Start in 2nd Gear, Automatic Tranny

[CbSonic14]

With an automatic transmission in manual mode, if you want to start in 2nd gear instead of 1st do this; when stopped at a traffic light (or waiting for the wife) and DIC is showing 1st gear, press the shift up button to 2nd and the car will start off in 2nd gear every time after that until you're parked and shut the car off. Neat!

 

[skurtov]

It doesn't. You can press that button all the way to 6. It just automatically shifts for you up to the 6th gear. If you set it at 3, it would shift automatically to 3 then hang there.

 

[Maddmatts]

I haven't experimented with the rest but it definitely lets me start from a stop in 2nd gear. Handy in the winter on icy intersections by giving that little extra throttle granularity to prevent wheelspin.

 

[BigLee]

My 13 model will allow 3rd gear takeoffs from a stop too.
Cant remember if it always allows it, or if it only allows it after you have been to M3 while moving.
But its definitely in 3rd gear at a dead stop.
Not particularly useful unless you are on an icy surface though. Definitely a weak takeoff though...