Need to warm up or tranny issue

[7FORTYIL]

Hello again. I dont know if this is normal, but seems to be getting worse. When I start the car cold I have to let it warm up till the guage is out of the red approx. 4-5 mins. Or I can drive the car at between 15-20 mph for 3 mins then when out of the red the car will shift into 2nd gear. I've some conflicting threads on this but, im no granny driver so i let her warm up till she is ready. I know my Cats are going out. New MAF. Any advice?:help

[m3studio]

Checking Cats: Hit them with something. Listen for rattles

Checking MAF: Have the car started, unplug it see if it dies.

Transmission: If you have to let the car warm up for the transmission to operate normally, its a sign of low transmission fluid. The fluid expands when its warm/hot. Have the fluid checked by a shop.

Temperature: What do you mean out of the red? Am I missing something? Red on the temp would signify over-heating. If your temp gauge is in the red don't drive it or operate. Unless your sensor is bad which would show it in the red always. So yeah my 0.02

[novasol]

Hello again. I dont know if this is normal, but seems to be getting worse. When I start the car cold I have to let it warm up till the guage is out of the red approx. 4-5 mins. Or I can drive the car at between 15-20 mph for 3 mins then when out of the red the car will shift into 2nd gear. I've some conflicting threads on this but, im no granny driver so i let her warm up till she is ready. I know my Cats are going out. New MAF. Any advice?:help

I take it you mean out of the blue? If so, no it's not normal...a cold engine should hold the 1-2 and 2-3 upshifts until past 2000rpm but should always shift up into 2nd, no matter how cold the engine. Will it not upshift into 2nd AT ALL?

[m3studio]

Common Issues and Fixes: Transmission Info (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1499438)

Now as advised by professionals. Start the car and let it warm up. I don't advise driving the car right after starting if its cold out. Engine wear is much much higher and well its not good anyway. So let the car sit until the RPMs drop till its at normal idle. So let me clear it up. Is your car NOT shifting into second? If so when the car does shift, do any gears jerk when it shifts? I just want a clear explanation of whats wrong. Sorry, I got kinda confused.

[7FORTYIL]

Sorry Ill clear things up. It shifts everytime from 1st to 2nd. Secondly, i meant when it gets on the cusp of the blue it will shift, Otherwise it wont shift 1st to 2nd when its cold unless i really floor it, then it isnt smooth. I bought car two years ago with 115,000miles on her. I do have most of the service records but nothing about a tranny fluid change. I was told by the Indy Shop(Rhein West) Since I don't know the history, its best no to change it out now. So I got a reply I made be low on fluid? I wasn't aware it could leak?

[m3studio]

Oh, thats just a program for the transmission. Its in the software to start off in second. Its like a fuel economy thing and whatever. It could leak from the gasket. It can leak. E38 owners have had them leak.. Like a hitting the pan on a bump and it slightly gets twisted or whatever. Also I just changed my fluid at 120K and its been like 6k miles and a few months. Just remember don't change 100% of fluid just a few quarts.

[Spitfire007]

you're fine....

[novasol]

Sorry Ill clear things up. It shifts everytime from 1st to 2nd. Secondly, i meant when it gets on the cusp of the blue it will shift, Otherwise it wont shift 1st to 2nd when its cold unless i really floor it, then it isnt smooth. I bought car two years ago with 115,000miles on her. I do have most of the service records but nothing about a tranny fluid change. I was told by the Indy Shop(Rhein West) Since I don't know the history, its best no to change it out now. So I got a reply I made be low on fluid? I wasn't aware it could leak?

yeah you're fine. Also when the temp outside drops below a certain mark the traction control program starts the car off in 2nd..you have to disable it to get a start in 1st

[7FORTYIL]

What is the procedure to top the tranny fluid off?