[CuntFace5000]

Hi,

I have recently bought a 335d xdrive auto. So far I am very pleased. My only gripe is that I find it extremely frustrating that I have to apply the brake to put the transmission into drive from neutral. This isn't an issue if I am completely stationary. But if, for example, I am approaching a red light and I select neutral from drive and almost coast to a stop but then the light turns green I should be able to press unlock on the selector and engage drive to pull away. It seems silly that I have to press unlock and have foot on the brake. Surely just pressing unlock should be enough.

Is there anyway to switch the footbrake unlock off?

[danperson1]

Why do you put the car in neutral while you are coasting to a stop?

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by danperson1

Why do you put the car in neutral while you are coasting to a stop?

To rev the engine and let off gunshots when challenging other cars at the light to a street race and not having to step on the brake to get back into drive to peel off.

[Elvisfan]

I don’t think an automatic was meant to be put into neutral to coast to a light. Especially these days. I don’t see the reasoning behind it. It may be a safety thing. Especially with the shift lever,you could end up in reverse. I think more damage could be done by going from neutral to drive while moving than any perceived thing you think you are saving.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by Elvisfan

I don't think an automatic was meant to be put into neutral to coast to a light. Especially these days. I don't see the reasoning behind it. It may be a safety thing. Especially with the shift lever,you could end up in reverse. I think more damage could be done by going from neutral to drive while moving than any perceived thing you think you are saving.

You can shift from N to D if moving at a higher speed without the brake it's just when coasting at low speed not sure if that puts more stress on components. I don't recall this was the case on other automatics I drove. The new C8 corvette with DCT let's you rev at low speeds by pulling on both paddles which temporarily disengages the clutch or clutches.

[CuntFace5000]

Originally Posted by danperson1

Why do you put the car in neutral while you are coasting to a stop?

Just from a smoothness point of view and to save fuel I guess. I'm sure it won't do any mechanical harm as the gearbox often coasts when in eco plus anyway.

[Gen13 F36]

Coasting in nuetral is very unsafe as you lost the ability to control the car. Also make the car unstable.

[chowser51]

Drive in eco pro so it coasts for you.

Who taught you to drive that way on an automatic?

[CuntFace5000]

Originally Posted by Gen13 F36

Coasting in nuetral is very unsafe as you lost the ability to control the car. Also make the car unstable.

The car coasts itself even at high speeds if I suddenly lift off the throttle in eco mode, although there is an option to unselect this in the idrive.

I'm talking about at crawling speeds so car stability isn't really an issue here.

[smrtypants44]

This annoys me at the end of a tunnel car wash I have to tap the brakes to put the car back in drive

[paimon.soror]

Originally Posted by demc1982

Just from a smoothness point of view and to save fuel I guess. I'm sure it won't do any mechanical harm as the gearbox often coasts when in eco plus anyway.

fyi technically coasting in neutral wastes more gas than engine braking

[CuntFace5000]

Originally Posted by paimon.soror

fyi technically coasting in neutral wastes more gas than engine braking

That's what I thought but BMW think otherwise

https://discover.bmw.co.uk/technolog...rgy-management

Whenever the driver takes their foot off the accelerator without braking, the Coasting function (part of ECO PRO mode) cuts the power between the engine and drive in vehicles with an automatic transmission. The vehicle rolls along without any resistance from the engine, which rotates at idle speed consuming minimum fuel and with low emissions

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by demc1982

That's what I thought but BMW think otherwise

https://discover.bmw.co.uk/technolog...rgy-management

Whenever the driver takes their foot off the accelerator without braking, the Coasting function (part of ECO PRO mode) cuts the power between the engine and drive in vehicles with an automatic transmission. The vehicle rolls along without any resistance from the engine, which rotates at idle speed consuming minimum fuel and with low emissions

Which means it's doing the same thing without you needing to shift to neutral.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

Which means it's doing the same thing without you needing to shift to neutral.

Same thinking. Let the car select coasting mode itself, when appropriate.

BTW, there's the OP's initial question and slightly different direction running in the UK section of the forum.

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1667127

These 'dual' posted topics make it more difficult to keep up with and understand the OP's real issue.

[opinion914]

I've wondered about this as well. More nagging; is there a way to code-out the UNLOCK button on the side of the shifter? This button is a redundant step since the brake needs to be applied anyway.

[paimon.soror]

Originally Posted by demc1982

That's what I thought but BMW think otherwise

https://discover.bmw.co.uk/technolog...rgy-management

Whenever the driver takes their foot off the accelerator without braking, the Coasting function (part of ECO PRO mode) cuts the power between the engine and drive in vehicles with an automatic transmission. The vehicle rolls along without any resistance from the engine, which rotates at idle speed consuming minimum fuel and with low emissions

All in context. On the highway sure, you probably dont want engine breaking like you would coming towards a stop sign or stoplight. Thats where ECOpro will shine.

Street driving, you will waste more gas constantly popping to neutral.

same principals as driving a 6MT

[Onizukachan]

In the good old days BMW would use 0 gas ie 0 injector dwell when actually engine braking.
But that was bad for the torque converters or something I am sure, so we get unlock clutches and coast in eco pro.

And it is all I use eco pro for. Coasting down offramps