Automatic Transmission (AT)*

Your BMW automatic transmission is equipped with the Adaptive Gearshift System (AGS). The Adaptive Gearshift System (AGS) selects the most suitable shift pattern for vehicles equipped with an AT, taking into account many factors. The system considers your individual driving style, traffic conditions, road surface and traffic situation.

The AGS system determines your individual driving style by evaluating the position and speed of accelerator pedal movement, deceleration during braking and the lateral accelerations acting on the vehicle in corners. From four different programs, ranging from exceptionally comfortable to one geared to maximum vehicle performance, the AGS system selects the one most suitable for the situation.

To take driving conditions into account, the system detects curves, uphill and downhill gradients. When cornering at high speed, it does not upshift. On uphill gradients, upshifts occur only at high engine speeds to make better use of engine power. On downhill gradients, the system downshifts if it detects increasing vehicle speed and brake pedal application.

Regarding road surface conditions, the AGS system monitors the friction coefficient between the tires and the road surface. On snow or ice, it automatically switches to the winter program. For starting off, second gear is used, upshifts are performed early, and on downhill gradients in mountains, downshifts are not performed despite brake pedal application. This allows you to feel the situation more precisely and contributes to greater driving safety. As soon as the system detects a road with good traction, it switches back to the normal program. The winter program is also deactivated if you move the AT selector lever from position "D" to "S", "3" or "2", or if you switch off ASC+T.

The AGS system is able to detect the traffic situation, which ensures the greatest possible comfort. For example, it recognizes stop-and-go traffic and keeps only second gear engaged until it detects an increased demand for acceleration.

Of course, the automatic transmission can also be operated manually. You can make full use of the vehicle's performance by moving the AT selector lever from position "D" to "S", "3" or "2". Positions "3" and "2" limit the maximum gear available. Position "2" is intended primarily for driving on steep mountain roads or when the vehicle is heavily loaded.

AT Selector Lever Positions

AT Selector Lever Positions

P, R, N, D, S, 3, 2
The gear indication differs depending on the vehicle equipment.

Changing the AT selector lever position

The engine can only be started with the AT selector lever in position P or N.

Before engaging a forward gear, depress the brake pedal, since the vehicle will creep slowly forward even at idle if a forward gear is engaged.

After moving the lever to a forward driving position, wait until the gear engages, indicated by a slight jolt, and only then depress the accelerator pedal.

Before leaving the vehicle with the engine running, move the AT selector lever to position P or N and apply the parking brake.

A release button (shown by the arrow) is located on the front of the selector lever handle. It prevents the selector lever from being moved into certain positions by mistake.

To release the lock, press the button.

If the selector lever is moved to position N by mistake while driving at high engine speed, release the accelerator pedal immediately. Wait until the engine returns to idle speed, then move the selector lever to the required position.

P - Park
Select only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop.

R - Reverse
Select only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop.

N - Neutral
Select only during extended stops. Selecting N while the vehicle is moving is permitted only in an emergency, such as to counteract a skid.

D - Drive, automatic gear shifting
This position is for normal driving. All forward gears shift automatically. The AGS system operates without any restrictions.

S - Sport program
When the selector lever is in this position, the AGS system uses the sport program only. The automatic transmission shifts up to 4th gear (on the BMW 525tds, up to 5th gear).
Select the sport program when you want shift behavior geared to using the available power reserve, regardless of your actual driving style.

3 and 2 - Mountain roads and engine braking
Select to limit the number of gears in use, for example on steep uphill or downhill grades in mountains. Shifts occur automatically, but only up to the selected limiting gear.
In position 3, the sport program is active.
Position 2, thanks to its suitable gear ratios, is especially useful when towing a trailer.

The transmission downshifts when the vehicle speed drops accordingly.

Kick-Down (maximum acceleration mode)

Activated by pressing the accelerator pedal fully down. The automatic transmission downshifts to provide maximum vehicle acceleration.

Electronic transmission control system

If the warning lamp illuminates, or the message "Getriebenotprogramm" (transmission emergency program) appears in the self-diagnosis display, a malfunction has occurred in either the shift control electronics or the transmission itself.

In this case, the selector lever can still be moved to any position. However, when a forward gear is selected, the vehicle will move only in fourth or fifth gear.

