Transmission selector logic

wrickem · 09-23-2013, 10:01 AM

Out of all of the cars I've owned, this is just my 3rd with automatic transmission and I am trying to figure out the logic for the transmission selector.

Why is it that you push the transmission selector lever forward to go in reverse, and pull backwards to go forward. I understood when it was PRNDLL all in one line, but since it's unlike those others and had a practically clean slate when it was redesigned why did they do it this way?

I'm sure I will get used to it, but I hope it is before I smash into a wall maneuvering it around my driveway.

BimmerMsport · 09-23-2013, 10:12 AM

Because you have to assume the car always starts up in neutral. Up from N is R and down from N is D. Real simple.

wrickem · 09-23-2013, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BimmerMsport

Because you have to assume the car always starts up in neutral. Up from N is R and down from N is D. Real simple.

Thank you! That is how I will try to remember it - to assume the car starts in neutral. Hopefully, I won't hit the wall.

I am curious , if you were someone always used to having an automatic, and they reversed it, would that screw you up? (forward to go to D, backwards to go in R)

BimmerMsport · 09-23-2013, 09:07 PM

I was driving a manual trans before my f10 and I drive a lot of different cars in my field of work so it's not all that strange for me when I hop in my car. You should try a newer Jag with the rotary knob as a gear selector, now that's weird.

wrickem · 09-24-2013, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BimmerMsport

I was driving a manual trans before my f10 and I drive a lot of different cars in my field of work so it's not all that strange for me when I hop in my car. You should try a newer Jag with the rotary knob as a gear selector, now that's weird.

It's probably the same rotary knob that Range Rover uses in their Evoque. That was on my "short list" when I was breaking the pattern of my 2-door manual transmission "box" I've been stuck in my whole life this time. You are not kidding, that knob that popped up really was weird!

Beancounter_74 · 09-24-2013, 07:15 AM

It's what you get used to though

. I have the 8 speed rotary dial in my RRSport currently (new 520d MSport on order

) and at first it seemed weird, but not I hope in and don't think anything of it. It is a little slow doing a 3 point turn etc though.

The X Men · 09-24-2013, 08:04 AM

BMW use to to an airplane engine company, in an airplane, you pull back the yoke to go up and push forward to go down, I guess it is similar in logic.

Luigi524TD · 09-24-2013, 08:36 AM

One thing to get used to really quick because if you touch the PARK button while rolling slowly ... the car will JERK TO A STOP! That said, when you drive forward or backward and stop it only takes a touch on P and the car goes into park without any additional shifter movement!

Also, if driving in SPORT mode, the shifter must be moved to the right (the normal gate position) in order to place the car in REVERSE. A bit of an annoyance if, for example, driving in SP and then having to reverse into a parking space or driveway.

BMWrules7 · 09-24-2013, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luigi524TD

One thing to get used to really quick because if you touch the PARK button while rolling slowly ... the car will JERK TO A STOP! That said, when you drive forward or backward and stop it only takes a touch on P and the car goes into park without any additional shifter movement!

Also, if driving in SPORT mode, the shifter must be moved to the right (the normal gate position) in order to place the car in REVERSE. A bit of an annoyance if, for example, driving in SP and then having to reverse into a parking space or driveway.

What if I want to drive sporty going backwards?

Andy H. · 09-24-2013, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luigi524TD

One thing to get used to really quick because if you touch the PARK button while rolling slowly ... the car will JERK TO A STOP! That said, when you drive forward or backward and stop it only takes a touch on P and the car goes into park without any additional shifter movement!

Also, if driving in SPORT mode, the shifter must be moved to the right (the normal gate position) in order to place the car in REVERSE. A bit of an annoyance if, for example, driving in SP and then having to reverse into a parking space or driveway.

