[Giggss]

I'm picking up my 330i auto today and was wondering are there any tips for a first time automatic driver, I know I can put it in sport while driving but what about when I park, do I put it in neutral and handbrake or put it in park?

[nick46]

Foot on the brake to start it. Keep foot on brake when selecting D, N, P etc. When parking select P, but never ever do this when the car is moving. Make sure it is completely stationary.
When in D you can override it with the paddles if you like which puts it in manual. However after a few seconds of inactivity it will then revert to auto. If you want full manual control then select D and slide across to Sport. Then when you use the paddles it will stay in manual. Also when in Sport you can shift gears by pushing the gear lever forwards or backwards. I find this handy if I'm coming out of a junction and the steering wheel is say at 90 degrees and I want to shift up, just use the gear lever instead of trying to reach the + paddle.
One final thing, you cannot select R without pushing the button on the gear lever while shifting it.

There you go, a full lesson on the auto!

[dragerboy]

As above but also...

Auto's creep forward so be careful in tight spots.

Put in Park and pull the handbrake up. I didn't use my handbrake for a year and it failed the MOT due to the handbrake not being effective.

[Giggss]

Thanks for your replies guys, they helped. Picked up my car and I love it, one thing is when in drive I can't use the paddles at all only in sport, is this a fault or something that can be coded?

[rasa bmw]

one thing not mentioned,,,get it serviced,,

[Giggss]

If it changes anything I have the M3 steering wheel with DCT paddles, is that why I can't use them in drive?

[rasa bmw]

i can use paddles in drive or sport mode,so maybe a fault,,dont know if m3 wheel would alter that

[Bluewater335D]

Being in my 70's I have driven autos for some years - I always push it into neutral when stopped for any length of time - say over a minute

so foot on the brake pedal and push the stick into neutral - keeping foot on brake pedal until moving off

I have noticed that many of the "younger" drivers do not do this

[jimpom23]

Originally Posted by Bluewater335D

Being in my 70's I have driven autos for some years - I always push it into neutral when stopped for any length of time - say over a minute

so foot on the brake pedal and push the stick into neutral - keeping foot on brake pedal until moving off

I have noticed that many of the "younger" drivers do not do this

Is a funny one, this. I was always told the car isn't wearing any parts in this scenario, clutch wise. If you didn't want to leave in drive here technically it is much safer to put it into park in case you get rear ended while stationary as in neutral you have zero control of drive or motion in that scenario (i.e. gear not braking if you can't)

[jimpom23]

Finally, make sure you manually shift down to 1st coming to a junction at about 10/15 mph as (I know on the 335i) it gives a lovely pop and crackle from the exhaust

[Bluewater335D]

Originally Posted by jimpom23

Is a funny one, this. I was always told the car isn't wearing any parts in this scenario, clutch wise. If you didn't want to leave in drive here technically it is much safer to put it into park in case you get rear ended while stationary as in neutral you have zero control of drive or motion in that scenario (i.e. gear not braking if you can't)

If you get rear-ended in drive while stationary, you are more than likely to take your foot off the brake.

I just feel that if you are stationary in drive for sometime it is not doing the car "any good" - but maybe modern designs have overcome this.

I just feel "safer" in neutral when I have stopped at say traffic lights - just something I have always done - may old habits die hard

[Chappers 71]

I put mine in park or neutral with the hand brake on if I'm stationary for any time. Keeping it in gear & holding it on the brake can produce heat transfer from the pad into the disc & cause issues with the discs, especially if you've braked from high speed.

OP, as you've had DCT paddles retro fitted I suspect that's the reason that you can't use them in drive, there's most likely a thread about DCT/M3 paddle retrofits on here somewhere.

[mjn77]

Get the xHF software installed.

[rasa bmw]

i always stick it in park when stationary,,,my pet hate fuckers with brake light on,blinding me,,im sure its a law aint it ,,sitting with foot on brake is flouting the law,,or am i wrong ?

[Chappers 71]

^
If it's not a law then it should be

[mjn77]

Correct driving is to leave in D and use foot on brake. That is from the advanced driving guide, as used by the emergency services.

[rasa bmw]

im sure it is or used to be law ,not to have foot on brake blinding the driver behind,,i open window usually shout...lazy cunt put ya handbrake on im blinded,,hope a wasp flies in their car and with having foot on clutch or foot on barke for auto,,they will release foot and slam car in front,,coz they will not have left at least half a car gap,,which i always do,,,and hate fuckers who get uo ya arse,,especially on a hill...rant over but its true

[Bluewater335D]

Originally Posted by mjn77

Correct driving is to leave in D and use foot on brake. That is from the advanced driving guide, as used by the emergency services.

I have just bought an X1 and I think (almost sure - now checking) that with the 8 speed auto - if you stop in Drive, (D), once you apply the brake - foot or handbrake, the transmission automatically shifts to neutral to reduce drag etc., - there is no need to push it into neural the car does this automatically

[mjn77]

Originally Posted by rasa bmw

im sure it is or used to be law ,not to have foot on brake blinding the driver behind,,i open window usually shout...lazy cunt put ya handbrake on im blinded,,hope a wasp flies in their car and with having foot on clutch or foot on barke for auto,,they will release foot and slam car in front,,coz they will not have left at least half a car gap,,which i always do,,,and hate fuckers who get uo ya arse,,especially on a hill...rant over but its true

You should leave more than half a car gap between you and the car in front. Plus, by leaving it in D on a hill, you engage hill assist.

[nick46]

Oh dear, a simple question about how to use an auto box and now it's starting to descend in to a bitch fest about when to engage neutral!