How To Drive A BMW SMG Gearbox

Let’s take a look at the SMG III gearbox used in the BMW E60 M5, and M6 from the same era, and discuss some of its features and how to operate it.
Check out my other videos on the SMG gearbox for further information on its components and how it works.
If you found this Video interesting or useful, don’t forget to give it a like. Make sure to subscribe to my KZbin channel for more m5 content.
Thanks for watching!

[@retrobuttercup]

On an M6 binge after learning about it and the v10 recently, I think it’s my new dream car for summer time.

[@MTechGuy]

They are phenomenal cars, I’ve owned my M5 for almost 5 years and I like it more & more the longer I own it

[@ptgaming2864]

@@MTechGuyI too am personally eyeing getting a e63 m6, what’s the deal with all these others in comments saying you need to ‘learn’ to use the smg gearbox? Coming from someone who’s owned a car with the steptronic

[@MTechGuy]

@@ptgaming2864 It has a sequential gearbox- not a traditional automatic, you don’t operate it like a regular manual, and it’s different again from a DCT. It’s a hard core single clutch gear box, designed to work with the V10 and visa-versa. Follow the instructions in the video and you’ll be fine. Don’t expect it’ll drive like a steptronic- totally different type of gearbox

[@allhaillegacy147]

Looking at my first E60 M5 right now, never have drove an SMG transmission like that. Made it easy and simple for me to learn! I appreciate all the good tips! Can’t wait to learn my car

[@MTechGuy]

Glad it helped!

[@TheCardinalSpear]

You can lift when in manual mode but its gotta be spot on with the timing and its not a full lift like you would a traditional manual. You're just relieving a lil pressure off the pedal, worked fine for me the last 6 years with no issue.

[@jonscottcuts]

I've owned my m6 for 8yrs now and have lifted off since day one. Never noticed a difference from any other Manuel tranny. I didn't know there was any other way to drive.

[@TheUltimateFrisbee]

I've read that it's actually helpful for the SMG pump to lift off a little bit actually. People just revving through have gotten a lot of failures there allegedly

[@MTechGuy]

The computer will look after the throttle input during shifts, same when down shifting- it will rev match

[@LearnWithCal]

Indeed the car will take into account your throttle position. It is smoother if you let off partially. I suspect it’s due to less computer intervention on the clutch reengagement. I love the SMG but it’s clunky as hell if not in manual mode. I only use manual mode and haven’t had a single issue or passenger complaint.

[@MTechGuy]

@@LearnWithCal I’ve certainly not found the SMG to be clunky in auto mode, I’ve made previous videos showing this. Do you have the euro software?

[@duncsm5662]

Great video, The Best thing about this car, that everyone misses the point about is that you have to learn to drive it. Every time you drive it, you get better at driving it, this is why it’s such a rewarding car to own. Unless you are a professional racing driver it will take you years to master. Anyone can jump into today’s generation of car and drive them fast, it’s easy everything is done for you and you will be bored after 3 months of ownership. But learning to drive the SMG properly is very rewarding and only adds to the frill of driving this V10 Super Saloon

[@MTechGuy]

Great comment Duncan! Yes the engine alone is a great experience, but the SMG takes the car to another level. You are spot on about it not babying the driver too much and making everything too easy like the most recent generation of cars. The more engaged you get with driving the SMG, the more rewarding it is!

[@dnbuzumaki79]

People say it is unpleasant and idk why it drives like a manual car and it’s fun as hell,also very interesting piece of tech. Only thing what is unpleasant is probably repairing it but that what you expect from a super car plus I wonder how complex and expensive at dct or pdk is to fix?

[@e46m54nissansr20937]

I 8 speed swapped my E60 m5 im sorry. Its also tuned the xhp its faster shifting and more user friendly.

[@KStatus7]

Beautifully said

[@nicholasbordes9670]

Great vid! Keep 'em coming! You've been a ton of help!!! I remember reading an article way back when the SMG first came out, and it said the reason for the gear shifter being with the + pulling back, and the - pushing forward, is because it follows the natural movement of the car when it is accelerating or braking. So you accelerate, the car pulls back and to accelerate further you pull back the stick. Vice Versa when braking. Made a ton of sense and I never forgot it. Now it seems weird to me when cars have it the other way around.

