How To Put A BMW In Neutral Without Starting It? Learn The Easy Steps Now!

Have you ever needed to move your BMW without starting the engine? Maybe it’s in a tight parking spot or being towed. Knowing how to put your BMW in neutral without starting it can be incredibly useful and save you from potential costly damages.

Luckily, putting a BMW in neutral without starting it is not as complicated as it may seem. All you need is some basic knowledge about your vehicle’s transmission, and a few easy steps to follow.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of how to put your BMW in neutral without starting it. We’ll cover everything from finding the emergency shifter release button to releasing the shift lock mechanism safely so that you can put your car in neutral with ease.

Whether you’re a seasoned driver or a new BMW owner, this guide will provide you with all the information you need to know about putting your BMW in neutral without starting it. By the time you finish reading this article, you’ll have the confidence to handle any situation that requires you to move your car without turning on the ignition.

“The ultimate driving machine deserves the ultimate care and attention. Learning how to put your BMW in neutral without starting it is just one way to take good care of your prized possession.”

Locate the Gear Shift

If you want to put a BMW into neutral without starting the engine, the first thing you need to do is locate the gear shift. This can vary depending on the model of your car, but generally, it will be located in the center console between the driver and front passenger seat.

You may need to remove any covers or compartments that are covering the gear shift so that you can see it clearly. If you’re having trouble locating the gear shift, consult your owner’s manual for guidance.

Identify the Gear Shift Position

Before putting your BMW into neutral, you need to identify the position of the gear shift. Most BMWs have an automatic transmission, which means that the gear shift has several positions – park (P), reverse (R), drive (D), and neutral (N).

You’ll need to move the gear shift from its current position (likely in Park) into Neutral. Make sure to use a gentle touch when moving the gear shift, as forcing it could damage the transmission or other components of the car.

Check the Gear Shift Label

It’s always important to double-check that you’ve moved your BMW’s gear shift into neutral before attempting to start the engine. Many newer models have software built-in that prevents accidental starting while the vehicle is not in Neutral or Park mode, but being sure you’ve engaged Neutral Mode correctly is still best practice.

One easy way to confirm that you’ve successfully shifted your BMW into neutral is by looking at the label on the gear shifter itself, which should indicate if you’re actually in Neutral or another gear position. Ensure that the display matches what you expected when you shifted and confidently proceed with the next steps..

Find the Gear Shift Lever

Depending on the model of your BMW, the gear shift lever may look slightly different. However, all models have a similar shape and are located in roughly the same position within the center console.

To put your BMW into Neutral mode, you’ll need to locate the gear shift lever – this is usually either a knob or a handle that protrudes from the top of the gear selector where it’s been mounted between your car’s front seats. You can then manually move the lever into the neutral position- taking care not to damage any components as you do so.

“There’s nothing wrong with being a beginner at anything new that you want to try – including driving your own BMW for the first time! It’s worth getting comfortable with how your specific car operates before venturing out onto the roads.” -Sharon Wright (Expert Driving Instructor)

Following these steps will help ensure that you know how to put your BMW into neutral without starting it. Familiarize yourself with the location, positions, labels, and lever used for putting the car in Neutral – Alongside ensuring you exercise extra caution when attempting such maneuvers to keep you and your vehicle safe while shifting gears..

Depress the Brake Pedal

If you need to put your BMW in neutral without starting it, then depressing the brake pedal is crucial. This necessary step helps prevent any unwanted movement of the car and keeps it stable during the process.

Place Foot on Brake Pedal

The first thing you should do when trying to shift your BMW into neutral is placing your right foot firmly on the brake pedal. Remember that your left foot should remain on the ground while performing this procedure.

Your goal here is to keep your car stationary so that it doesn’t move backward or forward involuntarily. You can apply more pressure to the brake pedal if you feel like it’s required at any point.

Apply Pressure to the Brake Pedal

When applying pressure to the brake pedal, you need to push it gently but with enough force to engage the brakes fully. The idea here is to make sure that your vehicle remains entirely stationary, which requires substantial force from your feet.

It’s important not to release the brake pedal until you are sure that the car has shifted to neutral gear correctly. Remember that putting a car in neutral without starting it could be quite tricky for someone who hasn’t done it before, and it might require some practice before mastering it completely.

“Brake pedals serve as a critical component in helping you maintain stability and safety while operating your vehicle.” -Car & Driver

You now know how to put your BMW in neutral without starting it. Remember that following these three simple steps will help you avoid any unpleasant situations while also keeping yourself safe behind the wheel.

Press and Hold the Shift Lock Release Button

If you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to put your BMW car into neutral without starting it, there is a way to do so using the shift lock release button. This can be useful when your battery is dead or if you need to tow your vehicle and cannot start the engine. Here are the steps on how to put a BMW in neutral without starting it:

Locate the Shift Lock Release Button

The first step in putting a BMW in neutral without starting it is to locate the shift lock release button. This is usually located near the gear shift lever in the center console of the car. The exact location may vary depending on the model and year of your BMW vehicle.

You might also want to check your owner’s manual for more specific instructions that apply to your own BMW. The owner’s manual will contain detailed information about the different buttons, controls, and features of your car. Make sure that the shift lock release button is not damaged or broken before proceeding with the next step.

