8AT which gear to use cruising in city?

stvding · 10-08-2015, 08:43 PM

I come from a 6AT of e90. When I use manual mode in city, i usually cruising at 60-70 kph in 5th gear. Now I have a 8AT, not sure which gear to use. D mode seem using 7 or 8th gear at 60-70 kph but not sure since D mode doesn't display gear. Does 1-6th gear of a 8AT same as 6AT and 2 more gear or 8AT just has different gear ratio? which one to use at 60-70 kph in city then?

raqautle · 10-09-2015, 12:46 AM

It's about the same but the gears are closer together so 3rd gear in the manual will be about 4th in the auto, while 6 in manual will be about 8 in auto. A quick google search will show you all the exact gear ratios. For me, my car enters 8th at 41mph,7th at 37,6th at 34, then I can't remember how soon it shifts, but 8th gear at 1100 or 1200 rpm is about 40mph so around 60 kph iirc

For me, I just leave it in auto or pick the gear that's the best, if I'm going to accelerate keep it on a Lower gear but if ur cruising and not going to need the power, higher gear

maverick83 · 10-09-2015, 06:31 AM

My 320i AT shifted to 8th at 73km/h,

My 320d shifts to 7th at 73km/h and to 8th at 80km/h

COKen · 10-09-2015, 08:38 AM

Best advice I have is to use your tachometer. Then there is no guessing as to which gear.

HighlandPete · 10-09-2015, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by COKen

Best advice I have is to use your tachometer. Then there is no guessing as to which gear.

Same here.

Another observation. With an auto and using 'D' you get a good feel for where the engine is comfortable at low revs and light cruising loads. The N55 engine does trundle along at low revs in full auto, my 535i will often be around 1,200rpm in urban traffic flows without any issue. When using manual mode we have to be a bit more aware, as the autobox will hold to lower rpm than when using 'D'.

HighlandPete

Polo08816 · 10-09-2015, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stvding

I come from a 6AT of e90. When I use manual mode in city, i usually cruising at 60-70 kph in 5th gear. Now I have a 8AT, not sure which gear to use. D mode seem using 7 or 8th gear at 60-70 kph but not sure since D mode doesn't display gear. Does 1-6th gear of a 8AT same as 6AT and 2 more gear or 8AT just has different gear ratio? which one to use at 60-70 kph in city then?

1st gear provides the best acceleration so I'm always in 1st gear.

RedlinePSI · 10-09-2015, 09:48 AM

I don't understand why this is a question, to yourself as well as others. Put the RPM's at a decent level when cruising and let that be the end of it. Whatever gear it is, that's what it is.

stvding · 10-09-2015, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polo08816

Quote:

Originally Posted by stvding

I come from a 6AT of e90. When I use manual mode in city, i usually cruising at 60-70 kph in 5th gear. Now I have a 8AT, not sure which gear to use. D mode seem using 7 or 8th gear at 60-70 kph but not sure since D mode doesn't display gear. Does 1-6th gear of a 8AT same as 6AT and 2 more gear or 8AT just has different gear ratio? which one to use at 60-70 kph in city then?

1st gear provides the best acceleration so I'm always in 1st gear.

You gotta be kidding me.

G30 B58 · 10-09-2015, 10:02 AM

.....you could just let the transmission decide AUTOMATICALLY.

stvding · 10-09-2015, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F32 N55

.....you could just let the transmission decide AUTOMATICALLY.

I do most of the time.

Buckeyes · 10-09-2015, 09:02 PM

It's easy. Sport + mode and the trans in S. The transmission will always be in the right gear and the car will sound great during acceleration and deceleration, especially with a mpe, downpipe, AFE, jb4, and 3 gallons of e85 to go with the tank of 93. Having 400+ torque is very fun.

M47 · 10-09-2015, 09:12 PM

Just want to make sure, we can either enable or disable the DTC on the Sport+ Setting right? I don't know why, I always thought the DTC is off whenever I'm in Sport+.

HighlandPete · 10-10-2015, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M47

Just want to make sure, we can either enable or disable the DTC on the Sport+ Setting right? I don't know why, I always thought the DTC is off whenever I'm in Sport+.

Pressing the DTC button briefly, switches DTC on.

Sport+ enables DTC. You can switch on DTC within Comfort and Sport modes.

HighlandPete

oceanview · 10-10-2015, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stvding

I come from a 6AT of e90. When I use manual mode in city, i usually cruising at 60-70 kph in 5th gear. Now I have a 8AT, not sure which gear to use. D mode seem using 7 or 8th gear at 60-70 kph but not sure since D mode doesn't display gear. Does 1-6th gear of a 8AT same as 6AT and 2 more gear or 8AT just has different gear ratio? which one to use at 60-70 kph in city then?