[@MTechGuy]

Thanks man, I’m glad you’ve found the videos of value. Never heard of the shift direction being described like that, but that SMG article sounds like it makes logical sense! Thanks for watching 👍

[@LukePC]

Thank you for writing this! It's so true! BMW got this spot on

[@KillaLogeFTW]

Wow, that's so crazy. This is exactly the same of Apple computers (i.e. iMac, Macbook & etc.) It honestly makes perfect sense. I purchased this vehicle from across the country very recently so before I pick it up this video and comment was very helpful! Thank you!

[@carlgeorgtsigakis498]

Thanks for a great review!

[@mohidsultan7175]

Thanks this helped a lot my dad just got a e60 m5 with only 20k km and I get to drive the car but only if I understand the SMG transmission.👌🏽

[@MTechGuy]

Nice one, it’s really straight forward, just different from a traditional manual/automatic 👍

[@Hardskin87]

Nice video, informative

[@MTechGuy]

Cheers, thanks for watching!

[@gerodevans2541]

New follow thanks a million all the way from New York

[@MTechGuy]

Nice one, cheers Gerod 👍

[@rotorblade9508]

this transmission is brilliant: direct shift actuators (no cross gate upshifts) for the fastest shifts possible on this single clutch transmission and it does double clutching on downshifting to preserve the synchronizers, virtually the computer is operating it perfectly. a manual is cool but you would miss this one

[@MTechGuy]

Brilliant for sure! It can certainly shift way faster than a human, and the ratios are perfectly matched to the engine. I love the SMG III !

[@carlossoler3999]

Another great video! Thanks. I've been driving for many years DSG auto gear box and I cannot change mind pushing forward to downshift. I just use the paddles not to downshift when I want to do the opposite! Crazy! I love our S85's!!!

[@MTechGuy]

Thanks Carlos, appreciate it. Yes, everyone has a different take on the +/- direction. I use the paddles most of the time when in sequential, apart from when I’m cornering and the steering wheel is upside down, then I momentarily use the shifter because of the paddle confusion!

[@christian_urocar]

Has it been reliable the SMG? I drove one with SMG I want to buy it only has 110k miles but SMG takes getting used ti. Guy only wants 11.5k for it

[@MTechGuy]

@@christian_urocar Had the car for almost 2 years, the SMG has operated without issue

[@MercedLCARS]

Looks like he's driving in a real-life Forza Horizon 4 map😄 | Good video mate!

[@MTechGuy]

Welcome to New Zealand

[@b12khx89]

Thanks for not bashing the smg, it's something that you get used to, many people go from driving manual cars to these cars and find them jerky, that I feel is because their body is used to bracing itself during the manual gear changes and that's more difficult to time when the computers do the changes Yes the car does confuse itself sometimes and can have lazy gear changes when you least expect it but that's the characteristics of the car and as an owner you learn them Love the down shift blips especially in tunnels and the car with this gearbox is so diverse in that it can go from an easy to drive automatic grand tourer to a brutal racer car with super quick gear changes with a press of a switch

[@MTechGuy]

Great comment, you are spot on! I’m a big fan of the SMG. Yes, you certainly have to drive it with a different mentality compared to either a regular manual, or auto depending on S v’s D. It has that many settings it can be dialled in for many different scenarios (S6 is insane!) Amazing gearbox that’s super underrated due to misunderstanding. Thanks for watching man!

