"morning Transmission Awaking"

[g_neus]

I recently bought a 318ti '95 automatic.I noticed that when the car has not been driver overnight and I pull out with it in the morning the transmission holds the gears a lot longer the then usually.I'm talking about 3000 revs and then switches to second gear.The same way is with second gear(I haven't paid attension about third gear).This whole thing last about 5 minutes of driving and after that everithing is perfect.....nice and smooth gear change.Me and a friend started looking for the transmission dipstick to check the fluid but we were unable to find it.So I wanna know the location of the dipstick and if somebody can tell me about this"morning transmission awaking".
Thanks

[bmwultdrivinmach]

Hey, sorry I dont have a solution to your problem, but I have a 1993 325is and I experience the same problem (in the morning, as a matter of fact). The shifting goes back to very smooth once the engine warms up (meter off of the blue temp. mark). This would be my only reasoning behind this, other than that I have no clue. Hope I help somewhat

[bitcore]

Normal operation.

[Live_the_Curves]

I notice the same thing. It goes away after few minutes of driving.

[93 325i]

I would change the tranny fluid. Or at least have the fluid level checked out.. You gotta get under the car for that tho. I dont believe there is a dipstick.

[e36surge]

No dipstick. Good idea to check level. Normal operation.

[g_neus]

I check the transmission fluid level and and I have 3/4 reservoir full.I dip my finger in it and although I had a little a bit on I can say i was blackish and smeled like burned.

[e36surge]

Change the oil...

[pcy]

Originally posted by e36surge@May 20 2005, 10:33 AM
Change the oil...

[snapback]346400[/snapback]

I agree with the above.

Buy the Transmission Oil Filter, Transmission Fluid, and the pan gasket kit (that includes the new bolts).

Removing the old fluid, replacing the filter and putting back the gasket and pan are easy; the difficult part is putting in the "right_amount_of" ATF in there.

If you know the correct procedure to checking and filling the fluid correctly, then go ahead and do it asap.

[mikester328]

I think it revs up to 3k in the morning because the engine is cold... my mom's '99 323i when started cold after a night will rev up to about 3k and then change, it's perfectly normal.

[93 325i]

Here is explanation I found:

Automatic transmission : The automatic transmission may suffer from delayed engagement after sitting overnight because the fluid drains out of the torque converter. (1992-95)

[Eraj]

Hey Guys,

Had the same prob, had me worried too. As per 2 BMW technicians (different dealerships) This is normal. Changed the fluids and filter for good measure, no change, but it doesn't bother me at all. If you have the "Winter mode" on your auto tranny, just change the gears between drive down to 3rd for the first couple of minutes, and keeps the revs low. Anyways guys, DO NOT worry, this is normal, let your baby warm up a little before you start blaming her. Haven't you seen chicks in the morning before coffee? This gets you worried? Let her warm up guys! Geez!

Have fun

[g_neus]

hi everybody,What I did was to drain all of the transmission fluid,put it in old bottles of oil I have to measure the fluid.I was exactly 4qt.Then I fill it up back with 3 bottles of Castrol Dexron Mercon III and a bottle of Trans-X.This morning I started the car and I notised this "morning tranny awaking" was maybe for 20-30sec not more than that. I think though, the hot weather that we had here in Oklahoma City yesterday and through the night may have reflected on that but I'm not pretty sure.I'll keep observing.(hopefully the weather will go colder)