LOL! I learned this the hard way. Had the shifter set in the left position. Circled up to my driveway to back in. Pulled back on the shifter, assuming it went into reverse, hit the gas pedal to back in and the car moved forward, as it was in Drive instead. I couldn't figure out why the hell, when I pulled back on the shifter, it wouldn't go into reverse!!! Took me a moment of just staring at the dash, shifter, etc before it dawned on me that the lever was in the left-of-center position!

gorban · 09-24-2013, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWrules7

What if I want to drive sporty going backwards?

Then you honk the horn and push down both pedals before you select reverse. This will engage the sport reverse but only if you opted for the warp mode transmission.

The X Men · 09-24-2013, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWrules7

What if I want to drive sporty going backwards?

Then use the sport button instead of the shifter. Of course you know that reverse only have one gear, so the sport shift map will not do you much good

nabego · 09-24-2013, 03:22 PM

This is so because it is the same in competition cars.

wrickem · 09-24-2013, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gorban

Then you honk the horn and push down both pedals before you select reverse. This will engage the sport reverse but only if you opted for the warp mode transmission.

I don't think that comes on x-drive models

09-23-2013, 10:01 AM	#1
wrickem Big Beaver Smile 2101 Rep 3,791 Posts Drives: What he wants to Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: lambertville nj iTrader: (0)	Transmission selector logic Out of all of the cars I've owned, this is just my 3rd with automatic transmission and I am trying to figure out the logic for the transmission selector. Why is it that you push the transmission selector lever forward to go in reverse, and pull backwards to go forward. I understood when it was PRNDLL all in one line, but since it's unlike those others and had a practically clean slate when it was redesigned why did they do it this way? I'm sure I will get used to it, but I hope it is before I smash into a wall maneuvering it around my driveway. __________________ ______________________________________________ Current- '21 430 , '19 911, 07 M6 ,'17 Jeep Wrangler, "23 Bronco OBXluxsquatch
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09-23-2013, 10:12 AM	#2
BimmerMsport Private 1 Rep 55 Posts Drives: '13 535i AW M Sport Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: socal iTrader: (0)	Because you have to assume the car always starts up in neutral. Up from N is R and down from N is D. Real simple.
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09-23-2013, 09:07 PM	#4
BimmerMsport Private 1 Rep 55 Posts Drives: '13 535i AW M Sport Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: socal iTrader: (0)	I was driving a manual trans before my f10 and I drive a lot of different cars in my field of work so it's not all that strange for me when I hop in my car. You should try a newer Jag with the rotary knob as a gear selector, now that's weird.
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09-24-2013, 07:15 AM	#6
Beancounter_74 Colonel 602 Rep 2,246 Posts Drives: M140i F20, 449i F33 Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Essex iTrader: (0)	It's what you get used to though . I have the 8 speed rotary dial in my RRSport currently (new 520d MSport on order ) and at first it seemed weird, but not I hope in and don't think anything of it. It is a little slow doing a 3 point turn etc though.
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09-24-2013, 08:04 AM	#7
The X Men Colonel 99 Rep 2,323 Posts Drives: 2013 X3 35i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: MA iTrader: (0)	BMW use to to an airplane engine company, in an airplane, you pull back the yoke to go up and push forward to go down, I guess it is similar in logic.
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09-24-2013, 08:36 AM	#8
Luigi524TD Private First Class 34 Rep 156 Posts Drives: 2023 X5 45e MSport Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Southern NJ iTrader: (0)	One thing to get used to really quick because if you touch the PARK button while rolling slowly ... the car will JERK TO A STOP! That said, when you drive forward or backward and stop it only takes a touch on P and the car goes into park without any additional shifter movement! Also, if driving in SPORT mode, the shifter must be moved to the right (the normal gate position) in order to place the car in REVERSE. A bit of an annoyance if, for example, driving in SP and then having to reverse into a parking space or driveway. __________________ My opinions are free - you'll get exactly what you pay for! Current: 2023 X5 45e MSport 2013 X1 3.5 MSport 1998 Z3 2.8
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09-24-2013, 03:22 PM	#13
nabego Enlisted Member 6 Rep 48 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Spain iTrader: (0)	This is so because it is the same in competition cars.
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