DCT Shift Lights Observation

skierman64 · 05-30-2008, 11:38 PM

I discovered tonight that the shift lights are not rpm based. The are based purely on the speed at which you are accelerating toward redline. For example at full throttle in first gear the lights will come on at a lower rpm (say 6500) than they will in any higher gear. Because in first gear you will approach redline much quicker at full throttle in any other gear.

In fact if you are accelerating toward redline and illuminate the shift lights and then ease up on the throttle to maintain your speed or even slow down, the lights will extinguish.

I always assumed the lights were tied to an rpm, not true.

MDCTFTW · 05-30-2008, 11:55 PM

Ah I see. No wonder I haven't seen any damn lights yet.

swamp2 · 05-31-2008, 12:59 AM

The time from first yellow to red in 1st near or at WOT is still awfully quick ain't it?

SMSgt B · 05-31-2008, 06:22 AM

I notice that also but thought it had to do something with your pedal response. When pushing the gas pedal down, there is a certain point (like a breaking point, threshold, bump..whatever) that once you push pass it, then the shift lights come on. If I didn't go past this pedal "threshold", the lights wouldn't come on. Does that make sense?

JIO · 05-31-2008, 11:36 PM

SMG is the same way. In 1st gear they come up much faster as opposed to say 3rd gear. It's really noticeable at the track when you are shifting at almost redline most of the time.

Jack28 · 06-01-2008, 02:52 AM

Nice to know... Thats co, Thanks...

dillon733 · 06-01-2008, 09:09 AM

when are you supposed to shift when you hit the first red one ???

05-30-2008, 11:38 PM	#1
skierman64 Brigadier General 127 Rep 3,071 Posts Drives: E92M3-E46M3-E46Wagon-E89Z4-E36 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Greater St Louis Metro area iTrader: (1) Garage List 1994 325is Race Car [0.00] 2011 BMW Z4 [0.00] 1998 M3 Coupe [0.00] 2008 M3 Coupe [0.00]	DCT Shift Lights Observation I discovered tonight that the shift lights are not rpm based. The are based purely on the speed at which you are accelerating toward redline. For example at full throttle in first gear the lights will come on at a lower rpm (say 6500) than they will in any higher gear. Because in first gear you will approach redline much quicker at full throttle in any other gear. In fact if you are accelerating toward redline and illuminate the shift lights and then ease up on the throttle to maintain your speed or even slow down, the lights will extinguish. I always assumed the lights were tied to an rpm, not true. __________________ Invest Wisely...The best mod for your money?? BMWCCA high performance driver's school. The mod that lasts a lifetime and improves the performance of any car you drive[/LEFT] Last edited by skierman64; 05-31-2008 at 12:14 AM..
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05-30-2008, 11:55 PM	#2
MDCTFTW Lieutenant Colonel 123 Rep 1,973 Posts Drives: E92 DCT Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Norcal iTrader: (0)	Ah I see. No wonder I haven't seen any damn lights yet. __________________ MDCT ... so you can drive and eat a hamburger at the same time.
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05-31-2008, 12:59 AM	#3
swamp2 Lieutenant General 611 Rep 10,407 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Diego, CA USA iTrader: (3)	The time from first yellow to red in 1st near or at WOT is still awfully quick ain't it?
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05-31-2008, 06:22 AM	#4
SMSgt B Lieutenant 153 Rep 493 Posts Drives: '23 M4 G83; '23 M850i Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Stuttgart iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 BMW M4 [0.00]	I notice that also but thought it had to do something with your pedal response. When pushing the gas pedal down, there is a certain point (like a breaking point, threshold, bump..whatever) that once you push pass it, then the shift lights come on. If I didn't go past this pedal "threshold", the lights wouldn't come on. Does that make sense?
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05-31-2008, 11:36 PM	#5
JIO Captain 48 Rep 636 Posts Drives: '09 Space Gray E92 M3 w/DCT Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Eugene, Oregon iTrader: (0)	SMG is the same way. In 1st gear they come up much faster as opposed to say 3rd gear. It's really noticeable at the track when you are shifting at almost redline most of the time.
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06-01-2008, 02:52 AM	#6
Jack28 HUSTLER 14 Rep 1,317 Posts Drives: E46 M3-E92 M3 Join Date: May 2006 Location: So/Ca Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Nice to know... Thats co, Thanks... __________________ E92 M3 ZCP- AW/FR w/Extended Leather) Packages: ZCP, 6MT, Fully Loaded E46 M3 - AW/IR 6 Spd, Fully Loaded. 19'' BBS LM DBK, V-CSL C/F Bmpr, Botld, Diff, V-CSL Custum IR-CF Center Counsel, V-GTR Hood, Dixis Ti 76mm, Meisterschaft Ti Sec. 1&2, EvoSport Headers, CAI, D/A Chip, tck d/a, Alcantera Headliner with Imola Red Sttitching....
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06-01-2008, 09:09 AM	#7
dillon733 Major 96 Rep 1,196 Posts Drives: Jet Black e92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: new york iTrader: (3)	when are you supposed to shift when you hit the first red one ???
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