Setting up shift light

Can someone post instructions on how to setup shift light? I've follow the manual and still can't get it working. Could it be defective?

What shift lights? Need to be specific, unless you're referring to the DCT.

It seems you can only do it when the ignition is running.

Then you need to click the thumb wheel on the turn signal stalk until you see the correct symbol (lights in a semi circle with an arrow pointing to a plus sign), and then press the button on the end of the stalk. That will allow you to set the option.

is your car broken in yet? have you taken the rpm's high enough?

It won't light up till you hit the 8 mark but when you do, just hang on.

riyatch wrote

is your car broken in yet? have you taken the rpm's high enough?

Yes, I just had the 1200 mi service. I guess I haven't rev the rpm's high enough. How high of rpm's before it lights up?

Poppin Fresh wrote

It won't light up till you hit the 8 mark but when you do, just hang on.

I will try it later and see if it lights up when it is in the 8 marks, thanks!

That's just for DCT, or maybe '09s, correct? Don't remember reading anything about a shift light for my '08 6MT. Not that I care for it, but just curious. Thx.

elp_jc wrote

That's just for DCT, or maybe '09s, correct? Don't remember reading anything about a shift light for my '08 6MT. Not that I care for it, but just curious. Thx.

DCT only, regardless of model year.

It' a pity 6MTs don't get them too.

same here... haven't seen the light. lol 09 DCT Thought I set it up correctly but perhaps I just haven't been high enough on the RPM. Time to go find an empty street.

its the coolest thing ever, and when people are clueless about you're car and what it is, they think ur driving like an airplane lol

If you go on YouTube there are numerous vids showing the shift lights lighting up. Just search under E90 M3 Lauch Control or similar. I didn't think mine worked until I hit 8k and then I was more preoccupied with hanging on and taking in the roar of the V8!!!

When the shift lights fire up they stick out like dog's balls - you can't miss them.

You can also program it to turn on or off with your key memory setup.

Mine start coming on at 7000 rpm. DCT FTMFW with shift lights.

Funny....I also thought I didn't set it up correctly, until I one day floored it, under normal driving conditions you will rarely see it light up.

it is really cool to see them light up and it helps with shifting because the engine revs so quickly.

Okay, this is odd but I think you guys are misinformed. I just brought my new '09 M3 in for the 1200 mile service with the same problem--shift lights do not work. Well, it seems this is a known software glitch according to the service guys at BMW that is to date without a resolution. To say I'm pissed about getting an M3 with defective shift lights is an understatement. I do love the car but go sign away over $60,000 and then to have this come up is like a big f***ing "oops". Well, dealer says they'll let me know when they get a software fix but I believe this has been a known issue for some time so I'm really wondering what the hell is up and is BMW really making a concerted effort to fix this if the cars with the problem have been out for this long? Anyone know more than this?
Thanks and btw this is my first post here. I also post at bimmerforums under the same handle ;-).

Make sure that you have enabled Shift lights to be On in iDrive. I forgot which menu it is exactly, though. And the others are right, they only appear at the high rpm range...and when they appear, they light up green, yellow, red...incredibly fast that it's probably time to shift as soon as you see the first yellow light, because of your late body reaction time.

my M3 does not have the i-drive. i did follow the manual to the letter though and what i found is that even enabled the shift lights do not work. also, my dealer let me drive his m3, which was a sedan, and the shift lights worked fine at less than 6000 rpm if memory serves. but as i said it was the service dept guys who told me there is a software glitch so if they don't know what they're talking about then i'm really in trouble.

frankzlin79 wrote

Make sure that you have enabled Shift lights to be On in iDrive.

The issue is that this problem occurs in DCT cars without iDrive. Cars with iDrive are fine.

From what I understand there is no solution to this now i.e. the non-iDrive guys will have to wait for the next software update addressing this issue...

gr8000 wrote

The issue is that this problem occurs in DCT cars without iDrive. Cars with iDrive are fine.

From what I understand there is no solution to this now i.e. the non-iDrive guys will have to wait for the next software update addressing this issue...

That is not correct. The only software glitch is the fact that non-iDrive owners cannot get their shift lights to stay on by default. I have to manually turn the shift lights on each time the car is started and they will work until the ignition is turn off.

For more info see my thread: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=272097