BMW M5 Sedan Owner's Manual page 147

Gear change
Principle
Manual gear-shifting is possible via the shift pad‐
dles or the selector lever in sequential mode.
The shift paddles on the steering wheel allow
you to shift gears quickly while keeping both
hands on the steering wheel.
General information
Shifting
Gears will only be shifted at appropriate engine
and road speeds; for instance, downshifting is
not possible if the engine speed is too high.
The lowest possible gear is selected by simulta‐
neously operating the kickdown and moving the
selector lever forward or actuating the left shift
paddle.
Temporary sequential mode
After a shift paddle is actuated in Drive mode, the
system temporarily switches to sequential mode.
After conservative driving in sequential mode
without acceleration or shifting via the shift pad‐
dles for a certain amount of time, the transmis‐
sion switches back to Drive mode.
Permanent sequential mode
Sequential mode remains permanently active if it
was active before the shift paddle was actuated.
Switching to Drive mode
It is possible to switch to Drive mode as follows:
pull and hold the right shift paddle.
Switching via the selector lever
▷ To shift up: pull the selector lever rearwards.
▷ To shift down: press the selector lever for‐
ward.
A shift in Drive mode causes a switch to Sequen‐
tial mode.
Online Edition for Part no. 01405A37B39 - VI/21
Driving
Switching via the shift paddles
▷ Shift up: pull right shift paddle.
▷ Shift down: pull left shift paddle.
Display on the selector lever
The actually engaged transmission position can
deviate from the selector lever position in some
situations. The display in the selector lever
flashes.
Observe the display in the instrument cluster in
these cases.
Displays in the instrument
cluster
Drive mode
▷ Engaged gear together with a
D, arrow 1.
▷ Selected Drivelogic program,
arrow 2.
Sequential mode
▷ Gear shift indicator, arrow 1.
▷ Engaged gear, arrow 2.
▷ Selected Drivelogic program,
arrow 3.
Notice
When the external temperature is very low, the
display may not work. Current driving direction is
recognizable at the engaged selector lever posi‐
tion.
CONTROLS
147