How To Manually Shift A BMW Into Neutral With An Electronic Shifter

Brian Eslick from How to Automotive www.howtoautomotive.com/ takes you step-by-step through the process of shifting your BMW with electronic shifter into neutral without the engine running so you can move it or tow it.
New! How to Automotive T-shirts, stickers, and more! Click the link: teespring.com/stores/how-to-a...
Affiliate link mentioned in the video for How to Automotive Tool Store www.amazon.com/shop/howtoauto...
Website
For more videos, tips, and to purchase recommended tools and products visit my website at: www.howtoautomotive.com/
Stay connected at:
Email: [e-mail]
Facebook: / how-to-autom. .
Google+: plus.google.com/+HowtoAutomot...
LinkedIn: / brian-esl. .
Disclaimer
Owing to factors beyond the control of How to Automotive/Brian Eslick, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modification of this information, or improper use of this information. How to Automotive/Brian Eslick assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any information contained in this video. How to Automotive/Brian Eslick recommends safe practice when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jacks and jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemical lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Because of factors beyond the control of How to Automotive/Brian Eslick, no information contained in this video shall express or imply warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not How to Automotive/Brian Eslick #HowtoAutomotive

[@billyyoder8171]

Thank you Brian. Good job. I appreciate your videos. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[@HowtoAutomotive]

Billy Yoder Thank you for watching and merry Christmas to you and your family!

[@broGabiza]

Great video👍👍. Thanks

[@isaiahkipp5509]

Appreciate the advice 👌

[@Usmanthemecano]

Great tip

[@jacktripper9336]

Thank you very much. This is a helluva lot easier than going underneath the vehicle and disassembling panel to get to the neutral screw bolt.

[@powermode8690]

Don’t say you did that 😆

[@neverstoplearning382]

Mmmm I didn't know that. Every dzy I learn something new thanks to great people like this guy. Thank you.

[@jgeorges3061]

Good info as always thanks for sharing my brother Brian and merry xrtsms to you and family.

[@360fanboy360]

thank you i will use this info next time i come across this

[@OP-wq5sb]

Excellent 👍🏽

[@rickshark3783]

Thank you. Helped us a lot

[@HowtoAutomotive]

Thank you for watching!

[@NCREDIBLE]

Dope 🤟🏽

[@aquinostuart4125]

Awsome vid! , does same apply to a 135i 2012 n55 convertible?

[@deathuncut]

Life saver

[@zeusfigueroa4323]

Thanks 🙏🏼

[@bradk7462]

Can you do one of these videos for the F20 BMW m135i 2014 model?

[@ramyram8874]

Can you please make a video how to release the gear shifter for the electric once attached on the staring wheels? I never found a video for it...

[@surfordie73]

Sure beats crawling under the car!!! Thank You!!!

[@ilanbreitman1434]

Good information💯💯 its can work on bmw f20 116i 2012??

[@lukeriley1914]

Awesome video I had the same problem was thinking how the hell do I move car

[@SupercarsGermany707]

Great info, thanks.

[@TheDragon8or]

that slot which you insert the screwdriver into isn't present in the F36 model, is there a different way ..?

[@more3852]

or try this: 1) Turn the ignition ON (KL15). 2) Press the brake pedal and continue pressing it throughout all further steps. 3) Press the Start/Stop button (starter will engage). 4) As soon as the starter motor is engaged, press the unlock button on the left side of the GWS shifter and move the shifter forward to position N. Note: For M57Y diesel engine-equipped vehicles and during low ambient temperatures, a certain delay (up to 4 seconds) may be experienced before switching to the N position. 5) Continue pressing the GWS shifter towards the N position until the audible gong is heard and a CC message "Gearbox Malfunction. Gearbox position P may not be possible. Activate parking brake while vehicle is standing" is displayed. 6) Then release the gearshift and reselect the N position within the next 6 seconds. Gear position N is then displayed in the instrument cluster. 7) Continue depressing the brake pedal until the starter motor stops cranking. Then the brake pedal can be released and the vehicle can be moved/pushed into a desired place. Important: After applying the procedure described above, the vehicle can only be moved manually. Towing is prohibited since the parking lock may engage, causing severe transmission damage. 8) The ignition has to be ON (KL15) at all the times during this process. If turned OFF, the Park gear position is going to be engaged automatically.

[@itsHXZE]

defeats the entire purpose

[@CausingDread]

@@itsHXZEyeah he’s a retard

[@DREAM.RYTM.WALKER]

Dude the car is dead.....😂😂😂

[@sttowingrecovery6676]

Good job 👍👍👍

[@HowtoAutomotive]

Thank you!

[@detroitwain5914]

Life saver thank you

[@HowtoAutomotive]

Thank you for watching!

[@alexp.1989]

Hello, can you share how this can be done for 8HP gearbox on 2011 e70 4.0d?

[@edwardocarvalho]

What are years this is applicable to?

