The BMW 3 Series uses a transmission provided by ZF. ZF is a globally active technology group that supplies mobility system solutions for passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and industrial technology. It is also a major supplier of special transmissions for ships, forklifts, railway locomotives, and helicopters. The BMW 3 Series transmission features an 8-speed automatic manual transmission. The automatic manual transmission has eight forward gears. Essentially, an automatic manual transmission is a traditional AT or CVT transmission with added manual shifting functionality. The purpose of the automatic manual transmission is to enhance the driving pleasure of automatic transmission vehicles. When using the BMW 3 Series transmission in daily driving, the following points should be noted: Do not delay changing the transmission fluid for extended periods. Prolonged failure to change the transmission fluid can damage internal components such as bearings and the housing. Avoid coasting in neutral for long durations. While driving manual transmission vehicles, many experienced drivers may coast in neutral, but for automatic transmission vehicles, this can cause the transmission to overheat and may result in a noticeable jolt when shifting back into Drive (D). Never shift into Drive (D) or Reverse (R) before the vehicle has come to a complete stop. Some drivers, aiming for smooth operation, may shift into reverse while the vehicle is still moving, which can significantly damage the transmission gears and, over time, lead to gear grinding or other failures. Avoid frequently climbing steep slopes in Drive (D). On steep inclines, automatic transmission vehicles may overheat due to high load or shift prematurely, leading to insufficient power. In such cases, use manual mode to lock in lower gears or switch to sport mode to protect the transmission. Do not tow the vehicle over long distances. If an automatic transmission vehicle breaks down, use a flatbed tow truck to move the vehicle onto the tow platform while it is in Neutral (N). Avoid using tow ropes or directly towing the vehicle.
