XSeries-forum

Hi all,
Got a niggle with the gearbox, I don't know if it is a fault or just the way the 2010 X5's are.
When the engine is cold the car seems reluctant to change gear. It will hold on to about 2500 to 3000 revs and still not change, not what you want on a cold engine. The thing I find strange is when I let of the throttle the revs drop down to idle, no matter what speed I am doing. Also if I try to change gear manually the indicator on the display will say I have gone up the box 3 gears but the engine has not changed revs, it will catch up a couple of mile down the road as the engine warms up.
Has anyone got any ideas?
Cheers
Andy.

I think, and think is the word, that there is software that helps prevent damage to the gearbox when cold by changing the way/revs it changes at, then as it gets warmer it all goes back to normal.
Does that make sense, oh, and by the way, welcome.

Thanks for the reply and thanks for the welcome.
The software is what I would have put it down to, although I thought it may also be cold thick transmission oil through the cold part of winter, it just seems to be more noticeable now than I can remember. Unfortunately this is my first auto, so I can't compare it to anything else I have driven. If all x5's are the same then I won't worry too much about it.

The auto transmissions have a 'cold-mode' and a 'normal-running mode' software control code set. As suggested, the cold mode will cause the gearbox to hold the gears much longer than once the car warms up. Had this on both my E53 X5 and on the X6. It works off the gearbox oil temperature and once it hits the right point, the Mechatronics Computer will switch to normal mode and change at lower revs.

It is more noticeable on very cold days..

I have this exact behaviour on my 2010 35d. Very noticable in Canadian winters!

Peter T

Same in my E53 too. Try not to worry - and welcome!

Stick a thread in the newbies section with some pics. We respond better to pics!

Pics of the car that is, Sanj is a bit of a perv ...

And welcome of course

Cheers for the comments, my mind is at rest.
I will post a picture of the 5 when I get a few minutes spare.

same in mine

I tickle the throttle with a feather touch to try an avoid this holding on feeling until it warms. If I don't it feels like i'm pushing the engine revs whilst the gearbox avoids being a gearbox

[quote=""pvr""]Pics of the car that is, Sanj is a bit of a perv ...[/quote]
Does that mean that he's better, or worse, with pics of cars?

Thought I'd jump in whilst we are talking about gear changes.
I'm getting a lurch when slowing down to a stop. I've had my mate (BMW tech) clear the settings but it is still doing it.
Is there any way to stop it from doing this, apart from going into the sport mode and choosing the gear manually?

[quote=""surveysteve""]I'm getting a lurch when slowing down to a stop. I've had my mate (BMW tech) clear the settings but it is still doing it.
Is there any way to stop it from doing this, apart from going into the sport mode and choosing the gear manually?[/quote]

Known and common issue with this box. People have had ATF change (with filter) and software updates. With varying results...

You could always do the soft reset thingy, do a search and it will tell you how, this has been known to clear some faults.
I think the boxes get used to the way you drive and adj accordingly, ( this of course could be utter bullshit, but it does sound good ).

The gearbox has been serviced and fluid changed before I bought it. But I did think about that.
I've also done the soft reset and it came back after driving for a bit.
Looks like I'll just have to put up with it. I kinda realised that I may have too, just thought I'd ask on here too.

Cheers.

[quote=""surveysteve""]The gearbox has been serviced and fluid changed before I bought it. But I did think about that.
I've also done the soft reset and it came back after driving for a bit.
Looks like I'll just have to put up with it. I kinda realised that I may have too, just thought I'd ask on here too.

Cheers.[/quote]
As has been said already, some do have the oil changed and notice a difference, others not so much. You never really get all the oil out when doing this, as what's left in the torque converter won't get drained, but at least for some it seems to work.