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      09-14-2013, 06:45 PM   #1
SomeRandomer123
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Question Force Neutral Testing

As we AT owners know all to well, the transmission cannot be placed from P to N with the engine off. This means you must start the engine when you could otherwise just roll the car forwards/backwards and this is annoying.

Now, SamS said the following would work when carzaddict's transmission buggered up and left him stuck in P:

WITH FOOT ON BRAKE
With ignition on:
Hold top (release) button on the gear stick while doing
- put gear stick one step forwards and hold 2 seconds,
- then one step back again
- then one step forwards again
Then the car is in neutral for 15 minutes

I tried this out on my UK 328i and it didn't work. So my questions are, does this work on your US cars?
Is it exclusive only to the ActiveHybrid 3 like SamS has?
Is this possible on UK (EU) F30's?
Can anybody else force neutral from the selector lever in the EU and/or UK?

Maybe if we could find some definitive answers, a Sticky could be produced to hopefully prevent other members being stuck by the side, or even worse, in the road if their F30 decides it would rather not function as intended.

Unfortunately, I don't hold out many hopes on this one, but worth a try!
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      09-14-2013, 10:53 PM   #2
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Nope, didn't work for my US spec 2013 328i.
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      09-15-2013, 02:16 AM   #3
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Apparently this procedure only works when you crank the engine without it actually starting (good battery, bad engine). If the car won't crank (i.e. the battery is dead), you are SOL.

If the engine is able to start, there's already a procedure for getting it into neutral. It's the "car-wash" mode:

From the manual:

Before driving into a car wash

In order to ensure that the vehicle can roll in a car wash, take the following steps:

Automatic transmission:
1. Release the parking brake, refer to page 63.
2. Drive into the car wash.
3. Depress the brake pedal as needed.
4. Engage transmission position N.
5. Switch the engine off. In this way, the ignition remains switched on, and a Check-Control message is displayed.

When the ignition is switched off, position P is engaged automatically. When in an automatic car wash, for example, ensure that the ignition is not switched off accidentally.
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      09-15-2013, 06:46 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by elistan View Post
Nope, didn't work for my US spec 2013 328i.
Hm, must only be with the starter motor turning, as mentioned above...
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      09-15-2013, 08:53 AM   #5
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Then if the battery is dead, how to put the AT into neutralfor pushing onto towing flatbed?
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      09-15-2013, 10:18 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by f30fanboy View Post
Then if the battery is dead, how to put the AT into neutralfor pushing onto towing flatbed?
Jumper cables to supply electricity, perhaps?
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      09-16-2013, 06:50 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by elistan
Quote:
Originally Posted by f30fanboy View Post
Then if the battery is dead, how to put the AT into neutralfor pushing onto towing flatbed?
Jumper cables to supply electricity, perhaps?
I believe there is a physical force neutral a BMW engineer can access underneath the car.
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