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EnglishControls and features -> Automatic transmission for your BMW 7 Series 2001-2007
66nAutomatic transmission
Before exiting the vehicle when
the engine is running, place the
selector lever in the "Park" or "Neutral"
position and apply the parking brake. If
you do not, the vehicle can move.
Do not leave the car unattended with
the engine running. An unattended
vehicle with a running engine repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.<
P – Park
Select "Park" only when the vehicle is
stationary. The transmission locks to
prevent the rear wheels from turning.
Selector lever positions
Changing the selector lever
position
P R N D 4 3 2
A detent prevents inadvertent shifts into
some selector lever positions. To re-
lease the shift-lock mechanism, press
the button on the front of the selector
handle (arrow).
R – Reverse
Shift programs
Select "Reverse" only when the vehicle
is stationary.
Lever positions:
> A (Adaptive/Economy)
> M (Manual)
N – Neutral
Selector lever in position 4:
While the vehicle is stationary and
before shifting out of "Park" or
Select "Neutral" only if your journey is
interrupted for a longer period.
> S (Sport program)
"Neutral," depress the footbrake in or-
der to disengage the selector lever's
lock mechanism (shift-lock).
For an explanation of the programs,
refer to the next page.
D – Drive
(automatic shift program)
Hold the footbrake down until starting
off. Otherwise, the vehicle will "creep"
when a drive position is engaged.<
Starting engine
This position is designed for driving un-
der all normal operating conditions. All
forward gears are available.
The engine can only be started in posi-
tions "Park" or "Neutral."
Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 004 597 - © 08/99 BMW Group
Automatic transmission
67n
When you select program A, the ATC
system automatically adapts to individ-
ual driving styles and road conditions to
provide optimal performance with the
selector lever at position D.
4 – Sport program
M – Manual program
This position is recommended if your
driving style is performance-oriented.
This program is for driving in one gear
(4th gear when D has been selected).
The transmission then remains in the
selected gear both when underway and
3 and 2 – Shift limiter
Because of this, the remaining selector when starting off. For instance, when
lever positions for forward driving are you make a steep ascent with the se-
Select this range when you wish to limit
gear changes (on steep uphill or down-
hill slopes, for instance). The transmis-
sion upshifts only as far as the selected
gear.
only required in extreme situations such lector lever in position 2, the transmis-
as those listed in the description of po- sion does not make undesired upshifts.
sition 2.
The same principle applies during oper-
ation on ice-covered roads: By placing
the selector lever in position 3 you can
move off gradually, and the transmis-
sion will also suppress subsequent
shifts into higher gears.
A – Adaptive program
"Kickdown"
This is the initial position that the trans-
mission selects at every start. In the po-
sitions for forward driving, the ATC
(Adaptive Transmission Control) auto-
matically selects the optimal gear from
different shift programs. To achieve
this, the system constantly adapts to
In the "Kickdown" mode, you achieve
maximum engine performance.
Press the accelerator pedal past the
increased resistance point at the full-
throttle position.
Selector lever positions
Positions 4, 3 and 2 have the function
of enhanced control over shifting – con-
Shift programs
driver characteristics (such as a moder- trol which is desired and intentionally
The automatic transmission of your
BMW is equipped with the Adaptive
Transmission Control (ATC) as standard
equipment.
ate or performance-oriented driving
style), road condition factors (slick
roads or extreme slopes, for instance)
as well as the current driving situation
(winding roads or mountain travel, for
instance).
selected.
The ATC also functions in these selec-
tor lever positions – of course with limi-
tations for gear selection imposed by
the lever position.
For details concerning ATC, please re-
fer to the chapter titled "Advanced
Technology" on page 188.
Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 004 597 - © 08/99 BMW Group
68nAutomatic transmission
If the indicator lamp does not go out, all
selector lever positions can still be se-
lected, however in the forward posi-
tions the vehicle has limited perfor-
mance as it drives only in 3rd or 4th
gear.
Special functions
Control of the winter program
In program A, the Adaptive Transmis-
sion Control influences several special
functions in the selection of the drive
gear.
A winter program is automatically se-
lected when the vehicle is operated on
slippery road surfaces (snow and ice).
When this program is active, the trans-
mission starts in 2nd gear and shifts
into the higher gears earlier. This pro-
gram improves response under winter
driving conditions by providing en-
hanced traction and vehicle stability.
With the system active, some shifts that
would be made in other modes will be
suppressed. The system also reacts to
special situations by executing shifts
that would not occur with a conven-
tional transmission.
Under these circumstances, avoid
extreme engine loads and consult the
nearest authorized BMW center.
Do not work in the engine com-
partment when a drive gear (for-
ward or reverse) is engaged. If you do
this, the vehicle could move.<
ATC leaves the winter program when it
registers a high-traction road surface,
when the Sport program is selected
and when ASC+T/DSC is deactivated.
For towing and jump-starting the vehi-
cle, refer to pages 183, 184.
Electronic transmission control
module
If the message "TRANS. FAILSAFE
PROG" appears in the Check Control,
there is a fault in the gearshift electronic
system or in the transmission itself.
Bring the vehicle to a stop, select trans-
mission position "P", set the parking
brake and turn the engine off (ignition
key to position 0).
Wait a few seconds, then start the en-
gine. If the indicator lamp goes out after
a few seconds, normal transmission
performance has been restored. Drive
off normally.
Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 004 597 - © 08/99 BMW Group
