How To Use BMW Shift Paddles

In this video, we will explain and demo how to use the shift paddles in your BMW car. Newer BMW models come with shift paddles which are paired with an automatic transmission. Therefore, customers get to experience manual shifting without actually having a manual transmission.
The video will explain how to upshot and downshift, and also share some tips and tricks to make the driving experience more pleasant.
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[@apiengar]

For someone who's driven only manuals (I'm from India), I knew the theory and the logic of how this system works but hadn't seen it in action. So this was super helpful!

[@Bug13]

I learned driving using a manual transmission and my first two vehicles were all manual, then I moved to as automatic back in 2003 and haven't driven a manual since. I just picked up a X5 M50i and it has the paddles and manual mode and been wanting to try it but been hesitating due to not wanting to mess something up on the vehicle. This was a great little video that puts my fears at rest, that the car is idiot (me) proof and won't allow me do something that will damage the transmission. Trying this out today when I drive home.

[@abdullahmorad7117]

Idiotproof. Hahaha!! 🤣😂🤣😂😂

[@mickyeverton]

Picked up a new M240i recently!! Never been a fan of paddle shifters but you explained it very clearly, I have owned nearly every BM under the sun & I have never used them. The M240i is a definite keeper, Many Thanks, Peace From London!! 🙏🙏🚘🚘

[@bmwblog]

Glad it was useful

[@misterSuplizio]

Best video on the topic! Well done!

[@bmwblog]

Glad it was helpful!

[@grahamgriffiths7405]

Great help, many thanks

[@WeedGreenPie]

finally, a clear video about this. thank you, it helped me a lot.

[@bmwblog]

Glad it helped!

[@rajjy1976]

Good video. Now please show us how to use the turn signals 😂

[@bmwblog]

That's next :)

[@mydarwis]

😂😂

[@krzychooin]

😂

[@honorablewiz7447]

I thought the paddles were the blinkers

[@palmsofdestin1]

Never understood why you need turn signals if you already know where you're going?

[@alexbyrne844]

Im pickinh up a 540d msport this week cant wait

[@maurecara6908]

Great video and I'm just getting educated about paddle shifting so forgive this question if it sounds ignorant. I've always been a manual driver with a clutch, are you telling me that the six or eight speed automatic transmission with paddles, has no clutch? Thanks! PS, I'm just looking at my first four series, I've had three series and a five

[@tomaszniscigorski6901]

Thank You!!!Great explanation!!!

[@bmwblog]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Flavorwiz]

Great tutorial. Thanks!

[@bmwblog]

Glad it was helpful!

[@trancehi]

Thank you for the video. Just bought a 4 series and I'll be honest, I wasn't sure how to operate paddle shift as I've driven manual cars all my life. Yes, I can leave it in auto, but It's a must to learn the paddle shift too. Just a little daunting to newcomers.

[@bmwblog]

Glad it was useful

[@predamarian-marius3477]

verry interesting! i have to learn that too!

[@quickhandz79]

I have a question yesterday day I was pulling in sport plus and for some reason I notice it went to manual mode so I was reving kind of high and I got nervous cause I didn't want to blow my motor since I realize I had to shift it myself but before noticing it was in manual. I heard you said in the video it won't let you over Rev the engine and my car is tuned, should i be worried about the reving high as far as the engine concern.

[@kgp277]

If you shift down aggressively in auto mode, what triggers the engine to take over again? RPMs (and/or) amount of time in that gear? For example, traffic gets a little dicey, I paddle downshift to second gear at high RPMs, does the engine immediately shift back up to third? Also, great video. Getting my first BMW in two days!

[@bmwblog]

Without having the full engineering details, I think the engine will always try to match the ideal RPM to avoid any issues. But will need to test it more

[@satomelon68]

Helpful video for someone (me) who has never owned an automatic transmission car. Just for clarification, if you're in Comfort mode and manual mode, and change to Eco, does the transmission stay in manual mode? In other words, can you shift in and out of different modes while staying in manual mode?

