Hand on shift knob = BAD - United Bimmer Community

**Dudesky** · 05-19-2006, 02:31 PM

Oops, I meant to say resting your hand on the shift knob is bad. At least according to Rogue Engineering. I didn't know this:

http://www.rogueengineering.com/Merc...gory_Code=SNNN

Quote:

Within the transmission itself, BMW has a specification of 0.004"-0.006" gap between each gear and the shifter rail in the transmission (for reference, a human hair is approximately 0.0035"). This gap allows for the transmission lubricant to acts as a barrier so that the shifter rail and gear are not directly touching, causing premature wearing of the gear (not syncros), shifter rail, or both.

When you make a 0.001" change at the shift knob and maintain pressure (like resting your hand on the shift knob while driving), the required 0.004"-0.006" gap is closed, preventing the lubricant to ride between the gear and shifter rail. Premature wear of the gear or shifter rail may hamper transmission shifting performance, gear engagement, or worse, require rebuilding or replacement of the transmission.

**celsdogg** · 05-19-2006, 02:42 PM

i try to keep my hand off of it anyway, especially with spirited driving thru the twisties

**xsperf** · 05-20-2006, 11:44 AM

wow thats really interesting, never thought of that, is that all cars or just BMWs?

**jybute** · 05-20-2006, 11:56 AM

Thats good to know, its just one of my few bad habits when it comes to driveing a stick. Like resting my foot on the clutch pedal.

**TJsBimm** · 05-20-2006, 01:12 PM

^^Foot on the clutch is bad, not my habit though. Sometimes i like to play with the gear shift while waiting at the light, but since i read this thread i was trying to keep my hand off it at the lights. Good info dudesky.

Storamin · 05-20-2006, 04:20 PM

I had heard of this before... but I'm not 100% sure I believe.

I always keep both hands on the wheel unless actually moving the shift knob anyways though. one of my first times on the track at a very slow speed coming out of a corner I kept my hand on the shift knob and my instructor grabbed the wheel and yanked it to show me how much less control I have with one hand on the wheel.

**Bimmer_5er** · 05-20-2006, 05:32 PM

Damn thats good to know cuz i keep my hand on the shifter quite alot

**scrichy84** · 05-20-2006, 06:01 PM

Just feeling the power through the shift knob feels so cool though! Unfortunatly I have an auto BMW, but when I had my Talon I had my hand on the shifter at all times, until I met my wife, her thigh was a little more powerful.

**Rooz** · 05-20-2006, 09:03 PM

I know am going to be mad fun of, but whatever...

I don't know why, but I enjoy keeping my hand on the shifter, and I pretty much leave it there like all the time

Storamin · 05-21-2006, 12:31 AM

i know a lot of people that do that rooz. no need to make fun of you for that.

**Hoppy** · 05-21-2006, 12:57 AM

i dont rest my hand on it, but even if i did. my car is older than most people on this forum... ig its been around this long it will be around alot longer

**Dudesky** · 05-21-2006, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Storamin

i know a lot of people that do that rooz. no need to make fun of you for that.

I think he said that because he's got an auto

**celsdogg** · 05-21-2006, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Storamin

one of my first times on the track at a very slow speed coming out of a corner I kept my hand on the shift knob and my instructor grabbed the wheel and yanked it to show me how much less control I have with one hand on the wheel.

thats an awesome instructor

never been to the track, but just from reading some bmw enthusiest books and watching rally and track racing i noticed that they keep both hands on the wheel and just reach down to shift and then back to the wheel. figured if they do it, i prolly should too

Storamin · 05-21-2006, 12:23 PM

haha, well it was at a very slow speed. he told me afterwards that if he didn't know that i would have been able to keep it on the track he wouldn't have done it.

**scrichy84** · 05-21-2006, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rooz

I know am going to be mad fun of, but whatever...

I don't know why, but I enjoy keeping my hand on the shifter, and I pretty much leave it there like all the time

Ocassionally I find myself doing this with my auto too, I guess we are really just hoping for a manuel at heart.