Steptronic manual mode question

Canefan · 11-28-2011, 08:26 AM

New member here - bought my 08 135i about a week ago after driving an E46 M3 for several years. Love the car so far.

I've noticed when in manual shift mode the car will downshift to 2nd gear at a full stop. Any reason it doesn't go all the way to 1st? Do most of you downshifts to 1st before taking off or just leave it in 2nd? I'm not talking about a hard launch, just normal everyday driving.

audimotion · 11-28-2011, 09:05 AM

I leave it in the selected gear (2nd). First is so low that the upshift to second come on very quick...and a launch in first will roast the tires...when DTC is off.

Canefan · 11-28-2011, 09:28 AM

I just find it interesting that DS mode starts out in 1st but manual mode starts in 2nd. Wondering why they did that. The SMG in my M3 would downshift to 1st at a complete stop. Not a huge deal, just curious is all.

DriveHard · 11-28-2011, 09:46 AM

128'S Do the same..

It's in the softwear to start off in 2nd.. its more efficient than the high ramp up in RPM if you constantly start off in 1st.. 1st is rather short, and you end up shifting pretty quickly anyway..

I drive probably 70% of the time in DS mode.. and of that i paddle shift most of it as long as i am not on the hwy cruising at a nice clip for a while.

///S55 · 11-28-2011, 11:09 AM

There is no point to shift down to first when your not looking for quick acceleration.

I find it pretty good cause it helps me save some fuel, since it starts on a higher gear.
But when I see that Evo or STi beside me, I slap it into DS and select first

lol. AND RACE to the speed limit of course

MZWIE · 11-28-2011, 12:02 PM

1st in this tranny is geared real low. So from a stand still it simply does not gain you much. I never shift all the way to 1st in DS manual.

abirmaher · 11-28-2011, 01:01 PM

My DCT in manual mode will downshift to first when I slow down.

ken1137 · 11-28-2011, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by audimotion

I leave it in the selected gear (2nd). First is so low that the upshift to second come on very quick...and a launch in first will roast the tires...when DTC is off.

Yep, I do the same unless I feel like burning the tires

DriveHard · 11-28-2011, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abirmaher

My DCT in manual mode will downshift to first when I slow down.

It may, but OP questioned Steptronic...

Canefan · 11-28-2011, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e34m5

1st in this tranny is geared real low. So from a stand still it simply does not gain you much. I never shift all the way to 1st in DS manual.

I get it. I've played around with it both ways. Just seems odd that DS Auto mode will shift to 1st at a stop, but manual mode doesn't. Thanks for all the responses.

abirmaher · 11-28-2011, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DriveHard

It may, but OP questioned Steptronic...

I know... Just saying.

Gray67 · 11-28-2011, 11:37 PM

Building onto the original "stupid" question, I too have the Steptronic shifting and was wondering -

* when I'm in DS mode and shifting manually, how do I switch back to DS auto mode?
* I am supposed to be able to shift manually while in D mode yes? Or did I screw something up?

Typically, I love the response of the car in DS auto mode so I rarely use my shifters. Plus the location of the downshift levers is kinda awkward for me.

///S55 · 11-29-2011, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gray67

Building onto the original "stupid" question, I too have the Steptronic shifting and was wondering -

* when I'm in DS mode and shifting manually, how do I switch back to DS auto mode?
* I am supposed to be able to shift manually while in D mode yes? Or did I screw something up?

Typically, I love the response of the car in DS auto mode so I rarely use my shifters. Plus the location of the downshift levers is kinda awkward for me.

when I'm in DS mode and shifting manually, how do I switch back to DS auto mode?
Switch back into "D" then go back into "DS"

* I am supposed to be able to shift manually while in D mode yes? Or did I screw something up?

Yes you can, but it goes back to normal "D" after like 10 seconds ? <-- I am not sure but it switches back

amancuso · 11-29-2011, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nolim1t

* I am supposed to be able to shift manually while in D mode yes? Or did I screw something up?

Yes you can, but it goes back to normal "D" after like 10 seconds ? <-- I am not sure but it switches back

*** only if you have sport package with steering wheel paddle shifters.

///S55 · 11-29-2011, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amancuso

*** only if you have sport package with steering wheel paddle shifters.

Lol, well....I thought that was kinda self explanatory

amancuso · 11-29-2011, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nolim1t

Lol, well....I thought that was kinda self explanatory

we wouldn't want someone breaking their shifter cause of not being overly explanatory... I've seen it happen.

