Is it bad for my transmission

mad villain · 01-15-2011, 08:41 PM

I have a steptronic automatic transmission in my '09 E92 Coupe and if i'm stopped at a light and there is an incline, if i go into manual mode and select 2nd gear i can take my foot off the brake and the car won't roll forward like it would if i was in D/DS/M1(1st gear in manual mode)....i'm wondering if putting it in M2 and taking my foot off the brake is bad for my transmission and i should stop doing it or if it probably doesn't hurt it

Express · 01-15-2011, 08:45 PM

i drive in manual mode 92% of the time, and i drive it like i stole it.

that transmission can handle whatever you throw at it.

gary88 · 01-15-2011, 08:53 PM

It's not bad. The transmission basically won't allow you to do anything that would harm it.

bsamoul · 01-15-2011, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gary88

It's not bad. The transmission basically won't allow you to do anything that would harm it.

iBoost · 01-15-2011, 09:04 PM

Do you disengage the clutch at the same time with the brake?

Express · 01-15-2011, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iBoost

Do you disengage the clutch at the same time with the brake?

wat

fdriller9 · 01-15-2011, 09:07 PM

Think about how much stress occurs on a drivetrain when acceralting.

Keeping your car "parked" on a slight incline in M2 won't harm it at all.

arctic330i · 01-15-2011, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by express705

wat

You don't have a clutch in your auto? weird

WinoGregorio · 01-15-2011, 10:03 PM

As long as you are not giving it any throttle to hold it on an incline, you are fine. This creates more slippage and generates excessive heat.

Forcefed3 · 01-15-2011, 10:49 PM

Its fine..

brentseay · 01-16-2011, 01:24 AM

[ @iBoost ] Reading comprehension keyword = "Steptronic".

[ @Everyone ] I'm glad having fun with the manual mode will not hurt my tranny. Hoping it will not reduce the longevity, either.

mad villain · 01-16-2011, 02:48 AM

thanks guys...i figured it wouldn't hurt the transmission but just thought i'd ask to make sure!

roundle · 01-16-2011, 03:07 AM

Doubt it will harm your car.

Many Mercedes start off in second as default. MB believes that this creates a smoother take-off (1st is only used to "kick down" when X% of throttle is applied). As you have noticed, this approach prevents the car from lurching forward while idling in gear. In my opinion, starting off in 2nd--the MB approach--makes the car feel sluggish and numb.

jopa489 · 01-16-2011, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gary88

It's not bad. The transmission basically won't allow you to do anything that would harm it.

+100, the car prevents you from doing anything harmful to an AT.

Delta0311 · 01-16-2011, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arctic330i

You don't have a clutch in your auto? weird

Yeah I got it in my automatic, it's right next to my hyperdrive switch.

issabmw · 01-16-2011, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roundle

Doubt it will harm your car.

Many Mercedes start off in second as default. MB believes that this creates a smoother take-off (1st is only used to "kick down" when X% of throttle is applied). As you have noticed, this approach prevents the car from lurching forward while idling in gear. In my opinion, starting off in 2nd--the MB approach--makes the car feel sluggish and numb.

My Mercedes had this as changeable.

"W" is for winter/wet which will start you in 2nd.

"S" is for standard which will give you 1st from a stop.

Many do not realize the use of this switch in the MB.

jopa489 · 01-16-2011, 12:26 PM

The 335i starts in 2nd gear when in D. DS will start you in 1st. My car is MT, but I'm not sure if the 328i follows this same pattern.

issabmw · 01-16-2011, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delta0311

Yeah I got it in my automatic, it's right next to my hyperdrive switch.

Hmm, I think the 2006 model had it mounted next to the afterburner.

The manual says that when driving in "manual mode" one must not release the accelerator upon shifts, rather keep on the throttle throughout its completion.

I noticed that I do unconsciously lift off the throttle on shifts, being used to the SMG in the e46 and having manual in all of my other cars.

Will this harm the car in any way?

chromisdesigns · 01-16-2011, 01:12 PM

For the OP -- you do know there is a feature called "hill assist" with that transmission, right? You can come to a stop, take your foot off the brake, and the car won't roll back, no matter what gear you are in. When you step on the gas, it disengages and you move forward.

Very handy here in San Francisco!

ShinyRedCar · 01-16-2011, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chromisdesigns

For the OP -- you do know there is a feature called "hill assist" with that transmission, right?...

Beat me to it

Want · 01-16-2011, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jopa489

The 335i starts in 2nd gear when in D. DS will start you in 1st. My car is MT, but I'm not sure if the 328i follows this same pattern.

Same in 328. I don't think it woud hurt your tranny.

From the standpoint of the transmissin, how would this be different than putting on the brakes? The car is still stopped due to the incline and the engine is still idling at the same rpm... There is nothing different happening in either situation other than brakes being applied or not.

