Automatic Transmission With Steptronic - BMW SERIE 3 CONVERTIBLE 2005 Owner's Manual

Automatic transmission with Steptronic*

In addition to the fully automatic opera-
tion, you can also shift gears manually
with Steptronic, refer to page 78.
When you move the selector lever from
the D position to the left into the M/S
range, the performance-oriented shift
programs of the automatic transmission
are engaged. Steptronic enters the
manual selection mode and executes
the desired shift whenever you tap the
selector lever in the direction indicated
by + or –. Whenever you want to use
automatic again, just move the selector
lever toward the right to position D.
Under normal operating conditions, fuel
consumption is lowest when driving in
position D.
Selector lever positions
P R N D M/S + –
Starting the engine
The engine can only be started in selec-
tor lever positions P – for Park – or N –
for Neutral.
Range selection
A catch prevents inadvertent movement
of the selector lever to positions R and
P. To deactivate the catch, press the
button on the front of the selector lever
knob, see arrow.
While the vehicle is stationary and
before shifting out of Park or Neu-
tral, depress the footbrake in order to
disengage the selector lever's lock
mechanism – Shiftlock.<
Hold the footbrake down until
starting off. Otherwise the vehicle
will 'creep' when a drive position is
engaged. To prevent the vehicle from
starting off on its own, always move the
selector lever to position P and engage
the parking brake before leaving your
vehicle with the engine running.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended
with the engine running. An unattended
vehicle with a running engine repre-
sents a safety hazard.<
P Park
Select only when the vehicle is station-
ary. Transmission locks to prevent rear
wheels from turning.
R Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is station-
ary.
N Neutral
Engage this when you are driving
through a car wash, for example. The
vehicle can roll.
D Drive, automatic shift program
This position is designed for driving
under all normal operating conditions.
All forward gears are available.
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