Questions you thought were too dumb to ask E53 edition

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

Hmmm, I'm not sure I'd switch to S mode WHILE ACCELERATING...I'd probably do it before I accelerated...or would lift my foot from the accelerator (no extra RPM or revs) then enter S mode, then accelerate.

But as others mentioned, STEPTRONIC is designed to NOT destroy the transmission and will not go into a gear if damage would occur. See ENGINE INTERVENTION and DOWNSHIFT INHIBITOR in the information below about STEPTRONIC:

I shift from D to DS to manual frequently. I never do so when I am accelerating but almost all the time I am moving at speeds as high as 80mph. I have been doing so for years with no problem.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by jc1surf

...Here's a side question, my service interval light went down to the red square, with the "inspection" light on, i checked the dip stick and oil is right below the max line, and color looks gold/darker shade. ... Wondering is it safe to drive up to the mountains this wknd? I live in Socal no weather is not winter crazy here, its just a 2hour drive. Should I squeeze in some repairs before the trip or i should be ok?

Thanks fellas, and sorry for the long write up...

The SI (service interval) Display's function is only to inform you that you have consumed enough fuel...and that it's time to change your oil & oil filter...plus the other things BMW recommends during the OIl Serv or Inspection service. This feature is about maintenance...mainly preventitive maintenance...it doesn't illuminate as a warning that something is wrong with the vehicle (other than neglect...especially when the red light illuminates which means that service is PAST DUE).

[TerminatorX5]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

...the brake pedal needs to be depressed before the gear select lever can be moved from D into R or P. The lever can be pushed from D into N...but to go from N to D, the brake pedal has to be depressed first.

I haven't had a chance to test it in the E53, as it is an "all-wheel" drive, but I have tested it in the rear-wheel drive E34 and E39...

when I rocked the car out of a deep snow, i moved the gear selector from R to D without touching the brakes - it is a special built-in feature for "rocking" a car out of a deep snow or sand... the shifting had to be done fast and if i would delay a moment, then i would have to start rocking again as i had to press the brake...

not sure if the E53 has it...

[racingbmwm3]

must be deep snow to get the X5 stuck, good luck to someone who has to test that out.

@jc1surf - what is wrong with the thermostat? if it is throwing codes, or mechanical issues, I'd definitely replace it before driving up the mountains(or in traffic in socal). Thermostats aren't typically maintenance items anymore. They throw SES lights if having activation issues, or they default to stuck open (car runs cold all the time) when they do break.

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by TerminatorX5

I haven't had a chance to test it in the E53, as it is an "all-wheel" drive, but I have tested it in the rear-wheel drive E34 and E39...

when I rocked the car out of a deep snow, i moved the gear selector from R to D without touching the brakes - it is a special built-in feature for "rocking" a car out of a deep snow or sand... the shifting had to be done fast and if i would delay a moment, then i would have to start rocking again as i had to press the brake...

not sure if the E53 has it...

Last I knew rocking a vehicle with an automatic made the tow truck driver grin.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

Last I knew rocking a vehicle with an automatic made the tow truck driver grin.

Yup, if you do it wrong (usually meaning too much). I was able to rock my E53 with no damage. You have to use the weight of the vehicle to your advantage, and not fight it.

[jc1surf]

Originally Posted by racingbmwm3

must be deep snow to get the X5 stuck, good luck to someone who has to test that out.

@jc1surf - what is wrong with the thermostat? if it is throwing codes, or mechanical issues, I'd definitely replace it before driving up the mountains(or in traffic in socal). Thermostats aren't typically maintenance items anymore. They throw SES lights if having activation issues, or they default to stuck open (car runs cold all the time) when they do break.

Thanks Qsilver.

-racing.... Yes it's been defaulting for a few months now. Takes very long to warm up. When it does, the needle will drop to below the midline. The boys on here told me I just need to replace. Just wondering if I can do it after I return from the road trip w/o further damage.

Thank you for the tips.

[TerminatorX5]

Originally Posted by JCL

Yup, if you do it wrong (usually meaning too much). I was able to rock my E53 with no damage. You have to use the weight of the vehicle to your advantage, and not fight it.

the tow truck driver probably was used to buicks and olds - and not familiar with the bimmers...

rocked myself out of snow - it was several years ago, during one of the bigger snow blizzards in the NE USA... i dug out the car on the right side (a car parked right to me was dug out, and on the left there was a huge snow bank), squeezed into the passenger side, and started to rock the car... made it out of the snow hill that the car was buriend under on 3 1/2 sides, rolled it over top of the snow behind the car... had the car parked on the next spot, that a neighbor cleaned up - almost started a neighborly fight!!! it was an apartment, why should i clean their parking lots???

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by TerminatorX5

the tow truck driver probably was used to buicks and olds - and not familiar with the bimmers...

rocked myself out of snow - it was several years ago, during one of the bigger snow blizzards in the NE USA... i dug out the car on the right side (a car parked right to me was dug out, and on the left there was a huge snow bank), squeezed into the passenger side, and started to rock the car... made it out of the snow hill that the car was buriend under on 3 1/2 sides, rolled it over top of the snow behind the car... had the car parked on the next spot, that a neighbor cleaned up - almost started a neighborly fight!!! it was an apartment, why should i clean their parking lots???

In this part of the country the person that digs out a parking space normally mark it with a piece of furniture, the most common is a chair. People know better then to park in a space that has been marked.

[THE VEIN]

went to autozone to buy some german castrol 0w-30. The front said European formula but when I checked the back it said made in Belgium not Germany and it did say it was LL-01 approved so is this stuff the same? it was on sale for $6 a bottle