[gpi]

I just picked up my 323 a couple of weeks ago and have a question.
Why would BMW put Hill Assist on an Automatic ?
I can understand on a car with a clutch, but an auto? To me it makes no sense.

Anyway, is there a way to have this disabled?

What's everyone's thought on this?

Thanks

[E90Fleet]

You obviously dont know the new auto technologys

The E90 auto disconnects is torque converter if you are stationary for more than about 20 seconds to conserve fuel, and the car would thus roll on a hill .


Also the old style could only hold the car stationary on a slight hill, anything steeper and the car would still roll fowards or backwards.


I think the Hill assist is great in my Auto

Why would you want it disabled ???

[canucklion]

what were they thinking? The more relevant question would be what are you thinking?? it's a great safety feature to prevent the car from rolling back. I CANNOT think of any instance where you would want to roll back on a hill, can you?

[gpi]

Originally Posted by canucklion

what were they thinking? The more relevant question would be what are you thinking?? it's a great safety feature to prevent the car from rolling back. I CANNOT think of any instance where you would want to roll back on a hill, can you?

Well, I driven enough auto transmissions on hills to NOT roll back (quick on the gas pedal), so I guess to each their own. I do admit it being a great feature on a standard transmission. Maybe mine is too sensitive, even a very slight incline will activate the hill assist.

Maybe, I should have phrased it like "does anyone else's Hill Assist feature activate on very very slight inclines"

[Minimaul]

Originally Posted by canucklion

what were they thinking? The more relevant question would be what are you thinking?? it's a great safety feature to prevent the car from rolling back. I CANNOT think of any instance where you would want to roll back on a hill, can you?

When the person behind you is being a tool, and you roll back slightly so you bump. then they get blamed 'cause they were to close. :0

[canucklion]

car with automatic transmissions usually don't roll back anyways (unless it's a really steep incline), it's not like it takes a lot of effort to not roll back (unlike driving in a manual transmissioned car)

[canucklion]

I still don't get why you would want to disable it? can you give me examples where it is beneficial to not have that feature on your car?

[visor]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

The E90 auto disconnects is torque converter if you are stationary for more than about 20 seconds to conserve fuel, and the car would thus roll on a hill .

The E92 auto is supposed to do this, but I didn't know that the E90 auto already can do this...

[E90Fleet]

A helpfull Hint:

If you want to "inch forward", but the hill assist is activating, just pull your handbrake (emergency brake) up slightly. Hill Assists deativates as soon as the handbrake is applied.
You can then "inch forward" and control your forward speed via the brakes and handbrake

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by visor

The E92 auto is supposed to do this, but I didn't know that the E90 auto already can do this...

E90 was frst to do it.

[visor]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

E90 was frst to do it.

Wow, I didn't know.
Thanx for the quick reply!

You sure you don't work for BMW?

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by visor

You sure you don't work for BMW?

I wish

BMW you listening ???

[canucklion]

man, for the longest time I thought you work at a BMW dealership or something, you're certainly more knowledgeable than the average car salesman

hey, while I have you here, I posted this a while ago, do you know the reponse time of the E90 steptronic transmission?

thanks Fleet!

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

I wish

BMW you listening ???

[gpi]

Originally Posted by canucklion

I still don't get why you would want to disable it? can you give me examples where it is beneficial to not have that feature on your car?

Maybe I should clarify, I would like to know at what point (how steep) does the incline have to be before Hill Assist comes into play.

Maybe because mine is so new that I'm finding even on the very slightest incline that the brakes will stick for 2 seconds. Sometimes even while at a red light and the road just dips a little. Do they all do this?
Granted as mentioned before on steep hills there is a definite benefit.
Thanks

[gpi]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

A helpfull Hint:

If you want to "inch forward", but the hill assist is activating, just pull your handbrake (emergency brake) up slightly. Hill Assists deativates as soon as the handbrake is applied.
You can then "inch forward" and control your forward speed via the brakes and handbrake

Thanks - Didn't know that

[bavarian19]

hey, maybe you can 'fool' people into thinking you drove a manual if it drifts back on a hill...


That would be the only concieveable reason why I could imagine he wants to disable it

[ward]

it is annoying on a manual,

I can drive a manual on hills just fine without the car "helping" me out

[trioptium]

I agree - who needs this on an Auto? And the incline sensor seems a little over sensitive...meaning there are times on a flat surface, and even downhills where it still grabs for its 2 seconds.

Its really annoying when performing a manouvour in the basement where its next to impossible to creep like you would with a normal auto. When you're evading between pillars and walls that little lurch forward it makes as it suddenly releases the brake is a little scary!

The issue about the torque converter disconnecting after 20 seconds - thats bogus. Check out out the fuel consumption (litres per hour) in the advanced menu and you'll see there's no change after 2 minutes, let alone 20 seconds.

I drove a 320i e90 previously which didn't have DSC+ and it made the auto really a pleasure. This niggle is a result of the DSC software and its sensors.

I've spoken to my dealer about this and they confirmed that a number of other customters have also complained. They are busy taking it up the line to see if the Hill Assist feature can be specifically disabled. I'll keep you posted on the outcome.

Thanks for the handbrake tip - thats a great workaround for the interim!

[heezyo2o]

Originally Posted by bavarian19

hey, maybe you can 'fool' people into thinking you drove a manual if it drifts back on a hill...

The only transmission that needs hill assist is SMG.

[ahnh77]

i tested out the hill assist...on kearny hill between vallejo and broadway in san francisco (north beach)....if you are familiar with this hill...it is one of the steepest driveable hill in san francisco.....

i was bit hesitant to let go the brakes and let the hill assist take over...but with foot completely (only 1 mm away) off the brake...and hand on the handbrake..i let go...wow..it works~!....it just crawls down....

[HeadlessChicken]

I have found it to be a bit of a pain at times as well. If you are parallel parking on a hill facing up the hill (especially a moderate to steep hill) it is frequently easy to push in the clutch and let gravity work as the car roles back and then use the gas to go back up hill until in the parking spot. With the hill assist you have to wait 2-3 seconds for it to disengage. to allow the car to role back At the same time, there a couple of very steep hills I drive through on occassion that have stop signs on the slope. They are steep enough that a perfectly timed start in my previous car would still allow the car to role a couple inches. No big deal really if you are adept at using a clutch, but its nice to have. So the jury is still out with me. I like it one minute and hate it the next. So in my book, a 50/50 toss-up goes to not having it... just something else to break.

[ahnh77]

wait..you guys don't have a button to turn on and off the hill assist?...hill assist only engages in my car when i turn it on...