Car wont shift in Steptronic mode ?

[Cabra]

I have a 2002 3330Ci Coupe with auto trans and steptronic.

At full throttle, when I attempt to up shift (from 1st to 2nd for example), it will not shift.

Instead, it shifts on its own around 6,500 rpm (just past redline).

If I am not totally floored, I can shift on my own. But if the pedal is to the floor, the car shifts on its own regarldless if I do it manually.

When the car shifts on its own, it seems to be shifting at the perfect time.

Is it sensing that I have it floored and just shifting for me at the right time or is there a problem ?

Thanks,

Cabra
Chicago

 

[Average Jae]

i'm not an expert since i dun have an auto tranny, but i wonder when that btn under the accel is depressed (ie, totally floored) it prevents the manual upshift to occur by design to get max acceleration. jus my 2 cents. ^^

 

[ThaRealest]

Having the pedal literally "floored" is actually past the point of full throttle and is what is called "kickdown" mode. "Kickdown" mode basically does exactly what you described; the car automatically handles shifting for optimized acceleration. This allows you to quickly get out of emergency situations when you're caught in "manual" mode. To prevent this from happening do not press the pedal all the way to the floor. You should be able to achieve full throttle before the pedal is floored. All of this is from the Owner's manual, and I have no personal experience with it. (My 330Ci arrives in Dec!!!)

 

[Kirby]

My '04 330cic does the same thing. I think this is normal and agree that it is probably a function of the kick down switch logic.

 

[MyHarley]

I still cant get the 1st to 2nd shift down right and the car always shifts automatically.......it will also shift for me between 4th and 5th......mine is 2003 330CIC, I like it in Sport Mode...and let it shift all it wants....one problem is switching between Drive and Sport........and forgetting I have it in Sport and hit the gas and it takes off before I'm ready........I need a driving school, huh???

 

[tsquared]

I had this same issue with my '02 330xi.

Also be aware that if you are driving in manual mode and floor the gas, ie kickdown mode, the transmission will automatically downshift. This came as a rather rude awaken one day when I manually downshifted in anticipation of hard acceleration only to have the car down shift again. I ended up going from 5th gear into 3rd gear and was at the redline before I know what was happening.

Not good.

The Steptronic is a good transmission for some one who isn't real serious about driving and rowing their own gears. But it tries to think too much and gets in the way of any serious enthusiasts driving.

regards,

 

[Average Jae]

will those wanting serious enthusiasts driving opt for an auto shifter? i for one won't.. even if it's smg. cool concept, but i like to have fun when i'm driving, and i'm not into drag racing or whatever where the crisp whatever ms shift the smg allows you to do will make a difference.

but then again, i haven't experienced the smg, so who knows..

 

[silvere46m3]

when you floor the gas pedal, your in kick down (the click you feel and hear at the end of the gas pedal) kick down over rides steptronic.

steptronic is only avaliable if you have it in kickdown. and also if you dont up shift at the right time in steptronic, the computer will see it and automatically upshifts for to prevent trans and engine damage.