Putting the DCT in P

evilgabbie · 02-01-2017, 01:38 PM

Had the car for over a year and still couldn't figure this out.

How do you put the car in P? Sometimes by pushing the start/stop button it goes into N, then I need to repress it without brake to put into P. Other times one press will put it into P.

Thanks in advance.

FirstF80InSpace · 02-01-2017, 01:48 PM

You don't. Just leave it in D. When you park the car and shut it off, it will go to P.

If you want to leave the car running while stopped with your foot off the brake, either leave it in N or D with the parking brake on.

evilgabbie · 02-01-2017, 02:02 PM

Yeah, must be something wrong with my car.. It still goes into N randomly if I shut down the car while in gear.

CanAutM3 · 02-02-2017, 09:28 AM

If the engine is shutdown with the DCT in either S, D or R, it will it directly go to P. If the engine is shutdown with the DCT in N, it will stay in N and will require another press of the Start/Stop button to go into P.

It has to be noted that if you open the driver's door and unlatch the driver's safety belt with the engine running and the DCT in S, D or R, the DCT will automatically go to N. So if you shutdown the engine at that point, it will stay in N.

jwzimm · 02-02-2017, 10:23 AM

I am still amused and perplexed by why BMW couldn't have just added a button that allows you to instruct the car to go into park.

They could label it with a big "P" and put it either on the shifter or near it.

It is a novel concept to be sure.

I mean, its not like EVERY OTHER AUTOMATIC OR AUTOMATED MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLE HAS HAD THAT SINCE THE INVENTION OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION!!!

backagain · 02-02-2017, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwzimm

I am still amused and perplexed by why BMW couldn't have just added a button that allows you to instruct the car to go into park.

They could label it with a big "P" and put it either on the shifter or near it.

It is a novel concept to be sure.

I mean, its not like EVERY OTHER AUTOMATIC OR AUTOMATED MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLE HAS HAD THAT SINCE THE INVENTION OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION!!!

Because it is not an automatic transmission. All the complaints are because people want to make the DCT behave like one, but it is not.

'Cane · 02-02-2017, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backagain

Because it is not an automatic transmission. All the complaints are because people want to make the DCT behave like one, but it is not.

This.

I don't know why this is such a big deal. Leave the car in D and press the start/stop button.

If you want to secure the car with the engine still running, pull the e-brake. It'll be fine, really.

jwzimm · 02-02-2017, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backagain

Because it is not an automatic transmission. All the complaints are because people want to make the DCT behave like one, but it is not.

It is, however, an automated manual transmission. The point I am trying to make is that it would not be hard to include a button that would allow the driver to indicate to the car that they wish for the transmission to go into park. This would also preclude the possibility of someone who is not as familiar with the workings of the transmission from leaving it in neutral and having the car roll away. Why deviate from an intuitive mode of operation?

FYI, the DCT does have a parking pawl just like any other automatic transmission (btw, something a true manual does NOT have).

CanAutM3 · 02-02-2017, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwzimm

The point I am trying to make is that it would not be hard to include a button that would allow the driver to indicate to the car that they wish for the transmission to go into park.

Why

?

That would be just one more button to press. I am quite happy the way it works today: simple and effective IMO.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwzimm

This would also preclude the possibility of someone who is not as familiar with the workings of the transmission from leaving it in neutral and having the car roll away.

Have you ever tried locking the car with DCT in Neutral and the engine shut down?

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwzimm

FYI, the DCT does have a parking pawl just like any other automatic transmission (btw, something a true manual does NOT have).

A key difference with the M-DCT and traditional automatics is that you cannot put it in park with the engine running.

brianeck · 02-02-2017, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwzimm

It is, however, an automated manual transmission. The point I am trying to make is that it would not be hard to include a button that would allow the driver to indicate to the car that they wish for the transmission to go into park. This would also preclude the possibility of someone who is not as familiar with the workings of the transmission from leaving it in neutral and having the car roll away. Why deviate from an intuitive mode of operation?

FYI, the DCT does have a parking pawl just like any other automatic transmission (btw, something a true manual does NOT have).

Manual transmissions do not have a "Park" selector, whether they have a clutch pedal or not. Seems you figured it out on your own.

backagain · 02-02-2017, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwzimm

It is, however, an automated manual transmission. The point I am trying to make is that it would not be hard to include a button that would allow the driver to indicate to the car that they wish for the transmission to go into park. This would also preclude the possibility of someone who is not as familiar with the workings of the transmission from leaving it in neutral and having the car roll away. Why deviate from an intuitive mode of operation?

FYI, the DCT does have a parking pawl just like any other automatic transmission (btw, something a true manual does NOT have).

Never said DCT is a true manual. It is indeed something different, and takes some getting used to. People need to learn about new things, not always reverting back to old habits.

I would hate to push one more button ("P") to park my car.

mstevens · 02-02-2017, 05:26 PM

I have trouble finding the problem here.

The DCT on my M4 works mostly like the DCT's on my Z4 35iS's: when the transmission is in any gear and I press the Start button, the engine stops and the transmission goes into Park mode. The Z4's had a "P" button on the shifter which I never, ever had to use. I have never had a need for one on the M4.