[@nnib7928]

Thank u, work on 520d ( 2006 )

[@automan1223]

something that used to be soo simple is now a beer drinking game of where's waldo. even between same models the procedure can be different. TY

[@soundcuer]

Thank you for this video but I have BMW750li 2011 when I put it in parking it changes neutral

[@felipezamudio323]

Thanks great video Made my job easier

[@HowtoAutomotive]

Thank you!

[@rogerh4815]

I have 2011 BMW X3 28i, is this procedure is the same? Can you confirm or advise otherwise? Thank you.

[@h-towngrind4911]

What year is it that this works for?

[@darylsparks-sparksautomoti6066]

these damn vehicles!

[@silvestresantiago9662]

Hello I have 2013 BMWX3. when I drive. I press pedal stop. The automatic transmission go nuetral..sk what happy me car??

[@xmetrix]

without pulling plastics from a 2019 x5, does anyone you if this is the same sort of mechanism in a '19 x5? Absolutely hate the direction cars are going these days.

[@MrInvisible2you]

Does this method works on a 2020 gr supra?

[@ozzstars_cars]

So that's the secret to pushing a BMW more easily. 😁

[@PaulyD0859]

Get someone else to push while you steer. 😝

[@HowtoAutomotive]

I should have title it how to push a BMW. 🤓

[@TFaminu]

❤️

[@weezyfbabyy459]

How do you put it back in park ?

[@przemyslawciepiela449]

🥰thanks

[@HowtoAutomotive]

Thank you for watching!

[@yfung4140]

good job, but I will trade them in after I know how

[@emilyadams6190]

I did this, and the second time that I went to do it to push the car back, the plastic piece that you pull broke off!

[@sgtking]

In f30 can i do this??!

[@leonaldogarcia7102]

Niceee

[@prawnstar9213]

Let’s do one for the 2023 3 series lci;) has no shift nob.. it’s now a switch

[@rambo8652]

How do o do this is 2009 335i?

[@qualitytowing927]

thank you i had a tow driver that said it needs a wheel lift. easy pz

[@HowtoAutomotive]

Glad to help. Thank you for watching!

[@chrilleman16]

tried to help a guy who was stranded in the middle of a roundabout during rush hour, and we could not get it into neutral..had to leave the damn thing there blocking the entire roundabout ... wish i had know that then, kind of a silly system honestly.

[@AutobahnDan]

Have you ran into the newer ones yet? The only way is to jack the vehicle up, remove the belly cover around the transmission, and screw in a 5mm Allen into the shifter arm! It’s ridiculous!

[@HowtoAutomotive]

AutobahnDan yes I have. That sucks

[@AutobahnDan]

pochoun33137 Yep, I tell the tow truck drivers to keep a bottle of dish soap on their truck so they can skid it up their bed! Cause there’s no way they’re gonna figure it out!😆

[@dragonblue8056]

A question for someone who knows my bmw X3 28i when I stop at a traffic light the car goes into neutral by itself and the check engine comes out and from there it doesn't change gears until I turn it off it works again what will it be

[@HowtoAutomotive]

First place to start is by pulling those codes

[@essy184]

Will this work for a dead battery. No indication lights coming on

[@HowtoAutomotive]

Yes

[@ericdecker6083]

Is it the same on 7 series? Fo1 fo2 2014

[@HowtoAutomotive]

Yes, except for the center consul may a little different

[@odionlilian8139]

135 bmw 2012 how to take off fro park

[@user-jt5bx9os6f]

X1how to manually shift bmw x1 into neutral wither em electronic shifter

[@user-dr3cu3hp9k]

Isn't this a 5 series?

[@andreytorres5116]

Would this work on a 2013 bmw 335i ?

[@nathanortiz6860]

Did you try it?

[@thatboyfromLI]

Can’t put it back in park afterwards?

[@jonaslegaspi7733]

Mine too, did you solve the problem dude?

[@chesterredrum4917]

Mines still stuck in neutral after all instructions

[@customcsusa]

Every model with this type of shifter?!

[@HowtoAutomotive]

90% or them.

[@mitter11]

Will this work on a 2008 650i?

[@HowtoAutomotive]

I believe it’s the same but I’m not 100%

[@isaiahkipp5509]

I put it back and it didn’t fix itself so I’m 99% positive I fucked something up because it’s a BMW and shit hardly goes your way when that happens

[@brendanbrendan3911]

Why would they make it sooooo difficult

[@frankbautista758]

And how do you get it out of neutral?

[@HowtoAutomotive]

I show that in the video

[@isaiahkipp5509]

Did this and got a transmission malfunction

[@HowtoAutomotive]

Check and see if it didn’t get put back together correcting then clear codes and see if it comes back.

[@benhammon4515]

Doesn't work for a 2018 model

[@JW...-oj5iw]

Have a guy in a parking garage with a 2019 X7 that is said to be stuck in park. I have a 9' tall cab flatbed, so I can't enter the parking garage. I was hoping that BMW still had the release mechanism available. If not, it will have to be dollied out. I'm trying to check with the guy to see if the shifter is malfunctioning, or reacting to a safety system. Electronic shifters are an abomination. More BS comes from "engineers" than herds.

