alohalc

rudy, it's quite amazing that i'm not only learning stuff about cars in this forum, also your philosophy ! this forum rocks! i love this forum ! however, i don't think i'm at your "stage" yet. still have lots to learn .

JohanDC

alohalc - If it's really annoying to you then stop using your hand brake. IIRC you can also prevent the car from moving by putting it in the first gear (please correct me if I am wrong because I am not 100% sure that the first gear is the best one to put it in) after you shut off the engine. This should do the trick.

alohalc

johandc, this is the first time i've heard about putting it in the first gear. it's something new for me. see, that's why i said this forum rocks. but i'd rather face and solve the problem (and i'm not the one who created it, bmw did) instead of avoid it. i'll tell them this when my parts are ready to pick up. thank you for your advice though .

Rudy

alohalc,

What transmission do you have?

Also, after I posted, I paid attention to what I do when I release the brake. In one motion, my hand lowers the handle and my arm immediately slides the armrest into the locked position.

It literally happens without me even thinking about it. If you develop that kind of habit, which I'm sure you will in time, this whole situation becomes much less of an issue.

JohanDC

alohalc - I hope your dealer will be able to resolve it, but to me it just seems to be a design flaw and I cannot see how they will be able to resolve it.

alohalc

rudy, i have automatic w/steptronic. so i don't think i can put it in first gear as johandc mentioned. but it's still good to know.

i'll try your method but i don't think it'll work for me since i'm not a strong, muscular guy.

johandc, i'll let u and others know how will this go. hope everything will work out fine.

JohanDC

alohalc - I kind of assumed for some reason that you had a manual gearbox (probably because you use your hand brake), the procedure that I was referring to only works for manual transmissions, if you have the steptronic then putting it in the Park mode (P) will have the same result, so no need to use the hand brake. I also have the steptronic and never use my hand brake.

alohalc

johandc, i use my hand brake only when i park in somewhere is not level, like some street parkings or ramps. otherwise i don't even want to touch it .

but now it isn't the thing that bother me the most. it's the foglights. i have no clue how to replace the light bulbs. i bought a pair of piaa bulbs but don't know how to replace them ! do you have any clue?

Rudy

Neither am I.