[Smurf11]

Okay.. So a new problem- Low speed turning lurching

2011 Bmw 335xi
Miles: 60000

The issue I've been having "And I'm not sure if it's an issue or its just normal" But when I need to let's say to pull into a parking spot or let's say my garage. I have my foot off the gas and I am letting the car pull itself slowly in to the parking area. The car will lurch and pull unsteady. I would not think this is a normal. Does anyone know a fix? Besides this issue, the car runs and drives like a champ.

When the car was under warranty i took it to the stealership "Bmw" and all they did was update the computers in the car.. And it didn't do anything.

[hassmaschine]

Common problem - you just need to change the transfercase fluid. Since the transfercase uses a clutch system to activate the front wheels, it has a friction modifier added to the fluid (like a rear LSD). When this friction modifier wears out, the clutches can't slip like they are supposed to and you get this "lurching" or "binding" feeling.

There's a specific fluid BMW sells for the transfercase - I'm pretty sure you could use any differential fluid with a friction modifier, but the cost difference isn't much so I'd just use the BMW fluid.

[weehe126]

Been dealing with this on my 2011 335i auto. I agree it has to be something with the transmission becuase when I reset adaptations it goes away for a week.

[Smurf11]

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

Common problem - you just need to change the transfercase fluid. Since the transfercase uses a clutch system to activate the front wheels, it has a friction modifier added to the fluid .

Thanks man, does it damage the clutches if i drive it like this for a while? How often would you recommend doing a transfer-case / transmission service.

[mojobmw_e90]

What tire size do you have on the car and are the tires the same on all 4 corners. Also the transfer case fluid needs to be changed everything 60k. Has that been done?

[hassmaschine]

Originally Posted by Smurf11

Thanks man, does it damage the clutches if i drive it like this for a while? How often would you recommend doing a transfer-case / transmission service.

well, I would do it sooner rather than later. I suppose it could damage something eventually, but I doubt it's imminent. However, contrast the cost of a fluid change with full transfercase replacement and I think you'll see it's probably best to just do it ASAP.

[Flyboy161]

I notice the same thing on my 40,000 mile 335i which I've owned about 2 weeks and my daughter's 70,000 mile 328i owned about 3 years. It always occurs when making a right turn off the driveway into the garage. Both cars are not X-drive and the only thing I can do to prevent it is allow the car to down shift into first gear prior to making the turn. That is when I notice the lurch on mine. If I don't allow the transmission an opportunity to downshift prior to making the turn, it lurches in the midst of the turn. Very scary when pulling into a single bay garage, haha. But not so much when you figure out how to beat it. In other words, I quit "coming in hot".

[Smurf11]

Originally Posted by mojobmw_e90

Also the transfer case fluid needs to be changed everything 60k. Has that been done?

I’ve owned the car since about 53k miles, And the service history I’ve been able to pull together doesn’t appear that has been done besides the normal maintenance plan and Vanos recall back when it had 36k on it.


I think the Bmw maintenance plan only includes
• Engine Oil
• Engine Filter
• Brake Fluid
• Cabin Micro Filter(s)
• Engine Air Filter(s)
• Spark Plugs
• Remote Control/Key Battery
• Vehicle Check

[JB4N]

Went to the dealer for this exact same problem and was informed that there was no known fix, but BMW is aware of the problem. I have the most updated firmware and it still does it. Other than that the car drives great!

[Smurf11]

Originally Posted by JB4N

Went to the dealer for this exact same problem and was informed that there was no known fix, but BMW is aware of the problem. I have the most updated firmware and it still does it. Other than that the car drives great!

Yeah, I think that what Bmw did to my car as well. They said it took 8 hours to update the car's firmware. Did not seem to help.

*I am also reading some forms that said there is a good 20% chance that if you do change your fluid the odds of transmission failure is much greater. Bmw "Will say" it is a lifetime oil never needs to be changed. But I feel every type of oil breaks down.. That does not seem lifetime to me.

[hassmaschine]

We're talking transfercase fluid - not transmission fluid. Your transfercase isn't going to break from a fluid change, and also, lifetime to BMW means the warranty period - no way that the transfercase fluid will last more than 100k.

[JB4N]

Originally Posted by Smurf11

Yeah, I think that what Bmw did to my car as well. They said it took 8 hours to update the car's firmware. Did not seem to help.

*I am also reading some forms that said there is a good 20% chance that if you do change your fluid the odds of transmission failure is much greater. Bmw "Will say" it is a lifetime oil never needs to be changed. But I feel every type of oil breaks down.. That does not seem lifetime to me.

ZF who makes the transmission recommends to change the fluid every 60k. No fluid is really lifetime. I would listen to the people who make the transmission rather then BMW's "life time" fluid recommendation. It really all depends on the mileage of the car you are changing the fluid in. Any car over 100k is a hit or miss when changing transmission fluid. All the gunk from the old fluid clogs up everything in the transmission when you put brand new fluid in when at high mileage. Maintenance is key with these cars! I plan to change the transmission fliuld and filter in my car soon, I have 61k.

[weehe126]

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

We're talking transfercase fluid - not transmission fluid. Your transfercase isn't going to break from a fluid change, and also, lifetime to BMW means the warranty period - no way that the transfercase fluid will last more than 100k.

Seeing as I have the same problem, don't have xdrive, and resetting trans adaptations fixed it for a week. I think it may be transmission related instead.

[fatjoez]

I have this lurch as well.

335i auto, non-xdrive, 160,00 km