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2019+ BMW 3 AND 4-SERIES FORUMS (G2x Generation) General G20 Sedan / G22 Coupe / G26 Gran Coupe Discussions Family locked in car - 330i

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      12-20-2019, 01:35 PM   #1
G20.rjm
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Family locked in car - 330i

My 330i has comfort access with automatic locking enabled. Yesterday we stopped on a family road trip and I got out to buy something at a shop. I forgot that the key was in my pocket and the car locked. It was 35 degrees celsius (95F). I heard the car lock and stopped, luckily, waiting for the family to follow me but they were trapped inside. They were unable to open the rear or front doors using the handles. My 13 year old reached forward and pressed the unlock button on my door - nothing. The car was totally deadlocked.

I unlocked the car with the key and everyone was a bit panicked. I got them out, got in and had them take the key and lock the door to test this. No matter what I tried, I could not get out.

This is a ridiculous safety hazard. If I had not stopped to let them out, the temperature in the car car would have risen 20 degrees in 10 minutes and kept rising. This could have killed them.

What if they key fobs battery dies when we are all in the car? The car might no longer detect the key as soon as we turn off the vehicle and lock us in.

Is there any way to disable this insane "feature"?

In the interim, I'll be disabling the autolock feature.
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      12-20-2019, 01:58 PM   #2
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You may have to exit through the trunk using the pass through in an emergency. Make sure everyone knows how to do this.
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      12-20-2019, 02:04 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bimmer456 View Post
You may have to exit through the trunk using the pass through in an emergency. Make sure everyone knows how to do this.
That’s actually a great idea. And extremely scary situation in the case of OP.
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      12-20-2019, 02:07 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bimmer456 View Post
You may have to exit through the trunk using the pass through in an emergency. Make sure everyone knows how to do this.
Can you flip the backseats from the interior?
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      12-20-2019, 02:08 PM   #5
G20.rjm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bimmer456 View Post
You may have to exit through the trunk using the pass through in an emergency. Make sure everyone knows how to do this.
Trunk was filled to capacity with luggage. Wouldn't have been possible.
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      12-20-2019, 02:09 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by haruny View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by bimmer456 View Post
You may have to exit through the trunk using the pass through in an emergency. Make sure everyone knows how to do this.
Can you flip the backseats from the interior?
Yes, you can lower the center arm rest and reach in to pull the levers on each side. I can do it on the F30 and I think it's the same on the G20.
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      12-20-2019, 02:35 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by G20.rjm View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by bimmer456 View Post
You may have to exit through the trunk using the pass through in an emergency. Make sure everyone knows how to do this.
Trunk was filled to capacity with luggage. Wouldn't have been possible.
You could pull in the luggage into the passenger area was something blocking the pass through? You will have to pack smaller items in the back that can be pulled in and then reach in to pull the levers next time. Make sure this is possible after you pack but before you close the door.
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      12-20-2019, 03:00 PM   #8
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What is in your user manuals....? Something like this from a G20 330e User Manual?

Quote:
WARNING
On some country variants, unlocking from the inside is only possible with special knowledge. There is a risk of injury or danger to life if persons remain in the vehicle for extended periods and are exposed to extreme temperatures as a result. Do not lock the vehicle from the outside when there is someone inside it.
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      12-20-2019, 03:05 PM   #9
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http://www.lockmasters.com/site/pdfs...%20article.pdf
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      12-20-2019, 03:05 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Poochie View Post
That's odd, what you described is a "deadlock," an anti-theft measure, which is decoded in all US-spec vehicles.

If the vehicle's occupancy sensors detects someone is still locked inside, it allows them to open the door.

In fact, I've tried a few times to lock my girlfriend in the car because she was annoying me and she was able to use the double-pull handle to unlock the door, after I locked it with the key fob from outside.

The US is very litigious country, where you not only allowed but encouraged to sue anyone for just about any possible reason, even its a result of their own negligence. There are people who would see getting locked inside a car in the same way most of us would look at a winning lottery ticket.

Frankly, I'm surprise this is even possible on a new BMW model but I would investigate it even further.

I'm not doubting you but there must be a way to open the door if someone becomes inadvertently trapped inside.
I thought they made it single pull on the G20 to unlock from the inside.
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      12-20-2019, 03:09 PM   #11
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I think on the F30 the central locking button still works if locked with the key fob so it doesn't do much to lock someone in the car and I'm not sure what scenario you'd want to do that except to lock a carjacker in the car until the police arrive.
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      12-20-2019, 03:10 PM   #12
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Very old news but relevant to the topic..

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nbc...amp/ncna100881
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      12-20-2019, 03:21 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bimmer456 View Post
I think on the F30 the central locking button still works if locked with the key fob so it doesn't do much to lock someone in the car and I'm not sure what scenario you'd want to do that except to lock a carjacker in the car until the police arrive.
It won't work. Only solution in that situation is to smash the window. Very irresponsible of BMW to enable this deadlock feature into unsuspecting customers
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      12-20-2019, 03:27 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HighlandPete View Post
What is in your user manuals....? Something like this from a G20 330e User Manual?

