I have auto and manual transmision

chriswells08 · 12-19-2008, 03:05 PM

I have a 1998 318ti sport and it has a button I can push to switch from automatic transmission to manual. I've never seen this before. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this feature? And what kind of problems could I possibly experiance later on down the road? It has 98,000 miles on it and has been well taken care of . I haven't noticed any problems yet, which is good. Also I use auto mostly unless I'm trying to get some speed off the line or to pass someone then I'll switch to manual and drop it down. Any info or advice would help. Thanks!

Maverix · 12-20-2008, 04:55 AM

When you press the "M" button for manual, it lowers the idle that keeps the car going 5mph, to 1-2mph.

ATF · 12-20-2008, 05:14 AM

I've always been under the impression the 'M' button is strictly for towing or bad weather. That way it stays in the gear you've selected. 'Sport Mode' if I recall correctly, drop the selector into third and leave it in third and leave 'A' selected and it will shift through 1st - 2nd - 3rd for you. If you're getting on the highway or need 4th, bring it up to 'D'.

CirrusSR22 · 12-20-2008, 05:21 AM

I've played around with it a lot, and haven't found it to be very useful. Putting it in "3", the sporty mode is much better. It downshifts more readily and waits to upshift longer.

chriswells08 · 12-20-2008, 06:21 AM

Which would you suppose gets better gas mileage?

Maverix · 12-20-2008, 08:17 AM

Auto is the best. Try driving in manual mode for 1 day straight, and you will see that you actually get 10mpg. And by manual mode, i mean by pressing the "M" button, and using the manual gear box to shift gears.

ATF · 12-20-2008, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverix

Auto is the best. Try driving in manual mode for 1 day straight, and you will see that you actually get 10mpg. And by manual mode, i mean by pressing the "M" button, and using the manual gear box to shift gears.

You really shouldn't do this, these BMW's aren't steptronic.

chriswells08 · 12-21-2008, 02:01 AM

What do you mean by "steptronic"? I've never heard that term before.

CirrusSR22 · 12-21-2008, 02:52 AM

The newer BMWs have a steptronic automatic which means there's a position for shifting the automatic manually. You move the lever over and shift up and down as you wish. The system on the 318ti is not meant to operate that way. It's more to let you hold a gear, vs shift up and down the entire range.

Maverix · 12-21-2008, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CirrusSR22

The newer BMWs have a steptronic automatic which means there's a position for shifting the automatic manually. You move the lever over and shift up and down as you wish. The system on the 318ti is not meant to operate that way. It's more to let you hold a gear, vs shift up and down the entire range.

I don't do it daily. Only when I race, and need to hold the gear a bit longer so it can leave me off at a higher RPM on the next gear. Other than that, it's a good way to learn how a manual operates too. I've never driven a manual, but I feel like if I were to drive a stick right at this moment, I can drive it like a natural. Just like it manual mode, if you don't give it a little gas while changing gears, then the car will jerk.

ATF · 12-21-2008, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverix

I don't do it daily. Only when I race, and need to hold the gear a bit longer so it can leave me off at a higher RPM on the next gear. Other than that, it's a good way to learn how a manual operates too. I've never driven a manual, but I feel like if I were to drive a stick right at this moment, I can drive it like a natural. Just like it manual mode, if you don't give it a little gas while changing gears, then the car will jerk.

I don't mean to rain on your parade, but if you want to save your transmission, I wouldn't drive your car like that. Having driven an automatic and now a standard, the only concepts that transfer is listening to the engine RPM's to know when to shift, 'bout it.

Maverix · 12-21-2008, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATF

I don't mean to rain on your parade, but if you want to save your transmission, I wouldn't drive your car like that. Having driven an automatic and now a standard, the only concepts that transfer is listening to the engine RPM's to know when to shift, 'bout it.

I've learned when to shift using in auto. First 2 gears at 2.5k, 3rd and 4th at 3.1k.

Just be glad that I don't do drop shift burnouts

yoda · 12-21-2008, 09:01 AM

Sorry for saying this, but anyone claiming they have learned to shift with an AUTO tranny is simply tripping out their a s s...

Here's how it goes...
AUTO= not meant for manually changing gears on the go (this will destroy it down the line)
Steptronic= lets you go up and down the gears but will do it at it's own engine speeds, not when you tell it to!
SMG (sequential Manual Gearing)= Manual transmission controlled by hydraulics and a computer, you select the gears and everything happens like magic

, and not even the best race car driver can change gears as quickly or perfectly as the computer can..."Paddle Shifts" F1 or Rally car shifting... Every car manufacturer has it's own name for this one, and the new ones are called double clutch (whatever)!
Manual= Of course Clutch-Stick-Gas... practice makes perfect...Heel & Toe... Blipping the gas on down shifts....

Now for the original question about the "M" on the ti auto tranny... it is simply to select it for when weather dictates you to launch in a higher gear (slippery) or when on the highway you don't want your car to be going up[ and down the gears... This information is from the Owners Manual...

Maverix · 12-21-2008, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yoda

Sorry for saying this, but anyone claiming they have learned to shift with an AUTO tranny is simply tripping out their a s s...

I'd be glad to prove you wrong once I get my next car. If I drive the car home in embarrassment, I'll let you know.

chriswells08 · 12-21-2008, 09:41 AM

Thanks for all the input. I've really learnred alot from reading all of your comments. I appreciate it. At least now I know what it means.

Now for the original question about the "M" on the ti auto tranny... it is simply to select it for when weather dictates you to launch in a higher gear (slippery) or when on the highway you don't want your car to be going up[ and down the gears... This information is from the Owners Manual... Thanks Yoda! I don't have the owners manual.

Thanks to everybody! I just don't want to burn out my transmission.

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