Bayerische Motoren-Werke

My car has been behaving rather erratic since the temp has gotten colder. When cold, the car jerks back and forth, stumbles when shifting to the next gear. It feels almost like it has no power. This is in regular drive mode. After a couple of lights, or about 3 minutes of driving the jerks and stumbling is gone. What gives? I'm going to bring it to dealer and wanted some insight if anyone has experienced this. Is this the normal warm up process of the transmission?

luigi524td

Doesn't seem like a "normal" warm up to me. While we've not had any really cold weather here in Southern NJ there have been early morning drops to 32 degrees. and my start-ups are smooth. By the way, my 530xi is parked out of doors - not in a warmer garage. And I do not do any special "warm up" that is I do not let it sit and idle for 10 minutes! I usually drive off conservatively and drive that way until the car reaches operating temps.

Our cars are soooo battery finicky -- any chance that your battery isn't at a full charge and that's throwing something off?

Bayerische Motoren-Werke

My battery was fully charged by the dealer a couple months back after I was getting the battery drain message. Since then I have not gotten any messages or clock resets. My car is parked outdoor as well.

SilberGrauE60

about the only thing I notice on mine is a very brief hesitation or hiccup, about 2-3 minutes into the start. I believe this is an emission system issue, maybe an air pump or something that begins at cold startup and then terminates about 2-3 minutes into the run. It always occurs at the same point in my travel, thus making me believe it is on a timer. Other than that, the car exhibits no odd behaviors in cold weather.

Bayerische Motoren-Werke

Yes, this is same experience I'm having. The shifts are jerky, hiccups and sluggish for first three minutes or so of my drive, then becomes smoother. Once driven and parked for a few hours in the cold again, upon start up and driving away the shifts are still smooth. This only happens when the car sits overnight. So bringing it to the dealer they are more likely say that's the normal warm up process?

SilberGrauE60

Well, I never took this to my dealer, so I don't know what they would say. As far as I'm concerned, it is normal warm-up process. It does not really bother me.

seanjordan

It could be a few things. How many miles is on the car. I would start by cleaning or changing the MAF and throwing in some Sea Foam to see if that makes a difference. It should. The MAF doesnt seem to act up when it is warm outside but does in the cold. Start cheap. After that it could be fuel pump or just a tune up. But try the first option. I would say that is your best bet