New 335i w/ Steptronic

benneyb · 08-27-2009, 09:22 AM

Hi All,

New to the forum and back in BMW land beginning Saturday when I pick up my 335i Coupe w/ Steptronic.

I had stumbled upon some posts either here or elsewhere, which I can no longer find via search, where some folks seemed to be recommending to not use Manual Mode and/or DS mode during the breakin period, or at least the first 500 miles.

Is anyone aware of this, and if so, why is it recommended?

Thanks in advance.

02themax · 08-27-2009, 10:39 AM

Never heard of this, doesn't really make sense to me?

RyanE92 · 08-27-2009, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 02themax

Never heard of this, doesn't really make sense to me?

+1

I would think that manual during break-in would be a good think if you are trying to keep your RPM's below a certain max threshold.

PsychoSlug · 08-27-2009, 11:41 AM

The owner's manual doesn't mention it. If you read it somewhere, it is only an opinion.

I used manual mode quite a bit during break-in; just kept it under the RPM limit specified in the manual.

EDIT: If you set it to DS mode and don't shift manually, use care. She gets pretty rev happy in that mode with not a lot of throttle. There were a couple of times I revved her to 5,000 or so during break-in. Oops. Tough not to do in this car.

David9962000 · 08-27-2009, 11:46 AM

I got mine 2 weeks ago and I haven't used it in auto, only in tiptronic mode. I also noticed after a few hundreds miles it learns your driving style and the shiftings get better and faster.

aut0sh0cker · 08-27-2009, 12:08 PM

just stay below 4k RPM and dont drive it hard on a cold start. let the car warm up at least until the temp gauge moves a bit

David9962000 · 08-27-2009, 12:38 PM

Yeah, I always do that too. I keep it under 3500 RPM if my oil temp is under 200F.

benneyb · 08-27-2009, 01:06 PM

Thanks guys, much appreciated. It sounded funky to me too.

If I find the posts again, I'll drop links here, for humor or possible info.

F32Fleet · 08-27-2009, 04:34 PM

My $.02. Manual mode allows you to utilize engine braking which changes how the rings are loaded vs. loading the rings under acceleration. IIRC...this is an important piece of engine break-in. When driving in A/T mode, you're just coasting when off the throttle.

David9962000 · 08-27-2009, 04:39 PM

During break-in I like to let the engine decelerate naturally in gear.

DASHOCKER · 08-27-2009, 06:17 PM

I've kept mine in normal mode & have yet to use DS or manual mode. Car has 368 miles to date.

08-27-2009, 09:22 AM	#1
benneyb Enlisted Member 4 Rep 43 Posts Drives: Previous - M235i BSM/Coral Red Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	New 335i w/ Steptronic - No Manual Mode During Break in Period? Hi All, New to the forum and back in BMW land beginning Saturday when I pick up my 335i Coupe w/ Steptronic. I had stumbled upon some posts either here or elsewhere, which I can no longer find via search, where some folks seemed to be recommending to not use Manual Mode and/or DS mode during the breakin period, or at least the first 500 miles. Is anyone aware of this, and if so, why is it recommended? Thanks in advance.
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08-27-2009, 10:39 AM	#2
02themax Captain 28 Rep 946 Posts Drives: E90 335i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Calgary, AB iTrader: (6)	Never heard of this, doesn't really make sense to me? __________________ E90 335i Sport Package - Logic 7 Sound w/ipod - Bluetooth - Comfort Access - PDC - 19" M3 Reps 275/30 235/35 - Blacklines - 10mil spacers rear, 5mil spacers front - BMW Alarm
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08-27-2009, 11:41 AM	#4
PsychoSlug Lieutenant 36 Rep 564 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Nowhere iTrader: (0)	The owner's manual doesn't mention it. If you read it somewhere, it is only an opinion. I used manual mode quite a bit during break-in; just kept it under the RPM limit specified in the manual. EDIT: If you set it to DS mode and don't shift manually, use care. She gets pretty rev happy in that mode with not a lot of throttle. There were a couple of times I revved her to 5,000 or so during break-in. Oops. Tough not to do in this car.
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08-27-2009, 11:46 AM	#5
David9962000 Captain 77 Rep 683 Posts Drives: Bayerische Motoren Werke Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (1)	I got mine 2 weeks ago and I haven't used it in auto, only in tiptronic mode. I also noticed after a few hundreds miles it learns your driving style and the shiftings get better and faster.
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08-27-2009, 12:08 PM	#6
aut0sh0cker meh 123 Rep 1,756 Posts Drives: E92 335i, 997.2 C4S Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: 91362 iTrader: (2)	just stay below 4k RPM and dont drive it hard on a cold start. let the car warm up at least until the temp gauge moves a bit
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08-27-2009, 12:38 PM	#7
David9962000 Captain 77 Rep 683 Posts Drives: Bayerische Motoren Werke Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (1)	Yeah, I always do that too. I keep it under 3500 RPM if my oil temp is under 200F.
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08-27-2009, 01:06 PM	#8
benneyb Enlisted Member 4 Rep 43 Posts Drives: Previous - M235i BSM/Coral Red Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys, much appreciated. It sounded funky to me too. If I find the posts again, I'll drop links here, for humor or possible info.
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08-27-2009, 04:34 PM	#9
F32Fleet Lieutenant General 3576 Rep 10,356 Posts Drives: 2015 435i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Southeastern US iTrader: (0)	My $.02. Manual mode allows you to utilize engine braking which changes how the rings are loaded vs. loading the rings under acceleration. IIRC...this is an important piece of engine break-in. When driving in A/T mode, you're just coasting when off the throttle.
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08-27-2009, 04:39 PM	#10
David9962000 Captain 77 Rep 683 Posts Drives: Bayerische Motoren Werke Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (1)	During break-in I like to let the engine decelerate naturally in gear.
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08-27-2009, 06:17 PM	#11
DASHOCKER The power of V! 99 Rep 1,971 Posts Drives: 2007 335i coupe steptronic Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NYC iTrader: (0) Garage List 1998 Lexus Gs400 [0.00] 2010 ebony & ivory [0.00] 2006 BMW X3 [0.00] 2009 pics [0.00] 2009 e92 335 xdrive [0.00]	I've kept mine in normal mode & have yet to use DS or manual mode. Car has 368 miles to date. __________________ 2007 335 coupe Alpine white, steptronic, sportpack, etc. (gone) 2006 X3 3.0 steptronic Titanium Silver, 2009 E92 335xdrive, next.... Caddy CTS_V! 13 Lincoln MKZ? hmmm.
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