[@jjvwguy2489]

Ever seen one not go into any gear but start?

[@HowtoAutomotive]

Not with the electronica shifter. Haven’t come across that yet.

[@jjvwguy2489]

@@HowtoAutomotive I have one it will start but won't go into any gear

[@asdax8311]

This could've easily been avoided if you just pop it to neutral in the first place.

[@HowtoAutomotive]

Asad Rizwan Came off the tow truck like this

[@asdax8311]

@@HowtoAutomotive i mean to say if BMW just made its cars to just switch to neutral without taking out a bunch of parts with tools. Not many people have this kind of knowledgeable or carry tools for such a situation. Certainly not people who typically lease (or buy) BMWs.

[@powermode8690]

Wrong place for your comment , friend.

[@claydvais6325]

Stupid bmw’s this is what you have to do if you need a tow? Great engineering

[@xxblinddxx]

you do know its not bmw design /fault and engineering ? they use ATF transmission. In comparaison; youd blame BMW because the harman kardon amplifier replacement needs to programmed and synced with the speakers s/n or itll be quiet as a church. It aint BMW being the problem. They go towards compagny/partnership with products thats been proven over and over that leads for a final car productions that doesnt need over development for each and every component from BMW thus being able to sell for a decent price instead having to get a 2nd morgage to buy a car. That transmission actually is used in other brand like chevy / chrysler and others. ZF is actualy part of the company name producing it. Dont take it personal just an advice : before poiting fingers and accusing right away use the tools at your disposal or if youre turning lazy like me ( mainly all IT guys which I am) chatgpt will do the work for you. LEarning without doing the hard (not really) work of searching =)

[@matviykorolyov7555]

this is 5 series e60.. shame on you

[@jeffdavis4794]

Really BMW crap.

[@reggier2343]

So annoying

[@voiceofreason2771]

Another reason not to buy a bmw

[@cubsudds9552]

Literally shows you how to do it it's not like you can't do it period lmao

[@xxblinddxx]

Better late than never but ..... : you do know its not bmw design /fault and engineering ? they use ATF transmission. In comparaison; youd blame BMW because the harman kardon amplifier replacement needs to programmed and synced with the speakers s/n or itll be quiet as a church. It aint BMW being the problem. They go towards compagny/partnership with products thats been proven over and over that leads for a final car productions that doesnt need over development for each and every component from BMW thus being able to sell for a decent price instead having to get a 2nd morgage to buy a car. That transmission actually is used in other brand like chevy / chrysler and others. ZF is actualy part of the company name producing it. Dont take it personal just an advice : before poiting fingers and accusing right away use the tools at your disposal or if youre turning lazy like me ( mainly all IT guys which I am) chatgpt will do the work for you. LEarning without doing the hard (not really) work of searching =)

[@sacresies]

Such a ridiculous procedure just to get into nuetral. Plus in general they're shitty cars

[@josephjoestar5444]

Hate these stupid cars

[@xxblinddxx]

Let me point out a fact or two for anyone who wants to learn and not remain, shall we say, less informed. This is not about personal offense, but about sharing knowledge. So, for those who are curious about how car manufacturing works, or any company for that matter, consider this: the screen in your phone might be produced by Sony, but it's used in Samsung phones. I've made up this example, but it illustrates the bigger picture. It's not BMW's design, fault, or engineering at play when we talk about their use of ZF transmissions. To draw a parallel, you wouldn't blame BMW if a Harman Kardon amplifier replacement needed to be programmed and synced with the speakers' serial numbers, or else it would be as quiet as a church. The issue isn't with BMW. They partner with companies to source products that have been proven over time, at a fraction of the cost it would take for them to develop these in-house. This includes forming new teams, departments, ensuring quality control, and setting up mass production facilities. This approach leads to the final car production not needing ground-up development for that specific component at BMW's factories, thus being cost-effective for them and, in turn, making the cars more affordable for us. We avoid the need for loans from that strange-looking guy in the neighborhood who's into banking, with clauses like 'a knee today for that no pay.' I'm exaggerating to make a point, so let's get back on track. This transmission is actually used in other brands like Chevy and Chrysler. ZF is part of the name of the company that produces it. Unfortunately, people are quick to point fingers and make accusations. A quick search on the same platform that owns KZbin (Google... sshhh) or, if you're a bit lazy as me working in the same kind of field as i do .. IT (which consist of me to automate as much as i can of my job so i can actually use my time doing thing that i really like .. commentings youtube learning course obv... Im that lazy and fun at party) invite you to try what i like to call my personal lil bit*** eumm helper - ChatGPT ... he she (or as you please really) will do the work for you. Oh .... and If you've listened all the way through, you're restoring my faith in the power of knowledge and humanity. After all, isn't that the main reason we're all here?"