Stiffer and Notchy Gearbox whilst car is cold - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

sdr · 21st September 2007, 16:01

Hello All

I find my 2002 M5 has very notchy gearchange when cold.

It's nearing 29000 miles now, and until about 20 minutes into the journey, until everything has warmed up, the gearchange can be notchy and not slot into gear as easy as when warm. It will engage the gear if I apply more force, however I dont want to ram it into gear when cold too much

Does anyone else experence this? Is this a common problem?

Thanks

CHRIS

verhagke · 21st September 2007, 16:27

very common. Some say that changing the tranny fluid will improve things

DouglasABaker · 21st September 2007, 16:33

Yes it is common - mine had it as well.

Many of us have made the problem considerably better by replacing the transmission fluid. Some like Redline, in my case I like Royal Purple. I also did my differential and it made a huge difference.

Doug

xr4tic · 21st September 2007, 16:37

what weight is the trans fluid? how much fluid do you need?

I'll probably be doing the same thing before it starts getting colder here in MI

DouglasABaker · 21st September 2007, 17:11

Just about 2 quarts. Synchromax in the tranny, 75W140 in the differential.

Plugs get tightened to 50Nm. Make sure you remove the fill plug first. Don't want to drain it without the ability to fill it again...

Doug

chowdah · 21st September 2007, 17:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdr

It will engage the gear if I apply more force, however I dont want to ram it into gear when cold too much

On the off chance you are lugging around, get the rpms up, or blip the throttle -- that can help to find the sweet spot and change easier.

alijonny · 21st September 2007, 17:31

similar issue with mine going into 2nd. after it warms up, everything is good. this can also be caused by a worn/misadjusted clutch. how is the car driven?

sdr · 21st September 2007, 18:01

Thanks Guys, that'll put my mind at rest.

thanks chowdah, I do blip the throttle between changes, to try and keep the revs from dropping and climbing too much.

As for how the car is driven alijonny, I do baby it when it is cold. I've only had the car since May, and only done about 1000 miles. I dont slip or drag the clutch too much, however I've a feeling the previous owner did tho' and I also think that a new clutch wouldnt be a complete waist of money. It's just getting round to getting it done.

Thanks

Halston Pitman · 21st September 2007, 18:14

Definitely change out the fluids. BMW has the good old "lifetime fluid" in the trans. Don't trust that

While you are at it I would recommend dropping in some (Insert preferred brand of lube oil) into the diff since the car will be on the lift. Can kill two birds with one stone and do some maintenance!

DouglasABaker · 21st September 2007, 19:19

I thought for certain you were going to tell him to drop in some new speakers

Which, btw, is not a bad idea!!

Doug