[JTC1]

This may be a stupid question, but humor me if you will.

I have noticed a slight delay in shifting going from second to third recently. I had the transmission serviced about a month ago and I know the adaptions were reset. My question is, could the delay be due to my driving style and the reset adaptions? I typically start from a stop really slow then once in second increase acceleration (habit from years of trying to achieve high gas mileage in the TDI). I don't always drive like a prick, but with the D I do enjoy having some fun sometimes. I only notice the delay at full or close to full acceleration. Does any of this make sense at all?

[BB_cuda]

I've only noticed the delay when car is stone cold. Even near new. It behaved no different in this regard before and after fluid change. I have deduced this to be a way to warm engine more quickly. I just hit the paddle shifter and go on into 3rd as I don't want to hear the engine race.

[dmanb2b]

Originally Posted by BB_cuda

I've only noticed the delay when car is stone cold. Even near new. It behaved no different in this regard before and after fluid change. I have deduced this to be a way to warm engine more quickly. I just hit the paddle shifter and go on into 3rd as I don't want to hear the engine race.

I experience the same thing, especially noticeable when temps are near, below freezing.

[Mark M]

Similar behavior here. Believe this is intended function with torque converter slip to warm up the engine and trans.

[Bimmerguy1987]

Yes same thing for me, only below 35 deg is really noticeable, and only for a few up shifts.

[Fork!TheSpoonWrecker]

Same thing for me, though when it does switch i find that its very sudden and jolts me when shifting. when its warm this doesnt occur. I usually just manually shift when i know this will be happening.

[135i_vs_]

Similar situation here, 91k on original fluid. BMW suggests change at 100k intervals as per manual.

Sometimes get a delay, almost like hunting for next gear, 2nd to 3rd. The way I have to eliminate this scenario is by letting slightly off the throttle right before I feel it will shift.

[charlie fairmont]

I just had mine serviced and have the same thing. Bit of a thread jack, but should I be concerned if adaptations weren't reset?

[rulonger]

+1 on the delayed shifts on cold mornings - I have noticed this delay on cold mornings. Go easy until the engine warms up and it should go away (mine does).

If you are noticing this delayed shift with a warmed up engine, it may be something to look into.

[JTC1]

Originally Posted by charlie fairmont

I just had mine serviced and have the same thing. Bit of a thread jack, but should I be concerned if adaptations weren't reset?

Resetting adaptions should have been a routine part of the service. I'd just give your shop a call and confirm they in fact do it.

[dmanb2b]

Originally Posted by 135i_vs_

Similar situation here, 91k on original fluid. BMW suggests change at 100k intervals as per manual.

Sometimes get a delay, almost like hunting for next gear, 2nd to 3rd. The way I have to eliminate this scenario is by letting slightly off the throttle right before I feel it will shift.

I'd change that fluid asap. ZF would recommend a 50K interval, although since you are almost at 100K an oil analysis would be really cool to see.

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by JTC1

This may be a stupid question, but humor me if you will.

I have noticed a slight delay in shifting going from second to third recently. I had the transmission serviced about a month ago and I know the adaptions were reset. My question is, could the delay be due to my driving style and the reset adaptions? I typically start from a stop really slow then once in second increase acceleration (habit from years of trying to achieve high gas mileage in the TDI). I don't always drive like a prick, but with the D I do enjoy having some fun sometimes. I only notice the delay at full or close to full acceleration. Does any of this make sense at all?

Do you know what they did when they serviced it? changed fluid?

[lnxguy]

I get the same thing when the car is cold, I just ignore it.

[JTC1]

Originally Posted by GoRomeo

Do you know what they did when they serviced it? changed fluid?

Changed oil and pan/filter with ZF parts I provided.

[JayNC335d]

I to have the delay shift at cold. I always thought it was the normal characteristic of the transmission/programming. Though I assumed it was linked to the fancy exhaust... then again, I blame everything on that!

Slight tangential question. Like 135i vs said, I switch to manual mode. I don't have paddle shifters, but I shift manually about 80% of the time, DS 10%, and regular drive the remainder. Two questions for the people that actually know what they are doing, am I screwing anything up by "delaying" the perceived warm up by keeping revs low at inital start? And lastly, any negative thoughts on heavy usage of the manual shifter? (I mostly shift up, and rarely use engine break, if ever, to slow). Appreciate the insight and sorry for the tangent!!!

[Torqu3]

Originally Posted by JayNC335d

I to have the delay shift at cold. I always thought it was the normal characteristic of the transmission/programming. Though I assumed it was linked to the fancy exhaust... then again, I blame everything on that!

Slight tangential question. Like 135i vs said, I switch to manual mode. I don't have paddle shifters, but I shift manually about 80% of the time, DS 10%, and regular drive the remainder. Two questions for the people that actually know what they are doing, am I screwing anything up by "delaying" the perceived warm up by keeping revs low at inital start? And lastly, any negative thoughts on heavy usage of the manual shifter? (I mostly shift up, and rarely use engine break, if ever, to slow). Appreciate the insight and sorry for the tangent!!!

Is there something wrong with engine braking that I am unaware of?

[JayNC335d]

Not sure, a buddy once put it to me, would you rather replace the power train or the brakes...

[BB_cuda]

Originally Posted by JayNC335d

Not sure, a buddy once put it to me, would you rather replace the power train or the brakes...

This

I can't answer your question from a trans fluid temp perspective. If trans is staying in 2nd to speed warming of the engine oil and coolant, here is something to keep in mind. I've read (and can't point to the source right now) that you shouldn't heavy foot until engine oil is warmed up (past what temp I don't know). Reason is the oil going to the turbos should be warm to take care of its oil seals. I go with around 65C. So, if you need to rocket onto the freeway, keep this in mind. I guess it would depend on how cool it is where you are and how far freeway is from your home.

A buddy at work has a turbo charged Subaru Forester and he told me the cluster shows a blue snow flake until its warmed up. I told him about the turbo oil seal.

[charlie fairmont]

The vehicles are definitely not apples to apples, but I read a quote a long time ago from Tommy Archer that said his car doesn't move until oil temp is 130F

[135i_vs_]

Originally Posted by JayNC335d

Two questions for the people that actually know what they are doing, am I screwing anything up by "delaying" the perceived warm up by keeping revs low at inital start? And lastly, any negative thoughts on heavy usage of the manual shifter? (I mostly shift up, and rarely use engine break, if ever, to slow). Appreciate the insight and sorry for the tangent!!!

The higher revs at cold start is strictly for emissions to warm up the catalytic converters as fast as possible. You are not harming keeping revs low, as drivers with manual transmission cars do it all the time. Nothing wrong with manual shifting, just might be changing the adaptive shift settings/pattern.

[atwal187]

Is changing the pan/filter mandatory with flushing the transmission fluid ? BMW tech said they usually just flush the fluid only

[Thecastle]

Originally Posted by atwal187

Is changing the pan/filter mandatory with flushing the transmission fluid ? BMW tech said they usually just flush the fluid only

It's not mandatory, but recommended. Heck changing the fluid isn't mandatory it's lifetime.

Seriously though, the pan with integrated filter is like 120. Zf recommends replacing both the fluid and filter. I'm about to,do,it on my 335d, and I've done it on my X5 4.8i which has the same transmission. The X5 has 92k miles and shifts better now.