Therefore, avoid heavy loads and drive to the nearest BMW service center.

Never carry out work in the engine compartment with the selector lever in a driving position.

For push-starting, jump-starting from an external battery, and towing a malfunctioning vehicle, refer to the section Jacking and Towing.

Steptronic* System

Although your vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission with the AGS system, you can also shift gears manually.

For manual shifting, move the selector lever from position D to the left, to the M/S line. This activates the sport shift program. Tap the lever toward "+" or "-" to command the Steptronic system to shift gears. To return to automatic shifting, move the selector lever to the right, to position D.

Possible selector lever positions P, R, N, D, M/S
D — Adaptive program
S — Sport program
M — Manual shifting
+ — Upshift
— — Downshift

The selector lever position indication differs depending on the vehicle equipment.

The adaptive program (selector lever position D) allows you to use the advantages of the AGS system.

Instructions for manual shifting in M/S mode are provided below.

Changing the selector lever position

There is a lock button on the front of the AT selector lever handle (shown by the arrow) that prevents the lever from being moved to the R and P positions by mistake. To release the lock, press this button.

The engine can only be started with the AT selector lever in position P or N.

Before shifting into a forward drive position, depress the brake pedal, as the vehicle will creep slowly forward even at idle when a forward gear is engaged.

After moving the lever to the forward drive position, wait until the gear engages, which is accompanied by a slight jolt, and only then depress the accelerator pedal.

If you want to leave the vehicle with the engine running, move the AT selector lever to position P or N and apply the parking brake.

If the lever is moved to position N by mistake while driving at high engine speed, release the accelerator immediately. Wait until the engine returns to idle speed, and then move the lever to the required position.

P - Park position
Engage only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop. The drive wheels are locked.

R - Reverse gear
Engage only after the vehicle has come to a stop.

N - Neutral position
Engage only during extended stops in traffic. Engaging N while the vehicle is moving is permitted only in the event of a risk of skidding.

D - Normal driving mode with automatic gear shifting
This is the normal driving mode. All forward gears shift automatically. The AGS system is active.

Maximum acceleration mode (Kick-Down)

For rapid acceleration, the accelerator pedal can be pressed past the full-throttle position. The point of increased resistance must be passed.

M/S - Manual mode and sport program
When shifting from D to M/S, the sport program is activated, as indicated by the letter S on the shift program indicator.

In position S, the AGS system uses only the most sporty shift program. The AT will shift only up to 4th gear.

The sport program is recommended if, regardless of your actual driving style, you wish to use a shift pattern aimed at making use of the available power reserve.

If you move the lever forward in the "+" direction, the transmission shifts up, and if you move the lever in the "-" direction, it shifts down. The first touch also switches to manual control.

Depending on the vehicle equipment, the selected gear is displayed as 1...5 or M1...M5 on the indicator.

Impermissible upshifts or downshifts are ignored; for example, downshifts at excessively high engine speed are not carried out. The selected gear is briefly displayed on the instrument cluster. When several shifts are performed in succession, the last impermissible gear selected is displayed briefly. Then the currently engaged gear is displayed.

When driving in manual mode, to accelerate from 4th or 5th gear at low speed, for example when overtaking, the downshift must be made manually or by using the "Kick-Down" function.

Shifting from M to P, R, N is possible only through position D.

The "Steptronic" system takes over in the following situations:
- To prevent the engine speed from exceeding impermissible values, an upshift is performed shortly before the speed limited by the governor is reached.
- At low speed, a downshift is performed without your intervention.
- Using the maximum acceleration function causes a shift to the lowest gear possible at the given engine speed.

Depending on the situation, for example in winter conditions, starting off may be performed in 2nd or 3rd gear.

Electronic transmission control system

If the warning lamp illuminates or the message "Getriebenotprogramm" (transmission emergency program) appears on the self-diagnostic display, a malfunction has occurred either in the shift control electronics or in the transmission itself.

In this case, the AT selector lever can still be moved to any position; however, when a forward drive position is engaged, the vehicle will move only in fourth or fifth gear.

Therefore, avoid high loads and drive to the nearest BMW service station.

Work in the engine compartment must never be carried out with the AT selector lever in a driving position.

Procedures for starting the engine by towing or from an external battery, as well as for towing a malfunctioning vehicle, are given in the section Jacking and Towing.