Gear Ratio Can be found in this document under chapter 6.3.1
http://www.bimmerpost.com/goodiesfor...owertrain1.pdf

If you are drinving in D and switch the selector lever to the left, you can see which gear your in. In doing so, it possibly switches down one gear. You can easy see that if the RPM changes when switching the lever.

Best city mode is gear 1-3, to catch pedestrians and bicycle riders awareness. So they can get out of my way.

iconoclast · 10-10-2015, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Sport+ enables DTC. You can switch on DTC within Comfort and Sport modes.

Although the OP was asking about City driving I wanted to mention that cruise control will kick you out of Sport+ and default to Sport mode.

10-08-2015, 08:43 PM	#1
stvding Major 662 Rep 1,447 Posts Drives: G20 M340ix Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Markham iTrader: (0)	8AT which gear to use cruising in city? I come from a 6AT of e90. When I use manual mode in city, i usually cruising at 60-70 kph in 5th gear. Now I have a 8AT, not sure which gear to use. D mode seem using 7 or 8th gear at 60-70 kph but not sure since D mode doesn't display gear. Does 1-6th gear of a 8AT same as 6AT and 2 more gear or 8AT just has different gear ratio? which one to use at 60-70 kph in city then?
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

10-09-2015, 12:46 AM	#2
raqautle Private First Class 87 Rep 191 Posts Drives: '17 340i X-Drive M Sport EBII Join Date: May 2014 Location: New York iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 340i X-Drive [0.00]	It's about the same but the gears are closer together so 3rd gear in the manual will be about 4th in the auto, while 6 in manual will be about 8 in auto. A quick google search will show you all the exact gear ratios. For me, my car enters 8th at 41mph,7th at 37,6th at 34, then I can't remember how soon it shifts, but 8th gear at 1100 or 1200 rpm is about 40mph so around 60 kph iirc For me, I just leave it in auto or pick the gear that's the best, if I'm going to accelerate keep it on a Lower gear but if ur cruising and not going to need the power, higher gear
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-09-2015, 06:31 AM	#3
maverick83 Second Lieutenant 84 Rep 294 Posts Drives: F20 M135i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Surrey iTrader: (0)	My 320i AT shifted to 8th at 73km/h, My 320d shifts to 7th at 73km/h and to 8th at 80km/h
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-09-2015, 08:38 AM	#4
COKen Lieutenant Colonel 981 Rep 1,560 Posts Drives: M Rster / Z4 M40i / X5 M50i Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0)	Best advice I have is to use your tachometer. Then there is no guessing as to which gear. __________________ 2002 M Roadster, Steel Gray Metailic, Gray Nappa Leather, HT, TC Kline DA Shocks & Camber Plates, w/H&R Springs, Stromung Exhaust, SSR Type C. Looking for new home. 2022 Z4 M40i, Misano Blue Metallic, Driver Asst Pkg, Prem Pkg 2023 X5 M50i, Phytonic Blue, Black Extended Merion Leather, Driving Asst Pro Pkg, Park Asst Pkg, Exec Pkg, Climate Comfort Pkg.
	Appreciate 1 Quote

10-09-2015, 09:48 AM	#7
RedlinePSI Lieutenant 127 Rep 502 Posts Drives: Something else Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: LI, NY iTrader: (0)	I don't understand why this is a question, to yourself as well as others. Put the RPM's at a decent level when cruising and let that be the end of it. Whatever gear it is, that's what it is.
	Appreciate 1 Quote

10-09-2015, 10:02 AM	#9
G30 B58 Pace Car Driver 1548 Rep 3,164 Posts Drives: '22 AW G30 B58 M-Sport Join Date: May 2014 Location: my garage in PA iTrader: (0)	.....you could just let the transmission decide AUTOMATICALLY.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-09-2015, 09:02 PM	#11
Buckeyes Captain 353 Rep 939 Posts Drives: 2013 335i M Sport Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (2)	It's easy. Sport + mode and the trans in S. The transmission will always be in the right gear and the car will sound great during acceleration and deceleration, especially with a mpe, downpipe, AFE, jb4, and 3 gallons of e85 to go with the tank of 93. Having 400+ torque is very fun.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-09-2015, 09:12 PM	#12
M47 Second Lieutenant 65 Rep 246 Posts Drives: F30 328 xDrive Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Pacific NorthWest - PNW iTrader: (0)	Just want to make sure, we can either enable or disable the DTC on the Sport+ Setting right? I don't know why, I always thought the DTC is off whenever I'm in Sport+.
	Appreciate 0 Quote