E90Post
 


 
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > BMW E90/E92/E93 3-series General Forums > Regional Forums > UK > Auto transmission



Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      04-22-2012, 03:03 PM   #1
mistryn
Colonel
mistryn's Avatar
145
Rep
2,048
Posts

Drives: BMW 335D
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Mids

iTrader: (8)

Auto transmission

I have been pondering this for a while, since this is my first car with an auto box I have never really understood whether to put the car into Neutral or leave it in Drive when stationary/at traffic lights?

In my past manual cars, when at traffic lights I always put it into neutral foot on brake/handbrake depending on how long I was stationary for.

From what I have read some people have said to put it into neutral when stationary and some say to leave it in Drive
So what do you do?
Appreciate 0
      04-22-2012, 03:04 PM   #2
Dr Dave
Zummerzet Zyder Drinker!
United Kingdom
110
Rep
5,541
Posts

Drives: '06 330D Le Mans Blue
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Somerset

iTrader: (3)

Garage List
If I'm going to be stopped for longer than 30 secs I just shift into N.
Appreciate 0
      04-22-2012, 03:06 PM   #3
mistryn
Colonel
mistryn's Avatar
145
Rep
2,048
Posts

Drives: BMW 335D
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Mids

iTrader: (8)

Does it use more fuel when in D while stationary compared to putting it into N?
Appreciate 0
      04-22-2012, 03:18 PM   #4
Mart1000
Capt Slow
Mart1000's Avatar
37
Rep
1,076
Posts

Drives: Leon FR Supercopa
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Suffolk

iTrader: (1)

A little as the engine is only very slightly more stressed. At red lights etc I just put handbrake on. Stopping for traffic jams etc I'd just shift into park/neutral. This is where the handy hold function on the brakes on my old E class came in handy. Pity BMW don't do same.
Appreciate 0
      04-22-2012, 03:27 PM   #5
The_Bear_Yid
BM Noob
The_Bear_Yid's Avatar
England
24
Rep
975
Posts

Drives: E92 325i
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Kent

iTrader: (1)

I used to put it in park at the lights lol.
Appreciate 0
      04-22-2012, 06:11 PM   #6
AlwynMike
Lieutenant Colonel
United Kingdom
328
Rep
1,653
Posts

Drives: F36 440i GC.
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Lincolnshire Flatlands

iTrader: (1)

It's mechanically more sympathetic to shift to Neutral or Park when idling.
I try to do it most of the time.
Downside of Neutral is that you've got to hit the brake to put the car in Drive, so if you're rolling slightly, you come to a swift halt!

Those of us who have had a GM Auto will recognise that if stopped in D with the brake on, the box shifts to Neutral until you take the brake off. Allegedly because the box overheats if you do stay stationary in D for a time.

Mike
Appreciate 0
      04-23-2012, 07:32 AM   #7
Guvernator
Captain
18
Rep
617
Posts

Drives: BMW 335i SE Cabriolet
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: LONDON

iTrader: (0)

Could be complete baloney but for some reason I was always led to believe that constantly moving the car from D to N and back again wasn't too great for the gearbox hence why I always leave it D and use the hand or footbrake.
Appreciate 0
      04-23-2012, 08:06 AM   #8
Laney
First Lieutenant
Laney's Avatar
England
15
Rep
365
Posts

Drives: F32 435dx ms, E90 330d ms
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: York / Nottingham

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
I shift it into N when I stop at lights or in severe traffic.
__________________
2006 E90 330d M Sport 6AT
2018 F32 435d xDrive M Sport 8AT

Appreciate 0
      04-23-2012, 08:19 AM   #9
dxb335d
The Tarmac Terrorist
dxb335d's Avatar
England
936
Rep
29,345
Posts

Drives: 997.2 GT3
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: ''Fandango Towers''

iTrader: (3)

Garage List
Never really experienced bad traffic that often when I had mine. Always left it on D and held on brake. Never really stopped for more than 10-15secs.
__________________
997.2 GT3
Appreciate 0
      04-23-2012, 08:20 AM   #10
davyk31
Major General
1021
Rep
6,932
Posts

Drives: Macan GTS :-) & F40 M135i
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Northern Ireland

iTrader: (0)

The one thing that concerns me about holding it in D and foot on the brake is that if someone runds into the back of you then the first thing that will happen is that your foot comes off the brake and you head into the car in front or into the path of the oncoming traffic. That could apply at roundabouts and everywhere I guess and while it concerns me I hardly ever shift out of D if stopped for a short time.
Appreciate 0
      04-23-2012, 08:31 AM   #11
Slow_335i
Daily Driven!
Slow_335i's Avatar
United_States
182
Rep
2,516
Posts

Drives: BMW 335i
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Central Illinois

iTrader: (11)

Garage List
2008 BMW 335I  [7.02]
Op do you think the average person takes their time to shift into neutral at every light? You technically don't have to but if you're anul about your transmission then feel free to do so.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      04-23-2012, 08:34 AM   #12
dopper99
Lieutenant General
3501
Rep
11,282
Posts

Drives: Golf R Mk8
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: UK

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by AlwynMike View Post
.....Downside of Neutral is that you've got to hit the brake to put the car in Drive, so if you're rolling slightly, you come to a swift halt!.........
You mean you have to press the brake pedal everytime you want to put it in D? Thats crap, I'll stick with my manual.
Appreciate 0
      04-23-2012, 09:04 AM   #13
dxb335d
The Tarmac Terrorist
dxb335d's Avatar
England
936
Rep
29,345
Posts

Drives: 997.2 GT3
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: ''Fandango Towers''

iTrader: (3)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlwynMike View Post
Downside of Neutral is that you've got to hit the brake to put the car in Drive, so if you're rolling slightly, you come to a swift halt!

