Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Unlocking and Locking the Vehicle
The central locking system makes it possible to unlock or lock the vehicle. It is fitted as standard equipment and relates to all vehicle doors, the fuel filler flap and the trunk.
The central locking can be operated via the following components:
- ID transmitter
- Driver's-door lock barrel (door lock)
- Central-lock button
- Trunk lock barrel
- Exterior trunk button
- Interior trunk button in the A-pillar
- Outside door handle * (outside door handle electronics/Car Access System)
- Central locking button in the trunk lid *.
* Component of the Comfort Access option.
The central locking system in the F01/F02 is based on the central locking system as it is already known in, for instance, the E90 or E70. The function of the central locking system is basically divided between three control units.
The Car Access System has overall control. The Car Access System is aware of the statuses of the central locking system. Therefore it is the Car Access System which causes the unlocking, locking and central locking of the vehicle.
The junction box electronics module executes the request to unlock or lock the vehicle.
With Car Access System 4, Comfort Access functionality is now also integrated into this control unit. This means that, on the F01/F02 there is no separate control unit for Comfort Access.
It is possible to unlock and lock the vehicle actively or passively.
- Active means that the vehicle can be opened after it has been unlocked by a press of the button on the ID transmitter. The vehicle can be locked by pressing the Lock button after the doors have been closed.
Passive locking and unlocking requires the option Comfort Access.
- Passive means the vehicle is unlocked when the outer door handle is grasped, provided the ID transmitter is located within a radius of no more than approximately 1.5 meters from the vehicle. The locking function is triggered by pressing on the sensitive area on the outer door handle.
The trunk is fitted with the automatic soft-close function as standard. With the automatic soft-close function, it is sufficient to gently press the trunk into the trunk lock. As soon as the locking pawl reaches the pre-locking position, automatic soft-close fully closes the trunk. The locking pawl is then located in the main locking position.
An alternative is automatic soft-close, the automatic soft-close function is available for all vehicle doors. When equipped with the automatic soft-close function, the vehicle door needs only to be gently pulled or pushed into the lock. The automatic soft-close function then completely closes the door.
The Car Access System (4) evaluates the signal from the ID transmitter (1) and requests the unlocking or locking of the vehicle. The junction box electronics module (8) executes the requests.
The lock barrel (12) in the driver's door is used for mechanically unlocking or locking the door. The footwell module (10) evaluates the movement (status of Hall sensors) of the lock barrel and the status of the door contacts.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.