If I need to roll my auto trans car a few inches, I don't bother starting it. I get in the car, key on, move the physical shift lever to neutral and wheeeee.

With this joystick game controller thing, I can't do that? Need to start engine to roll the car 3 inches? Surely not..... ?

 

Yep, the only way to put it in neutral is to start the engine.
But once you have done that you can shut the engine down and it will stay in neutral for 10 minutes before it automatically shifts back to Park.

 

Another odd one...when I open the driver's door when slowly reversing, say trying to check clearance next to a high curb, the transmission immediately shifts into park. The car won't do it. Really annoying.

 

 

In the owners manual it details how to move the car in neutral with the engine off.
Here is an earlier post on the subject.

Shift into neutral with engine off

 

 

That one annoys the hell out of me.

 

It will do it the second time if you try again. Its just vehicle securement to prevent someone from accidentally getting out with the vehicle in drive/reverse. All the OEMs are moving to this due to high profile accidents.

 

My MT allows me to do anything, perfectly calibrated to any level of "hold my beer" stupidity I choose to engage in.

 

 

It worked! Thanks!

 

That's so you can clear the plugs before you take off.
I like blipping the throttle just before launch. Hard to do without a clutch pedal.

 

+1