[@bmwblog]

It stays in manual

[@prodkevv2freefornonprofitb982]

Can you shift back and forth from manual mode to drive while driving?

[@michaelcox4344]

Hi, great video thanks. However could you please confirm that the paddles and manual shift lever work in exactly the manner you describe irrespective of whether you are in comfort or sport/plus. My users manual is quite confusing. Hope this question makes sense? Thanks

[@bmwblog]

Hmm, not sure I know what you mean.

[@michaelcox4344]

@@bmwblog Thanks, glad it's not just me who finds it a little confusing

[@michaelcox4344]

@@bmwblog Apologies, I should have listened to your video more closely as you answered my question. Thanks

[@mlif3813]

Do you have to let go the gas or can you leave your foot on the gas

[@franciscoacosta3200]

Thank you for this video, nice explanation. BMWBLOG, I just have a question for you. I have a 330i 2020 and I like to drive it in automatic, comfort mode. When I leave a ramp with slope (for example when I leave out a parking lot) I notice that after reaching even road and step the accelerator, my car keeps the lower gearing and the RPM increase a lot for some seconds, then becomes normal again. Is there any method to avoid this? should I just forget about this? Thank you in advance for your answer and regards from Mexico.

[@bmwblog]

I haven't experienced that. Did you try asking the dealer if it's normal?

[@franciscoacosta3200]

@@bmwblog Thank you for your prompt answer. No, I have not asked the dealer, but I will. Regards.

[@cristianbataturescu5695]

What is the normal motor temperature for 2000 cc diesel ?

[@cb_brian5882]

In Marc. we can double down shift eg from 6th gear double press left shifter to go straight to the 4th gear. So does BMW cars allow that? Double down shifting??

[@cb_brian5882]

Ohhho I just listened to you properly -5:43 you mentioned it 👏

[@bmwblog]

:) No problem

[@adrianobrumat7600]

BMWs have a kickdown sistem under a gas pedal. U press it all the way down to feel the click and the car shift 2 gears down

[@andrewclifton9772]

I did not know that I can use the paddles even while in auto mode - say to get a quick downshift for an overtake. But prior automatics I have had downshift when you press the throttle to a certain point - does my BMW 440i do that? I have not had it very long and I am still learning what it can and cannot do.

[@bmwblog]

I don't recall how the 440i works. Has been a while

[@md8744]

I like the way you talk though.....cool voice

[@Memoira]

Does that mean in Manual, if you hit red line, it won’t automatically shift up?

[@dsinghr]

I never use them on my bmw 330i because the 8 speed auto is fucking good

[@giorgostzolis4245]

when you want to downshift, should you first step the break a little first to low the revs and then down shift or there is no problem and you can down shift to the current revs? down shifting with the current revs isn't going to damage the transition?

[@bmwblog]

From what I know, it does the auto rev match

[@t.o8524]

While I’m driving in manual mode , can I use the hand gear shifter to shift the gears or only the paddles ??

[@bmwblog]

You cause the hand gear

[@jouhajohnny]

both

[@customagent74]

ah......I think I'll just leave it in automatic and drive. This gave me a headache trying to figure it out.

[@davidpearson9036]

If you side shift it to manual to use the paddles can u just shift it back when driving or do you need to hit the break pedal before you can shift it back into normal automatic?

[@bmwblog]

You can shift it back without brake, if I recall

[@christopherlewis3615]

I can't believe this come up on my feed! I can't believe I actually watched it! I can't believe how badly you explained something so simple.

[@bmwblog]

How was it badly explained? Curious

[@coryfletcher9176]

Yes, teach us all how YOU would explain it......

[@proficient___]

I have a stupid question lol - why does the car get more power when you down shift, instead of upshift?

[@forcefann364]

Higher revs = more speed Speeding up the car in a lower gear increases the revs

[@vincentsmart9540]

Do u need to let the gas, while u shift the gear?

