6sp Manual Takeoff From Hill

MysticblueX3 · 11-01-2012, 12:13 AM

So today, I took off from a stop on a hill. To my surprise, the car didn't roll back. So on the next hill, I waited a little longer before rolling off the clutch and apply gas. Still didn't roll back. Shocked, on the next hill, I just let go of the brake and kept the clutch down. The car held its place for a whole second before the car started rolling back. Does our 1er have some computer controlled mechanism that prevents the car from rolling back from a stop? If it does, I had no idea it was able to do that. I'm assuming the 3 and 5ers are the same? When did this start? I didn't have this feature on my 04 X3. Wish I had this when I was living in SF, lol.

litebulb · 11-01-2012, 12:29 AM

Hi, that would be hill assist. I have it on my '09 as well.

MysticblueX3 · 11-01-2012, 01:03 AM

Thats awesome. how does it work?

Vigilante375 · 11-01-2012, 06:02 AM

Basically it can tell you're on a hill, apply's the brakes and it gives you about 2-3 seconds to be able to let out the clutch and get on your way without the worry of rolling back. After the 2-3 seconds it'll disengage the brakes and will roll back. But you have to come to a complete stop for it to work. I'm not sure when it started but I'll just say 08 when the 1er came to the US. I'm sure they had it oversea's way before that though.

Its a nice feature and I'm so use to holding the e-brake/parking brake while going up a hill from a dead stop.

Bmwbreed · 11-01-2012, 06:24 AM

Awesome. Never knew about that

ZIPNBYE · 11-01-2012, 06:46 AM

Well...it's in your owner's manual...

Simsims · 11-01-2012, 08:48 AM

RTFM!

but also it disengages whenever you touch the gas pedal, during the hold.

i128 · 11-01-2012, 09:06 AM

Wait till you use it in reverse while your parallel parking on a hill!

Amazing!

Tee-Dub · 11-01-2012, 09:16 AM

My 08 does it, my 2006 330i did it too, and it was an automatic transmission.

JimD · 11-01-2012, 11:12 AM

I don't know how BMW does this but it is all programming. The car already has electronic controls for braking force for ABS and stability control. So the only added requirement is for logic. One way to design the logic would be to look for the car trying to go backward when it is in a forward gear and stop that. Judging just from how if feels, I don't think that is what BMW is doing. I think BMW is applying the brake after it is released possibly all the time but probably only when the angle of the vehicle says it is on a hill for a set period of time. That is pretty easy and helps. I think the vehicle angle sensors are also already there for stability control purposes.

I drive two manual transmissions regularly. I typically alternate daily. One is my bimmer with this feature and the other is a Suzuki SUV without hill hold. I like the extra margin of the hill hold but I've driven the SUV plenty enough to confidently start on a hill with somebody behind me. I rev the engine a little extra to avoid stalling but otherwise it is no big deal.

Jim

Bmwbreed · 11-01-2012, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simsims

RTFM!

but also it disengages whenever you touch the gas pedal, during the hold.

Lol not sure if ur referring to me or the OP but I have not picked up my car yet (will n 2 weeks) so haven't had a chance to read the manual. Believe me once I do I will like a chapter book. I wanna no about all the features lol.

Lucky1 · 11-01-2012, 12:02 PM

Its a great feature but sometimes it can make you complacent especially in situations where it fails to detect you will rollback. Sometimes if the grade of the hill is just slight enough for you to rollback but not very steep overall it fails to engage and I start to rollback unexpectedly. Or if you happen to stop on a speed bump or with a wheel in a rut you'll roll back as soon as you get off the brake. If you're not used to the car rolling back because it never does on a hill this feeling can irk you or take you by surprise maybe a little more so than normal. When that happens its a rude reminder of one of the big differences of driving a stick that is usually covered up by our car's gadgetry

There's also a way to fool it but I can't remember off the top of my head anymore. I think its something akin to if you're on a hill with clutch+brake in and you release the brake but change your mind and apply them again the hill assist doesn't work. When I figure it out again I'll post it here.

I wonder what this car would be like on a steep hill without this feature and given the fact that we have a CDV that delays clutch engagement? I'm sure it would be interesting.

