Shift Lights - Different in Cold vs Warm?

[BanjoPaterson]

Hi. Yet another paranoid owner, so please bear with me...

In summer during rapid acceleration using the paddles I could get the shift lights starting from about 6000rpm. Haven't driven the car for a few weeks and here in Oz it's now winter with a cold snap. Drive the car last weekend and this, but noticed the shift lights not happening until 7000rpm in first and a single light in second until I reached the speed limit (62mph or 100kph). I know that in summer at the same intersection using the same techniques, I'd get the shift lights in first and then second (until hitting the speed limit).

Car is as drivable as ever, and as fun, just that the shift lights don't seem to be coming on much after first gear. Anyone experience this or have any background?

Thank you in advance.

[BPMSport]

Same shift light operation, although colder oil temperatures can make them illuminate sooner.

[Tewie]

My guess is maybe your car isn't all the way warmed up so the rev limiter is still lower than 8400 RPM

[Krockit1]

I am assuming in this cold weather the engine's fully warmed up and your dashboard oil gauge bars are lit? If so, interesting that BMW would engineer redline for ambient air temps. If not, you shouldn't be at those rpm's until the fluids are hot.

[BanjoPaterson]

Originally Posted by Krockit1

I am assuming in this cold weather the engine's fully warmed up and your dashboard oil gauge bars are lit? If so, interesting that BMW would engineer redline for ambient air temps. If not, you shouldn't be at those rpm's until the fluids are hot.

Yes. Fully warmed up with oil temp at 80-90°C (over half way to the middle), oil gauge on and at full, however outside temperature 9°c. As I said, car behaves the same, but it seems the shift is higher. The one difference is, in summer, the oil temp gauge is closer to 100°C (in the middle) and outside temperature well over 28°C.

Thank you for the replies.

[BanjoPaterson]

Originally Posted by Tewie

My guess is maybe your car isn't all the way warmed up so the rev limiter is still lower than 8400 RPM

I waited until both the rev limiter hit 8400 and the oil gage showed full. Because it was a bit colder outside, the car took about 12 miles (20 km) for the rev limiter to get to 8400 despite the oil gauge showing oil at full. That's more than usual, and I was concerned I had a sensor problem, but it did get there in the end.

[BanjoPaterson]

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

Same shift light operation, although colder oil temperatures can make them illuminate sooner.

Thank you Mike. The interesting thing is the shift lights came on later in the cold temperature. My first thought was a sensor problem, but the lights came on in first, although at very high revs.

I may book the car out at my Indy mechanics... it's about a month away from service anyway. The car was drivable as ever, so not too concerned (yet), just more curious, particularly if anyone has noticed this.

[BanjoPaterson]

Update. Drove this morning, which was sunnier and slightly warmer. Waited until oil temperature was higher than yesterday and shifts were coming on somewhere after 6000 and before 7000, so shift lights are oil temperature sensitive, c which makes sense.

Was funny because beforehand using paddles to change up and down gears more often in a few experimental shifts. However, because the S65 isn't the most subtle engine around other drivers thought I was doing the "let's race" sounds. So after one set of shifts at lower speeds, after I was satisfied all was well, I dropped my speed and went into the slow lane only to find a Hyundai excel overtaking me in slow motion with two young men in the car high fiving. Heck. I didn't know I was in a race!

[BPMSport]

Make sure you're testing In the same gear. Different gears will trigger the lights sooner/later.