P.s. Doesn't hill assist just apply the brakes? I didn't think it was a transmission feature.

hipnotic · 01-16-2011, 08:04 PM

no problem whatsoever

01-15-2011, 08:41 PM	#1
mad villain Captain 208 Rep 937 Posts Drives: 2021 BMW X5 40i Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Calgary, Alberta iTrader: (1) Garage List 2021 BMW X5 [0.00]	Is it bad for my transmission I have a steptronic automatic transmission in my '09 E92 Coupe and if i'm stopped at a light and there is an incline, if i go into manual mode and select 2nd gear i can take my foot off the brake and the car won't roll forward like it would if i was in D/DS/M1(1st gear in manual mode)....i'm wondering if putting it in M2 and taking my foot off the brake is bad for my transmission and i should stop doing it or if it probably doesn't hurt it __________________ \| 2021 X5 xDrive 40i \| Dravit Grey Prev: Infiniti G35x --> e92 335i xDrive--> F30 335i M Performance Edition --> Audi S4 --> Audi S5
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

01-15-2011, 08:45 PM	#2
Express Major General 369 Rep 8,693 Posts Drives: 06 330i Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The Promise Land iTrader: (17) Garage List 2006 BMW 330i [8.30]	i drive in manual mode 92% of the time, and i drive it like i stole it. that transmission can handle whatever you throw at it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-15-2011, 08:53 PM	#3
gary88 Ikea enthusiast 334 Rep 8,140 Posts Drives: '07 E92 335i Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (3) Garage List 2007 E92 335i [7.96]	It's not bad. The transmission basically won't allow you to do anything that would harm it. __________________ garyhebdingjr.com \| flickr \| Instagram
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-15-2011, 09:04 PM	#5
iBoost Retired e90post Member 135 Rep 3,038 Posts Drives: real slow Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (13)	Do you disengage the clutch at the same time with the brake?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-15-2011, 09:07 PM	#7
fdriller9 Banned 255 Rep 7,089 Posts Drives: '06 AW 330xi Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North Jersey/Philly/NYC iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 330xi [6.44]	Think about how much stress occurs on a drivetrain when acceralting. Keeping your car "parked" on a slight incline in M2 won't harm it at all.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-15-2011, 10:03 PM	#9
WinoGregorio Second Lieutenant 20 Rep 258 Posts Drives: 2020 m550i Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Los Gatos iTrader: (0)	As long as you are not giving it any throttle to hold it on an incline, you are fine. This creates more slippage and generates excessive heat.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-15-2011, 10:49 PM	#10
Forcefed3 Banned 127 Rep 4,732 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Join Date: May 2010 Location: South iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 335i [1.00]	Its fine..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-16-2011, 01:24 AM	#11
brentseay Private 11 Rep 63 Posts Drives: 07 335i E90 Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Carolina iTrader: (0) Garage List 1996 318i [0.00] 2007 335i [0.00]	[ @iBoost ] Reading comprehension keyword = "Steptronic". [ @Everyone ] I'm glad having fun with the manual mode will not hurt my tranny. Hoping it will not reduce the longevity, either.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-16-2011, 02:48 AM	#12
mad villain Captain 208 Rep 937 Posts Drives: 2021 BMW X5 40i Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Calgary, Alberta iTrader: (1) Garage List 2021 BMW X5 [0.00]	thanks guys...i figured it wouldn't hurt the transmission but just thought i'd ask to make sure! __________________ \| 2021 X5 xDrive 40i \| Dravit Grey Prev: Infiniti G35x --> e92 335i xDrive--> F30 335i M Performance Edition --> Audi S4 --> Audi S5
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-16-2011, 03:07 AM	#13
roundle EXPAT 65 Rep 889 Posts Drives: 18 VW GTI;18 CX9;11 E91 N52 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Doubt it will harm your car. Many Mercedes start off in second as default. MB believes that this creates a smoother take-off (1st is only used to "kick down" when X% of throttle is applied). As you have noticed, this approach prevents the car from lurching forward while idling in gear. In my opinion, starting off in 2nd--the MB approach--makes the car feel sluggish and numb.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-16-2011, 12:26 PM	#17
jopa489 Major General 122 Rep 6,594 Posts Drives: Anything with Wheels Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: USA iTrader: (9)	The 335i starts in 2nd gear when in D. DS will start you in 1st. My car is MT, but I'm not sure if the 328i follows this same pattern. __________________ X7 LCI // Incoming C7 ZR1 ZTK // Sebring + TRX // Hydro + Raptor Gen1 Roush // Tuxedo
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-16-2011, 01:12 PM	#19
chromisdesigns Lieutenant Colonel 45 Rep 1,754 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 335i sedan Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0)	For the OP -- you do know there is a feature called "hill assist" with that transmission, right? You can come to a stop, take your foot off the brake, and the car won't roll back, no matter what gear you are in. When you step on the gas, it disengages and you move forward. Very handy here in San Francisco!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-16-2011, 08:04 PM	#22
hipnotic Major General 149 Rep 6,604 Posts Drives: e92 335i Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: So. Cal iTrader: (7) Garage List 2008 335i coupe [7.00]	no problem whatsoever
	Appreciate 0 Quote