Automatic gear change speeds

[titeadted]

I have a E46 330 auto, what speeds should the gearbox change up through the gears, mine seems to be in 5th at 30 mph and really struggling until you put your foot down, then it changes down 1 or 2 gears, then when you let off its back in top gear, is this right?

Edited by titeadted on Monday 28th September 10:57

[PartsGuru]

Have you checked the ATF level to make sure its got enough in it??? I've had similar problems with other BM's I've had as company cars and I found driving it in sports mode and being "brisk" with it to re train the gearbox. I'm not sure how true it is as I was told to try it by a heavy footed service reception manager, but they all used to drive better afterwards!!

[titeadted]

PartsGuru said:

Have you checked the ATF level to make sure its got enough in it??? I've had similar problems with other BM's I've had as company cars and I found driving it in sports mode and being "brisk" with it to re train the gearbox. I'm not sure how true it is as I was told to try it by a heavy footed service reception manager, but they all used to drive better afterwards!!

I must admit when driving it in sport mode it feels better, because its in a lower gear with more revs.
I havn't checked the oil level I'm thinking of getting it changed with a new filter.

[ipwn]

titeadted said:

PartsGuru said:

Have you checked the ATF level to make sure its got enough in it??? I've had similar problems with other BM's I've had as company cars and I found driving it in sports mode and being "brisk" with it to re train the gearbox. I'm not sure how true it is as I was told to try it by a heavy footed service reception manager, but they all used to drive better afterwards!!

I must admit when driving it in sport mode it feels better, because its in a lower gear with more revs.
I havn't checked the oil level I'm thinking of getting it changed with a new filter.

1 Place key in ignition and turn to detent 1 and count for 10 seconds ( only postion 1 do not start the engine. )
2.Turn key back to 0 postion and count for another 10 seconds
3.Now turn the key all the way to detent 3 to start the engine


Throttle adaption reset.

Mine always gets into highest gear asap as I usually waft about.

However when I start pushing it knows straightaway and smartens up..... but I did do the reset a few months ago now.

In your OP mine is exactly the same when wafting only.

Edited by ipwn on Monday 28th September 16:29

[titeadted]

ipwn said:

titeadted said:

PartsGuru said:

Have you checked the ATF level to make sure its got enough in it??? I've had similar problems with other BM's I've had as company cars and I found driving it in sports mode and being "brisk" with it to re train the gearbox. I'm not sure how true it is as I was told to try it by a heavy footed service reception manager, but they all used to drive better afterwards!!

I must admit when driving it in sport mode it feels better, because its in a lower gear with more revs.
I havn't checked the oil level I'm thinking of getting it changed with a new filter.

1 Place key in ignition and turn to detent 1 and count for 10 seconds ( only postion 1 do not start the engine. )
2.Turn key back to 0 postion and count for another 10 seconds
3.Now turn the key all the way to detent 3 to start the engine


Throttle adaption reset.

Mine always gets into highest gear asap as I usually waft about.

However when I start pushing it knows straightaway and smartens up..... but I did do the reset a few months ago now.

In your OP mine is exactly the same when wafting only.

Edited by ipwn on Monday 28th September 16:29

I've done the reset, but on indent 2(ignition on) thats what I was told on E46 Zone, or is it indent 1?

Edited by titeadted on Monday 28th September 20:04

[dxb335d]

Fluid level hAs no bearing on shift points.

[Killwilly]

titeadted said:

ipwn said:

titeadted said:

PartsGuru said:

Have you checked the ATF level to make sure its got enough in it??? I've had similar problems with other BM's I've had as company cars and I found driving it in sports mode and being "brisk" with it to re train the gearbox. I'm not sure how true it is as I was told to try it by a heavy footed service reception manager, but they all used to drive better afterwards!!

I must admit when driving it in sport mode it feels better, because its in a lower gear with more revs.
I havn't checked the oil level I'm thinking of getting it changed with a new filter.

1 Place key in ignition and turn to detent 1 and count for 10 seconds ( only postion 1 do not start the engine. )
2.Turn key back to 0 postion and count for another 10 seconds
3.Now turn the key all the way to detent 3 to start the engine


Throttle adaption reset.

Mine always gets into highest gear asap as I usually waft about.

However when I start pushing it knows straightaway and smartens up..... but I did do the reset a few months ago now.

In your OP mine is exactly the same when wafting only.

Edited by ipwn on Monday 28th September 16:29

I've done the reset, but on indent 2(ignition on) thats what I was told on E46 Zone, or is it indent 1?

Edited by titeadted on Monday 28th September 20:04

Indent 2.

[titeadted]

dxb335d said:

Fluid level hAs no bearing on shift points.

Do you know what the shift points are?

[PartsGuru]

dxb335d said:

Fluid level hAs no bearing on shift points.

It has a dipstick with min and max for a reason, I've had other auto cars that have run much better with the correct amount of fluid in But I bow to your superior knowledge lol!!!!

[titeadted]

PartsGuru said:

dxb335d said:

Fluid level hAs no bearing on shift points.

It has a dipstick with min and max for a reason, I've had other auto cars that have run much better with the correct amount of fluid in But I bow to your superior knowledge lol!!!!

The E46 330 doesn't have a dipstick it just has a level plug on the gearbox, you are right about having the right amount of oil in though, this is why I’m thinking of getting it changed by an auto gearbox specialist so I get the right oil in and at the right level.

[PartsGuru]

I'll shut up then lol!!!

[Magsy]

That is how it is, put it in sport if you want it to feel punchy or use the manual mode.

Any BMW auto will get into top as soon as possible in default 'Auto/E' mode. They always feel lazy and slow.

Also sounds like it is your first (BMW) Auto. There is a skill to driving these things and you will soon figure out exactly how much throttle and when to make it do what you want to do. You are giving it too much throttle and not enough time if you keep dropping 2 gears. Less throttle and more wait is needed, or stab at it, let it down change then quickly lift to half throttle.

Had a 328, 330 and now a Z4 3.0 in the house, all auto and they are all like you describe, it is almost certainly not broken.

Edited by Magsy on Tuesday 29th September 15:58

[titeadted]

Magsy said:

That is how it is, put it in sport if you want it to feel punchy or use the manual mode.

Any BMW auto will get into top as soon as possible in default 'Auto/E' mode. They always feel lazy and slow.

Also sounds like it is your first (BMW) Auto. There is a skill to driving these things and you will soon figure out exactly how much throttle and when to make it do what you want to do. You are giving it too much throttle and not enough time if you keep dropping 2 gears. Less throttle and more wait is needed, or stab at it, let it down change then quickly lift to half throttle.

Had a 328, 330 and now a Z4 3.0 in the house, all auto and they are all like you describe, it is almost certainly not broken.

Edited by Magsy on Tuesday 29th September 15:58

That’s what I’ve been hoping for, someone who has had the same and can advise, thanks a lot.

Its not my first Auto BMW, I had a E30 320 auto for 6 years, but this I’ve got now is a lot different.