DRedman45 · 11-01-2012, 12:32 PM

this feature threw me off when I was test driving a 135 for the first time...my current car I am selling has the same feature, but has to be activated by holding the brake all the way down, and I never used it...it just feels strange to me, but I am sure I will get used to it once I get my 1

Ashock · 11-01-2012, 02:11 PM

Yes 08 1ers already have this. I like this feature when you're tired. But I miss the rawness of having the car roll back in the cars without this feature. really tests the quickness of your feet (or handbrake)

maupineda · 11-01-2012, 03:46 PM

I have it on my 130i 6sp manual as well. The manual says it holds it for 2 seconds, very cool feature.

Lucky1 · 11-01-2012, 10:12 PM

I'm surprised that anyone would "discover" this feature after driving this car for a while. Are there no hills in your area?

Its obvious right away.

Plus I'm also surprised that people discover things about their car that are in the manual. I downloaded and read the manual to the car as part of my shopping research

There are so many features on the car that aren't in the marketing brochure I was really surprised and intrigued. Every car I've owned I've read the manual back to front. I've even read the manual on my parents cars too. Don't you guys find this stuff titillating

?

flinchy · 11-01-2012, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i128

Wait till you use it in reverse while your parallel parking on a hill!

Amazing!

I NEVER THOUGHT OF THIS!!

SO COOL lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucky1

I'm surprised that anyone would "discover" this feature after driving this car for a while. Are there no hills in your area?

Its obvious right away.

Plus I'm also surprised that people discover things about their car that are in the manual. I downloaded and read the manual to the car as part of my shopping research

There are so many features on the car that aren't in the marketing brochure I was really surprised and intrigued. Every car I've owned I've read the manual back to front. I've even read the manual on my parents cars too. Don't you guys find this stuff titillating

?

first day i had the car, first drive... did a HUGE burnout taking off up a hill as i had no idea how to drive it still, and had no idea this feature existed lol.. 10 minutes later.. OOPS hah

took me 4 months, and someone showed me the side bolsters were adjustable

... 11 months in and i now know every feature i'm 99% sure :P

i've read through my manual now of course, i love reading car manuals lol, so many cool features! the 130i manual i hae isn't comprehensive though, and in some instances very wrong on certain features...

Top Gon · 11-02-2012, 01:20 AM

even works on automatics.

Tom K. · 11-02-2012, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucky1

I wonder what this car would be like on a steep hill without this feature and given the fact that we have a CDV that delays clutch engagement? I'm sure it would be interesting.

Neither my '97 Z3, '99 E46 nor my '03 Z4 had the Drive-off Assistant (all MT) - and taking off on hills with the CDV was no problem.

Tom

arthur1920 · 12-27-2012, 08:30 PM

I find it annoying.

I expect the car to roll under certain conditions.

jkoral · 12-27-2012, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucky1

I'm surprised that anyone would "discover" this feature after driving this car for a while. Are there no hills in your area?

Its obvious right away.

Anyone that knows how to drive manual transmission properly should be able to start on a steep hill without rolling backward. So count me in the group that was surprised to discover this "feature".

When I learned to drive my first manual transmission car 25 years ago, my father took me to a steep hill and had me come to a complete stop and pull away. We did this repeatedly until I could do this without rolling backward at all. (And no, I obviously don't ride or side step the clutch).

I've never needed hill assist in any other car, I feel it's a crutch (like using the emergency brake) for inexperienced manual drivers. In fact my wife has used the e-brake in other cars when stopped on a steep hill. I always make fun of her.

JTBMW1 · 12-28-2012, 09:05 AM

My 2010 WRX had it. After driving manual transmissions for years, I found the hill assist to be somewhat annoying. It would hold for a second, then roll back. Perhaps I was just not used to it and I did not have the car that long to get used to it.

