is the alarm more sensitive with the windows down?

[danmurphymn]

Just a random question. Is the factory alarm more sensitive if you have the windows down?

My alarm has never gone off until I've parked my car with the windows down. I feel like it's much more sensitive especially around the window areas.

Just curious.

[JimLev]

Your car has an ultrasonic motion sensor inside in the middle of the roof.
If your window is open and something enters the open window the alarm will trigger.
You can shut the inside sensor off by pressing the center button again after you lock the car.
It's all in your manual.

[scubajim20]

my alarm has gone off when I leave the windows open and lock the car. I have never found anything in the car but maybe the wind moved a seatbelt or something.

[danmurphymn]

Your car has an ultrasonic motion sensor inside in the middle of the roof.
If your window is open and something enters the open window the alarm will trigger.
You can shut the inside sensor off by pressing the center button again after you lock the car.
It's all in your manual.

That's awesome info! Thanks!

[Qsilver7]

Just a random question. Is the factory alarm more sensitive if you have the windows down?

My alarm has never gone off until I've parked my car with the windows down. I feel like it's much more sensitive especially around the window areas.

Just curious.

my alarm has gone off when I leave the windows open and lock the car. I have never found anything in the car but maybe the wind moved a seatbelt or something.

As JimLev already mentioned...the alarm goes off if you have the windows down or sunroof open because of the IMS (interior motion sensor). If the windows are down, then the IMS may have parameters that extend outside the interior cabin...as well as any movement around the vehicle'w windows (or sunroof if left open) can also be picked up by the IMS.

When you lock the car with the remote or using the driver's exterior door lock...this arms DWA (anti-theft alarm siren system) and sets the IMS and Tilt sensor as well as the hood, doors and trunk. The IMS & TILT sensor takes 30 seconds AFTER locking the vehicle to arm. See the information below to understand how they work and how to disable them if you are leaving a pet in the car. If leaving people in the car...LET THEM lock the car manually themselves from inside the vehicle...DO NOT EVER LOCK people in the car with your remote or from the driver's exterior lock (they won't be able to exit the vehicle when the alarm starts going off due to the doors being DOUBLE-LOCKED (interior & exterior door handles are disabled):

{take note that the owners manual says to make sure the windows are closed in order for the system to "function properly"}

[Mike WW]

Even with the windows up they can be prone to nuisance alarms due to that sensor. Early on in our ownership we took to always double locking it to disable it with either the remote or turning the key in the slot twice. I used to see a few E38s at work that always seemed to have the alarm going off for no apparent reason and I think they used the same setup.

[geargrinder]

I'm always double-locking cuz I like to leave winders and 'ruff open with the pup in the back, and yes the alarm will go off easy from a stiff breeze.

There was that funny cellphone pix from few years back where a guy locked a thief inside his car with the double-lock then waited for the cops to come while laughing at the dude locked inside. Priceless.

{found it}
https://jalopnik.com/5919933/this-sh...-he-broke-into

[danmurphymn]

This is perfect. I figured there had to be some BMW'ey answer to this. I've never read through the owners manual. The double lock is going to be the new go to!

[computiNATEor]

I'm always double-locking cuz I like to leave winders and 'ruff open with the pup in the back, and yes the alarm will go off easy from a stiff breeze.

There was that funny cellphone pix from few years back where a guy locked a thief inside his car with the double-lock then waited for the cops to come while laughing at the dude locked inside. Priceless.

{found it}
https://jalopnik.com/5919933/this-sh...-he-broke-into

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! That's the funniest thing I've seen in a long, long time.

[MD540iT]

is it possible to some how set the car to "auto" arm after say 30 min??
occasionally I forget to lock my doors

[JimLev]

is it possible to some how set the car to "auto" arm after say 30 min??
occasionally I forget to lock my doors

With a bum tranny who's going to steal it?
No, that isn't an option.