how to drive an e60 automatic
09-08-2005, 09:32 AM
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My Ride: Silver 2004 e60 executive 530i. Zero mods.
Does anyone know whether BMW has recommendations on how we're to drive it's automatic shift cars? Here in Hong Kong, we have lots of downtown driving, ie. stop and go, slow and coast.
Question:
1. when stopped completely (at a light, for example), should I put her in P? This way, I don't need to always step on the brakes. I don't want to always step on the brakes while fully stopped, because the brake lights may burn out (happened once already on my 530i, after only 20000km). If I always put her in P, then I'll be shifting from P to D and back many times per day...what about wear and tear on the gear box?
2. when coasting along at a speed that is gradually decreasing, if I put her in N so that she gradually slows down, instead of me remaining in D and braking now and then to blend into slowing traffic, and then if I need to speed up I shift her back from N to D 'on the fly', then will there be more wear and tear on the gear box? I notice that the car lets me do this without having to step on the brake pedal.
A different question: where is the light sensor on the car? I always use the automatic light (ie. the head and tail lights turns itself on when environmental light is insufficient) and am curious.
Thanks guys.
Question:
1. when stopped completely (at a light, for example), should I put her in P? This way, I don't need to always step on the brakes. I don't want to always step on the brakes while fully stopped, because the brake lights may burn out (happened once already on my 530i, after only 20000km). If I always put her in P, then I'll be shifting from P to D and back many times per day...what about wear and tear on the gear box?
2. when coasting along at a speed that is gradually decreasing, if I put her in N so that she gradually slows down, instead of me remaining in D and braking now and then to blend into slowing traffic, and then if I need to speed up I shift her back from N to D 'on the fly', then will there be more wear and tear on the gear box? I notice that the car lets me do this without having to step on the brake pedal.
A different question: where is the light sensor on the car? I always use the automatic light (ie. the head and tail lights turns itself on when environmental light is insufficient) and am curious.
Thanks guys.
09-08-2005, 09:40 AM
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My Ride: E61 525iA Build 2004/08. "Safirschwartz Metallic". Navi Pro, Adaptive Headlights, Bi-Xenon, Panorama Sunroof etc... CIP 18.00.01 (No noticed bug)
Originally Posted by Oliver Hui' date='Sep 8 2005, 07:32 PM
Does anyone know whether BMW has recommendations on how we're to drive it's automatic shift cars?? Here in Hong Kong, we have lots of downtown driving, ie. stop and go, slow and coast.?
Question:
1. when stopped completely (at a light, for example), should I put her in P? This way, I don't need to always step on the brakes. I don't want to always step on the brakes while fully stopped, because the brake lights may burn out (happened once already on my 530i, after only 20000km).? If I always put her in P, then I'll be shifting from P to D and back many times per day...what about wear and tear on the gear box?
2. when coasting along at a speed that is gradually decreasing, if I put her in N so that she gradually slows down, instead of me remaining in D and braking now and then to blend into slowing traffic, and then if I need to speed up I shift her back from N to D 'on the fly', then will there be more wear and tear on the gear box?? I notice that the car lets me do this without having to step on the brake pedal.
A different question: where is the light sensor on the car?? I always use the automatic light (ie. the head and tail lights turns itself on when environmental light is insufficient) and am curious.
Thanks guys.
Question:
1. when stopped completely (at a light, for example), should I put her in P? This way, I don't need to always step on the brakes. I don't want to always step on the brakes while fully stopped, because the brake lights may burn out (happened once already on my 530i, after only 20000km).? If I always put her in P, then I'll be shifting from P to D and back many times per day...what about wear and tear on the gear box?
2. when coasting along at a speed that is gradually decreasing, if I put her in N so that she gradually slows down, instead of me remaining in D and braking now and then to blend into slowing traffic, and then if I need to speed up I shift her back from N to D 'on the fly', then will there be more wear and tear on the gear box?? I notice that the car lets me do this without having to step on the brake pedal.
A different question: where is the light sensor on the car?? I always use the automatic light (ie. the head and tail lights turns itself on when environmental light is insufficient) and am curious.
Thanks guys.
[snapback]168311[/snapback]
2) As said, no good! Gearbox is designed to work all the time car s rolling.
3 (Sensor) It's where the rain sensor is; right behind the mirror.
09-08-2005, 11:34 AM
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My Ride: 2004 March E60 530i, Titanium Silver with Black Dakota Leather, Style 124 18" Alloy, Active Steering, Adaptive headlights, Auto-Dim Int+Folding Ext Mirrors, Auto Aircon Advanced, Brushed Aluminium Trim, CD Changer, Comfort Seats, De-Chrome, Dynamic Drive, Electric Glass Sun Roof, Graduate Tinted Windscreen, Heated Front Seats, Natvigation Professional, Sport Steering wheel, Sun Protection Glass, TV function
Originally Posted by Oliver Hui' date='Sep 8 2005, 06:32 PM
Does anyone know whether BMW has recommendations on how we're to drive it's automatic shift cars?? Here in Hong Kong, we have lots of downtown driving, ie. stop and go, slow and coast.?