[@bmwblog]

No. It's still an auto transmission

[@ElverGalargaChupas]

Best question! I wanted to know this too.

[@sarchisi]

People should try Down shifting using the paddles but up shifting using the steptronic using the right hand. You will find this is probably the most comfortable position and funnest.

[@bmwblog]

Interesting approach

[@akosszakacs]

I'm adamant on manual transmission and probably this would be the only compromise, as a good manual is increasingly difficult to come by these days...

[@WANT3D-FEL0N]

Hold the left shifter for overtake mode

[@bmwblog]

Ha. Good one

[@shelbyhaiketic4212]

How come when I hold the left shifter it only downshifts 1 gear and doesn’t do anything else ? Does my foot need to be on gas ?

[@WANT3D-FEL0N]

@@shelbyhaiketic4212 yes it does

[@shelbyhaiketic4212]

@@WANT3D-FEL0N all the way down till click or just a lil push

[@neil357]

Instead of rapid downshifting long press the downshift paddle the vehicle will enter SPRINT MODE for overtaking and to re-enter normal mode long press the upshift paddle.

[@bmwblog]

Does it work for all BMWs? I don't recall that

[@Maranzacoder]

When downshifting do you let go of the acceleration???

[@bmwblog]

I personally don't. Not sure about others

[@cp_pdn]

Apparently thats no needed unlike manual cars ...

[@donkrey6254]

Is this only with a dct or not?

[@bmwblog]

Should work similarity with others

[@Dirtbag-_-]

paddle shifting on an auto trans is so pointless go spend a little money and get your gears tuned to perfection. the auto shifting will always be faster than you trying to shift on paddles if it’s tuned good.

[@billthecat129]

I hear downshifting is hard transmissions which brought me to this site...why would other car pundits make this claim?

[@artkirakosyan2633]

One more use of shifters is when you are on cruise control going very steep downhill, if you are not in a manual mode it will accelerate over the limit that you set. It won’t downshift automatically to keep the set speed limit and obviously won’t press brakes for you too. But in manual mode if you chose low gear it will keep the speed limit. Very useful when you drive in mountainous highway. Also when you are in D and u use the shifter you can switch the knob left and right again to switch back to D immediately. Also you can shift from the knob by shifting it front and back, no need to use the shifters. Also People will get more info about the shifters from my comment then your 10 minute long video.

[@bmwblog]

There are a lot more use cases. We wanted to keep it simple, yet informative.

[@akosszakacs]

They won't, and that is because of your lack of competency in giving a clear explanation. One would read your comment and would not be able to decipher the meaning of it, despite understanding every single individual word. I suggest you pick up a few books to read. That would increase your vocabulary and phrasing abilities. Your welcome my friend!

[@chillouterPL]

Keep holding the right shifter to stay at the lowest possible gear

[@thedude4795]

oh yes please lecture me about performance cars with your baby seat in the back

[@bmwblog]

Interesting point of view. So kids shouldn't be allowed in sportscar. Or dads shouldn't own a sportscar

[@tunod-]

I've only ever driven manuals and occasionaly an automatic. I'm getting my first BMW car, RWD, automatic with paddles and here I am looking up how it works. I already know how it works because I'm a simracer. But in a game it's much easier to tell when you need to shift up or down and there's so many other factors when racing that just dont apply in real life. For example shifting down when turning and then shifting up to gain traction, youre just not gonna do that IRL unless you're drifting. I wanna know how this works in a real car because it's the most fun thing about an automatic and that's driving it manually lol

[@margineansasha2596]

U didnt explain anything at all

[@bmwblog]

what did we miss?

[@tunod-]

Bruh. Im only 6:20 in the video and Im sorry to shit on you because you're most definitely more experienced than me but that said.. WHY WOULD YOU TURN IN 1ST GEAR?

[@ABDULHALIMFITNESS]

Fantastic video.. Thankyou brother

[@bmwblog]

Thanks and welcome