BMW automatic jerks in sport mode – how to fix it?

BMW driver question

I have a rather strange question. I’ve owned an F30 with an automatic transmission for a year now, and in sport mode when braking at an intersection and then after adding gas there is this slight jerking feeling.

Maybe not so much a jerk, but as if adding gas at the same time as reducing gear. Occasionally the same effect also occurs when braking. These phenomena do not always happen. In comfort mode and when driving in manual mode, this does not happen. The transmission has about 40,000 kilometers. Is this normal?

The problem affected the BMW 3 F30, but it may also occur in other models with automatic transmission.

BM Cars service response

Any symptoms of jerking or not-so-smooth shifting in BMW cars are not normal. A normally functioning automatic transmission changes gears (regardless of its mode – sport, comfort, eco) smoothly and imperceptibly (except for the tachometer display) to the user. Any change from the above-described behavior indicates that the transmission is not working properly.

The reasons for this abnormal behavior can be very different. Given the relatively low mileage of 40,000 km, it would be necessary to check the quantity and quality of oil in the box. Even a small loss can already cause abnormal behavior of the box during operation. When checking the quality of the oil, we are able to determine whether small filings or metallic deposits have appeared in the oil, indicating excessive mechanical wear of the transmission components.

The distance for oil change given by the manufacturer ZF – 60,000 to 70,000 km applies to normal operating conditions of the transmission, that is, no trailer towing, mixed driving (highway/urban), no sport use of the vehicle, no excessive speeds.

If the Sport mode is used frequently, the distance to change the oil can decrease dramatically from the stated 70,000. If the oil is found to be significantly burnt/worn, it needs to be replaced along with the filter.

As the next stage of possible work, the transmission adaptations would have to be deleted and new adaptations made. The operation is quite time-consuming and sometimes difficult due to road conditions.

As the last item, a software change – an upgrade – should be included. In the case of the F30, it is necessary to update the software throughout the vehicle. Such an operation, in turn, is fraught with the risk of damaging the controller during programming. Here we have written more about controllers and upgrades.

We invite you to take advantage of our services.

Other BMW tips related to the topic at hand

• Jerking in automatic transmissions
• Jerking and delayed automatic transmission response in a BMW 730D E38
• Fading engine in BMW with automatic transmission

Read more tips and ask your own question