I haven't tried any of the permutations listed by CanAutM3, but I suspect they're accurate. I just always have my foot on the brake when I start or stop the engine and never open the door or release my seatbelt with the engine running.

I've never had my DCT shift spontaneously to N. CanAutM3 is probably right that it'll do that if the engine is running and I open the door with my seatbelt unlatched (and it makes sense that it would do so), but that's not at all the situation that the OP reports.

BMWM5NYC · 02-02-2017, 06:14 PM

Bottom line is, if you recognize the DCT for what it is , A MANUAL TRANSMISSION with an automatic mode, the process is simple. MANUAL transmissions have NO PARK. You leave the car IN GEAR and shut it off. Voila you are done. DCT is the same thing. Leave the car IN GEAR and shut it off. Voila you are DONE. The car does not have a Park Button because it is NOT A FREAKING AUTOMATIC transmission.

firedown31 · 02-03-2017, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mstevens

I haven't tried any of the permutations listed by CanAutM3, but I suspect they're accurate. I just always have my foot on the brake when I start or stop the engine and never open the door or release my seatbelt with the engine running.

They are all in fact correct!

Quote:

I've never had my DCT shift spontaneously to N. CanAutM3 is probably right that it'll do that if the engine is running and I open the door with my seatbelt unlatched (and it makes sense that it would do so), but that's not at all the situation that the OP reports.

He's right again! Every day I pull up to my mailbox, pull the e-brake, unbuckle my seatbelt, and then open the door. Every time the car "bings", goes into neutral, and a warning on the nav screen pops up saying the car is in neutral and isn't secured.

IMO the real problem with our cars isn't a lack of a "Park" button, but the fact that we can't put the car into neutral once it's shut off!

brianeck · 02-03-2017, 10:12 AM

BMW makes what is arguably one of the best DCT "automatic" gearboxes ever, hands down, and people still find the ability to complain that it isn't "convenient" enough for them. Ah the world we live in today.

AustinGelbM4 · 02-03-2017, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brianeck

BMW makes what is arguably one of the best DCT "automatic" gearboxes ever, hands down, and people still find the ability to complain that it isn't "convenient" enough for them. Ah the world we live in today.

BMW DCTs are good but not perfect. Some of the DCT complaints are valid. Not being able to get transmission out of P without the engine running is RIDICULOUS.

backagain · 02-03-2017, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinGelbM4

BMW DCTs are good but not perfect. Some of the DCT complaints are valid. Not being able to get transmission out of P without the engine running is RIDICULOUS.

Can you describe the scenario that you would need to do that? Is that a frequent occurrence?

When absolutely needed, it can be done by a tech, if needed. But that requires the tech to get underneath the car to disengage the parking pawl.

jwzimm · 02-03-2017, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backagain

Can you describe the scenario that you would need to do that? Is that a frequent occurrence?

When absolutely needed, it can be done by a tech, if needed. But that requires the tech to get underneath the car to disengage the parking pawl.

When the engine quits for whatever reason and you need to have the car towed...

e.g http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1339927

brianeck · 02-03-2017, 03:39 PM

Customer prefers the ease of an automatic but the enthusiast feel of a manual -> BMW develops the best of both worlds -> Customer complains BMW transmission isn't like the ones they had back in their day ->Manual drivers like myself =

backagain · 02-03-2017, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwzimm

When the engine quits for whatever reason and you need to have the car towed...

e.g http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1339927

Oh, that! It happens like once in a blue moon

Like I said in that thread, even in that rare occasion when cooler is pierced, one can still switch to N before shutting the engine off, then wait for the tow. No problem there.

jwzimm · 02-03-2017, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backagain

Oh, that! It happens like once in a blue moon

Like I said in that thread, even in that rare occasion when cooler is pierced, one can still switch to N before shutting the engine off, then wait for the tow. No problem there.

Well you asked for an example, that it a prime one. What if the engine will not turn over?

Admittedly, I do not know 100% but aren't people saying in this thread that the transmission will go into park when you shut the engine off, no?

backagain · 02-03-2017, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwzimm

Well you asked for an example, that it a prime one. What if the engine will not turn over?

Admittedly, I do not know 100% but aren't people saying in this thread that the transmission will go into park when you shut the engine off, no?

No, it won't go into park if you shift to neutral first.

Get to know your DCT, and don't be overly paranoid about what could go wrong, especially when the odd is so small. We should not ask for things to be at our fingertip when we don't really have an immediate need for it.

M3 is a beautiful car to enjoy. Cheers!

