Auto gear lever/selector operation

[PaulWW]

Morning,

I have owned a F30 320d for three tanks of diesel so far and absolutely love this vehicle. This is my first auto.

One thing I find rather puzzling, as (to me at least) it is counter initiative, is the operating of the gear lever/selector;

Why is it that one must push it forward to engage reverse and pull it backwards to engage drive?

In other words, the gear selector is moved in the opposite direction to the selected /required direction of travel

I find this really amusing as I get used to the auto.

 

[SubLoaded]

I assume because traditional autos have the order of the stick as P,R,N,D from top down. It is just more natural to push upwards for reverse , and then back down to go to drive - like a traditional auto selector :hammerhead:

 

[PaulWW]

Not having owned an auto before, I do not find it all that natural.

 

[MR_Y]

I assume because traditional autos have the order of the stick as P,R,N,D from top down. It is just more natural to push upwards for reverse , and then back down to go to drive - like a traditional auto selector :hammerhead:

Agree with this.
Both my current cars are auto.
I no longer look at the gearshifter - I just know which direction to push it in to go forward or backward.

However, I think the ZF guys recommend that you always allow the shifter to pause briefly in N before selecting D ir R.

 

[cOlDFuSiOn]

I think it is pretty natural, even classical reverse gear is forward engaging.. Top Left.. Yes there are exceptions..
The Land Rover Discovery we had was odd, no gear lever just the dial.. Now that takes some getting used to!

 

[SubLoaded]

I think it is pretty natural, even classical reverse gear is forward engaging.. Top Left.. Yes there are exceptions..
The Land Rover Discovery we had was odd, no gear lever just the dial.. Now that takes some getting used to!

Absolutely hate that kak. It does look fancy though. The way it pops up and tucks itself away when you're done :fencelook:

 

[Holiman]

I think it is pretty natural, even classical reverse gear is forward engaging.. Top Left.. Yes there are exceptions..
The Land Rover Discovery we had was odd, no gear lever just the dial.. Now that takes some getting used to!

Similar to Benz? I don't like the Benz stalk

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6000 using Tapatalk

 

[cOlDFuSiOn]

I think it is pretty natural, even classical reverse gear is forward engaging.. Top Left.. Yes there are exceptions..
The Land Rover Discovery we had was odd, no gear lever just the dial.. Now that takes some getting used to!

Similar to Benz? I don't like the Benz stalk

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6000 using Tapatalk

The land rover/range rover one is like the idrive roundel in the center console, it rises up and you turn it to select the right gear. Look I get it, auto boxes are digital, you can interact with the box in any interface, but the classical gear lever of some sorts still works for me. I would not be able to comprehend driving a Benz with a stalk like an indicator, wow that is old skool!