I have a new '12 CM-S with auto trans with 3,000 miles. Several times recently I accelerated hard from about 50 MPH and the transmission downshifted and then stayed stuck in the lower gear. Once in the lower gear, you can speed up or slow down and no matter what you do it stays in the lower gear unless you move the shifter to the left and then manually upshift to get back to a higher gear.

Has anyone else experienced this issue? I'm guessing this isn't normal.

 

You are correct. Something is amiss. Please let us know what the fix is, thanks.

 

Probably just need a flash from the dealer. This is not normal.

When you slap the stick over into DS, and you bump the lever to shift up, what gear does it go to and then using deductive reasoning, what gear was it in?

Can you get up to the next gear using the steering wheel paddle shifters as well?

 

Yes, it shifts normally with shifter to the left in DS mode and with paddle shifters. It is only in normal shifting mode (shifter to the right) that it downshifts and gets stuck in lower gear, and then it only happens if you stomp hard and abruptly on the accelerator.

 

Don't ask me what this has to do with my transmission issue, but here's the official verdict from the dealership today:

"Turbo waste gate stuck closed causing turbo overheat". They are ordering a new waste gate and also replacing the turbocharger due to thermal distress. They hope to have me back in service in 4 -5 day. They are also doing a recall service bulletin which adds another sensor to the vehicle, something I wasn't aware of and was never notified of by Mini. Finally, they will also replace my front fender flares under warranty due to the Cosmoline etching.

Now, can anyone explain to me the correlation between a stuck waste gate and the transmission not upshifting after an aggressive pass maneuver? I'm still scratching my head on that one!

 

My 2011 has done this from day one. I thought it was a feature to force the driver to use the paddles when he/she obviously has that "be MINI" feeling.

 

If yours is a "S" model, you may want to get it checked out. I was first told it was a stuck waste gate by the service manager, but when I picked the car up the tech came out and talked to me and said it was a stuck Blow Off Valve. They replaced the BOV and the turbocharger and sure enough, my transmission problem is gone!

 

I think I have to talk to my dealer.
Have the same "problem", but not every time.

 

I think it's just the strange transmission logic. My 2010 R57S would do that sometimes. Even in "D", after an aggressive downshift, sometimes I'd have to coast for a while before the transmission would recognize that I want a higher gear. Oftentimes, I don't want to wait, so I'd manually upshift with the paddles, like what you said. If I don't manually shift, the transmission will eventually upshift on its own.

I think it's the "sporty" transmission logic that wants to keep you in a lower, more powerful gear.

 

Geez I went for a manual transmission, because the auto would not stay down in the gear I wanted to keep the revs up for that spirited driving moment. It seemed as soon as I got into the 3,000 range the tranny would shitf and drop the RPM's. I couldnt make it stick so I went with a stick.

Willie

 

Sounds like you were not in manual mode.

 

Hmmmm, when I test drove it I asked the salemen about that and he said that's the way it is. I was using the paddle shifters. (not that should make a difference) When I called another time I confirmed the same from another sales person and was told IIWII.

If I knew it would stay in the gear I wanted I mighted have opted for the automatic for sure. Good for those summer traffic jams at the end of a summer day and trying to get home. I have been thru many of those on the FJR and it is a pain. At least the clutch in the MINI is less painful.



Willie

 

You were told incorrectly. Admittedly, it is confusing, and I was confused when we first got our car too. To enter manual mode, you need to pull the shift **** to the left.

 

This makes much more sense...Oh well I am still happy with the one I got.

I am surprised at my salesman didn't know that. He really was quite knowledgeable on the MINIS. Maybe he didn't understand what I was trying to achieve. Nope, thats not it, I remember specifically asking this on the test drive how to stop it from shifting to a higher gear and maintain the revs in the 3000's. Sigh

Willie