How Does The "m" Switch Work For Auto?

[jamesw]

I use the "Sport" mode quite often, but have never try the "M" mode.
Could anyone let me know how does the "M" switch work please? Thanks.

Regards,

James

[Casey3561]

M Mode, at least on the '93, is somewhat similar to a Tiptronic shift. Start car, press M, and shift into first or reverse, whatever you need. Then, drive it essentially as you would a stick. It's just missing a clutch pedal.

I like it for snow as I can control the gear and keep it in first or second. It's also nice if you get stuck.

[mmclaren]

usually for towing keeps it in the lower gears

[Cruzin 323is]

there was a nice topic on this not to long ago.. lemmie see if i can find it!

[Cruzin 323is]

http://www.bmw-forums.com/forum/index.php?...8780&hl=shifter

[Rooz]

SO, let me get this straight, you put your car in first gear, push the M thingy, then as you accelerate, you move the gear up (as needed) form 1-2-3-D???

[Cruzin 323is]

apparently!

[Rooz]

Has someoen ever done this, I mean, i don't really wanna blow up my transmission just to see what that button does, lol

[Jamez]

Originally posted by Rooz@Jan 30 2005, 11:42 AM
Has someoen ever done this, I mean, i don't really wanna blow up my transmission just to see what that button does, lol

[snapback]282417[/snapback]

I do it everyday... you get the most sound out of your car using manual shift. You will tend to suck up more gas since you will tend to shift at higher RPM's...but we all have our own way of driving so drive on.

[bitcore]

Search the forum for "manual button" There's a better thread than that one.

[jkh2828]

Checked out some of the old posts on this - and most of them are full of BS.

First of all, you can shift "manually" either in A or M.

If you are driving 100mph, and hit M, it will NOT downshift into 3.

If you have it in M, and gear selector at 3, you don't start out in 3rd.

In the A or M case, with the selector in 2 - you are limited to 2, the car will not shift into 3 or 4.

Finally, I know one function is that if you are driving 60 mph eg, and hit M, you will downshift into 3rd - which acts as a "passing" switch to downshift - so you don't have to fumble with the shifter (and possibly drop it into 2nd).

If you are ever driving around, try shifting! If you are going 20 mph in traffic, or driving "slowly" eg, not rapidly accelerating, your car will be in 3rd, and possibly 4th. The car senses throttle position and throttle position fluctuations, so if you are in traffic there is no need to be reving at 3000 rpm at 20 mph, so the car puts you in 3rd. If you did really want to jump at it at this point, you could manually downshift, or press the gas to hit the "kickdown" switch under the gas pedal, which will downshift to the lowest gear possible.

You can experimentally test this by manually shifting into 3, 2 and then 1 (if you are going slow enough) and see if your rpms change.

[Jamez]

Also manual shift limits you at around 115mph

[jkh2828]

Originally posted by Jamez@Jan 31 2005, 11:54 AM
Also manual shift limits you at around 115mph

[snapback]283223[/snapback]

you're in 4th gear - how does the swith have any effect at this speed? Can you go faster in A?