Have you ever wished you could pop open the front trunk (frunk) of your BMW with the simple click of your key fob? While not a standard function on all models, especially those with front trunks retrofitted or in electric vehicles like the BMW i3, it’s actually a hidden feature that can be unlocked through coding. This guide will walk you through how to enable your BMW key fob to open the frunk, drawing from insights discovered by BMW enthusiasts and coding experts.
Originally, many BMW owners believed that controlling the frunk via the key fob was impossible without significant modifications. However, resourceful individuals within the BMW community have discovered a method using popular coding tools like BimmerCode. This method focuses on modifying specific parameters within your BMW’s head unit (HU_NBT) to recognize and utilize an additional button on your key fob for frunk operation.
The key to enabling this feature lies in accessing the “expert mode” within BimmerCode and navigating to the Headunit HU_NBT module. Within this module, you’ll need to locate and adjust several KEYCONF* settings. The process involves setting these parameters to “aktiv” (0x01), which essentially activates the recognition of additional key fob button functions. Crucially, you’ll also need to change the KEY_CONF_TAILGATE_SMALL_NAME setting to “frontgate” (0x03). This tells the system to associate the chosen key fob button with the front trunk, rather than the rear tailgate.
By implementing these coding adjustments, you effectively tell your BMW’s iDrive system to recognize and display menu options for the 3rd and 4th buttons on your remote key. After coding, you should notice new menu items within iDrive that correspond to these newly activated buttons. Specifically, the function previously associated with the trunk (or tailgate) for the 3rd button will now be relabeled as “bonnet” or “front compartment,” allowing you to assign “Open front compartment” (or similar wording depending on your iDrive version) to this button.
The beauty of this coding method is its flexibility. Once enabled, you can often change the function of the key fob button directly through the iDrive menu, without needing to recode each time you want to adjust the button’s action. This user-friendly approach provides a significant advantage, allowing for on-the-fly customization of your key fob’s functionality. However, it’s important to note that while the middle button press function becomes easily adjustable via iDrive, the long-press function (RC_DEFAULT_IDG_4TH_BUTTON_LONG) typically remains tied to the initial coding setting.
While this method has been confirmed to work on models like the 2019 U.S. spec BMW i3, it’s likely applicable to other BMW models with similar iDrive systems and frunk configurations. If you’re considering enabling this feature on your BMW, ensure you have a compatible coding tool like BimmerCode and proceed with caution, carefully following the steps outlined. Unlocking the ability to open your BMW frunk with your key fob is a convenient and surprisingly simple customization that enhances the functionality of your vehicle.