02-01-2017, 01:38 PM	#1
evilgabbie New Member 12 Rep 27 Posts Drives: 2015 M3 Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Putting the DCT in P Had the car for over a year and still couldn't figure this out. How do you put the car in P? Sometimes by pushing the start/stop button it goes into N, then I need to repress it without brake to put into P. Other times one press will put it into P. Thanks in advance.
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02-01-2017, 01:48 PM	#2
FirstF80InSpace ///M You 344 Rep 619 Posts Drives: 2019 Porsche 718 Cayman S Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	You don't. Just leave it in D. When you park the car and shut it off, it will go to P. If you want to leave the car running while stopped with your foot off the brake, either leave it in N or D with the parking brake on.
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02-01-2017, 02:02 PM	#3
evilgabbie New Member 12 Rep 27 Posts Drives: 2015 M3 Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Yeah, must be something wrong with my car.. It still goes into N randomly if I shut down the car while in gear.
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02-02-2017, 09:28 AM	#4
CanAutM3 General 21115 Rep 20,741 Posts Drives: 2021 911 turbo Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Montreal iTrader: (1) Garage List 2022 Audi RS6 [10.00] 2021 Porsche 911 turbo [10.00]	If the engine is shutdown with the DCT in either S, D or R, it will it directly go to P. If the engine is shutdown with the DCT in N, it will stay in N and will require another press of the Start/Stop button to go into P. It has to be noted that if you open the driver's door and unlatch the driver's safety belt with the engine running and the DCT in S, D or R, the DCT will automatically go to N. So if you shutdown the engine at that point, it will stay in N. __________________ Porsche 911 turbo 2021 992 GT Silver Previous cars: M4cs 2019 F82 Limerock Grey / M4 2015 F82 Silverstone / M3 2008 E92 Silverstone / M3 2002 E46 Carbon Black
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02-02-2017, 10:23 AM	#5
jwzimm Colonel 687 Rep 2,770 Posts Drives: '16 M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Renton, WA iTrader: (17)	I am still amused and perplexed by why BMW couldn't have just added a button that allows you to instruct the car to go into park. They could label it with a big "P" and put it either on the shifter or near it. It is a novel concept to be sure. I mean, its not like EVERY OTHER AUTOMATIC OR AUTOMATED MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLE HAS HAD THAT SINCE THE INVENTION OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION!!! __________________ 2008 Honda S2000 - Current 2016 F80 M3 - SOLD!! 2011 e92 X-Drive Coupe - SOLD!!
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02-02-2017, 05:26 PM	#12
mstevens Lieutenant 119 Rep 512 Posts Drives: 2020 Z4 M4Misano Blue Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: New Hampshire & Cozumel, Mexico iTrader: (0)	I have trouble finding the problem here. The DCT on my M4 works mostly like the DCT's on my Z4 35iS's: when the transmission is in any gear and I press the Start button, the engine stops and the transmission goes into Park mode. The Z4's had a "P" button on the shifter which I never, ever had to use. I have never had a need for one on the M4. I haven't tried any of the permutations listed by CanAutM3, but I suspect they're accurate. I just always have my foot on the brake when I start or stop the engine and never open the door or release my seatbelt with the engine running. I've never had my DCT shift spontaneously to N. CanAutM3 is probably right that it'll do that if the engine is running and I open the door with my seatbelt unlatched (and it makes sense that it would do so), but that's not at all the situation that the OP reports. __________________ 2004 E85 Z4 3.0 Sport - Sold to brother \| 2004 E83 X3 xDrive3.0i - Gone \| 2011 E89 Z4 35is - Gone \| 2011 F25 X3 xDrive35i - Gone \| 2014 E89 Z4 E89 35is - Gone \| 2014 F25 X3 xDrive 30i X3 - Gone \| 2017 F83 M4 Cabriolet - Gone \| 2017 F25 X3 xDrive30i - Gone 2020 G29 Z4 M40i Misanoblau \| 2020 G01 M40i Phytonicblau Casa Suzana, vacation rental villa in Cozumel, Mexico
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02-02-2017, 06:14 PM	#13
BMWM5NYC Captain 496 Rep 812 Posts Drives: 2013 F10 Monte Carlo Blue M5 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	Bottom line is, if you recognize the DCT for what it is , A MANUAL TRANSMISSION with an automatic mode, the process is simple. MANUAL transmissions have NO PARK. You leave the car IN GEAR and shut it off. Voila you are done. DCT is the same thing. Leave the car IN GEAR and shut it off. Voila you are DONE. The car does not have a Park Button because it is NOT A FREAKING AUTOMATIC transmission. __________________ Formally known as BMWM3NYC
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02-03-2017, 10:12 AM	#15
brianeck Part Time Firetruck Crash Barrier 788 Rep 1,563 Posts Drives: 2022 M340ix Mineral Grey Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Nyack NY iTrader: (0)	BMW makes what is arguably one of the best DCT "automatic" gearboxes ever, hands down, and people still find the ability to complain that it isn't "convenient" enough for them. Ah the world we live in today. __________________ m340ix Mineral Grey/Tacora Red
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02-03-2017, 03:39 PM	#19
brianeck Part Time Firetruck Crash Barrier 788 Rep 1,563 Posts Drives: 2022 M340ix Mineral Grey Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Nyack NY iTrader: (0)	Customer prefers the ease of an automatic but the enthusiast feel of a manual -> BMW develops the best of both worlds -> Customer complains BMW transmission isn't like the ones they had back in their day ->Manual drivers like myself = __________________ m340ix Mineral Grey/Tacora Red
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