Does E53 4.8iS engine brake?
 

Today I was driving on a very hilly road with long strethes up and long stretches downhill. I was going about 45 MPH, the RPMs were at 2000-2200, when I tapped the brakes on the downhill. I did not need to slow down, as 45 MPH is not much of a speed, it was just a habit, to see if the brakes are functional before getting to the buttom of the hill and realizing that there are no brakes...lol...

Anyways, at that point, the RPMs shot up to 4000-4500 and the car visibly slowed dow, the RPMs held steady for a while, while the cars gears changed from "6" to probably "3" or something. The gear selector remained in "D" and nothing else was engaged, no brakes (other than that tap), no gas...

I was able to repeat this phenomenon on a couple more hills

So, am I facing an epic engine/transmission failure or is this some kind unknown to myself feature of the car engine transmission programming?

Thank you

This is what BMW called Adaptive Transmission Control.

so, this is normal??? wow!!! i need to read up on that feature... thank you

here what i found:
Downhill detection

Upshifts are suppressed when driving downhill without pressing the accelerator. If the driver presses the brake pedal, the transmission shifts down by one gear to provide extra assistance. This ensures the braking effect of the engine is utilised more effectively.

Adaptive transmission control

I believe the car is learning the style you drive.
When my daughter drives longer time the X also starts to change gear when I hit the brake downhill. After some time me as the driver that behaviour stops.

Great feature BTW. My Chevrolet Trans Sport always changed into the highest gear when driving down, Very annoying somehow.

Good luck

Helmuth

"Above average braking manoeuvres cause the system to change to the sports gearshift program with earlier downshifts."

Your brake "tap" probably made it think you needed to stop at a much faster rate than the downhill slope. Have a look at the consumption needle when going downhill also :)

He won't find a consumption needle on his 4.8is. ;)

I did not know that. Did they omit it to prevent scaring people?
In that case when I go downhill in my 4.4 the consumption needle shows zero

hahaha, i sure don't have the consumption needle there, they stuck the oil temperature gauge in that place - the instrument cluster is similar to the M cars, where the redline on the tach is illuminated and extinguishes as the engine reaches operational temps (or so they say), and the MPG gauge is swapped for the oil gauge, the lights are more of light orange as opposed to deep orange and the dials have silver rings around them...

a pic from last week's mileage flip to 26K:

Ohhhh Faaaaaaa Prop, she is getting up there! Might have to consider Inspection 2 soon!!!:rofl:

Maybe some suspension work while you are at it! lol.

:throw: Shutty! I just found the 13k pic from last August! That's over 1K/mo! :yikes:

Edit: Oh wait. August was 17K. My mistake. Feel better, now. :D

Transmission fluid only drain/refill in T-Minus 4k at 30K miles. 9K to the new filter/fluid change at 35K miles. THEN... THEN an Inspection 2! Whataya think? 40K miles? :woot: That'll be a whole TWO years from now! :yikes: Edit- Maybe 3?

I dunno Prop. You're just driving too many miles. I may have to confiscate it from you for a little while. While it's in my garage, I'll make sure to do the prep work on it.

Pre-wash
Sonax Wheel effect
Nano Scrub
Iron Cut
Paint Decon
Wash
Klasse Polish
Klasse Aio
Gold Class wax.

By the time I am done wth all that, your detention will be over. And I would have gotten a chance to experience your suh-weet ride!

Lol, ok am I jealous yes. More frustrated that I can't find a 4.8is or 4.6is and a seller that has their brain out of their A$$ and can actually price the X right, lol

I've had my time with Klasse. We're Zaino these days!.
:fencing:

http://www.my02.com/images/4.8is/redyfrnt.jpg

I drive aggressively, and my car does the same. It's especially insane by one exit by my house. Coming off the ramp, downhill about 100 yards. So when im hauling ass, I come down this thing slam the brakes it does this whole downshift thing and keeps the rpm high all the way to my turn. Right at the turn I have to go slightly uphill. I like to take the turn at a brisk speed, and floor it. The instant pull is enough to light up all 4 wheels, give you a slight tail wiggle and then pull like from a slingshot. My favorite part when coming home, when in the mood and when the traffic is very light. The exhaust is just epic during this time.

I went to PA, the sticks, over the weekend. Came down a steep as all Hell driveway, on gravel. It was crazy going over the edge, a bit freaky. I don't know how that gravel sticks at that angle, but the X instantly took over and coasted down as if in hill descend mode. 4 people in the car, stuffed trunk. It was cool.

My x always engine brakes by the way. I think it is due to my driving style though.

nice X5 propellerhead

Most of the time i drive like a slow grandma (cannot say just grand ma -- who knows stiggy :-) might have a fast grandma) as i have the kid/wifey in the car.

But it does engine brake and more so if driving hard or in sports mode, however it's great to have that as it really helped me keeping up with my bud's 335i on twisties.