Odd shifting behavior (AT)

jakuum · 04-20-2012, 01:32 AM

I've noticed that every once in a while from a cold start (car has been off for hours or overnight) my car will hold 1st gear for longer than usual, and then shift. For example, I started my car up after work, drove out of the parking lot and accelerated. Car stayed in 1st gear (or 2nd I don't remember) till about 5k rpm when I noticed it. Wouldn't shift either until I let off the gas for a bit. It doesn't happen all the time, and only after the car has been sitting a while. After that there are no issues in shifting (other than the normal jerkiness from the AT). Is this another one of the quirks from the GM transmission? Or should I be checking for codes? Thanks much.

Bleep · 04-20-2012, 01:37 AM

I know the ZF transmission in the 335 holds gears for slightly longer to heat up quicker but only up to around 2.5k RPMs, 5k seems way too high.

Want · 04-20-2012, 01:45 AM

Mine does that too. Always thought normal.

VTECaddict · 04-20-2012, 01:47 AM

5k seems a bit excessive but holding lower gears longer is normal to speed up the warmup time

jakuum · 04-20-2012, 01:56 AM

Hmm ok, so it seems normal then. I think it was around 5k rpm, I don't quite remember. It's pretty intermittent so when it happens I don't think to take accurate note of the RPM hehe. Other than this behavior loving the car

. Well that and the normal AT jerkiness, but I may visit the dealer to reset the transmission adaptations and see if it helps. Hopefully it's not too much.

Want · 04-20-2012, 02:01 AM

O, didn't read the part about 5k, but it makes sense if you think abt it... It'll hold the gear if you push on the gas pedal more because it thinks you want to acceleratr faster. Not to mention that you don't have to go very fast to reach high rpm in 1st gear.

If you let go of the gas a bit like you said, it'll interpret that as more gentle driving and shift at lower rpm.

So just drive it gently until its warmed up and you should be good to go.

805beemer · 04-20-2012, 05:32 AM

Mine has never done that. It might shift a little hard when cold but never rev up to 5k.

dmatre · 04-20-2012, 07:05 AM

This is normal behavior (but not 5k) when cold.

Manufacturers do this to get the catalyst up to operating temperature as quickly as possible. Once warmed up, the shift points drop back again. Typically it's more pronounced the colder the car is when started.

Nothing to worry about.

axztx · 04-20-2012, 08:46 AM

My 328 AT does the same thing when it's cold.

Buckeye85 · 04-20-2012, 09:30 AM

I notice this sometimes leaving work, it seems like it hangs in the starting gear too long.

s0nu · 04-20-2012, 09:42 AM

normal for a cold car. Mine did the same when I had an AT E90. If it bothers you, just drive a little less aggressively, or let the car heat up before you drive. I wouldn't worry though.

04-20-2012, 01:32 AM	#1
jakuum Private First Class 17 Rep 187 Posts Drives: SGM e92 335i M-sport Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: DFW iTrader: (4) Garage List 2011 BMW 335i [0.00]	Odd shifting behavior (AT) I've noticed that every once in a while from a cold start (car has been off for hours or overnight) my car will hold 1st gear for longer than usual, and then shift. For example, I started my car up after work, drove out of the parking lot and accelerated. Car stayed in 1st gear (or 2nd I don't remember) till about 5k rpm when I noticed it. Wouldn't shift either until I let off the gas for a bit. It doesn't happen all the time, and only after the car has been sitting a while. After that there are no issues in shifting (other than the normal jerkiness from the AT). Is this another one of the quirks from the GM transmission? Or should I be checking for codes? Thanks much.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

04-20-2012, 01:37 AM	#2
Bleep First Lieutenant 9 Rep 369 Posts Drives: 3 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	I know the ZF transmission in the 335 holds gears for slightly longer to heat up quicker but only up to around 2.5k RPMs, 5k seems way too high.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-20-2012, 01:45 AM	#3
Want YVR 22 Rep 403 Posts Drives: A Monaco Blue Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (0)	Mine does that too. Always thought normal. __________________ mbmbmbmbmbmbmb
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-20-2012, 01:47 AM	#4
VTECaddict Where'd my VTEC go? 481 Rep 6,067 Posts Drives: 06 330i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (4)	5k seems a bit excessive but holding lower gears longer is normal to speed up the warmup time __________________ AW/Terra \| ZSP \| ZPP \| ZCW \| iDrive \| CA Mods: BC BR coilovers \| Blacklines \| M-tech rear \| dual exhaust \| M3 steering wheel \| BMW SSK \| ZHP shift knob \| High-kick CF spoiler \| NBT Retrofit M3 front control arms \| M3 rear guide rods \| Manzo rear toe and camber links \| Monroe rear shock mounts \| Varrstoen ES1 19x9.5+20 Front, 19x11+25 rear
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-20-2012, 01:56 AM	#5
jakuum Private First Class 17 Rep 187 Posts Drives: SGM e92 335i M-sport Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: DFW iTrader: (4) Garage List 2011 BMW 335i [0.00]	Hmm ok, so it seems normal then. I think it was around 5k rpm, I don't quite remember. It's pretty intermittent so when it happens I don't think to take accurate note of the RPM hehe. Other than this behavior loving the car . Well that and the normal AT jerkiness, but I may visit the dealer to reset the transmission adaptations and see if it helps. Hopefully it's not too much.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-20-2012, 02:01 AM	#6
Want YVR 22 Rep 403 Posts Drives: A Monaco Blue Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (0)	O, didn't read the part about 5k, but it makes sense if you think abt it... It'll hold the gear if you push on the gas pedal more because it thinks you want to acceleratr faster. Not to mention that you don't have to go very fast to reach high rpm in 1st gear. If you let go of the gas a bit like you said, it'll interpret that as more gentle driving and shift at lower rpm. So just drive it gently until its warmed up and you should be good to go. __________________ mbmbmbmbmbmbmb
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-20-2012, 05:32 AM	#7
805beemer Captain 23 Rep 647 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Lompoc, CA iTrader: (4)	Mine has never done that. It might shift a little hard when cold but never rev up to 5k.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-20-2012, 07:05 AM	#8
dmatre Captain 665 Rep 740 Posts Drives: 2011 328i Sedan Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: The Carolinas iTrader: (0)	This is normal behavior (but not 5k) when cold. Manufacturers do this to get the catalyst up to operating temperature as quickly as possible. Once warmed up, the shift points drop back again. Typically it's more pronounced the colder the car is when started. Nothing to worry about.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-20-2012, 08:46 AM	#9
axztx Second Lieutenant 12 Rep 219 Posts Drives: 08 e92 328xi Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: NJ iTrader: (4)	My 328 AT does the same thing when it's cold.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-20-2012, 09:30 AM	#10
Buckeye85 Private 5 Rep 71 Posts Drives: 2007 328i Join Date: May 2010 Location: Columbus, OH iTrader: (0)	I notice this sometimes leaving work, it seems like it hangs in the starting gear too long.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-20-2012, 09:42 AM	#11
s0nu First Lieutenant 22 Rep 337 Posts Drives: 2015 F32 428i AW/CR Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	normal for a cold car. Mine did the same when I had an AT E90. If it bothers you, just drive a little less aggressively, or let the car heat up before you drive. I wouldn't worry though. __________________ Alpine White 2015 428i xDrive F32 [BSM 2012 328i F30] [TiAg 2012 328xi E92] [Jet Black 2009 328xi E90] [BSM 2004 330CI E46 6MT ZHP]
	Appreciate 0 Quote