Press the Shift Lock Release Button

Once you have located the shift lock release button, press and hold it down. You might need to apply some force to push down the button, but do not use excessive force as this could damage the button. While holding down the shift lock release button, move the gear shift lever to the neutral position.

Make sure that the gear shift lever is securely locked in place in the neutral position before releasing the shift lock release button. Once you have successfully placed the BMW in neutral, you can now tow the car or perform other necessary maintenance tasks.

“BMW cars are equipped with shift locks that prevent the gears from being moved unless the brake pedal is pressed down. However, there is a way to bypass this system by using the shift lock release button.”

It’s important to note that putting your BMW in neutral without starting it should only be done when necessary and with caution. Always make sure that you follow proper safety protocols when working on or towing any vehicle. If you are unfamiliar with these procedures, it might be best to seek assistance from a professional mechanic or tow truck operator.

If you need to put your BMW car into neutral without starting it, you can use the shift lock release button located near the gear shift lever. Locate the button, press and hold it down, then move the gear shift lever to the neutral position. Make sure to take all necessary precautions and follow safety guidelines when doing so.

Shift the Gear to Neutral

If you want to move your BMW without starting the engine, you should put it in neutral. It is an easy task that can be completed within a few minutes. The gear shift lever allows you to put the car into different gears such as drive, reverse or park but to put it in neutral, there are some steps you need to follow.

Move the Gear Shift Lever to the Middle Position

The first step when putting a BMW in neutral is to ensure the ignition is off and the parking brake is engaged. Then press down on the brake pedal before inserting the keyfob into the slot located next to the gearshift lever located between the driver’s seat and passenger’s seat. Now, pull the gear shift lever towards the middle position of the gearbox.

A helpful way to determine if the gearshift is at the middle position is by looking at the markings which indicate each gear. If these markings are visible, then the gear stick is positioned correctly. Remember also to exert enough pressure while pulling to avoid shifting the gear to another position accidentally.

Ensure the Gear Shift is in Neutral

The second step after moving the gear shift lever is ensuring the gear shift is now in neutral. This will prevent any chance of unexpected movement or unnecessary engagement of gears, causing damage to the transmission system. You can tell whether the gear is in neutral from the marking N displayed next to the shifter.

To confirm the gear is in place, slightly release the brake pedal, but not entirely. Attempt to roll the vehicle forward. If the car does not move, then this means the gear is currently in neutral mode.

Confirm the Neutral Gear Position

Even though you’ve confirmed the gear is in neutral, it’s best to confirm once more. This will not only provide extra confirmation but also become a habit that you complete before moving the car every time. Place your foot on the brake pedal and then remove the parking brake. Release the brake pedal gradually. If the vehicle does not move after releasing the brake pedal gradually, then the gearshift was put into the neutral position correctly.

“The neutral position is an essential component of any automobile’s transmission system. It eliminates tension and stress on other mechanical parts whenever the car is stationary,” says Fred Harris, a certified BMW Mechanic.

If you’re looking for how to put your BMW car into neutral without starting it, then changing gears using its shifter is all you need to do. Remember also to take sufficient precautions when attempting this procedure, such as having someone guide you throughout the process or reading through the manufacturer’s manual until you perfectly understood each step.

Release the Shift Lock Release Button

If you own a BMW, one thing that can happen is getting stuck in “Park” mode without being able to take your car out of gear. However, there’s an easy way to put your BMW in neutral without starting it by releasing the shift lock release button.

This small button can be found near the shifter on most BMWs and is usually highlighted with a light indicating its location. To gain access to this button, turn the ignition key 1 click to the right.

“Most modern cars have brake-shift interlock safety features that require drivers to depress the brake pedal when shifting from park to drive or reverse. This prevents accidental movement of the vehicle.” -Consumer Reports

Release the Shift Lock Release Button

After turning the ignition key one click to the right, press down on the brake pedal and push the shift lock release button located under the shifter. Be sure to maintain pressure on the brake pedal as this action will likely cause the shifter to become unlock much like pressing the brake would normally do.

• Locate the shift lock release button beside the shifter
• Hold down the brake pedal to ensure additional security while releasing the button
• Gently keep pressing the shift lock release button
• The shifter should now be unlocked

Ensure the Gear Shift Remains in Neutral

With the shifter now unlocked, move it back and forth into various gears but ultimately leave it in neutral. Take care not to accidentally apply any force or push the shifter too hard. As soon as the shifter moves smoothly, position it into ‘N,’ which stands for Neutral. You have successfully put your BMW in Neural without starting it.

“Put a car with an automatic transmission in neutral and the engine won’t be driving anything—just idling. That means you can roll along at 5-10 mph or so without the noisy interference of an internal combustion hammering away under hood”. -Car & Driver

Remove Foot from the Brake Pedal

You’re almost done! The last step is to remove your foot from the brake pedal but keep pushing down on the shift lock release button. This action releases any remaining tension, and the gearshift remains within reach. Once your foot is off the brake pedal, you’re now free to start the engine and engage it into drive mode if and when necessary.

• Double-check that the shifter has been securely positioned into neutral before doing anything further
• Remove your foot slowly and firmly as you maintain pressure on the shift lock release button

It’s important to note that being unable to move your vehicle out of ‘park’ isn’t uncommon amongst drivers of a more modern vehicle. As such, it’s always best to familiarize yourself with this neat skill set which will come in handy at some point throughout the ownership of your BMW vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions