Can I leave my Key Card In The Car

abirmaher · 03-05-2025, 09:13 PM

Hi everyone. I am sure this is just something I can experiment with but I wanted to see if anyone happened to already know.

I use the digital key for my X1. But I always carry the key card in case I need to give the car to valet or somehring like that.

My question is, since the key card needs to be touched to the door handle to lock and unlock and needs to be placed in the cup holder/ wireless charger area to start the car, can I keep the key in the glove box or armrest in case I need it? Rather than carrying it around in my wallet.

RockCrusher · 03-06-2025, 06:49 AM

I would not leave an activated key card in the car.

Why provide a way to start the engine to a thief who finds a car door left unlocked or smashes a window to check out what's in the car?

abirmaher · 03-06-2025, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockCrusher

I would not leave an activated key card in the car.

Why provide a way to start the engine to a thief who finds a car door left unlocked or smashes a window to check out what's in the car?

Very fair point.

No one · 03-07-2025, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockCrusher

I would not leave an activated key card in the car.

Why provide a way to start the engine to a thief who finds a car door left unlocked

Just by the way, if somebody didn't bother to read the manual. There are some safety locking options to choose from. I have my car set to lock itself in case of inactivity for a certain period of time.

But this also means I must always have the key with me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockCrusher

smashes a window to check out what's in the car

The mandatory set: the key (well, both of them if you have another way to unlock), the registration paperwork, an open sale agreement signed and the cash to have the window restored.

unluky · 03-07-2025, 09:06 AM

I'd do it. You can "what if" all day long. I mean the chance of getting broken into are fairly low - the chance that someone breaks into your car AND spend the time to find your key card AND that person knows what it is and how to use it? Your talking lottery numbers here.

I mean for my remote start in one of my cars I have a "dead" fob in a key box 24/7. Could someone bust out my window, dig out that fob, put a battery in it and start and drive off in my car? 100%. Is it likely? LOL - not very. Worth the 0.0000001% chance to me to have a remote start.

starlights · 03-07-2025, 10:25 AM

Your insurance will not cover you incase the car is stolen if they become aware that the keycard was left in the car.

I keep mine in my wallet

RockCrusher · 03-07-2025, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unluky

I'd do it. You can "what if" all day long. I mean the chance of getting broken into are fairly low - the chance that someone breaks into your car AND spend the time to find your key card AND that person knows what it is and how to use it? Your talking lottery numbers here.

I mean for my remote start in one of my cars I have a "dead" fob in a key box 24/7. Could someone bust out my window, dig out that fob, put a battery in it and start and drive off in my car? 100%. Is it likely? LOL - not very. Worth the 0.0000001% chance to me to have a remote start.

Yes, the odds are very low one's car gets broken into.

And lower still the perp would look for and if found know how to use a key card.

Still I would not be comfortable leaving a means to start the engine in the car.

Portimao Blue M440ix · 03-08-2025, 03:19 PM

I would hide it somewhere only you know. In the trunk under the mat or under the back seat floor mat. Who would know to look there.

ShapeShifter · 03-08-2025, 04:05 PM

In the 70s, we had a logistics instructor who constantly stressed, "Leave nothing to Chance." That became my daily practice throughout my career and life.

abirmaher · 03-09-2025, 07:40 AM

I decided on leaving it in the car deactivated. Have to have an active physical or digital key in the car to reactivate so there’s no risk even if it’s found that it will be used.

RockCrusher · 03-09-2025, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abirmaher

I decided on leaving it in the car deactivated. Have to have an active physical digital key in the car to reactivate so there’s no risk even if it’s found that it will be used.

For some time after I bought my 2023 the card key was in the owners manual but was no activated. I had no reservations about leaving it the car.

I activated it and used it a time or two but with the advice to have a keyfob for just in case the card failed to work I decided to just stick with a keyfob. I put the card in my M2's folder in the filing cabinet.

When I traded in the M2 when I bought my M8 of course I had retrieved the card from the file and put it back in the glovebox with the owners manual.

Artemis · 03-09-2025, 12:15 PM

Can I leave my key card In the car ?

Bad idea. Can facilitate theft. If the car gets stolen, brace yourself for an uphill battle with your car insurer + the car is gone.

STi from DSM · Today, 10:20 AM

I would use a normal key and keep the card in your wallet.

