How to Use the BMW 5 Series Electronic Gear Shift?
2 Answers
The BMW 5 Series electronic gear shift consists of four buttons: P, N, D, and R. Below are the specific usage instructions: 1. How to use D gear: Pull the gear lever backward all the way until the "D" on the lever lights up. 2. How to use P gear: When parking, press the P button on top of the gear lever to engage the parking gear, and the "P" letter will light up on the lever. When parking, if you unbuckle the seatbelt and open the door, the P gear will automatically engage, and the "P" will light up in green. 3. How to use N and R gears: Pull the lever backward once for N gear, and push it forward for R gear. To shift from P to D or R, or from D to R, you must press the side button while stepping on the brake. Shifting from R to D does not require this.
When I first got my BMW 5 Series, I was a bit confused by the electronic gear shifter, but the actual operation is not difficult. First, start the engine and make sure to press the brake pedal, then gently move the shifter to D for driving forward, R for reverse, and P for parking. Neutral is N. The key is that the brake pedal must be pressed, otherwise the shifter won’t respond. Each gear shift is accompanied by a soft click sound as a reminder. When parking on a slope, I engage the handbrake before shifting to P to prevent rolling, and sometimes the system automatically shifts to P for added safety. The rearview camera automatically activates to help see behind. I recommend beginners practice switching gears in an open area to familiarize themselves with the operation, avoiding nervous mistakes during peak hours for smoother and more confident driving. Once you get used to this system, you’ll find it responsive and reliable.
