BMW 3: Shift paddles
Concept
The shift paddles on the steering wheel allow you to shift gears quickly while keeping both hands on the steering wheel.
General information
Shifting
The vehicle only shifts at suitable engine and road speeds.
Short-term manual mode
In selector lever position D, actuating a shift paddle switches into manual mode temporarily.
After conservative driving in manual mode without acceleration or shifting via the shift paddles for a certain amount of time, the transmission switches back to automatic mode.
It is possible to switch into automatic mode as follows:
- Pull and hold right shift paddle.
- In addition to the briefly pulled right shift paddle, briefly pull the left shift paddle.
Continuous manual mode
In selector lever position S, actuating a shift paddle switches into manual mode permanently.
Steptronic Sport transmission
With the appropriate transmission version, the lowest possible gear can be selected by simultaneously activating kickdown and operating the left shift paddles. This is not possible in short-term manual mode.
Shifting
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- To shift up: briefly pull right shift paddle.
- To shift down: briefly pull left shift paddle.
- The lowest possible gear can be selected by pulling and holding the left shift paddle.
The selected gear is briefly displayed in the instrument cluster, followed by the current gear.
Displays in the instrument cluster
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The selector lever position is
displayed,
for example P.
Electronic unlocking of the transmission lock
General information
Electronically unlock the transmission lock to maneuver vehicle from a danger area.
Unlocking is possible, if the starter can spin the engine.
Before unlocking the transmission lock, set the parking brake to prevent the vehicle from rolling away.
Engaging selector lever position N
1. Press and hold down brake pedal.
2. Press the Start/Stop button. The starter must audibly start. Hold the Start/Stop button pressed.
3. With your free hand, press the button on the selector lever, arrow 1, and press the selector lever into selector lever position N and hold, arrow N, until selector lever position N is displayed in the instrument cluster.
A Check Control message is displayed.
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4. Release Start/Stop button and selector lever.
5. Release brake, as soon as the starter stops.
6. Maneuver the vehicle from the danger area and secure it against moving on its own.
For additional information, see the chapter on tow-starting and towing.
READ NEXT:
Launch Control
Concept
Launch Control enables optimum acceleration
on surfaces with good traction under dry surrounding
conditions.
General information
The use of Launch Control causes premature
component wear since
Instrument cluster
Concept
The instrument cluster is a variable display.
When you change to a different program via Driving
Dynamics Control, the displays in the instrument
cluster adapt to the respective driving
mode.
SEE MORE:
Vehicle features and
options
This Owner's Manual describes all models and
all standard, country-specific and optional equipment
that is offered in the model series. Therefore,
this Owner's Manual also describes and illustrates
features and functions that are not
available in a vehicle, for example because of the
selected option
With an emergency wheel:
enlarging the cargo area
Concept
The emergency wheel and any related components
can be temporarily removed to enlarge the
cargo area.
Removing the emergency wheel
and the storage compartments
1. To remove the cargo area floor, pull it upward
directly behind the rear backrests.
2. Remove tool holder and emergency wheel.
3.
