Does anyone know what the A-M button does?

[Flom]

there's a button next to the gear shift on my 96 convertible 328 and i have no idea what it does. it has A - M on it. any ideas?

[coversion]

the A-M is supposed to be how you switch from driving your A - Automatic in M- manual mode. ie, press on the M, then drop the lever down to (1) and click through the gears as needed. However, in M- mode you only get use of your first three gears until you press the A again. I also notice you can do the same thing while in A the whole time, but I assume it may be better on the Tranny?

[bigred318]

Originally posted by coversion@Aug 11 2004, 11:32 AM
the A-M is supposed to be how you switch from driving your A - Automatic in M- manual mode. ie, press on the M, then drop the lever down to (1) and click through the gears as needed. However, in M- mode you only get use of your first three gears until you press the A again. I also notice you can do the same thing while in A the whole time, but I assume it may be better on the Tranny?

yeah you can do that in a too but i havent heard if its better for the tranny or just deletes the electronic overdrive or what!

DAvid

[97M3/4]

I thought that button was to change the way the auto tranny shifts gears. A being for normal driving, and B for more agressive driving.

[Live_the_Curves]

I am confused, I always use it as a manual mode which allow me to shift all 4 gears when i want them.


1,2,3, and D is the 4th gear.

This has been working fine for me for a long time.

[skawful]

D is not 4th gear, but when you select D and push a then it is 4th gear...

This is VERY usefull for me...
now that my rev limit is 7,000 instead of 6,500
i can drop it (at 40mph) to First gear and throw 200 horses to the drivetrain instantly...
way cool
but if your in A then your computer shifts for you, usually at 6450 or so

[skawful]

*before in my stock 325, i could only floor it at 40 in second gear, pushing 120 or so horses, so chips rule for autos...
I'll get a video of what i'm talking about tonight...

[Live_the_Curves]

In the e36 manual it says D is the 4th gear when you're using the M (sports mode).

If its not the 4 th, just wondering what is D when you're in the M mode.

[skawful]

trust me D is not 4th, or atleast not in my car

[coversion]

At least on mine, when you switch to D in M-mode, there is no gear change until you press the A button. Clicking up to D keeps you in 3rd until you push A