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Home >> BMW >> 2013 >> M3 2D Convertible, Standard Trans >> Repair and Diagnosis >> General Information >> OEM General Information >> Functional Description -- M3 Convertible >> Transmission & Driveline - Functional Description >> Gear Selector Switch (Gear Lever) >> Brief description of components

Brief description of components

The selector lever is built into the center console. The selector-lever cover contains the illuminated display for the selector-lever position. The engaged drive position is backlit on the gearshift diagram. The background light is activated by the wiping contact on the selector lever.

An interlock prevents inadvertent shifts to selector-lever positions "R" and "P". To cancel the interlock, press the button on the front of the selector lever knob.

Fig 1: Identifying Selector Lever Components
G09895314Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Index Explanation
1 Illuminated display for the selector-lever position
2 Selector-lever cover
3 Button
4 Selector lever

The selector lever has the positions

P for parking: enables starting of the engine

R for reverse gear

N for neutral: enables starting of the engine

Towing the vehicle is only possible in this selector-lever position.

D for drive: automatic mode

Gears are shifted within the framework of the adaptive transmission control.

M/S "M" for manual operation = Steptronic

or  "S"

for Sport program = automatic mode with sporting characteristic curves

- Manual downshifting

+ Manual upshifting

When the selector lever is in the position "M/S", the transmission is in the automatic mode with sports characteristic curves. The display in the instrument cluster change from "D" to "SD".

If the selector lever is now tilted towards "-" or "+" in the gearshift gutter "M/S", the electronics switch to Steptronic. The sustained manual operation via selector lever or rocker switches becomes active. The display in the instrument cluster changes from "SD" to "M1" to "M6".

In the manual mode, the transmission control only executes upshifts or downshifts with the matching engine speed and road speed.

Gearshifts that would lead to non-permitted high or low engine speeds are not permitted.

The M/S position is notified to the transmission control by the Steptronic switch directly via line (signal name: EGS_MGE or EGS_MGA). The Steptronic switch is integrated in the gear selector switch. The selector-lever settings of the Steptronic for shifting the individual gears up and down are notified to the transmission control directly across a line (signal names: EGS_UP; EGS_Down).