Deutsch
EnglishControls and features -> Automatic transmission with Steptronic for your BMW 7 Series 2001-2007
Automatic transmission with Steptronic*
69n
You may drive your vehicle as with a
typical automatic transmission, but you
may also shift manually.
When you move the selector lever to
the left from position "D" and into the
M/S shift level, the performance-ori-
ented shift programs of the automatic
transmission are activated. As soon as
you move the selector lever in the "+"
or "–" direction, Steptronic changes the
gear and the manual mode is active. If
you wish to utilize automatic shifting
once again, move the selector lever to
Selector lever positions
Range selection
the right and into the D position.
P R N D M/S + –
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).
The automatic transmission of your
BMW is equipped with an Adaptive
Transmission Control (ATC). This sys-
tem reacts with precision to your indi-
vidual driving style and the current driv-
ing conditions. Different shift programs
are utilized to achieve this.
Starting the engine
The engine can only be started in selec-
tor lever positions P ("Park") or N ("Neu-
tral").
While the vehicle is stationary and
before shifting out of "Park" or
"Neutral," depress the footbrake in or-
der to disengage the selector lever's
lock mechanism (shift-lock).
For details concerning ATC, please re-
fer to the chapter describing "Advanced
technology" on page 188.
Hold the footbrake down until starting
off. Otherwise, the vehicle will "creep"
when a drive position is engaged.<
Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 004 597 - © 08/99 BMW Group
70nAutomatic transmission with Steptronic*
Before exiting the vehicle when
the engine is running, place the
"Kickdown"
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 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 ve-
hicle with a running engine represents a
potential safety hazard.<
P – Park
Select "Park" only when the vehicle is
stationary. The transmission locks to
prevent the rear wheels from turning.
M/S – Manual mode and
Sport Program
When you change from "D" to M/S, the
Sport program is activated. This is indi-
cated by "D S" in the gear display. This
position is recommended if your driving
style is performance-oriented.
R – Reverse
Select "Reverse" only when the vehicle
is stationary.
N – Neutral
With the first brief touch, the automatic
transmission shifts from the Sport pro-
gram to manual mode.
Select "Neutral" only if your journey is
interrupted for a long period.
When you move the selector lever for-
ward in the "+" direction, the transmis-
sion shifts up. When moved back in the
"–" direction, the transmission shifts
down.
D – Drive
(automatic shift program)
This position is designed for driving un-
der all normal operating conditions. All
forward gears are available.
Depending on the version, "1 to 5" or
"M1 to M5" appears in the gear display.
Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 004 597 - © 08/99 BMW Group
Automatic transmission with Steptronic*
Indicator/Headlamp flasher 71n
The ATC will execute upshifts or down-
shifts only at appropriate engine and
road speeds. For example, the trans-
mission does not shift down when the
engine speed is too high. The selected
gear will appear briefly in the instrument
cluster, followed by the current gear.
Electronic transmission control
module
If the "TRANS. FAILSAFE PROG" mes-
sage appears in the Check Control,
there is a malfunction in the transmis-
sion system.
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).
To accelerate quickly in the man-
ual mode (to pass another vehicle,
for instance), shift down manually or
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.
use the kickdown.
<
1 High beam (blue indicator)
You can only change from M/S to the
selector lever positions "P," "R" and "N"
via the "D" position.
2 Headlamp flasher (blue indicator)
3 Turn signal (green indicator accom-
panied by a rhythmic clicking sound
from the relay)
If the indicator lamp does not go out,
all selector lever positions can still be
selected, however in the forward posi-
tions the vehicle has limited perfor-
mance as it drives only in 3rd or 4th
gear.
In the following situations, the Step-
tronic "thinks" for you in the manual
mode:
If the indicator lamp and the clicking
from the relay are both faster than nor-
mal, one of the turn indicators has
failed.
> In order to prevent engine over-
speeding, the transmission shifts au-
tomatically to the next higher gear
shortly before the RPM cutoff point
> At low speeds, the transmission
shifts down automatically - you do
not have to act
Under these circumstances, avoid
extreme engine loads and consult the
nearest authorized BMW center.
To signal briefly
Press the lever up to but not beyond
the detent. It then returns to the center
position when released.
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.<
> In the kickdown mode, the transmis-
sion shifts down to the lowest possi-
ble gear based on the engine speed
> Depending on the situation – when
driving in adverse winter conditions,
for example – you may also start out
in 2nd or 3rd gear.
For towing or jump-starting the vehicle,
refer to pages 183, 184.
Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 004 597 - © 08/99 BMW Group