Question:
1. when stopped completely (at a light, for example), should I put her in P? This way, I don't need to always step on the brakes. I don't want to always step on the brakes while fully stopped, because the brake lights may burn out (happened once already on my 530i, after only 20000km).? If I always put her in P, then I'll be shifting from P to D and back many times per day...what about wear and tear on the gear box?
2. when coasting along at a speed that is gradually decreasing, if I put her in N so that she gradually slows down, instead of me remaining in D and braking now and then to blend into slowing traffic, and then if I need to speed up I shift her back from N to D 'on the fly', then will there be more wear and tear on the gear box?? I notice that the car lets me do this without having to step on the brake pedal.
A different question: where is the light sensor on the car?? I always use the automatic light (ie. the head and tail lights turns itself on when environmental light is insufficient) and am curious.
Thanks guys.
Question:
1. when stopped completely (at a light, for example), should I put her in P? This way, I don't need to always step on the brakes. I don't want to always step on the brakes while fully stopped, because the brake lights may burn out (happened once already on my 530i, after only 20000km).? If I always put her in P, then I'll be shifting from P to D and back many times per day...what about wear and tear on the gear box?
2. when coasting along at a speed that is gradually decreasing, if I put her in N so that she gradually slows down, instead of me remaining in D and braking now and then to blend into slowing traffic, and then if I need to speed up I shift her back from N to D 'on the fly', then will there be more wear and tear on the gear box?? I notice that the car lets me do this without having to step on the brake pedal.
A different question: where is the light sensor on the car?? I always use the automatic light (ie. the head and tail lights turns itself on when environmental light is insufficient) and am curious.
Thanks guys.
[snapback]168311[/snapback]
To answer question 1.
Driving in HK, I rather put the gear to N when stopping at light while still holding on to the footbrake. You'll feel the effort on the foot brake a lot less in N. It is also easier to shift into D again from N. I normally do this just before the light change to amber.
If you shift all the way to P, it has to go through R which will made the reverse light flash. P should only be used when the car is parked.
2 and 3 as answers above. Hope it helps.
09-08-2005, 11:58 AM
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My Ride: MY RIDE is DA real .-) HAMANN 5 aka BLACK MAMBA born on 16/06/2005/delivered on 05/08/2005 as following:
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I use P as BMW Manual never said not to, so when I "park" the car for a damn long red light there is no wear and no problem, secondly if teh rev light flashes the guy after me does not stick in to my a$$ 
09-08-2005, 01:34 PM
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If you put your car in neutral while driving, you lose some level of control and it may be less save. Besides, automatic transmissions are designed to handle this so I wouldn't worry about wear and tear.
Putting the car in park at a stop light may also not be as safe. Your brakes protect you from being launched into the intersection if someone rear ends you-- your transmission may not stop you as effectively as your brakes. Also, drivers behind you may think that you have begun to move if you brake lights are off.
Just use your transmission the way its supposed to be used and don't worry about the lights so much.
Putting the car in park at a stop light may also not be as safe. Your brakes protect you from being launched into the intersection if someone rear ends you-- your transmission may not stop you as effectively as your brakes. Also, drivers behind you may think that you have begun to move if you brake lights are off.
Just use your transmission the way its supposed to be used and don't worry about the lights so much.
09-08-2005, 01:36 PM
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Originally Posted by rodneyremington' date='Sep 8 2005, 01:28 PM
Step 1: put the car in drive.
Step 2: drive
Step 3: upon arrival, put the car in park.
Hence, the term "automatic"
Step 2: drive
Step 3: upon arrival, put the car in park.
Hence, the term "automatic"
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09-09-2005, 06:01 AM
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I heard somewhere that engaging Neutral at stops will damage your auto gearbox. The same source advised that drive should always be engaged whether you're driving or stopped at a traffic junction. Neutral is almost always never used?
09-09-2005, 06:57 AM
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Originally Posted by rodneyremington' date='Sep 8 2005, 11:28 PM
Step 1: put the car in drive.
Step 2: drive
Step 3: upon arrival, put the car in park.
Hence, the term "automatic"
Step 2: drive
Step 3: upon arrival, put the car in park.
Hence, the term "automatic"
[snapback]168434[/snapback]
Addition to Step 3: Also put the handbrake on. If you do not use it, it will rust and be malfuctioning!
If one stands in a traffic jam for more than 5 minutes why not put it in P
Neutral "N" is not usually used at all, at least I do not find any good use for it except in "garage" situations or some extreme situation.
But do not use it while driving!!!
A automatic gear car should not be towed either.