Transmission Issues Going Up Hills?

[Investor]

I know exactly what you are talking about and there is a software update to fix this problem. My '08 4.8 shifts much better going up hills or under a load like towing a boat after the update. Do a search and you can get the specific code to give to your SA.

[bergs]

Thanks so much Investor!

[deutsch100]

Originally Posted by bergs

Sorry about the confusion.

To clarify...the car stays in a gear (let's just use 3rd as an example) and won't go into the next gear (4th) going up a hill even when I have enough speed to do so. Thus, it revs really loudly. It's like the transmission is confused about what it's supposed to do. Even once the car gets to the top of the hill and becomes straight, it takes time for the car to finally shift into the right gear.

That make any more sense? Thanks.

Hey there! It's been a long time since I've been on this Board, since I traded my 2008 4.8i in! If anyone remembers any of my posts, this EXACT transmission issue was the #1 reason I dumped my X5. While my '07 3.0si was a nightmare, the transmission was fine. my '08 4.8i transmission was awful. I live up in a high canyon, that requires me to go up several very steep hills (about 2 miles). The transmission in my 4.8i would rev SO loud, and would not shift up. I know the car needs to downshift to go up the incline, but it would go down too many gears, or hold the current gear so long...I would be revving to 4-5k rpm. It was so loud in the cabin, that several times passengers would ask what was wrong with my car! 2 dealers told me it is a known problem, but than nothing could be done. Numerous "software" upgrades could not fix the issue (at the time the current 7 Series was having somewhat similar issues). I think the new 2011 X5 addressed the problems, and now has a new 8 speed tranny!

I've been in a 2009 ML63 AMG for about 9 months, and while not the perfect car (close though, honestly really close, the 7G transmission is flawless and whisper quiet...even going up steep hills. It ALWAYS knows the perfect gear to go in, and is just seamless. My best friend has an ML350, and her car too has an awesome transmission.

[JoshGM]

Originally Posted by bergs

Hi all:

Just moved from Chicago to Seattle. Since arriving, I've noticed that my '08 X5 will not shift into the next gear when going up hills. (Didn't have this problem in Chicago since there are no hills)

Th X5 revs really loudly and then finally once the road becomes straight again, it shifts to the next gear.

I've decided to just shift manually when going up hills now because it's really annoying.

Anybody else experience this and have a clue what this might be?

Thanks in advance for your input.

Please check TRANSMISSION OIL...possibly low.

[Texas5]

I had the alleged software "fix" about a year ago. It's maybe a little better, but let's be honest - the X5 transmission (at least for the 4.8) still sucks. There's the delay issue, and this shifting issue.

[bergs]

Yeah, I totally agree with the transmission sucking. There have been several minor hiccups since we've had the car, but this hill issue is the final straw. Going to take it in to BMW and see what happens...

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by Texas5

I had the alleged software "fix" about a year ago. It's maybe a little better, but let's be honest - the X5 transmission (at least for the 4.8) still sucks. There's the delay issue, and this shifting issue.

I also noticed the poor transmission shifting when I test drove a 2009 3.0, but went ahead and ordered a Diesel anyway. I've been pleasantly surprised... except for the occasional mild jerk at take-off (which I can avoid 99% of the time by careful throttle control on take-off), my transmission, mated to the diesel, shifts great in virtually every circumstance. I don't know if I just got lucky, or if the diesel combo makes it better. But whatever happened, I expected to be disappointed and instead am pleased.

[London Lad]

No problem with my 2010 35d. Smooth as a baby's bottom!

i would prefer it to pull away in first but ..hey

[mswaz]

Originally Posted by bergs

Hi all:

Just moved from Chicago to Seattle. Since arriving, I've noticed that my '08 X5 will not shift into the next gear when going up hills. (Didn't have this problem in Chicago since there are no hills)

Th X5 revs really loudly and then finally once the road becomes straight again, it shifts to the next gear.

I've decided to just shift manually when going up hills now because it's really annoying.

Anybody else experience this and have a clue what this might be?

Thanks in advance for your input.

I had this issue on my '08 4.8. The dealer ran a transmission download report and supposedly sent it back to ZF in Germany. They determined there was a fault in the hill hold control or program. They reprogrammed it and it fixed it. This was done at BMW Seattle so they should know what is causing it and the fix for refrence if you go there. Good luck I know how annoying it is.

[Hartawan]

I have the same problem. Happens all the time and sometimes when I go uphill then downhill too, it wouldnt shift up going down...
Thinking of selling the car very soon, not because of that.