A/m Switch - What Exactly Does It Do?

[streetdreams]

Yeah I tried to search but I dont know what its called so I just got random posts.

What does the thing left of the shifter that says A/M do? Is thats so I can shift the car myself? If so how? Or is it like a sport shift button? The car is an Automatic 92 325i. Thanks for the help.

[skawful]

A Stands for Automatic. In this mode the car will shift gears for you unless you pull the selector to a certain gear. In that case it will select between that gear or lower: so if you are in "A" mode with the selector on 2 the transmission will chose between gears 1 or 2. BUT if it is in "A" mode and in gear 3 your car will shift faster (between gears - even faster than M)

M Stands for Manual. In this mode the car only shifts gear when you move the selector. BUT (at least in my '93 325i) it won't shift into 4th (out of 4 gears in our auto trannies). But this can be usefull when you want to cruise in a gear and not shift... or whatever...

Personally I just use 3 and its the best of all worlds... But in the mornings I use A and during some sort of fun-ish driving I use M.

Have fun: and also, M will not overide your computer to over-rev the engine, which means you can't fuck up your engine with M mode.

[locutuz]

The only noteable use for M is in snowy conditions... the car will start in 1st normally and in snow or ice that means even a little throttle will send your tires into a nice slick spin..

drop it in manual, and select 2nd or 3rd gear instead... much smoother start on slick surface..

i've never even tried it honestly.. i like to spin.. but i've read that's what it's useful for.

[bitcore]

use the search button on the forums.

[streetdreams]

Originally posted by bitcore@Dec 9 2004, 05:00 PM
use the search button on the forums.

[snapback]246663[/snapback]

Did you read the very first sentance in my post?

[streetdreams]

Originally posted by locutuz@Dec 9 2004, 03:21 PM
The only noteable use for M is in snowy conditions... the car will start in 1st normally and in snow or ice that means even a little throttle will send your tires into a nice slick spin..

drop it in manual, and select 2nd or 3rd gear instead... much smoother start on slick surface..

i've never even tried it honestly.. i like to spin.. but i've read that's what it's useful for.

[snapback]246612[/snapback]

Ok thanks. So if it never snows where Im at I just should not use it. I can shift the car fine with the car in auto or manual mode, so I guess the button is pointless for me. Thanks guys.

[locutuz]

if you get an M3 you get a 3rd option.. A, S, and M. S is fun. =)

[streetdreams]

Originally posted by locutuz@Dec 9 2004, 06:08 PM
if you get an M3 you get a 3rd option.. A, S, and M. S is fun. =)

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I will ever own another auto BMW again.