for the wifey).

 

[TheBry]

Ponder all this:

I think you've got to give me this one, BMWRocks ;-) All the ignition does is charge the battery in the key (and of course decode the key's security code so the ignition will allow the car to start). It doesn't pass seating/mirror position data to the key. That stuff has to be set by your dealer.

Also, the stickers that come with the keys are to differentiate keys for the same car... not to differentiate which key belongs to the X5 and which belongs to the M3, etc. (although we should all be so fortunate as to have several BMWs from which to choose in our respective garages).

The manual clearly states this (at least my manual does). In fact, I quote from page 70 of my 2004 E46 Convertible manual: "Vehicle Memory , Key Memory - Provided that each person has a separate remote-control key, you can have your BMW center enter basic adjustment data for up to four individuals in the system. The system then relies on a bilateral data exchange to identify the individual user and executes the selected settings whenever the remote control unit is used to disengage the door locks."

It goes on to say that color-coded decals have been provided to help distinguish individual keys with different settings.

Wow... I can't believe I actually got something right for a change.

 

[jfh]

personally, I just think they are haunted.
my wife and I keep our own keys.
when I unlock the car, after it was locked by my key,
sometimes the seats remain where they are sometimes
they go back to my wife's setting. I've yet to see a pattern.

 

[bmwrocks]

I think you've got to give me this one, BMWRocks ;-)

I obviously have a lot to learn on this subject. You are correct that mine is programmed differently than yours. My key is not programmed to a memory seat position. If I move my seat after I get out (before locking), then lock, then unlock, the seat stays where I moved it to, doesn't go back to my memory settings. I don't have that programmed I guess.

I am beginning to better understand all this though. There are so many possibilities that it makes it very confusing.

I do like the idea of the key programmed to the memory position though. That would be great to have. I will ask to have that done next time in. I would think they would do it for free since they did NOTHING to explain all the options on this when I got the car. I suspect it is because they don't know them all, so it easier for them to say nothing at all rather than look like they don't know their product.

 

[theBMWenthusiast]

Actually, I think you're both sortof right (according to the owner's manual and my dealer). I just had one of my master keys programmed for setting 1. In fact, that's why BMW supplies the color-coded stickers for the backs of the keys... because the seat and mirror settings can be set for each individual key. It doesn't happen by itself -- you have to have your dealer do this (part of checklist of customizable options).

Here's the way it works for me (now that the dealer has coded key 1): Let's say I've parked and let someone out of the back seat of my car by using the little power sliding arrow switches on the upper side of the seatback (to glide the seat forward, easing egress for rear passengers). When I close the door and lock the car using the remote, the doors lock and I get the audible beep that the alarm has been set but the seat remains in the last position (slid forward). When the car is "unlocked" with the remote, the seat automatically returns to memorized driving position #1 (because I'm using the #1 key with the car). If I had my second master key coded for memory setting #2, the same would apply for that key, except it would move the seat to memorized driving position #2.

Clearly I'm not an authority, as I'm a relatively new BMW owner, but that's how it works for me. Your set-up could be different.

does anyone know when this went into the keys...its not on our 2000 so just wondering

 

[blkonblk330i]

I believe it started with MY2001

 

[dmr]

Mine is not programmed to a seat memory either. I was confused by this as well and asked my stealer how the coded keys are intended to function. His answer: each key "remembers" the settings that the car was in when the lock button is pressed on that particular key. The keys do not correspond to a memory setting (I have verified that my car works exactly as he described).

For example, I use key number 2 and memory setting 2. Let's say that I enter the car and press memory button 2 (on the seat) to set the car to my preferred settings. I then move the seat forward to let someone into the back seat and later when I exit the car I don't put it back into memory position 2. When I press the lock button on key 2, it "remembers" that new setting. Now let's say that my wife unlocks the car with her #1 key. The seats and mirrors will adjust to the last settings that she was using when she locked the car with her key (which may or may not be memory setting 1). If I was to use the car next, when I unlock the car with my #2 key it would return to my last setting (with the seat moved forward for the backseat rider during my last drive), which is not memory setting 2.

Basically, each key takes a snapshot of the driving position every time its respective lock button is pressed and returns the car to that snapshot when the unlock button is pressed. Make sense?

 

[TheBry]

Basically, each key takes a snapshot of the driving position every time its respective lock button is pressed and returns the car to that snapshot when the unlock button is pressed. Make sense?

No... it doesn't make sense. It's downright weird. Why would the manual indicate one thing, while the actual experience is drastically different. With the logic you convey above, the need to identify keys (dealer coding and color-coded stickers) is useless.

DMR, do you have a 2004? Maybe that's the issue here.

 

[dmr]

TheBry,
I own a 2003, maybe that explains the difference. I'm not sure what my manual states, I'll check it tomorrow. However, I am certain that my car functions as I described above. I guess the reason for color-coded keys is to help distinguish between drivers (i.e. my key versus my wife's key). Not sure, just a guess. But I do agree with you, it's weird. Numbered keys that correspond to the numbered memory positions would make more sense.

 

[aNoodle]

Mine is not programmed to a seat memory either. I was confused by this as well and asked my stealer how the coded keys are intended to function. His answer: each key "remembers" the settings that the car was in when the lock button is pressed on that particular key. The keys do not correspond to a memory setting (I have verified that my car works exactly as he described).

For example, I use key number 2 and memory setting 2. Let's say that I enter the car and press memory button 2 (on the seat) to set the car to my preferred settings. I then move the seat forward to let someone into the back seat and later when I exit the car I don't put it back into memory position 2. When I press the lock button on key 2, it "remembers" that new setting. Now let's say that my wife unlocks the car with her #1 key. The seats and mirrors will adjust to the last settings that she was using when she locked the car with her key (which may or may not be memory setting 1). If I was to use the car next, when I unlock the car with my #2 key it would return to my last setting (with the seat moved forward for the backseat rider during my last drive), which is not memory setting 2.

Basically, each key takes a snapshot of the driving position every time its respective lock button is pressed and returns the car to that snapshot when the unlock button is pressed. Make sense?

Exactly. Well said.