Does Anyone Know What This Does? - BMW Forum

tacroteau · 03-30-2005, 12:33 PM

Does anyone know what the little thing that seems like a switch is accuating when you fully depress the gas pedal? It clicks so it must do something I would assume? I have a 97 528i.

used

325isBaby · 03-30-2005, 12:38 PM

It's a kickdown switch it is the button that recognizes that you have gone to WOT and ultimatly helps decide to down shift for more passing power.

The Deuce · 03-30-2005, 03:37 PM

I believe it switches the auto to 'sport' setting, like you moved from 'E D' to 'S 3', so to speak. you get an error if you tap it without the throttle.

325isBaby · 03-30-2005, 10:31 PM

I am 100% without a doubt that the "button" under the throttle pedal is a kickdown switch.

The Deuce · 03-30-2005, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 325isBaby@Mar 30 2005, 11:31 PM
I am 100% without a doubt that the "button" under the throttle pedal is a kickdown switch.

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But if I engage the switch while in first gear, what does it 'kickdown' to?

used

It raises the shift points off the line, similar to the sport setting, but not as high and not as hard. At least not in my car.

Slvr e39 · 03-30-2005, 10:52 PM

It doesn't do anything in first gear, just the same as if you had your foot down all the way without the button.

325isBaby · 03-30-2005, 11:06 PM

well of course it wont downshift in first gear! What would it down shift to?!?!? In the case that you go from stop to WOT (essentially 1st gear and floor it) the button acts as your WOT signal...

Papa_Bimmer · 04-01-2005, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 325isBaby@Mar 30 2005, 11:06 PM
well of course it wont downshift in first gear! What would it down shift to?!?!? In the case that you go from stop to WOT (essentially 1st gear and floor it) the button acts as your WOT signal...

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What does WOT stand for?

The Deuce · 04-01-2005, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 325isBaby@Mar 31 2005, 12:06 AM
well of course it wont downshift in first gear! What would it down shift to?!?!? In the case that you go from stop to WOT (essentially 1st gear and floor it) the button acts as your WOT signal...

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That was exactly my point. It's not really a 'kickdown' switch as it is the WOT (wide open throttle) switch. What the computer does with that information is different based on gear and speed, and I am 98% certain it raises the shift points.

4evrwyntr · 04-01-2005, 03:21 PM

It raises the shift points. All newer bmw automatics have this feature (Well, okay, I THINK they all do...) - the car will shift around redline; in rare instances you might even pass redline if you WOT close to a gear lower when you downshift...

tacroteau · 04-02-2005, 08:44 AM

Damn, sorry I asked...lol

Got it, a button, make car go faster...mmmmmmm good.

Torque · 04-02-2005, 10:04 AM

When in first and it is depressed, the car raises the shift point to right below the redline as opposed to about 4500 rpm when the switch is not in.

When you are cruising at lets say 40 mph and you stab the gas pedal, thus pushing the switch in, the car will downshift to probably 2nd, and will then hold it in second until it reaches it's high shift-point. If you still keep it in, it will go to redline in 3rd and shift etc.

325isBaby · 04-04-2005, 09:46 PM

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What does WOT stand for?

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Wide Open Throttle.

and you can believe what ever you want to about what it does or why it's there like it or not it is called a kickdown switch...I've only gone through specific BMW training but what do I know!