OMG

Z4nTN · 07-25-2007, 10:30 PM

I was cruising up I75 today and was trying to get around 3 18
wheelers. I accelerated fully and apparantly hit the kickdown
point..."until today I didn't know what that was".... I was
immediately shot forward from 75 to 100 mph in a matter of seconds with
the tach close to redline. It was not for the faint at heart for
sure. Since I didn't know what just happened I immediately unloaded
the accelerator and said to myself...What just happened...or what have
I done to my engine. Luckily I am just past the break-in of 1250
miles. After I got home and did some internet searches, I found out
what the Kickdown point is...and I guess the car is designed to do that
infrequently, or I hope so. Certainly was a shocker for this newbie.

Jerry in Chattanooga, TN
2007 Z4 3.0i Alpine White

Aebous · 07-26-2007, 04:20 AM

So....
I'm assuming the kickdown point is that point on the gas pedal travel where it stops then you put a tad more pressure and the pedal goes all the way down?
Or is it something else entirely?

On a side note, I also found out how these cars go from 60ish to 100+
I love it, just don't forget to shift!

AlterEgo · 07-26-2007, 05:41 AM

Yep, that's it. The kick down occurs when the accelerator pedal is pressed past the resistance point at the end of its travel.

I use mine fairly often, sometimes just for fun. It provides great power for overtaking. The feature doesn't seem to function in "Sports" mode. I guess the car thinks it's already in the right gear. Frankly, if I put my foot down at 80kph, I expect it to drop back to second, but in "Sports" mode it stays in 3rd.

155MPH · 07-26-2007, 07:42 PM

Ahem...sorry to be blunt, but if you didn't know an automatic transmission works that way, what are you doing driving? This is basic car functionality and if you don't understand how a car works and why...and here is the blunt part, you should not be driving.

Z4nTN · 07-26-2007, 07:59 PM

I've probably was driving before you were born...and I'm not too old to be driving either. Additionally, this is the first car that I have ever owned that was not a stick shift...and in that case any gear could be redline if you want it to be. I have only had the Z4 less than a month and still learning about the steptronic transmission and the sports drive mode. I was just not expecting a downshift of 2 gears and sudden red line of the engine. Although I have owned many cars and motorcycles, I tend to not redline the engine if at all possible. Even though it is within the design parameters of the engine and transmission, I don't think taking it to red line frequently will result in a long lasting engine and components....that's just my opinion...to be blunt!

Aebous · 07-27-2007, 03:12 AM

I thought about this the other day when I floored my z4. It didn't click at the time that there was that difference between auto an manual. That said, I think the kickdown point is stupid. I see no point in it, IMO if your pushing the pedel down that far then you want to go fast yesterday. Not have to push a little harder for full power. It's not like it's a jet engine and is going to dump thousands of pounds of gas into the engine to produce thrust.

I drove a 5 series for a week or two that had this....I hated it (if my previous comment hasn't shown that). To me it's taking away from a driver knowing how to drive/control his vehicle (not taking shots at anyone, just one of those automated things that make us all more complaint on technology)

Oh uh
/rant off

GP20 · 07-27-2007, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 155MPH

Ahem...sorry to be blunt, but if you didn't know an automatic transmission works that way, what are you doing driving? This is basic car functionality and if you don't understand how a car works and why...and here is the blunt part, you should not be driving.

Not all automatic cars have that kickdown mode. Way to welcome a new member.

155MPH · 07-27-2007, 05:25 AM

okay, perhaps I was a little quick on the trigger. Sorry Jnicely. Now, for your sake, I certainly hope you weren't driving before I was born!

Z4nTN · 07-27-2007, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 155MPH

okay, perhaps I was a little quick on the trigger. Sorry Jnicely. Now, for your sake, I certainly hope you weren't driving before I was born!

155MPH, apology accepted...Let's see...I started driving in 1965...a Plymouth Sport with 455 (I believe) CI 4BL carb, and straight shift..now that car would suck down the gas and go.

155MPH · 07-27-2007, 10:20 AM

1965...nope, not before I was born... But it was before I could drive!

ovrkll · 07-27-2007, 03:47 PM

Instead of Faux Pas, should we label that as a "Dammmitt"

