[project6]

Greetings all,
First BMW in the family. 08 328i with auto transmission. Is it normal for the gear shift lever to be able to be pushed in to reverse without depressing the lock button on the lever? (Brakes applied...otherwise,it won't go into D or R )

On my other cars, you can shift from N to D without depressing the lock button, but you need it to go into reverse. I thought it was a safety mechanism to keep you from pushing the lever to reverse un-intentionally.

I also read the manual and it states that "a lock prevents you from inadvertently engaging selector lever positions R and P". I don't think this is the case with this car.

Do I need to bring it in?

[edirtaynine]

lock button?

[project6]

Originally Posted by edirtaynine

lock button?

The button on the front of the gear selector lever. I guess technically it is an "unlock button".

Do you know the answer or did you want to clarify the "lock button"?

[zzzbullseye]

You have to depress the button to go from P to R and vice versa, I didn't think to check R to N and vice versa, but I suspect you have to depress the button for those actions as well.

[project6]

That's the thing, I can go straight from D to N to R without depressing the button. I noticed it as I was backing up in to my garage. I was on D and I just pushed the lever forward and it went straight to R.

I have to depress the button going to any gear if on P. The reverse position is what baffles me. None of my other vehicles will ever go to R without depressing that button. Is this a BMW only feature?

Sorry for the ignorance. I just wanted to clarify.

[Bimmer335i07]

It's controlled by the computer. You can be going 50mph and shift it from D to R and nothing will happen.

[zzzbullseye]

Originally Posted by Bimmer335i07

It's controlled by the computer. You can be going 50mph and shift it from D to R and nothing will happen.

^^^ I suspect this is right. ^^^


For the record, this is the shift lever behavior while sitting at a stop with your foot on the brake:

P > R - requires button depressed
R > P - requires button depressed

R > N - does not require button depressed
N > R - requires button depressed

N > D - does not require button depressed
D > N - does not require button depressed

R > N > D does not require button depressed (note: this is while rolling in reverse slowly)

BTW...this is where someone from the manual transmission fanboi crowd chimes in with a snarky "autotragic" comment...

[edirtaynine]

ohhh that "button" lol.

[project6]

Originally Posted by zzzbullseye

^^^ I suspect this is right. ^^^


For the record, this is the shift lever behavior while sitting at a stop with your foot on the brake:

P > R - requires button depressed
R > P - requires button depressed
R > N - does not require button depressed

This happens.

Originally Posted by zzzbullseye

N > R - requires button depressed

THIS does not happen. I can go from N > R without depressing the button.

Originally Posted by zzzbullseye

N > D - does not require button depressed
D > N - does not require button depressed

R > N > D does not require button depressed (note: this is while rolling in reverse slowly)

BTW...this is where someone from the manual transmission fanboi crowd chimes in with a snarky "autotragic" comment...

That's okay. Fanbois will be fanbois, hence the term "bois" or "boys". These forums will always have the insecure kids who likes to proclaim they have biggest e-cock on the planet

[zzzbullseye]

Originally Posted by project6

THIS does not happen. I can go from N > R without depressing the button.

Hmm...I'd have the dealer take a look at it next time you're in for service. If you're still under warranty, any repair should be covered. In the interim, I don't think it's a big problem, just something to be mindful of.

[project6]

Ok, thanks. The car only has 32K miles and still under warranty. I'll have them take a look at it. I just don't want to go to the service department and find out that it is normal behavior.

[zzzbullseye]

Originally Posted by project6

Ok, thanks. The car only has 32K miles and still under warranty. I'll have them take a look at it. I just don't want to go to the service department and find out that it is normal behavior.

I don't think it's "normal", but I also don't think it's a big enough issue to make a special trip to the dealer, just add it to the list of items to check next time you're in for service.