[@b12khx89]

@@MTechGuy thanks, I usually just use the paddles or gear stick to switch from drivelogic to sequential mode without moving it over on the stick.. Just move the stick back/forwards or use the paddles to drop down a gear or change up When I want to go back into auto mode then I move the stick right to switch it back... Not sure if that's correct or not but I've had no issues over the past 5 years doing this There is a way to reset the slip detection when changing wheels/tyres but find the idrive page safer to do, I can tell when one of the rears is losing air as there is some diff clunking/driveline shunt... No big deal but noticeable

[@MTechGuy]

Great point that I didn’t mention in the video! Operate the paddles to switch from drivelogic to sequential 👍 I did a video recently on reinitialising the SMG slip detection- kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZWwi31plraKnJI That’s interesting about the tyre pressure having an effect on the slip detection!

[@b12khx89]

@@MTechGuy I seem to pick up nails on the back left all the time, haters gonna hate, a tiny leak doesn't throw off the tyre pressure sensor and it almost feels like a mini driveline shunt similar to lifting off during the gear changes Checking the air pressures and doing a system reset via the idrive makes it feel like new as it relearns your bad driving habits 😁 Keep up the good work, love the videos 👍

[@splitz5559]

cheers mate

[@MTechGuy]

No worries, thanks for watching!

[@Edison73100]

If you are driving along in auto mode and want the lowest gear poosible when you floor it, hold (not click) the down paddle (while floored) and you will get an additional lower gear (or more maybe, by then I am looking out the windshield), then I just move the shifter to the right to go back to auto mode (if you don't it will stay in manual) and let the SMG do its thing, it's a really cool that feature that I discovered one day, not sure how. 2008 M5

[@MTechGuy]

Thanks for sharing Edison73100, not tried that myself. The “kick down” will do the same in auto mode

[@Edison73100]

@@MTechGuy Yes, in auto mode it kicks down under full throttle or part throtlle, what I'm talking about is once it kicks down under full throttle, pull and hold the down paddle and it will kick down again, this puts it in manual mode so while under full throtlle I nudge (more of a slap really) the shifter right to go back to auto and it flies thru the rest of the gears on its own again.

[@stuartboakes1017]

So I have been doing it wrong by lifting off! And never used full auto. I will give it a try next time I go out, thanks M tech guy

[@MTechGuy]

No need to lift off. Auto’s great, I use it around town in traffic, dial it in to the conditions. Cheers 👍

[@stuartboakes1017]

I will have a go and let you know how I get on

[@kunaalsharma1039]

Cheers mate

[@MTechGuy]

Thanks for watching!

[@lastnightschef]

Your steering wheel looks really good, did you do something about the softtouch or is it still looking so good drom factory?

[@MTechGuy]

The dealer I bought the car off removed the steering wheel trim and painted it when they prepped the car for sale

[@aedenroland1030]

Thanks for the info, just got my m6 at 20 years old and i learned on my own that you shouldnt hold the throttle when gear changing, i get this very uncomfortable clunk if i do. also, i let the car downshift itself when im coming to a stop. should i just put it in neutral instead?

[@MTechGuy]

That’s cool you got an M6 at 20👍 No need to lift off the throttle when shifting, and no need to shift into neutral when coming to a stop either

[@mskhan1995]

I have an 09 m5. Do you ever hear clunking when your car shifts? It happens when I slow down for a stoplight. It feels like it just slams it into gear. Up shifts are good for me. Just the downshifts makes some noise occasionally

[@MTechGuy]

‘09 M5- nice! I know what you are talking about, can be caused when the gearbox is stone cold, but normally caused by vehicle speed v’s throttle position. Be mindful of the single clutch when you drive it (no torque converter absorbing inertia) be intentional with the throttle pedal either way. Play around with the 5 settings to suit the driving conditions. Don’t try to drive it like a normal auto, or manual 👍

[@TheAly78]

Very good informative ...but have a question how come lots of people say lift foot slightly while shifting...now I'm.not sure how to drive mine lol ...thanks for the review...

[@MTechGuy]

No worries. The computer logic looks after that side of things, no need to lift your foot off. It’s designed so you don’t need to lift off. Keep your foot down 👍

[@TheAly78]

@@MTechGuy thanks mate I appreciate it..

[@akimbocs]

With no Park mode on the shifter do you need to use the ebrake every time you park? Do the rear wheels lock at all when you park or are you forced to be in neutral? My friends e46 m3 had something similar and I was always confused.

