How BMW Mechatronic Issues Affect Performance

BMWs have always been known for style and innovation, but some folks are a little worried when they think about what kind of issues they might experience with new technologies under the hood. It’s perfectly normal – new designs will, of course, have their own new potential issues – but it’s not as scary as you might think.

Today we’re going to help to clear the fog a little by telling you about BMW’s mechatronic transmission, as far as what it is and what kind of symptoms you can expect when there are issues. We’ll close things up with a little advice about how to chase those worries away and keep your BMW in tip=top shape!

If you’re ready, then let’s talk about BMW mechatronic transmissions and potential issues that may affect performance!

What is a Mechatronic Transmission?

First off, let’s tackle the name ‘mechatronics’. It’s composed of two other things that you already know well – mechanisms and electronics. These transmissions are thus exactly what they sound like. They are a combination of standard machinery and electronics that work together to give you a better driving experience.

The quick explanation of its function is that it can utilize internal sensors to note the gear position and a wide array of extra variables, with the end result being that your BMW will always be in the optimal gear.

Sounds great, but what are the caveats? Well, let’s take a look!

What Are the Most Common Symptoms of Failing Mechatronics?

When mechatronics start to experience component failures, there are a number of symptoms that you can watch for that will help you to better understand what’s going on under the hood. Here are some examples:

• Gearbox jolts – When mechatronics are starting to fail on you, one symptom that you might experience comes in the form of quick, but noticeable jolts when you are slowing your BMW down for a full stop. You might miss it the first time – it’s not a very harsh jolt – but over the course of a trip home from work you’ll definitely notice the difference.
• Harsh shifts – Harsh shifts, particularly with the 5^th and 6^th gear, are another symptom that may come into play when your BMW’s mechatronic transmission is beginning to fail. This is something you’ll notice the first time it happens and when you do, it’s time to get your BMW into an expert right away before the damage can get any worse.
• Delayed gears – Another common mechatronics failure symptom is something you’ll notice when going into reverse. The gear will generally engage, but there is a noticeable delay before it actually kicks in and the vehicle reverses. While it seems like a mere annoyance, if you notice this then it’s time for a BMW checkup post-haste to get to the bottom of the issue.
• 5^th gear jolts – When you are cruising along the highway and hop into 5^th gear, it shouldn’t be jolting. If your BMW does jolt when you shift into 5^th then that’s another telltale sign of a mechatronics problem.

Preventative Maintenance is Key to Maintaining the Whole of Your BMW

As you can see, while the symptoms are a little different, it’s not as dramatic as you might have been expecting. As the mechatronics transmission is there to optimize shifting, the chief symptoms you’ll notice first are going to be jolts and delays.

The important thing is to take advantage of these early warnings and get your vehicle into a BMW expert right away and what’s more, you should also be sure that you are getting regular preventative maintenance to help maximize your chances or stopping problems like these before they can start.

If you happen to live in Carrollton or Dallas TX then you’re in luck – Ultimate Bimmer Service can help you with mechatronics issues and anything else your BMW needs.

For over a decade now, we’ve been providing full service repair and preventative maintenance for BMWs, and we can even do upgrades if that’s what you’d like.

Give us a call or come in sometime so that you can see for yourself how much time and money you’ll save by going with a BMW expert like you’ll find at Ultimate Bimmer Service – You’re going to love the difference that this really makes!