My dealership wont let me have the N flash. I was wondering if any auto 8 has N flash and built after March 04.

the build date on my AT jan 04. I took it to the dealership to get the N flash and they had alot of problems doing it. After about an hour they washed my car and said they did it.

I tried the trick where you pump the gas 20 times with the key at on but didn't see the oil needle sweep :(

(Is this where I annoying point out that you should have bought an MT?)

the build date on my AT jan 04. I took it to the dealership to get the N flash and they had alot of problems doing it. After about an hour they washed my car and said they did it.

I tried the trick where you pump the gas 20 times with the key at on but didn't see the oil needle sweep :(

(Is this where I annoying point out that you should have bought an MT?)

... the oil needle sweep "trick" is pumping the brake, not the gas... so that would probably explain not seeing it. It's also only an indicator that you're on 'L' or newer.

My dealer keeps telling me that my car is flashed to the latest specs--which is M for me I guess.

the build date on my AT jan 04. I took it to the dealership to get the N flash and they had alot of problems doing it. After about an hour they washed my car and said they did it.

I tried the trick where you pump the gas 20 times with the key at on but didn't see the oil needle sweep :(

(Is this where I annoying point out that you should have bought an MT?)


They were having trouble reflashing ur 8? All they have to do is upload it. Then maybe you should trade in ur car. I'm quite happy with my auto 8.

I have the N-Flash. It is a noticeable difference from the M-flash. More response, especially in 4th gear. As well as a little more low end torgue. I ran a data log with the N-flash and the afr's for the rpm range of 2k to 5k and the afr's were in the mid 13's . Almost perfect. It was still a little rich from 5k to red line. I took the TSB for the N-flash to the dealer and told them i had a hard start and rough idle, and that was enough for them. It states in the TSB that if the customer complains of hard starts or idle issues, that the flash should be performed. One of the dealers in my area was reluctant to perform install the flash so i went to another dealer that would do it. Even if you have to call all the dealers in your area, its worth it to have it done IMHO.

Karyl...post pics of your car dammit.

Karyl...post pics of your car dammit.

It's under photo gallery I posted it yesterday! Check it out.

I have the N-Flash. It is a noticeable difference from the M-flash. More response, especially in 4th gear. As well as a little more low end torgue. I ran a data log with the N-flash and the afr's for the rpm range of 2k to 5k and the afr's were in the mid 13's . Almost perfect. It was still a little rich from 5k to red line. I took the TSB for the N-flash to the dealer and told them i had a hard start and rough idle, and that was enough for them. It states in the TSB that if the customer complains of hard starts or idle issues, that the flash should be performed. One of the dealers in my area was reluctant to perform install the flash so i went to another dealer that would do it. Even if you have to call all the dealers in your area, its worth it to have it done IMHO.


Do you have the TSB link?

Ok, i meant to type brake, for some reason i typed gas. Either way, the needle doesn't sweep and I have no idea why they had such trouble. They said that sometimes the flash just 'doesn't take' on the first try.

I have not tried to even get the N yet

I will next time I go in
but they always look at me funny when I ask for whatever new flash is out

I have the "N" flash ... but mine is a 09/03 build ... the dealer actually called me to let me know about it.

If you can get it, it is a marked improvement over the "M".

"N" here as well, and definite difference, I got to experience the difference on a very nice drive through the twisties and the car definitely felt a little more "tuned" (for lack of a better word) :)

My car was built in June 04...the N flash TSB doesn't include my VIN. I think I'll wait for TSB flash that does include my VIN before even attempting to ask for a flash, my dealership's clueless enough as it is.

I wonder if they reset all of the ram when they flash. Everyone says, "it feels much better since the flash." But they say that after every flash. To 'feel' a gain that is not psycologically induced would mean a significant power increase (>5hp). I'm wondering if it is just the ecu being reset.

My auto 8 is an 04 and supposedly had the N flash about two months ago. There was absolutly no difference from the before and after. My dealer tells me that unless there is a specific reason posted, there will not be a problem geting any flash. Tells me it costs him only a few minutes of his mechanics time to keep a customer happy.

yeah very likely it's due to ECU reset, once the ECU 'learns' your driving habit the differences may be less noticeable, also you're probably gonna get used to it and won't notice it as much either.

i think the magic word is 'rough idle' and 'hard start', if you mention that, even with the 'M', you have those 2 symptons, they should reflash you to 'N'.

I actually do have occassional hard start and rough idle, so I may get my 6 speed updated from 'M' to 'N' as well ;)

The dealer claims I got N flash (though I never requested it!). And I might have to believe them - my mpg went down, from 18 to 15 after that........ Nothing in the performance department worth noticing though.
Car is 4AT built May 2004.

I have the "N" flash ... but mine is a 09/03 build ... the dealer actually called me to let me know about it.

If you can get it, it is a marked improvement over the "M".


I checked the TSB and I dont think I can get it. Mine was built after March 12, 2004 so I just missed the cut off line dam.

Don't want to sound like a newb but unfortunately you can't change what you are...I wanted to know what all this talk about "N" Flash was...what it is, how i can get it, check vin (like mentioned in earlier posts) etc...

software update for the ecu. most flashes come with any dealer service. some you have to ask for. depends on the dealer usually.

Due to my poor mileage, I requested the "N" Flash.
My stealer ship installed the"P" Flash on 06-13-2005.
It's too soon to tell if there has been any improvement in my poor MPG (10 mpg) but,
I did notice my 13B seems to REV a little faster.
This may be due to the ECU ReSet... time will tell.

Slllygirl, my car was built after yours and I am now all the way to the P flash... Not that I wanted/asked/knew. Talking to MNAO, they said that all dealers are required to flash all cars up to the latest (and not the greatest, they took away 2mpg while doing so :( )
So at a normal dealership they should do it no questions asked - you don't even have a choice ;) At other dealerships, you can ask for it and be told they don't have it in their system yet.... So look for a good dealer if you really want the P flash.

karyl, if you want the latest ECU flash, just go to a dealer and state that your car is experiencing hard start, and they will flash your PCM to whatever their latest software they have

i got mine flashed at Rosenthal Arlington last week, i just said i'm getting occassional hard starts, and they flashed my 8 without question

seems like the new flash (N or P, i didn't ask) is getting me even better mileage than before, i just filled my first full tank on the new flash and got 21.5mpg! in 50/50 hwy/street driving!

I have to look for a dealership in my area Congressional Mazda is history.