[@MTechGuy]

It’s exactly the same as a regular manual gearbox, use the hand brake. You can also leave it in reverse or 1st but I wouldn’t advise it

[@usman1alam]

Do you have to release the accelerator when using paddle shifts to go up in gears?

[@MTechGuy]

No

[@matimad0338]

smg is cool

[@FernandoSantos-kv1cc]

Good morning. Fernando from Portugal, how are you? At is your opinion about this: every time I switch off the car and if it is in neutral there’s an information saying that the car is in neutral. I always put it on a gear, but if the car is going to stay in the garage for , let’s say, 3 weeks without running wouldn’t be more correct to leave it in neutral? Sorry for the extensive question and thank you again.

[@MTechGuy]

Unless I’m parking on a hill, I prefer to leave it parked in neutral

[@FernandoSantos-kv1cc]

@@MTechGuy ok. Thank you.

[@unknownracertm5088]

I have a question, when using paddle shifters can you use the breaks to slow the car down???

[@MTechGuy]

Yes 👍

[@unknownracertm5088]

M Tech Guy thanks

[@jimmynickelz]

I'm kinda lost starting on inclines without a clutch. Can you give me advice on starting smooth and not rolling backwards?

[@MTechGuy]

Hold the brake pedal down at a stand still on an incline, when you let your foot off the brake the car will “hill hold” still, until you start giving it some gas. Once you start giving it some gas, keep increasing the throttle or once the hill hold releases it will start to roll back, you need to keep increasing the gas once you start moving 👍

[@jimmynickelz]

@@MTechGuy should it "hold still" regardless of the drive mode the transmission is in?

[@MTechGuy]

Yep. Car has to be at a stand still, hold the brake pedal down, when you lift off the brakes the car should hold momentarily

[@usman1alam]

How do you change gears using paddle shifts?? Do you have to let go of the accelerator or keep accelerating ?

[@MTechGuy]

Keep accelerating, the computer will disengage the clutch and adjust the revs accordingly

[@usman1alam]

@@MTechGuy when I test drove an e46 m3 the owner told me to let go of the accelerator before using the pedals.. and it jerks when I do that?

[@whoateawethepies9346]

Had e39 m5 for 8 years traded for e61 m5 touring. In the e60s changing with the paddles in manual you need to back of the throttle slightly on up change. If you don’t you get a nasty jolt and bang from the gearbox that’s why most e60s end up needing expensive gearbox fixes after 40 thousand miles or less. Just watch Tiff test if on 5 gear says exact thing about the smg box

[@Ghost-ug8qg]

You have to put much power in your hand to put the gear in R

[@FCry0suke3S]

If I lift every shift, could this damage the smg pump?

[@MTechGuy]

No, but it’s pointless lifting off because the computer is already doing it for you

[@lnTenseGFX]

I shouldn’t be lifting off the throttle in between shifts?

[@MTechGuy]

Nope!

[@michaeljordan1135]

Is that odometer miles or kilometers?! Either way bravo!

[@MTechGuy]

Km’s 👍

[@maddalenasantini5925]

DKG?

[@maxstoegi5828]

It's essential to lift during shifting.

[@MTechGuy]

Not with an SMG

[@maxstoegi5828]

@@MTechGuy well it depends. Of course you can shift while keeping your foot on the throttle. Smg was made for that. However, if you keep doing it all the time it WILL wear off the gearbox and components a lot quicker . Also, especially at lower speeds and lower drivelogic modes, driving will be smoother when lifting. I've talked to 3 different mechanics who specialize on these smgs and they all agreed.

[@MTechGuy]

The SMG control unit looks after the throttle input and clutch disengagement during gear change regardless, lifting off or not doesn’t have any bearing on excessive wear

[@maxstoegi5828]

You are correct. I was mistaken, the guys I have talked to were talking about the first smg generation! Sorry about that. Btw, your videos are very helpful. I just bought a 2009 E60 M5 and I am binging your videos :)

[@MTechGuy]

@@maxstoegi5828 No worries mate, thanks for checking out the channel, heaps more E60 M5 videos to come in the future!

