Transmission fail safe
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Romania
My Ride: BMW E61 530Xi
Hello everybody! I'm happy to enter into the real BMW World! 
Thanks in advance for any support!
I own a 2005 530Xi Touring Automatic and of course I have some questions...
First, yesterday I had a nasty experience in the morining. After 1 km a red allert (a gearwheel with a "!" in the middle) appeared on my dashboard and on tne nav display the text: "transmission failsafe mode"...and something related to drive slowly to the nearest BMW Service. I tried to shift gears manually...and nothing happens...the car remained in D position until I arrived to destination, where not so easy I was able to park (it was like the engine has no power)...The outsite temperature was arround -5 Celsius degrees. I let the car in the sun and after 2 hours (the outside temperature has already rise to +4) I start the engine and everything was OK! This failure has something to do with the fact that last evening I washed my car and -2 Celsius degrees?
2. I intend to change my brake disks with sport ones in order to improve the braking time. Could someone recommend the best manufacturers?
3. Who knows how many K has the xenon light on the short beam? Becuase I don't have bi-xenon system I bought 2 pcs. H7 bulbs for long beam with 4500K in order to have the same colour light as xenon...better than the original ones but still is too white...I want to change as well to the fog lights (HB4).
Thanks in advance for any support!
I own a 2005 530Xi Touring Automatic and of course I have some questions...
First, yesterday I had a nasty experience in the morining. After 1 km a red allert (a gearwheel with a "!" in the middle) appeared on my dashboard and on tne nav display the text: "transmission failsafe mode"...and something related to drive slowly to the nearest BMW Service. I tried to shift gears manually...and nothing happens...the car remained in D position until I arrived to destination, where not so easy I was able to park (it was like the engine has no power)...The outsite temperature was arround -5 Celsius degrees. I let the car in the sun and after 2 hours (the outside temperature has already rise to +4) I start the engine and everything was OK! This failure has something to do with the fact that last evening I washed my car and -2 Celsius degrees?
2. I intend to change my brake disks with sport ones in order to improve the braking time. Could someone recommend the best manufacturers?
3. Who knows how many K has the xenon light on the short beam? Becuase I don't have bi-xenon system I bought 2 pcs. H7 bulbs for long beam with 4500K in order to have the same colour light as xenon...better than the original ones but still is too white...I want to change as well to the fog lights (HB4).
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From: Thousand Oaks, California
My Ride: 2008 550i Jet Black on Black Leather, SAT with Paddles, Logic 7, Comfort Seats, NAV, Sport Package, PDC, Xenons, Sirius, Trinity 12W LED Angel Eyes, RPi GT Exhaust, M rear spoiler, ACS Roof Spoiler, Tinted Tail Lights, Bimmian Carbon Fiber Pillar Trim, Bimmian Shadow 550i emblem, RPi Scoop, E60 Forum Cling, Mtec bulbs in fog lights, Mtec 2W LED for License Plate Light Bulbs, K&N Filter, Bimmian LED Smoked Side Markers, Blackout roundels, Carbon Fiber Kidney Grills.
Retired Rides - 1989 325i convertible, 1995 M3, 2002 X5, 2005 545i, 2008 X5 (Lemon)
Sorry about all the problems you're encountering, good luck with the outcome! 
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Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Chicago
I have to say that the E60 has more computers in it than a NASA space station. I would assume that your problem was a glitch in the computer and after rebooting, (restarting the engine), it fixed itself.
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From: So Cal, USA
My Ride: 545iSMGSilver GrayAuburn Dakota LeatherLogic 7 Premium SoundSports Package
Originally Posted by andibalmus' post='767750' date='Jan 14 2009, 09:11 AM
3. Who knows how many K has the xenon light on the short beam? Becuase I don't have bi-xenon system I bought 2 pcs. H7 bulbs for long beam with 4500K in order to have the same colour light as xenon...better than the original ones but still is too white...I want to change as well to the fog lights (HB4).
I know its between 4250K to 4350K I just cant remember what. I want to say its closer to 4300K than it is to 4250K...
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,718
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From: Massachusetts, USA
My Ride: 2006 525XI, Jet black on Dakota beige. Premium and winter packages. I consider myself a purist and intend to keep my car absolutely stock and shiny.
2008 328I Convertible, Sapphire black on beige interior. Premium package, NAV, iPod adapter.
Retired: 2002 325I, Titanium silver on black leather. Premium package. Absolutely stock and proud of it.
Originally Posted by andibalmus' post='767750' date='Jan 14 2009, 12:11 PM
Hello everybody! I'm happy to enter into the real BMW World!
Thanks in advance for any support!
I own a 2005 530Xi Touring Automatic and of course I have some questions...
First, yesterday I had a nasty experience in the morining. After 1 km a red allert (a gearwheel with a "!" in the middle) appeared on my dashboard and on tne nav display the text: "transmission failsafe mode"...and something related to drive slowly to the nearest BMW Service. I tried to shift gears manually...and nothing happens...the car remained in D position until I arrived to destination, where not so easy I was able to park (it was like the engine has no power)...The outsite temperature was arround -5 Celsius degrees. I let the car in the sun and after 2 hours (the outside temperature has already rise to +4) I start the engine and everything was OK! This failure has something to do with the fact that last evening I washed my car and -2 Celsius degrees?
2. I intend to change my brake disks with sport ones in order to improve the braking time. Could someone recommend the best manufacturers?
3. Who knows how many K has the xenon light on the short beam? Becuase I don't have bi-xenon system I bought 2 pcs. H7 bulbs for long beam with 4500K in order to have the same colour light as xenon...better than the original ones but still is too white...I want to change as well to the fog lights (HB4).
Thanks in advance for any support!
I own a 2005 530Xi Touring Automatic and of course I have some questions...
First, yesterday I had a nasty experience in the morining. After 1 km a red allert (a gearwheel with a "!" in the middle) appeared on my dashboard and on tne nav display the text: "transmission failsafe mode"...and something related to drive slowly to the nearest BMW Service. I tried to shift gears manually...and nothing happens...the car remained in D position until I arrived to destination, where not so easy I was able to park (it was like the engine has no power)...The outsite temperature was arround -5 Celsius degrees. I let the car in the sun and after 2 hours (the outside temperature has already rise to +4) I start the engine and everything was OK! This failure has something to do with the fact that last evening I washed my car and -2 Celsius degrees?
2. I intend to change my brake disks with sport ones in order to improve the braking time. Could someone recommend the best manufacturers?
3. Who knows how many K has the xenon light on the short beam? Becuase I don't have bi-xenon system I bought 2 pcs. H7 bulbs for long beam with 4500K in order to have the same colour light as xenon...better than the original ones but still is too white...I want to change as well to the fog lights (HB4).
aboard. I doubt that your transmission warning had to do with the temperature. The E60's computers will go to sleep and reset after you shut down the car and lock the doors for 20 minutes, so it is very likely that the computer reset itself. I would keep an eye on this and if it happens frequently I would look at the possibility of a software upgrade through your dealer. If the tranny seems to be operating correctly (no lurch, hesitation, hard shift, etc.) I would chaulk it up to a glitch and move on. Good luck with the outcome.
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