Get Controls and features -> Automatic transmission Guide for BMW 7 Series 4 Door Fourth Generation (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.

Controls and features -> Automatic transmission for Your BMW 7 Series 4 Door Fourth Generation (2001-2007)

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