2011 BMW X5 xdrive40d slippage when hard accelerating

OliHamilton7 · 12-22-2022, 01:28 PM

I have a 2011 BMW X5 xdrive40d.
Recently, whilst heavy acceleration, it seems like something is slipping.
If I drive the car conservatively, with light acceleration, there is no slippage and the gear changes seems smooth.
I have just driven 400kms on the motorway with no issues and drives great, no vibration, changes through the gears great. However, when I go to overtake is slips, it feels like something is tugging the car backwards. The heavier the acceleration, the harder the slippage/jumping.

I have read about the transfer case and/or also misfire etc. but I do not have a clue.

Any ideas are greatly appreciated!

conmar · 12-27-2022, 01:55 AM

Has the gear oil ever been changed? If so, when?
If not, I would geht that done first, preferably a flush. And on that occasion change the transfer case oil too, however, it should not be the cause of the issue.
If yes or only recently, like a couple of hundred miles or kilometers ago, check the gear oil level.
Btw., no sign of oil under your car does not mean there is no leakage- the oil can simply be burned.
You did not hear metallic noises, did you?

Bengineer330 · 12-27-2022, 08:01 AM

When I first bought my X5 it developed some slipping. Felt like I was tugging a trailer under acceleration.

Mine turned out to be the transfer case fluid. Don’t skimp get the BMW stuff, it expensive but worth it. With the right tools you can get it done fairly quickly.

As suggested, I’d do ALL the gear oil if you can, this E70 driveline is the most finicky I’ve owned when it comes to old fluid.

12-22-2022, 01:28 PM	#1
OliHamilton7 Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW X5 xDrive40d Join Date: Dec 2022 Location: Spain iTrader: (0)	2011 BMW X5 xdrive40d slippage when hard accelerating I have a 2011 BMW X5 xdrive40d. Recently, whilst heavy acceleration, it seems like something is slipping. If I drive the car conservatively, with light acceleration, there is no slippage and the gear changes seems smooth. I have just driven 400kms on the motorway with no issues and drives great, no vibration, changes through the gears great. However, when I go to overtake is slips, it feels like something is tugging the car backwards. The heavier the acceleration, the harder the slippage/jumping. I have read about the transfer case and/or also misfire etc. but I do not have a clue. Any ideas are greatly appreciated!
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12-27-2022, 01:55 AM	#2
conmar Pegger 20 Rep 47 Posts Drives: BMW X5 40d Join Date: May 2021 Location: Switzerland iTrader: (0)	Has the gear oil ever been changed? If so, when? If not, I would geht that done first, preferably a flush. And on that occasion change the transfer case oil too, however, it should not be the cause of the issue. If yes or only recently, like a couple of hundred miles or kilometers ago, check the gear oil level. Btw., no sign of oil under your car does not mean there is no leakage- the oil can simply be burned. You did not hear metallic noises, did you?
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12-27-2022, 08:01 AM	#3
Bengineer330 Private First Class 46 Rep 101 Posts Drives: Le Mans Blue 2011 E92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Genesee, WI iTrader: (1)	When I first bought my X5 it developed some slipping. Felt like I was tugging a trailer under acceleration. Mine turned out to be the transfer case fluid. Don’t skimp get the BMW stuff, it expensive but worth it. With the right tools you can get it done fairly quickly. As suggested, I’d do ALL the gear oil if you can, this E70 driveline is the most finicky I’ve owned when it comes to old fluid.
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