AW128i · 11-29-2011, 12:43 PM

The 2nd gear starts in Steptronic mode are nice for slippery conditions (i.e., snow).

11-28-2011, 08:26 AM	#1
Canefan Private 15 Rep 94 Posts Drives: 2008 Monaco Blue 135i Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Atlanta GA iTrader: (0)	Steptronic manual mode question New member here - bought my 08 135i about a week ago after driving an E46 M3 for several years. Love the car so far. I've noticed when in manual shift mode the car will downshift to 2nd gear at a full stop. Any reason it doesn't go all the way to 1st? Do most of you downshifts to 1st before taking off or just leave it in 2nd? I'm not talking about a hard launch, just normal everyday driving.
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11-28-2011, 09:05 AM	#2
audimotion Second Lieutenant 4 Rep 218 Posts Drives: 08 135i/12 F250 CC PS/06 ML500 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: MN iTrader: (0)	I leave it in the selected gear (2nd). First is so low that the upshift to second come on very quick...and a launch in first will roast the tires...when DTC is off. __________________ 08 135i \|Alpine White w/ Terra Boston Leather\|Sport Pkg\| Premium Pkg\| Shadowline\| Gloss Black Trim\| Nav\| Comfort Access\| Active Steering\| Steptronic\| Htd Seats\| Prem. Sound/Sirius\| Park Distance\| PPK 1\|BMS 4LED\|M3 Sway Bar
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11-28-2011, 09:28 AM	#3
Canefan Private 15 Rep 94 Posts Drives: 2008 Monaco Blue 135i Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Atlanta GA iTrader: (0)	I just find it interesting that DS mode starts out in 1st but manual mode starts in 2nd. Wondering why they did that. The SMG in my M3 would downshift to 1st at a complete stop. Not a huge deal, just curious is all.
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11-28-2011, 09:46 AM	#4
DriveHard Colonel 115 Rep 1,998 Posts Drives: X1 and R58 JCW Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Long Island iTrader: (0)	128'S Do the same.. It's in the softwear to start off in 2nd.. its more efficient than the high ramp up in RPM if you constantly start off in 1st.. 1st is rather short, and you end up shifting pretty quickly anyway.. I drive probably 70% of the time in DS mode.. and of that i paddle shift most of it as long as i am not on the hwy cruising at a nice clip for a while. __________________ X1, R58 JCW, M2 in my future if planets align
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11-28-2011, 11:09 AM	#5
///S55 Lieutenant 33 Rep 566 Posts Drives: 2015 M3 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Edmonton iTrader: (0)	There is no point to shift down to first when your not looking for quick acceleration. I find it pretty good cause it helps me save some fuel, since it starts on a higher gear. But when I see that Evo or STi beside me, I slap it into DS and select first lol. AND RACE to the speed limit of course __________________ Add1cted
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11-28-2011, 12:02 PM	#6
MZWIE Lieutenant Colonel 388 Rep 1,660 Posts Drives: M2 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: GEORGIA iTrader: (0)	1st in this tranny is geared real low. So from a stand still it simply does not gain you much. I never shift all the way to 1st in DS manual.
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11-28-2011, 01:01 PM	#7
abirmaher Colonel 838 Rep 2,363 Posts Drives: 2018 BMW M2 & 2024 BMW X1 M35i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL iTrader: (14) Garage List [0.00] 2018 BMW M2 [10.00]	My DCT in manual mode will downshift to first when I slow down. __________________ Follow my builds: The Racecar (2018 M2 - M0010): Build Thread \| @_m0010 The Daily (2024 X1 M35i - X001M35):Build Thread \| @_x001m35
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11-28-2011, 11:37 PM	#12
Gray67 Noob to the Bimmers but loving the ride 0 Rep 50 Posts Drives: 2009 128i Vert Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Northern CA iTrader: (0)	Building onto the original "stupid" question, I too have the Steptronic shifting and was wondering - * when I'm in DS mode and shifting manually, how do I switch back to DS auto mode? * I am supposed to be able to shift manually while in D mode yes? Or did I screw something up? Typically, I love the response of the car in DS auto mode so I rarely use my shifters. Plus the location of the downshift levers is kinda awkward for me. __________________ 2009 128i Convertible, Jet Black, M-Sport, Active AutoWerke tune, LUX Angel Eyes
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11-29-2011, 12:43 PM	#17
AW128i Major 43 Rep 1,003 Posts Drives: E82 N51 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Southeastern, PA iTrader: (1)	The 2nd gear starts in Steptronic mode are nice for slippery conditions (i.e., snow).
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