Mike

No you don't, it will go Into N and then D fine whilst rolling.
__________________
997.2 GT3
Appreciate 0
      04-23-2012, 10:32 AM   #14
rG-tom
Second Lieutenant
rG-tom's Avatar
70
Rep
275
Posts

Drives: MY2021 M550i
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Bedfordshire

iTrader: (1)

I call bulls*t on all you people saying you use the handbrake,there is no way in hell my handbrake can hold my car even at idle, BMWs have terrible handbrakes!

Was the case on my e46 330i, even after having it adjusted 4 times, and the e90 320d and e92 335i ive driven for extended periods (3-4 thousand miles) as well as my own 335D, the handbrakes are ornaments!

Also true in my friends e46 m3, another friends e39 530i, another friends e60 535D....
__________________
Previous: 2002 E46 330i M-Sport (m54b30 LCI), 2007 E92 335D M-Sport Coupe (m57), 2003 z4 3.0i (m54b30), 2010 E92 325D M-Sport Coupe (n57 LCI), 2019 F36 430i M-Sport Pro Gran Coupe, 2018 F36 440i M-Sport Pro Gran Coupe MPPSK
Current: MY2021 M550i, Aventurin Red, Ivory Nappa, Comfort Pack, Tech+
Appreciate 0
      04-23-2012, 10:43 AM   #15
Laney
First Lieutenant
Laney's Avatar
England
15
Rep
365
Posts

Drives: F32 435dx ms, E90 330d ms
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: York / Nottingham

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
I put it in N as i finish braking. I keep my foot on the brake whilst I'm stationery and its in N. I put it in D and drive away.

It saves on the transmission, the brakes and fuel. It also makes for a smoother stop as you're not fighting the transmission.

I don't always do it but probably 90% of the time.
__________________
2006 E90 330d M Sport 6AT
2018 F32 435d xDrive M Sport 8AT

Appreciate 0
      04-23-2012, 10:52 AM   #16
EssexIan
Private First Class
1
Rep
115
Posts

Drives: E91 335d MSport
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Sunny Essex

iTrader: (0)

Put it in neutral, leaving it in drive held on the brakes cooks the transmission oil. Obvously a few seconds is OK but when stopped at lights/ in stationary traffic then nuetral is best.

Ian
Appreciate 0
      04-23-2012, 11:07 AM   #17
dxb335d
The Tarmac Terrorist
dxb335d's Avatar
England
936
Rep
29,345
Posts

Drives: 997.2 GT3
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: ''Fandango Towers''

iTrader: (3)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by Laney View Post
I put it in N as i finish braking. I keep my foot on the brake whilst I'm stationery and its in N. I put it in D and drive away.

It saves on the transmission, the brakes and fuel. It also makes for a smoother stop as you're not fighting the transmission.

I don't always do it but probably 90% of the time.
Laney mate, what are you exacty saving on the tranny? Fuck all. I used to brake boost in mine all the time for launching and the box never broke a sweat. Tough as old boots mate.
__________________
997.2 GT3
Appreciate 0
      04-23-2012, 11:09 AM   #18
dxb335d
The Tarmac Terrorist
dxb335d's Avatar
England
936
Rep
29,345
Posts

Drives: 997.2 GT3
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: ''Fandango Towers''

iTrader: (3)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by EssexIan View Post
Put it in neutral, leaving it in drive held on the brakes cooks the transmission oil. Obvously a few seconds is OK but when stopped at lights/ in stationary traffic then nuetral is best.

Ian
It won't cook the oil. brake boosting will, but when launching you are only doing that for like 2-3 secs max
__________________
997.2 GT3
Appreciate 0
      04-23-2012, 12:04 PM   #19
mistryn
Colonel
mistryn's Avatar
145
Rep
2,048
Posts

Drives: BMW 335D
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Mids

iTrader: (8)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Slow_335i View Post
Op do you think the average person takes their time to shift into neutral at every light? You technically don't have to but if you're anul about your transmission then feel free to do so.
I dont know about avg person but as above when I had a manual I would always put it into neutral when at set of lights so wondering if it would be beneficial/pro longing the tranny box to do it with a auto?
Appreciate 0
      04-23-2012, 01:10 PM   #20
Dr Dave
Zummerzet Zyder Drinker!
United Kingdom
110
Rep
5,541
Posts

Drives: '06 330D Le Mans Blue
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Somerset

iTrader: (3)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by rG-tom View Post
I call bulls*t on all you people saying you use the handbrake,there is no way in hell my handbrake can hold my car even at idle, BMWs have terrible handbrakes!

Was the case on my e46 330i, even after having it adjusted 4 times, and the e90 320d and e92 335i ive driven for extended periods (3-4 thousand miles) as well as my own 335D, the handbrakes are ornaments!

Also true in my friends e46 m3, another friends e39 530i, another friends e60 535D....
Handbrake on mine is strong!
Appreciate 0
      04-23-2012, 01:32 PM   #21
A_P
Lieutenant Colonel
United Kingdom
56
Rep
1,698
Posts

Drives: E46 M3
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: South East

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by dxb335d View Post
Laney mate, what are you exacty saving on the tranny? Fuck all. I used to brake boost in mine all the time for launching and the box never broke a sweat. Tough as old boots mate.
+1
Appreciate 0
      04-23-2012, 02:43 PM   #22
Metalmickey
Private First Class
1
Rep
112
Posts

Drives: E90 Lci 330d M-sport
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Norfolk, UK

iTrader: (3)

I thought these boxes had a system which automatically disconnects drive when your stationary and in drive to save you having to keep shifting to neutral?
Appreciate 0
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:33 AM.




e90post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST