Auto Gearbox, push car back in neutral without starting engine?????

step_change · Post by **step_change** » Sat May 12, 2018 10:11 am

Hi all,
My 35is is overnighted in my garage which doubles for my workshop. I don't like starting the engine from cold just to reverse the car back five feet. With my manual cars or older Z4 2007 auto I could put the car in neutral and push the car back a few feet if I was doing any hammering or sawing in the workshop that'd risk the bonnet paintwork and I did not need to start the engine to do so. I could then push the car back when I'd finished.

Is there any way I can do this with the auto please does anyone know? If you leave car in neutral then switch engine off it goes into park so that isn't the solution...

markplant · Post by **markplant** » Sat May 12, 2018 10:28 am

If the car isn't used much , would wheel dolly's be an option

Busterboo · Post by **Busterboo** » Sat May 12, 2018 11:09 am

35iS ... not an 'automatic', then, but what BMW call "7-speed sport-automatic transmission with double-clutch".

Important? Yes, because the instructions for towing (which is effectively what you want to do) are different. In my handbook, they're on pages 209 & 53.

HillWalker · Post by **HillWalker** » Sat May 12, 2018 12:08 pm

No you can't move the 35is with the DCT transmission without starting the engine like you can with the auto gearbox I know I've tried it's a real pita sometimes.

Nictrix · Post by **Nictrix** » Sat May 12, 2018 8:28 pm

Does it not need to be started to let the e-brake off too?
Unless you park it without using it.

Gaffa22 · Post by **Gaffa22** » Sun May 13, 2018 8:17 pm

You can disengage park and select neutral, lift the gear lever gaitor up and insert an Allen key in the allen socket to the front left of the lever, Turn to the left about a quarter turn.
Same procedure for towing as per Bustaboo's post

step_change · Post by **step_change** » Mon May 14, 2018 11:56 am

Thanks for the replies. Long and short is the answer for everyday use is no. Thanks Gaffa but I don't want to be doing stuff like that on a regular basis.

Gaffa22 · Post by **Gaffa22** » Mon May 14, 2018 1:05 pm

it is quite easy actually and a handy process to know
but as you say not an every day solution

ronk · Post by **ronk** » Mon May 14, 2018 2:30 pm

Can’t you just turn the ignition on, select N then push it back?
My car is parked in the garage and I never apply the e brake.

Diego_F · Post by **Diego_F** » Mon May 14, 2018 3:53 pm

Well, just think that it's a pleasure to start that engine!

ronk · Post by **ronk** » Mon May 14, 2018 4:38 pm

Diego_F wrote: ↑Mon May 14, 2018 3:53 pm Well, just think that it's a pleasure to start that engine!

It is but it leaves a lot of nasty stuff in the system if it’s not well heated thro.

Gaffa22 · Post by **Gaffa22** » Mon May 14, 2018 11:18 pm

If I just start mine to move it a couple of times the next time I start it, it misfires and runs really rough, so I do prefer to only start it when I'm actually going to drive it somewhere

HillWalker · Post by **HillWalker** » Wed May 16, 2018 10:11 am

ronk wrote: ↑Mon May 14, 2018 2:30 pm Can’t you just turn the ignition on, select N then push it back?
My car is parked in the garage and I never apply the e brake.

That's what I thought ronk, you can with the auto box but not with the DCT it won't let you, I've forgotten why but I tried several times when I first had mine.

ronk · Post by **ronk** » Tue May 29, 2018 11:59 pm

I’ve just had a bash at that just out of morbid curiosity - I though ii would try latching the seatbelt before switching off - that failed as well - it still went to ‘P’
Safety gon mad.

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