[Bymep]

kind of a stupid question, but I only use 1 key (standard), and have no need for the second. I guess what I'm asking is are there any preferred ways to store it? Take the battery out or not? Swap keys every six months?

I dont want to have to get the key reprogrammed if the battery dies or is removed, but I also dont want a battery to leak/corrode the key after sitting 5 or more years (FYI, I kept my last BMW 16 years, battery was still good in the never used spare key)

Is it fine to just remove the battery for storage?

[babaikram]

Well, they are actually nice to use. Far easier to use than remote connected drive to activate the car or check whether you actually locked the car at a public carpark (if you have a tendency towards OCD like me). I have had my car for nearly two years and I have never used any of the spare standard keys. I just got a pouch from amazon/ebay that comes with a key ring to attach it to other keys.

[stein_325i]

I have a safe/file cabinet that has all of my car records and important belongings. I usually just put spare keys in there, and within like 15 years, I've never used them once. Its always good though to keep them in a place that you'll know where it is, in case of emergency, or just when selling the car or dropping it off for maintenance.

[Warp Ten]

In today's world of very expensive key fobs, when it comes time to trade in your car you will get a deduction for having only one key. Better to keep the key, even if it is just stored for the duration of your ownership. And it might be useful to have around if your fob battery fails and you don't have an extra one. You can always use the extra key.--Bob

[Bymep]

thanks all. I'm definitely keeping the key.

My question was more about storing it. I already keep it in a safe box as posted above. Just wondering if I should pull the battery out or not. In the old keys (e46), the battery was not removable, but the one for the G30 seems to be easy to remove. As I will store the key for at least 5 years, just want to make sure dead battery goo doesnt leak out destroy the key. Also, dont know if any key programming will be lost if I pull the battery for a long time, requiring me to take it to a dealer to reprogram...

[mrashton]

Originally Posted by Bymep

thanks all. I'm definitely keeping the key.

My question was more about storing it. I already keep it in a safe box as posted above. Just wondering if I should pull the battery out or not. In the old keys (e46), the battery was not removable, but the one for the G30 seems to be easy to remove. As I will store the key for at least 5 years, just want to make sure dead battery goo doesnt leak out destroy the key. Also, dont know if any key programming will be lost if I pull the battery for a long time, requiring me to take it to a dealer to reprogram...

I've never known a button lithium to leak in all the years I've had devices that use them.

With my spare remote for the F11 I changed its battery at the same time as changing the battery in the one I used all the time which was every 3 years or so.

In my G32 where I have a display key and 2 standard remotes that I never use, I'll change their batteries in 3 or 4 years' time.

[530iDriver]

Use it from time to time.

[ADS-UK]

Originally Posted by 530iDriver

Use it from time to time.

How's that going to help

[timmahh]

Originally Posted by Bymep

thanks all. I'm definitely keeping the key.

My question was more about storing it. I already keep it in a safe box as posted above. Just wondering if I should pull the battery out or not. In the old keys (e46), the battery was not removable, but the one for the G30 seems to be easy to remove. As I will store the key for at least 5 years, just want to make sure dead battery goo doesnt leak out destroy the key. Also, dont know if any key programming will be lost if I pull the battery for a long time, requiring me to take it to a dealer to reprogram...

Eh.. the key has a unique hardware ID that the car is programmed to communicate with. Think of it like a MAC address on a network card.. it's physically imprinted and cannot be changed. I don't suspect if the key fob battery dies, suddenly the car says oh what the hell that fob battery died, better forget that hardware ID. As far as the car knows, that fob is simply out of range.. dead battery or not. The key itself (sans the display key) is a limited communicator; it doesn't know the car is locked, it just says send signal X when button X is pressed. If I had the concerns you have, I would pull the battery (but I don't, so mine is just safely tucked away with the battery in it.. 2 years to go! )