Owner's Manual for the vehicle. With a quick reference ... - E38.org

Automatic transmission
63n
4 - Sport program
This position is recommended if your
driving style is performance-oriented.
3 and 2 - Shift limiter
Select this range when you wish to limit
gear changes (on steep uphill or downhill
slopes, for instance). The transmission
upshifts only as far as the selected
gear.
"Kickdown"
(automatic downshift)
In the "Kickdown" mode, you achieve
maximum performance.
Press the accelerator pedal past the increased
resistance point at the fullthrottle
position.
Shift programs
The automatic transmission of your
BMW is equipped with the Adaptive
Transmission Control (ATC) as standard
equipment.
When you select program A, the ATC
system automatically adapts to individual
driving styles and road conditions to
provide optimal performance with the
selector lever at position D.
Because of this, the remaining selector
lever positions for forward driving are
only required in extreme situations such
as those listed in the description of position
2.
A - Adaptive program
This is the initial position that the transmission
selects at every start. In the positions
for forward driving, the ATC
(Adaptive Transmission Control) automatically
selects the optimal gear from
different shift programs. To achieve
this, the system constantly adapts to
driver characteristics (such as a moderate
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).
For details concerning ATC, please refer
to the chapter titled "Advanced
Technology" on page 184.
M – Manual program
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
when starting off. For instance, when
you make a steep ascent with the selector
lever in position 2, the transmission
does not make undesired upshifts.
The same principle applies during operation
on ice-covered roads: By placing
the selector lever in position 3 you can
move off gradually, and the transmission
will also suppress subsequent
shifts into higher gears.
Selector lever positions
Positions 4, 3 and 2 have the function of
enhanced control over shifting – control
which is desired and intentionally selected.
The ATC also functions in these selector
lever positions – of course with limitations
for gear selection imposed by
the lever position.
Index Data Technology Repairs Car care Controls Overview