Transmission software

[MINIz guy]

Is it possible to find out what transmission software version my X5 has? Does anybody know what the latest software version is?

I have this hard shift to 2nd gear when the car coasts. If I accelerate up to ~15mph and then coast, the transmission loves to slam into 2nd gear and it is a terrible feeling. It is fine under regular and hard acceleration. Going to change the original fluid to some WalMart Dexron VI, but I'm wondering if it could be software related.

3 liter motor. GM transmission.

[semcoinc]

Check out this guys post and the full thread

http://www.xoutpost.com/1095544-post46.html

It would appear that V8 solved his harsh 2nd gear issue by adding an external cooler

Aux cooling so crital fluids has never been a bad idea in my mind.

Others views may vary

Mike

[MINIz guy]

Originally Posted by semcoinc

Check out this guys post and the full thread

http://www.xoutpost.com/1095544-post46.html

It would appear that V8 solved his harsh 2nd gear issue by adding an external cooler

Aux cooling so crital fluids has never been a bad idea in my mind.

Others views may vary

Mike

Ah, I should give more information in my original post.

I have the 3 liter with the GM trans. This problem happens no matter what the transmission temperature is, cold or hot.

[MINIz guy]

So I put in WalMart Supertech Dex VI fluid in today. I also did the transfer case with the same stuff. It seems to have reduced the slam into second as I can barely noticed it. We'll see if it is a permanent fix as I get more commuting miles on it. That's when that 1-2 shift is really noticeable.

[bcredliner]

Same symptoms can be different causes. Best to get diagnosis from well respected transmission shop that is familiar with BMW transmissions before it becomes a more costly fix.

[semcoinc]

How much came out in your drain?

Reason I ask is that I believe there is a little over 10 qts in the whole system and the way I changed my 4.4 fluid was to drain and change the filter, refill per the procedure of waiting for proper temp to top off and then repeat the drain procedure another 4X to completely eliminate/dilute the old fluid to nil by the fresh fluid.

I used AMSOIL Signature ATF at about 82K miles (no issues at that time) and I'm at 96K with smooth shifting and still remain issue free.



Mike

[MINIz guy]

I flushed out around 4.5qts. Took out 5qts total after doing the transfer case.

I am well aware I didn't get all the fluid. I'll have to look at Alldata once I get back to work, but I recall the GM trans takes ~9qts as a empty fill. I didn't change the filter or drop the pan, so I know some was still left there. I was thinking if it is still smooth after a few thousand miles, I'd do the trans fluid every other oil change until I got all of the old stuff out, very similar to what you did. I just don't feel like putting much money or time into this X5 anymore, I'd rather spend it with family and friends during the holidays.

[TiminIndy]

Originally Posted by MINIz guy

I didn't change the filter or drop the pan, so I know some was still left there. I was thinking if it is still smooth after a few thousand miles, I'd do the trans fluid every other oil change until I got all of the old stuff out, very similar to what you did. I just don't feel like putting much money or time into this X5 anymore, I'd rather spend it with family and friends during the holidays.

The filter and gasket kit is only about $25. I had a fair amount of metallic sludge on my magnet when I did mine at 90K miles. I would definitely recommend dropping the pan, cleaning it, and changing the filter next time you want to drain it.

[srmmmm]

How many miles were on your fluid? Chances are a software upgrade from the dealer would have cured the problem. At this point, I would drop the pan and save the fluid. Change your filter, screen the fluid you drained and put it back in the transmission and top off as needed. Then get your software updated and leave it alone after that. I have over 314,000 miles on the original fluid with updated software and absolutely no shifting or other operational issues with the GM transmission.

2002 X5 3.0 314,500 miles
2014 428i 24,300 miles

2004 325i sold at 123,600 miles
2001 325i sold at 66,000 miles

1970 Firebird - Under restoration.

[MINIz guy]

136k miles on it. Lots of around town driving for most of its life. I'm not sure if I really want to crack off the pan since everything was supposed to be "lifetime." I might the next time I change the fluid.

The car hasn't seen the dealer in a good 7 years, parents are the original owners. Don't want to show up to the dealer asking for a trans software update if there isn't one.