Key Remote's Range?

[Nakatomi]

What is the normal range you should be able to lock and unlock the X5 with the key remotes? My keys work fine, but if I am more that say 20 feet from the car, the signal isn't strong enough. On my Dodge Charger for comparison, I can be looking at my car from my office window and lock it a half a block away.

I have had the X5 for a couple weeks now, and drive an hour to and from work, so figured the batteries have had ample change to charge....

Thanks guys!

[bestvaluestore]

I do not know what is the normal range but in my case is about the same.Probably this is the range because some time ago like few years ago I fixed my receiver on the car and this is the range,same as your case.Before I fix that ,the range was even worse.

[RFaber]

I seem to have about a 50-70 ft range, here's a silly quirk that ive noticed, If i put the key under my chin, and press the button, i have about a 100-120 ft range!
maybe my fillings or something is amplifying the signal!
my key fob is less than a year old, straight from germany!!

[motordavid]

Our 13+ yr old key works from a hundred plus yards away, if it is a direct sightline...
Try holding it under your chin: seems like one's neck and head 'cone'/focus the wave.
GL, mD

[bestvaluestore]

Originally Posted by RFaber

I seem to have about a 50-70 ft range, here's a silly quirk that ive noticed, If i put the key under my chin, and press the button, i have about a 100-120 ft range!
maybe my fillings or something is amplifying the signal!
my key fob is less than a year old, straight from germany!!

I have to try it,I have fillings too,lol.

[bestvaluestore]

Originally Posted by motordavid

Our 13+ yr old key works from a hundred plus yards away, if it is a direct sightline...
Try holding it under your chin: seems like one's neck and head 'cone'/focus the wave.
GL, mD

Wow,for 13yrs you never replaced the key's battery?I think I replaced mine once for these 7 years I got it.

[motordavid]

Originally Posted by bestvaluestore

Wow,for 13yrs you never replaced the key's battery?I think I replaced mine once for these 7 years I got it.

One key is original: never replaced anything in it. It will be 14 yrs old in Sept.
Other key is brand new: lost the mate.
Valet key still works, obviously, and my hideaway plastic key still works.
GL, mD

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by RFaber

... a silly quirk that ive noticed, If i put the key under my chin, and press the button, i have about a 100-120 ft range!
maybe my fillings or something is amplifying the signal! ...

Actually...the range increases due to the water in your head.

I know it sounds funny...but I'm not calling you a "waterhead". Water changes the way RF signals travel...when you hold the remote key to your head (your brain has a high percentage of water)...it affects the RF signal.


The direction of your car can affect your remote's range as well. The aerial for the keyless entry is integrated into the rear windshield. You can see what the range is below (hopefully you can convert meters into feet):

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by Nakatomi

... My keys work fine, but if I am more that say 20 feet from the car, the signal isn't strong enough.

I always find this kind of fascinating...why would you want to unlock your car more than that distance?

If you can unlock the car more than a block away...couldn't that potentially allow others to get into your vehicle before you? And if you're in a busy parking lot like at a mall...someone could possibly get into the vehicle for nefarious reasons.

Also, some forum members have made comments about giving up the "springs" for the tailgate that can open it all the way as if you had the automatic tailgate feature...but they seem to unlock the tailgate when they put the keys into their pocket. If you are an owner that wears clothing that is fitting and could possible actuate the remote buttons when your keys are put into your pocket...you could also potentially unlock your vehicle in the parking lot while at work etc.

The above is not an insult to those that wear skinny jeans or tight clothing...I'm just at a point in life that the only thing tight I wear is compression garments that are designed to prevent swelling or busting something or after something has already burst.

Here's a link to a video that explains the "WATER" in the head/brain theory (I find it very interesting):

https://youtu.be/0Uqf71muwWc

[Bouchedag84]

My range is horrible and finicky too.
The weirder thing is that I swear my girlfriend makes the range worse or to not work at all. Whenever I'm with her and we walk to or from the cargu, the remote rarely works. So strange....
I guess i'll have to put her back in her cage