Shifting performance degrades over time
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Shifting performance degrades over time
I have a 2008 Cayenne S and have noticed an odd trend. Over time, the shifting of the car seems to change, not as smooth, hesitates to down shift, just a clunker feel in general. When I have the car serviced, I just did a couple of days ago, it goes back to a smooth shifting fun machine. I assume as part of the service the ECU is flashed and the shifting algorithm is reverted from what is has "learned" over the past few months to the default. But this is just a guess. Has anyone else experienced this behavior? Does the car "learn" over time and adjust is driving characteristics? If so, can I flash the ECU myself on a regular basis?
One other data point. After my coolant pipe glue failure\fix, the car started throwing a P2181 error for the thermostat. The engine temp has been running fine so I haven't spent the cash to get it replaced. But that could also be the cause of the poor shifting performance if the program is altering behavior based on the error.
One other data point. After my coolant pipe glue failure\fix, the car started throwing a P2181 error for the thermostat. The engine temp has been running fine so I haven't spent the cash to get it replaced. But that could also be the cause of the poor shifting performance if the program is altering behavior based on the error.
Last edited by sox203; Jun 13, 2020 at 04:50 PM.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 168
Likes: 69
From: Inland NW - USA
Are you and a spouse / other sharing time in the drivers seat? My wife and I both drive our 958.2 GTS. And the car must think we drive differently. At least differently enough that I've found the car to be a bit "imperfect" in shifting logic / anticipation when I drive after she's used the car exclusively for a while. Same experience with prior BMWs with the ZF 8 Speed too.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Are you and a spouse / other sharing time in the drivers seat? My wife and I both drive our 958.2 GTS. And the car must think we drive differently. At least differently enough that I've found the car to be a bit "imperfect" in shifting logic / anticipation when I drive after she's used the car exclusively for a while. Same experience with prior BMWs with the ZF 8 Speed too.
Banned
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 10,084
Likes: 1,208
From: Spring Lake, NJ, US of A
It is an adaptive transmission. To wake it up again (generally, it gets sluggish if you're driving in the city) - press the sport button and go have some fun. You'll find it back to being pleasant to drive even in normal mode, at least for a while.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 4
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Thanks, I'll give it a try.
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Three Wheelin'
Joined: Aug 2016
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Yes, there is a procedure to reset the transmission adaptations. You can search on here for it. Also, perhaps you are feeling the clunkiness of valve body solenoids that are starting to get sticky and create harsh and delayed shifts. Do the shifts start to get harsher after the car has been run for a good 15-20 minutes?
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