11-01-2012, 12:13 AM	#1
MysticblueX3 Second Lieutenant 36 Rep 245 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	6sp Manual Takeoff From Hill So today, I took off from a stop on a hill. To my surprise, the car didn't roll back. So on the next hill, I waited a little longer before rolling off the clutch and apply gas. Still didn't roll back. Shocked, on the next hill, I just let go of the brake and kept the clutch down. The car held its place for a whole second before the car started rolling back. Does our 1er have some computer controlled mechanism that prevents the car from rolling back from a stop? If it does, I had no idea it was able to do that. I'm assuming the 3 and 5ers are the same? When did this start? I didn't have this feature on my 04 X3. Wish I had this when I was living in SF, lol.
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11-01-2012, 12:29 AM	#2
litebulb Captain 68 Rep 627 Posts Drives: '09 E88 135i M-Sport/6MT/SGM Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (3) Garage List 2009 BMW 135i Cabri ... [10.00]	Hi, that would be hill assist. I have it on my '09 as well. __________________ \| Dinan S2=>MHD \| e46 M3 trans mounts \| Dinan CF CAI \| ER CP \| HKS SSQV4 BOV \| RB PCV Valve \| VRSF DP \| N55 MP \| BMW PE \| OC \| VRSF 7" FMIC \| UUC Evo3 SSK \| EBC GD Sport Rotors \| EBC Redstuff \| TRW F+R \| \| Whiteline KDT918 \| H&R Front Sway \| BMWP 313 \| MPSS 225/255 \| Scopione CF Rear Diffuser \| iCarbon CF Rear Spoiler \| P3 v2.1 Gauge \| Interior LED Retrofit \|
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11-01-2012, 01:03 AM	#3
MysticblueX3 Second Lieutenant 36 Rep 245 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	Thats awesome. how does it work?
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11-01-2012, 06:02 AM	#4
Vigilante375 Major 116 Rep 1,158 Posts Drives: 2012 AW 6M 135i Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	Basically it can tell you're on a hill, apply's the brakes and it gives you about 2-3 seconds to be able to let out the clutch and get on your way without the worry of rolling back. After the 2-3 seconds it'll disengage the brakes and will roll back. But you have to come to a complete stop for it to work. I'm not sure when it started but I'll just say 08 when the 1er came to the US. I'm sure they had it oversea's way before that though. Its a nice feature and I'm so use to holding the e-brake/parking brake while going up a hill from a dead stop.
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11-01-2012, 06:24 AM	#5
Bmwbreed Major 60 Rep 1,198 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW 135i Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Rota Spain (US Forces) iTrader: (3)	Awesome. Never knew about that
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11-01-2012, 06:46 AM	#6
ZIPNBYE Let's save military ranks for those who earn it! 45 Rep 1,161 Posts Drives: ...on the Ragged Edge Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada iTrader: (6) Garage List 2013 BMW e92 M3 Cou ... [7.50] 2013 BMW e84 X1 xDr ... [7.00]	Well...it's in your owner's manual... __________________ Richard 2013 BMW M3 Individual -- Fire Orange (sold) 2013 BMW X1 xDrive35i M-Sport -- Valencia Orange (sold) 2011 BMW 1-series M Coupe (#205/220) -- Valencia Orange (sold) 2009 BMW 135i M-Sport Coupe -- Space Grey (sold)
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11-01-2012, 08:48 AM	#7
Simsims Captain 37 Rep 615 Posts Drives: 119/220 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Ottawa iTrader: (0)	RTFM! but also it disengages whenever you touch the gas pedal, during the hold. __________________ VO 1M - everything except sunroof RIP BSM 135i 2009-2011
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11-01-2012, 09:06 AM	#8
i128 Lieutenant 316 Rep 546 Posts Drives: 340iX (6MT) - X3///M40i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Canada iTrader: (1)	Wait till you use it in reverse while your parallel parking on a hill! Amazing!
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11-01-2012, 09:16 AM	#9
Tee-Dub Captain 35 Rep 753 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, WA iTrader: (9)	My 08 does it, my 2006 330i did it too, and it was an automatic transmission.
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11-01-2012, 11:12 AM	#10
JimD Brigadier General 368 Rep 3,547 Posts Drives: 128i convertible Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lexington, SC iTrader: (0)	I don't know how BMW does this but it is all programming. The car already has electronic controls for braking force for ABS and stability control. So the only added requirement is for logic. One way to design the logic would be to look for the car trying to go backward when it is in a forward gear and stop that. Judging just from how if feels, I don't think that is what BMW is doing. I think BMW is applying the brake after it is released possibly all the time but probably only when the angle of the vehicle says it is on a hill for a set period of time. That is pretty easy and helps. I think the vehicle angle sensors are also already there for stability control purposes. I drive two manual transmissions regularly. I typically alternate daily. One is my bimmer with this feature and the other is a Suzuki SUV without hill hold. I like the extra margin of the hill hold but I've driven the SUV plenty enough to confidently start on a hill with somebody behind me. I rev the engine a little extra to avoid stalling but otherwise it is no big deal. Jim __________________ 128i Convertible, MT, Alpine White, Black Top, Taupe Leatherette, Walnut, Sport Ordered 5/22/09, Completed 6/4/09, At Port 6/9/09, On the Georgia Highway 6/13/09, Ship Arrived Charleston 6/24/09 at 10pm, PCD 7/21/09