Dammmitt - just teasing ya for all the previous times

07-25-2007, 10:30 PM	#1
Z4nTN New Member 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 3.0i Alpine White Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chattanooga, TN iTrader: (0)	OMG - Kickdown Point and the Newbie I was cruising up I75 today and was trying to get around 3 18 wheelers. I accelerated fully and apparantly hit the kickdown point..."until today I didn't know what that was".... I was immediately shot forward from 75 to 100 mph in a matter of seconds with the tach close to redline. It was not for the faint at heart for sure. Since I didn't know what just happened I immediately unloaded the accelerator and said to myself...What just happened...or what have I done to my engine. Luckily I am just past the break-in of 1250 miles. After I got home and did some internet searches, I found out what the Kickdown point is...and I guess the car is designed to do that infrequently, or I hope so. Certainly was a shocker for this newbie. Jerry in Chattanooga, TN 2007 Z4 3.0i Alpine White
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07-26-2007, 04:20 AM	#2
Aebous The Rambler 7 Rep 157 Posts Drives: 03 3.0l Z4 sports package Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (0)	So.... I'm assuming the kickdown point is that point on the gas pedal travel where it stops then you put a tad more pressure and the pedal goes all the way down? Or is it something else entirely? On a side note, I also found out how these cars go from 60ish to 100+ I love it, just don't forget to shift! __________________ "Without engine maintainers pilots are nothing but pedestrians with cool leather jackets and sunglasses" "Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everyone you meet" -Marine rule of gunfighting
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07-26-2007, 05:41 AM	#3
AlterEgo 25 star General 3 Rep 128 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW Z4 3.0si Coupe Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	Yep, that's it. The kick down occurs when the accelerator pedal is pressed past the resistance point at the end of its travel. I use mine fairly often, sometimes just for fun. It provides great power for overtaking. The feature doesn't seem to function in "Sports" mode. I guess the car thinks it's already in the right gear. Frankly, if I put my foot down at 80kph, I expect it to drop back to second, but in "Sports" mode it stays in 3rd. __________________ *Sabine: 2007 BMW E86 Z4 3.0si Coupe Montego Blue Metallic* Professional SatNav; Heated/Folding/Auto Dimming Mirrors; Rear Park Distance Control; Heated Electric ///M Sports Seats with Memory; Bi-Xenon Headlamps; 18" 202 Ellipsoid Rims; Brushed Aluminium Trim; Black/Blue Individual Leather; Window Tint; Carver Audio; Paint Protection; Floor Mats; Storage; 6 Speed Automatic with Paddles; OziCozi
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07-26-2007, 07:42 PM	#4
155MPH Major 61 Rep 1,379 Posts Drives: E89 Z4 sDrive28i M Performance Join Date: May 2007 Location: South Jersey Shore iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW xDrive430i ... [0.00] 2014 BMW Z4 sDrive2 ... [5.00]	Ahem...sorry to be blunt, but if you didn't know an automatic transmission works that way, what are you doing driving? This is basic car functionality and if you don't understand how a car works and why...and here is the blunt part, you should not be driving.
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07-26-2007, 07:59 PM	#5
Z4nTN New Member 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 3.0i Alpine White Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chattanooga, TN iTrader: (0)	I've probably was driving before you were born...and I'm not too old to be driving either. Additionally, this is the first car that I have ever owned that was not a stick shift...and in that case any gear could be redline if you want it to be. I have only had the Z4 less than a month and still learning about the steptronic transmission and the sports drive mode. I was just not expecting a downshift of 2 gears and sudden red line of the engine. Although I have owned many cars and motorcycles, I tend to not redline the engine if at all possible. Even though it is within the design parameters of the engine and transmission, I don't think taking it to red line frequently will result in a long lasting engine and components....that's just my opinion...to be blunt!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-27-2007, 03:12 AM	#6
Aebous The Rambler 7 Rep 157 Posts Drives: 03 3.0l Z4 sports package Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (0)	I thought about this the other day when I floored my z4. It didn't click at the time that there was that difference between auto an manual. That said, I think the kickdown point is stupid. I see no point in it, IMO if your pushing the pedel down that far then you want to go fast yesterday. Not have to push a little harder for full power. It's not like it's a jet engine and is going to dump thousands of pounds of gas into the engine to produce thrust. I drove a 5 series for a week or two that had this....I hated it (if my previous comment hasn't shown that). To me it's taking away from a driver knowing how to drive/control his vehicle (not taking shots at anyone, just one of those automated things that make us all more complaint on technology) Oh uh /rant off __________________ "Without engine maintainers pilots are nothing but pedestrians with cool leather jackets and sunglasses" "Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everyone you meet" -Marine rule of gunfighting
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07-27-2007, 05:25 AM	#8
155MPH Major 61 Rep 1,379 Posts Drives: E89 Z4 sDrive28i M Performance Join Date: May 2007 Location: South Jersey Shore iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW xDrive430i ... [0.00] 2014 BMW Z4 sDrive2 ... [5.00]	okay, perhaps I was a little quick on the trigger. Sorry Jnicely. Now, for your sake, I certainly hope you weren't driving before I was born!
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07-27-2007, 10:20 AM	#10
155MPH Major 61 Rep 1,379 Posts Drives: E89 Z4 sDrive28i M Performance Join Date: May 2007 Location: South Jersey Shore iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW xDrive430i ... [0.00] 2014 BMW Z4 sDrive2 ... [5.00]	1965...nope, not before I was born... But it was before I could drive!
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07-27-2007, 03:47 PM	#11
ovrkll Lieutenant 8 Rep 412 Posts Drives: Interlagos Blue Z4M Join Date: May 2007 Location: McDonough, GA iTrader: (0)	Instead of Faux Pas, should we label that as a "Dammmitt" Dammmitt - just teasing ya for all the previous times
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