new owner

whats the switch next to the shift that has a * and gear number for?

Guess would be the transmission gear selection "hold" switch. In the newer models it is marked "A" and "M". When you flick it to M then it will hold the current gear up to redline then shift to prevent damage to the engine. You use it if you are towing up a hill or want to pass without shifting gears.

That * is supposed to represent a snowflake and and puts the transmission into "snow mode". I think it skips 1st gear altogether and starts out in 2nd and also in that mode the transmission has different shift points. But I live in Florida; I don't use it, snicker, snicker. Then again, from April to November...well, let's just say I make sure the air works very very well.

It's in your owner's manual. If you don't have one see this link a little way down: http://tridem.han-solo.net/auto/erich/auto.htm There's tons of good stuff there though a lot of it is in German.