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11-01-2012, 12:02 PM	#12
Lucky1 Colonel 647 Rep 2,051 Posts Drives: '08 128i Coupe SGM 6MT Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 Porsche 911 Ca ... [0.00] 2008 128i Coupe [0.00] 2006 Z4 M Roadster [0.00]	Its a great feature but sometimes it can make you complacent especially in situations where it fails to detect you will rollback. Sometimes if the grade of the hill is just slight enough for you to rollback but not very steep overall it fails to engage and I start to rollback unexpectedly. Or if you happen to stop on a speed bump or with a wheel in a rut you'll roll back as soon as you get off the brake. If you're not used to the car rolling back because it never does on a hill this feeling can irk you or take you by surprise maybe a little more so than normal. When that happens its a rude reminder of one of the big differences of driving a stick that is usually covered up by our car's gadgetry There's also a way to fool it but I can't remember off the top of my head anymore. I think its something akin to if you're on a hill with clutch+brake in and you release the brake but change your mind and apply them again the hill assist doesn't work. When I figure it out again I'll post it here. I wonder what this car would be like on a steep hill without this feature and given the fact that we have a CDV that delays clutch engagement? I'm sure it would be interesting.
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11-01-2012, 12:32 PM	#13
DRedman45 Lieutenant 35 Rep 441 Posts Drives: E86 //M coupe Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Northern va iTrader: (0)	this feature threw me off when I was test driving a 135 for the first time...my current car I am selling has the same feature, but has to be activated by holding the brake all the way down, and I never used it...it just feels strange to me, but I am sure I will get used to it once I get my 1
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11-01-2012, 02:11 PM	#14
Ashock Private 4 Rep 55 Posts Drives: E82 128i 6MT in Monaco Blue Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC iTrader: (0)	Yes 08 1ers already have this. I like this feature when you're tired. But I miss the rawness of having the car roll back in the cars without this feature. really tests the quickness of your feet (or handbrake)
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11-01-2012, 03:46 PM	#15
maupineda Captain 456 Rep 972 Posts Drives: E86 Z4MC Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Detroit, MI iTrader: (3)	I have it on my 130i 6sp manual as well. The manual says it holds it for 2 seconds, very cool feature.
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11-01-2012, 10:12 PM	#16
Lucky1 Colonel 647 Rep 2,051 Posts Drives: '08 128i Coupe SGM 6MT Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 Porsche 911 Ca ... [0.00] 2008 128i Coupe [0.00] 2006 Z4 M Roadster [0.00]	I'm surprised that anyone would "discover" this feature after driving this car for a while. Are there no hills in your area? Its obvious right away. Plus I'm also surprised that people discover things about their car that are in the manual. I downloaded and read the manual to the car as part of my shopping research There are so many features on the car that aren't in the marketing brochure I was really surprised and intrigued. Every car I've owned I've read the manual back to front. I've even read the manual on my parents cars too. Don't you guys find this stuff titillating ?
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11-02-2012, 01:20 AM	#18
Top Gon Bashar 407 Rep 1,119 Posts Drives: 2023 BMW Z4 M40i Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (4)	even works on automatics.
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12-27-2012, 08:30 PM	#20
arthur1920 Enlisted Member 0 Rep 36 Posts Drives: 128 coupe, M Sport, 6 MT Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: New England iTrader: (0)	I find it annoying. I expect the car to roll under certain conditions.
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12-28-2012, 09:05 AM	#22
JTBMW1 Private 3 Rep 63 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW 128i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Naples, FL iTrader: (0)	My 2010 WRX had it. After driving manual transmissions for years, I found the hill assist to be somewhat annoying. It would hold for a second, then roll back. Perhaps I was just not used to it and I did not have the car that long to get used to it.
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