[@zellexz1145]

I would do anything for manual

[@MTechGuy]

I love the SMG!!

[@odyssey814]

is it ok if you dont have the car to go with it?

[@MTechGuy]

Sure buddy, you can just pretend and make the car noises yourself 👍

[@armenneemak6130]

I have a 2006 M5 and would like to know if you can help me please. My shifter is stock and will not move or do anything at all. No left no right no forward nothing. I can not start the car anymore.

[@MTechGuy]

Make sure your battery is good before going any further

[@armenneemak6130]

@@MTechGuyThank you for the fast reply . Battery is brand new sir. Everything lights up on the dash the way it suppose to and current and power is perfect. The shifter is just stock can not move that is the issue . Maybe power is not getting to it something i don't know. Maybe you can tell me how i can check if the power goes to the shifter assembly . Is there a fuse relay ?? I have done some research nobody have or had this issue ??

[@MTechGuy]

Your SMG pump motor may not be working, check the relays first

[@armenneemak6130]

@@MTechGuy That is also new. I will check it again and let you know if anything changes. But my question is that if the pump will not work shifter knob should move yes? This one just stock can't move at all. Anyhow thank you for the reply i will do some more research and see if i can find anything about this. One more question before i go do you know how to remove the knob i will really appreciate if you can give a hint on this stupid thing.

[@armenneemak6130]

I have some update on this. I found that two relays where bad BLACK AND GREEN as you mention on one of your videos. They where both bad. when i tested them both where clicking but when i tested the voltage i was only getting 6 to 7 volts output on both relays. After replacing them now i have pump working fine but now i have no pressure. I can not build pressure on the system no matter how much i pump it. I do not know how to bleed this stupid system and i can not find any information anywhere ho to do it. Maybe you can help me ? Thank you in advance.

[@kurtishb2202]

Mate; how does your RHD M5 have KM speedo? 😄

[@MTechGuy]

Here in New Zealand we drive right hand drive cars with KM speedometers

[@kurtishb2202]

@@MTechGuy You had me wondering how a Brit has a RHD with KM! 😄 Forgot that could mean you not actually being in the UK. Cheers mate 👍

[@Bloom0to9]

@@MTechGuy oh wow I didn't know you are in NZ haha :D I'm also in NZ, Aucklnd!

[@MTechGuy]

@@Bloom0to9 Cool, I was up there yesterday buying another BMW!

[@grandtheftautoivful]

Hey do you live I chch new zealand that's looks like the road to sumner 😆

[@Shyamalan10]

SMG Also use E46 M3

[@MTechGuy]

Yes, SMG II 👍

[@PRAGEETHKARUNADHEERA]

I didn't know that you could drive just the SMG. So the rest of the car not needed?😂

[@jordan234674]

Pulling back to upshift, and forward to downshift isn't an SMG thing... it's an auto thing.

[@MTechGuy]

Steptronic transmissions have it, although my E46 coupe was the opposite way around. An SMG gearbox drives very different to a steptronic with a torque converter

[@user-bd5ii4wm1p]

Next question , How to swap smg to manual …

[@MTechGuy]

First you’ve got to ask yourself why!

[@Ayeee_cam]

I’ve driven smg it feels so bad just manual swap the car

[@MTechGuy]

Mine feels alright, I love the SMG! The SMG ratios match the engine better than the manual anyhow

[@michaelthebarbarian3380]

I tried it... I'll keep my manual.

[@MTechGuy]

You didn’t like it!

[@michaelthebarbarian3380]

@@MTechGuy Nah, man. At that point just give me the clutch. At also seemed like a lot to break... and expensive to fix.

[@nosaltonmychips5563]

Kinda just a fake manual but i see exactly what they were aiming for

[@MTechGuy]

A manual gearbox that shifts way faster than a regular manual!

[@jakedenis4579]

What the hell bmw? Never seen this before

[@MTechGuy]

The SMG III is awesome!