Drive Train Malfunction indicator + Gas quality?

pesh · 02-18-2016, 09:29 PM

Earlier today a Drive Train Malfunction indication and check engine indicator came on. The car was shaking and warned of driving cautiously. I ended up taking it to dealership and await to hear more details, however, my Service Advisor in driving the car a few feet felt it "missing" and suggested quality of gas could be part of the issue.

I typically fill with Costco Premium gas. He said that BMW Corporation warns against using Costco, Sams, HEB, Valeo, and numerous others.

Is this true? Any other thoughts on the subject?

deutschmick · 02-18-2016, 10:06 PM

I know that Porsche and Audi advise only using "Top Tier" gasoline. It's likely that BMW does as well.

Where I live in AZ, Costco gasoline is Top Tier; most likely it is in TX too.

I'm not saying that your SA is blowing smoke, but he might be. If it's a gasoline issue, most common cause is contamination with water.

Hope everything works out!

GearRex · 02-18-2016, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pesh

Earlier today a Drive Train Malfunction indication and check engine indicator came on. The car was shaking and warned of driving cautiously. I ended up taking it to dealership and await to hear more details, however, my Service Advisor in driving the car a few feet felt it "missing" and suggested quality of gas could be part of the issue.

I typically fill with Costco Premium gas. He said that BMW Corporation warns against using Costco, Sams, HEB, Valeo, and numerous others.

Is this true? Any other thoughts on the subject?

These are the Top Tier Gas retailers:

http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers/

Yeoman · 02-18-2016, 11:23 PM

"Bad gas" was a thing 30 years ago.. find another dealer.

SakhirM4 · 02-18-2016, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yeoman

"Bad gas" was a thing 30 years ago.. find another dealer.

Austin only has one dealer

Doctor///M · 02-18-2016, 11:59 PM

see what they have to say after they do their diagnostics and there are some threads you can look at in the meantime.

Drivetrain Malfunction......(Resolved, Bad Gas)

My M4 is broken. Drivetrain malfunction - DCT failure and replacement

Drivetrain Malfunction - Drive Moderately

3rd day of ownership....Drivetrain Malfunction. RESOLVED!!!

Another Drivetrain Malfunction sob story (Final Update)

clutchdj · 02-19-2016, 12:19 AM

See if you can find some 100 octane to rule out bad fuel. Misfires could be a series of things. Personally I don't use Costco fuel as I would always have timing retard on my k04 VW whenever I ran it. I would say it's an avg fuel. Try Sunoco since they actually have 100 octane on pump at some stations.

wazzza · 02-19-2016, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GearRex

Quote:

Originally Posted by pesh

Earlier today a Drive Train Malfunction indication and check engine indicator came on. The car was shaking and warned of driving cautiously. I ended up taking it to dealership and await to hear more details, however, my Service Advisor in driving the car a few feet felt it "missing" and suggested quality of gas could be part of the issue.

I typically fill with Costco Premium gas. He said that BMW Corporation warns against using Costco, Sams, HEB, Valeo, and numerous others.

Is this true? Any other thoughts on the subject?

These are the Top Tier Gas retailers:

http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers/

That's like every gas station I've ever heard of. Which gas station is not top tier?

secretariat · 02-19-2016, 06:50 AM

A loose gas cap could cause the check engine light to come on. It happened to me so you have to make sure the gas cap is tightened properly when you fill up. When it happened to my car I did not have any shaking in the car, so I doubt that is the problem.

miiipilot · 02-19-2016, 10:13 AM

/sigh It's always the gas. That's the first response like when I call tech support and get, "Is your computer plugged in?"

02-18-2016, 09:29 PM	#1
pesh First Lieutenant 122 Rep 303 Posts Drives: 2024 Black M4 Convertible Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW M4 Convert ... [0.00]	Drive Train Malfunction indicator + Gas quality? Earlier today a Drive Train Malfunction indication and check engine indicator came on. The car was shaking and warned of driving cautiously. I ended up taking it to dealership and await to hear more details, however, my Service Advisor in driving the car a few feet felt it "missing" and suggested quality of gas could be part of the issue. I typically fill with Costco Premium gas. He said that BMW Corporation warns against using Costco, Sams, HEB, Valeo, and numerous others. Is this true? Any other thoughts on the subject?
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02-18-2016, 10:06 PM	#2
deutschmick New Member 6 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 2007 911 GT3, 1991 928GT Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: AZ iTrader: (0)	I know that Porsche and Audi advise only using "Top Tier" gasoline. It's likely that BMW does as well. Where I live in AZ, Costco gasoline is Top Tier; most likely it is in TX too. I'm not saying that your SA is blowing smoke, but he might be. If it's a gasoline issue, most common cause is contamination with water. Hope everything works out!
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02-18-2016, 11:23 PM	#4
Yeoman Second Lieutenant 80 Rep 225 Posts Drives: 2019 M5 Comp Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Washington, DC iTrader: (0)	"Bad gas" was a thing 30 years ago.. find another dealer.
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02-18-2016, 11:59 PM	#6
Doctor///M Brigadier General 1798 Rep 4,216 Posts Drives: 2023 AUDI RS6 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: USA iTrader: (14) Garage List 2023 Audi RS6 Avant [0.00] BMW M2 Competition [10.00] 2009 BMW 335i [0.00] 2015 M3 [9.52]	see what they have to say after they do their diagnostics and there are some threads you can look at in the meantime. Drivetrain Malfunction......(Resolved, Bad Gas) My M4 is broken. Drivetrain malfunction - DCT failure and replacement Drivetrain Malfunction - Drive Moderately 3rd day of ownership....Drivetrain Malfunction. RESOLVED!!! Another Drivetrain Malfunction sob story (Final Update) __________________ 2020 F87 M2 Competition /l\ LBB /i\ Executive Package 2013 E70 X5M /l\ Space Grey /i\ Full Silverstone Leather /l\ LED Headlights /i\ Comfort Access /l\ HUD /i\ Ventilated Seats /l\ 22" BBS SV BMW CCA Member
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02-19-2016, 12:19 AM	#7
clutchdj Colonel 1886 Rep 2,399 Posts Drives: a few cars Join Date: May 2015 Location: NY iTrader: (6)	See if you can find some 100 octane to rule out bad fuel. Misfires could be a series of things. Personally I don't use Costco fuel as I would always have timing retard on my k04 VW whenever I ran it. I would say it's an avg fuel. Try Sunoco since they actually have 100 octane on pump at some stations.
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02-19-2016, 06:50 AM	#9
secretariat Major 954 Rep 1,457 Posts Drives: 2016 X5M Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	A loose gas cap could cause the check engine light to come on. It happened to me so you have to make sure the gas cap is tightened properly when you fill up. When it happened to my car I did not have any shaking in the car, so I doubt that is the problem.
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02-19-2016, 10:13 AM	#10
miiipilot Lieutenant Colonel 521 Rep 1,502 Posts Drives: 2024 M2 Brooklyn Grey 6mt Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Cleveland, OH iTrader: (0)	/sigh It's always the gas. That's the first response like when I call tech support and get, "Is your computer plugged in?" __________________ miiipilot '24 M2 Brooklyn Grey, 6mt, Bi-Color, Black M-Color seats, '16 MG M2, DCT, Exec. Took Delivery 4/30/16 (Sold)
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