Subject: from what a gather from the info I've read...there are multiple levels of input Author: Q : member since February, 2004 : 7994 posts Posted on: 2008-01-20 18:07:13

that the adaptive programming gathers.

The most mistaken ones...are the 1st variable inputs that come from driver influences and environmental influences (such as throttle position & rate of accelerator movement etc). These 1st variable inputs are the ones that the adaptive programming picks up as soon as a new driver gets behind the wheel...AND... the changes are made within seconds/minutes of a new driver behind the wheel or a different driving style by the same driver. BUT none of these adpatations are stored after the engine is shut down (which is the mistake many make...they assume that if granny was driving the car for 3 months that it will take a long time to change the adaptation if they are agressive).

It's the 2nd level of mutiple evaluation inputs that get stored in the TCM (tranny control module). As was stated by SDmike...Edwin reset the TCM to default settings which would be the programmed mapping set by BMW. But these mappings can be adapted by these 2nd tier of variable inputs like straight line speed, tranny output/engine RPM vs shifts, or if in a mountainous or hilly regions...if certain variables get consistently applied...the TCM will adapt to those conditions based on so many repetition.

It's really difficult to explain and put into words...I hope it makes sense to everyone. But the funny thing is...these reset are all tricks to make the car not do what it was engineered to do...and that is to adapt to the driver. Why? For example, if you are the principle driver of the car and you are not an aggressive driver...you can do the trick to fake the tranny into adaptive sport mode (turn the ign to position2, press & hold the accelerator pedal to the floor for 20-30 seconds, release pedal and start car). But you will have to do this everytime you start the car (pedal position & throttle movement are 1st variable inputs and are NOT stored)...basically because that's not how you normally drive.

If you truly are an agressive driver...the tranny will pick this up instantly by the way that you take off and begin to drive without doing the "trick".

Even resetting the TCM back to default...everytime you drive, the conditions, the forward motion/straight-line speed, the shifts, the RPMs, etc...all those inputs are being reviewed and those inputs will be stored in the TCM...thus the transmission will eventually RE-ADAPT itself back to the way that it is being driven on a daily/monthly basis.

In other words...if you always do, what you always did, you'll always get, what you always got. In order for the transmission to change the way it responds, one has to change the way they drive. If the transmission didn't do this...then it wouldn't be an "adaptive" transmission. (I hope this is making sense)

I did a write up in a discussion similar to this on Bimmerforums back in June/2007...here are two posts in that thread that discuss the 1st variable inputs and how they are NOT stored in memory...and the 2nd post briefly discusses the "multiple evaluation" inputs that DO get stored in the TCM:

1. http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showpost.php?p=9819532&postcount=7

2. http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showpost.php?p=9823390&postcount=14

Q
1995 525iT (Alpine White) ||||||| 1997 740iL (Arctic Silver)

my Qsilver7 cardomain site

• Just had the pleasure of a 1/2 day visit from Henry and Edwin (url) - SDmike 2008-01-20 16:54:42 (301 views)
  • I didnt wake up until almost 10 and you guys were already working! (nt) - Spartan Ed 2008-01-20 19:23:54 (54 views)
  • Looks like more fun (nt) - dwightf 2008-01-20 17:46:17 (45 views)
  • it was 22 degrees F in GA when I woke up... - reluctantmechanic 2008-01-20 17:12:26 (46 views)
    • It was 17F in midtown this morning. (nt) - Roy In GA 2008-01-20 23:56:54 (36 views)
    • Sorry man. Some might argue that ''70 and sunny'' is boring (nt) - SDmike 2008-01-20 17:33:01 (56 views)
      • Who? (not me!) (nt) - sealbeach740 2008-01-20 17:51:46 (45 views)
  • Hmm I was just thinking about getting my DRLs turned on - ucbearcats27 2008-01-20 17:09:42 (75 views)
  • Dude it was my plessure to work on your car and have nice chats! - Edwin 2008-01-20 17:09:30 (48 views)
    • Edwin, I sent you an email earlier about something cool I found (nt) - ucbearcats27 2008-01-20 17:10:35 (40 views)
  • WOW Mike you grew!!! (pic) - Ed 2008-01-20 17:09:07 (154 views)
    • lol! Yeah, I had to provide this picture after that other one. LOL (nt) - SDmike 2008-01-20 17:10:48 (47 views)
  • Mike, can you explain how the adaptive controls get outside - sealbeach740 2008-01-20 17:00:57 (67 views)
    • from what a gather from the info I've read...there are multiple levels of input (url) - Q 2008-01-20 18:07:13 (117 views)
      • Sorry to correct you but............ If I recode and whipe all values of the car - Edwin 2008-01-21 00:11:10 (66 views)
      • So thats whats wrong. Anyway to lock out the adaptive tranny crap? (nt) - dwightf 2008-01-20 18:49:39 (52 views)
      • So might a reset be wise if you just purchased, to clear the ages of old - justible 2008-01-20 18:28:12 (78 views)
        • I think so, on the 'reset' when you get the car. My PO was a 'little old lady' (nt) - SDmike 2008-01-20 18:54:10 (50 views)
        • like everything in life..sometimes its just best to wipe the slate clean & start - Q 2008-01-20 18:53:45 (67 views)
          • Great info, guys. Thanks a lot. I've had my 7 for almost 5 years, - sealbeach740 2008-01-20 19:55:44 (59 views)
    • Edwin will have to explain. I don't know really how it works (nt) - SDmike 2008-01-20 17:05:14 (54 views)