A and M toggle for auto trans

[atx_e36]

I recently bought a 92 325i that has a toggle switch with the letters A and M on it right beside the gear shifter.. Its prob a stupid question but what does it do?

[pete325is]

switches your trans from auto to a manual shift, when you switch to M.. you can run trough the gears manually, and the A.. is just for normal driving.

[atx_e36]

Thats what i thought but my shifter just goes up and down.. and it was missing label for the gear changes when i bought it so i had no way to tell.. do you kno exactly how it works? Thanks for the help..