Quote:
WARNING
On some country variants, unlocking from the inside is only possible with special knowledge. There is a risk of injury or danger to life if persons remain in the vehicle for extended periods and are exposed to extreme temperatures as a result. Do not lock the vehicle from the outside when there is someone inside it.
Can you lower the rear seat on the 330e or is the battery behind it?
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      12-20-2019, 03:33 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bimmer456 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Poochie View Post
That's odd, what you described is a "deadlock," an anti-theft measure, which is decoded in all US-spec vehicles.

If the vehicle's occupancy sensors detects someone is still locked inside, it allows them to open the door.

In fact, I've tried a few times to lock my girlfriend in the car because she was annoying me and she was able to use the double-pull handle to unlock the door, after I locked it with the key fob from outside.

The US is very litigious country, where you not only allowed but encouraged to sue anyone for just about any possible reason, even its a result of their own negligence. There are people who would see getting locked inside a car in the same way most of us would look at a winning lottery ticket.

Frankly, I'm surprise this is even possible on a new BMW model but I would investigate it even further.

I'm not doubting you but there must be a way to open the door if someone becomes inadvertently trapped inside.
I thought they made it single pull on the G20 to unlock from the inside.
I don't believe they did, it's just there is a unlock button on the door now and vehicle also unlocks for itself, upon a stop, so it makes this 'feature' redundant.

I'm still pretty sure there is a failsafe way for a passenger to free themselves from a locked vehicle. I can't see BMW making such a glaring omission exposing them to liability, in this litigious climate.

I just need to confirm it.
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      12-20-2019, 03:49 PM   #16
G20.rjm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bimmer456 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by G20.rjm View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by bimmer456 View Post
You may have to exit through the trunk using the pass through in an emergency. Make sure everyone knows how to do this.
Trunk was filled to capacity with luggage. Wouldn't have been possible.
You could pull in the luggage into the passenger area was something blocking the pass through? You will have to pack smaller items in the back that can be pulled in and then reach in to pull the levers next time. Make sure this is possible after you pack but before you close the door.
Even if I could pull the luggage through the small rear centre console, there is no manual release mechanism in the trunk of Australian variants.
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      12-20-2019, 03:51 PM   #17
G20.rjm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 530iDriver View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by bimmer456 View Post
I think on the F30 the central locking button still works if locked with the key fob so it doesn't do much to lock someone in the car and I'm not sure what scenario you'd want to do that except to lock a carjacker in the car until the police arrive.
It won't work. Only solution in that situation is to smash the window. Very irresponsible of BMW to enable this deadlock feature into unsuspecting customers
Totally agree. I also worry about being locked in myself now if the key recognition system fails or the key battery runs flat. This is a major safety issue that could cause death.
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      12-20-2019, 03:57 PM   #18
G20.rjm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Poochie View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by bimmer456 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Poochie View Post
That's odd, what you described is a "deadlock," an anti-theft measure, which is decoded in all US-spec vehicles.

If the vehicle's occupancy sensors detects someone is still locked inside, it allows them to open the door.

In fact, I've tried a few times to lock my girlfriend in the car because she was annoying me and she was able to use the double-pull handle to unlock the door, after I locked it with the key fob from outside.

The US is very litigious country, where you not only allowed but encouraged to sue anyone for just about any possible reason, even its a result of their own negligence. There are people who would see getting locked inside a car in the same way most of us would look at a winning lottery ticket.

Frankly, I'm surprise this is even possible on a new BMW model but I would investigate it even further.

I'm not doubting you but there must be a way to open the door if someone becomes inadvertently trapped inside.
I thought they made it single pull on the G20 to unlock from the inside.
I don't believe they did, it's just there is a unlock button now and vehicle also unlocks for itself, upon a stop, so it makes this 'feature' redundant.

I'm still pretty sure there is a failsafe way for a passenger to free themselves from a locked vehicle. I can't see BMW making such a glaring omission exposing them to liability, in this litigious climate.

I just need to confirm it.
Poochie when you figure out how to do this I would love to know how you did it. I have tried for a while now and it seems that once you are locked inside without a key, there is no way to escape without breaking the glass - something not easily done from the inside.
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      12-20-2019, 04:03 PM   #19
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I know this is not a permanent solution or super convenient but you can make sure you that you and your family members all have downloaded the BMW connected app and linked the car to the app. If they ever find themselves locked inside without a key, they can just open the app on their phone and unlock the car remotely. I know this introduces new variables (eg. having your phone on you, having cell service, etc. ) and also you may not want all family members having access to these features at all times but at least it's still a decent back up option.
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      12-20-2019, 04:10 PM   #20
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Can you use the BMW key card? I keep mine in the glove box and it might do the trick.
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      12-20-2019, 04:11 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alpinewhite3 View Post
I know this is not a permanent solution or super convenient but you can make sure you that you and your family members all have downloaded the BMW connected app and linked the car to the app. If they ever find themselves locked inside without a key, they can just open the app on their phone and unlock the car remotely. I know this introduces new variables (eg. having your phone on you, having cell service, etc. ) and also you may not want all family members having access to these features at all times but at least it's still a decent back up option.
You also need the pin code. Might as well use the SOS button.
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      12-20-2019, 05:09 PM   #22
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This is a typical BMW feature that goes back many generations (E46 did that).

You lock the car from outside, no one inside is going out.

It is in your owners manual. Having said all of that, I have no idea what purpose it serves.
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