03-05-2025, 09:13 PM	#1
abirmaher Colonel 949 Rep 2,484 Posts Drives: 2018 BMW M2 & 2024 BMW X1 M35i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL iTrader: (14) Garage List [0.00] 2018 BMW M2 [10.00]	Can I leave my Key Card In The Car Hi everyone. I am sure this is just something I can experiment with but I wanted to see if anyone happened to already know. I use the digital key for my X1. But I always carry the key card in case I need to give the car to valet or somehring like that. My question is, since the key card needs to be touched to the door handle to lock and unlock and needs to be placed in the cup holder/ wireless charger area to start the car, can I keep the key in the glove box or armrest in case I need it? Rather than carrying it around in my wallet. Attached Images __________________ Follow my builds: The Racecar (2018 M2 - M0010): Build Thread \| @_m0010 The Daily (2024 X1 M35i - X001M35):Build Thread \| @_x001m35
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03-06-2025, 06:49 AM	#2
RockCrusher Lieutenant Colonel 2126 Rep 1,966 Posts Drives: BMW 2024 M8 Competition Coupe Join Date: Jun 2022 Location: Benton County, AR iTrader: (0)	I would not leave an activated key card in the car. Why provide a way to start the engine to a thief who finds a car door left unlocked or smashes a window to check out what's in the car?
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03-07-2025, 09:06 AM	#5
unluky Major 7718 Rep 1,269 Posts Drives: 04 z4 3.0 Sport & 15 X5 35i XD Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Sedalia, MO iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW X5 XDrive 35i [0.50] 2004 BMW Z4 3.0 Spo ... [0.00]	I'd do it. You can "what if" all day long. I mean the chance of getting broken into are fairly low - the chance that someone breaks into your car AND spend the time to find your key card AND that person knows what it is and how to use it? Your talking lottery numbers here. I mean for my remote start in one of my cars I have a "dead" fob in a key box 24/7. Could someone bust out my window, dig out that fob, put a battery in it and start and drive off in my car? 100%. Is it likely? LOL - not very. Worth the 0.0000001% chance to me to have a remote start. __________________ 2015 X5 XDrive 35i - 2004 Z4 3.0 Sport
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03-07-2025, 10:25 AM	#6
starlights Captain 368 Rep 760 Posts Drives: G05 50i Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Under a Rock iTrader: (6)	Your insurance will not cover you incase the car is stolen if they become aware that the keycard was left in the car. I keep mine in my wallet Last edited by starlights; 03-07-2025 at 10:33 AM..
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03-08-2025, 03:19 PM	#8
Portimao Blue M440ix Private First Class 129 Rep 195 Posts Drives: Bmw m440i g22 Bmw 335i e92 Join Date: Mar 2024 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	I would hide it somewhere only you know. In the trunk under the mat or under the back seat floor mat. Who would know to look there.
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03-08-2025, 04:05 PM	#9
ShapeShifter Private First Class 856 Rep 120 Posts Drives: 2024 M440ix GC Join Date: Feb 2024 Location: SW Arkansas iTrader: (0)	In the 70s, we had a logistics instructor who constantly stressed, "Leave nothing to Chance." That became my daily practice throughout my career and life. __________________ 2024 BMW M440ix Gran Coupe -SRG Metallic 2006 CTS Sport, 6 Spd - Blackberry 2003 F-150 Harley-Davidson 100th Anniv. Edition - Black 1988 Conquest TSi, 5 Spd - Black
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03-09-2025, 07:40 AM	#10
abirmaher Colonel 949 Rep 2,484 Posts Drives: 2018 BMW M2 & 2024 BMW X1 M35i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL iTrader: (14) Garage List [0.00] 2018 BMW M2 [10.00]	I decided on leaving it in the car deactivated. Have to have an active physical or digital key in the car to reactivate so there’s no risk even if it’s found that it will be used. __________________ Follow my builds: The Racecar (2018 M2 - M0010): Build Thread \| @_m0010 The Daily (2024 X1 M35i - X001M35):Build Thread \| @_x001m35 Last edited by abirmaher; 03-09-2025 at 10:33 AM..
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03-09-2025, 12:15 PM	#12
Artemis Moderator 35144 Rep 13,501 Posts Drives: BMW M2C - BMW X1 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Belgium iTrader: (0)	Can I leave my key card In the car ? Bad idea. Can facilitate theft. If the car gets stolen, brace yourself for an uphill battle with your car insurer + the car is gone. __________________ ///M is art ↔ Artemis
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Today, 10:20 AM	#13
STi from DSM Captain 622 Rep 868 Posts Drives: 2022 M850i Xdrive GC Join Date: May 2020 Location: Champlin MN iTrader: (4) Garage List 2022 M850i Xdrive G ... [7.87]	I would use a normal key and keep the card in your wallet. __________________ 2022 M850i Xdrive Gran Coupe (Twilight Purple) \| 2019 Audi RS5 Sportback (Navarra Blue) \| 2021 Audi S4 (Quantum Gray) \| 2018 BMW M5 (Singapore Gray) \| 2019 Audi RS5 (Mythos Black) \| 2020 X3M Comp (Black Sapphire) \| 2019 Audi RS3 (Mythos Black) \| (2018 STi Type RA (Black) #391/500) \| (2018 Audi RS3 Nardo Gray) \| 2015 STi Base (Black) \| (2013 WRX Base (Black)
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