Anyone have luck getting a local Portland/Vancouver dealer to provide the L reflash without a hassle?

 

I'm going to try on Monday at Royal Moore. I'll post my results.

 

I contacted Vancouver MAzda and just got the run around. It is clear they have no idea what the upgrade is all about, but still decided to argue with me about it.

 

TRIED TO GET IT AT HERZOG MEIER AND THEY RAN SOME DIAGNOSTICS, FOUND NOTHING WRONG AND DIDN'T DO IT.

 

Just picked my car up from Royal Moore. When I brought it in, there was no Check Engine light, but I did have one for several days prior to the visit, and I told them as much. I asked about the reflash, and they said that they more or less do what the diagnostic equipment tells them to do. I didn't argue with them - I probably wouldn't reflash a customer's car if the service procedures didn't specify it either.

They didn't find anything specific in the PCM, but they did reflash it. Something about "false codes." The invoice doesn't list a part number for the reflash, but it is listed as a line item, and the pump-test yeilds the swing in the oil pressure gauge, so I guess that means I'm on the L-train.

First impression is that the "long-press" DSC disable no longer has that super-sharp throttle response. In fact, I couldn't tell any difference between the two modes at all any more. However, it does feel sharper now than it did before the reflash with the DSC enabled, if that makes any sense. I will say I'm a bit tired right now and I should take the car out away from traffic before I pass final judgement. Perhaps tomorrow.

George

p.s. RM was very professional, and I'd reccomend them. I think if you go in, tell them what you want, but don't demand it, they will treat you right as best they can.

 

Please excuse my ignorance just got my 8 in the last month. What is the flash supposed to fix, and what are you talking about in regards to the "long-press" DSC disable. Thanks.

 

L reflash is supposed to improve performance slightly and improve gas mileage.

I had no luck with Vancouver Mazda and I was not suprised. I am thinking about contact MAzda US and bitching about the mileage to see if I could get someone to okay it with Vancouver Mazda.

 

Long press refers to holding down the DSC disable button for several seconds - internet lore has it that if you hold it down long enough, it results in different behavior than a quick press. Search on "long press" and you will find lots of threads.

It is not critical to get the reflash - your car is fine as is, and it may even have it if it is new. You pretty much get it automatically if you come in for service and you have a check engine light on.

 

Hello George,

I had a CEL a month ago and took my car to three different dealers including Royal Moore. None of them had any open spots open for a week, and one of them wouldn't even look at my car until two weeks later!

I was not being a ***** or anything. I'm just curious how fast Royal Moore got you in once you brought this to there attention.

Thanks.

BTW..I cleared it myself and it has not come back. Been just over a month now.

 

it is not "internet lore". one press of the DSC button puts the Dsc to Sleep. it will still function if the car detects it is really out of wack. if you press and hold the button for x amount of seconds it is completly turned off and will not re enable until the car is shut off and turned back on. the actual amount of seconds is in the owners manual- it is either 5 or 8. with the electronics turned off you can drive alot more aggresively, like sliding the tail out, spinning the tires etc that you cannot normally do. many have reported better gas mileage when running the car in normal.

conditions with the electronics off.

hey monte did you give aaron a call?

 

If you don't mind driving up to Seattle, I just got mine reflashed from University Mazda in Seattle.
I haven't driven the car enough to refill the gas so I can't really comment on the mpg but car seems to have better mid-range torque.

 

E46328

Thanks for the tip, I contacted Univeristy Mazda and they seemed more than willing to perform the Reflash. On the other hand my local dealer, Vancouver Mazda doesn't seem to know their alphabet past about - C. Looks like I will be making the trek to Seattle.

 

I am sitting at home right now because my 8 is at Herzog Meier in Beaverton. I am getting the recall work done, plus they are replacing my plugs and giving me the flash. I just told them that I have heard from other 8 owners that the car will be a lot better if I do these things, and the guy said that they will whatever they need to get the car running its best. I asked if that meant removing the cats and adding NOS.... He chuckled and sadly said NO... Who knows maybe had my hotwife taken it in it would have worked.

 

As I mentioned in a different post. Ron Tonkin did the L flash for me a week ago. Brian Raymond is the guy who helped me. I still believe you have to give them a reason or they won't get paid for it. I would use flooding and hard start when cold. I have been to few in the Portland area including Herzog in Beaverton. Almost all of them are useless. I had better luck with Ron Tonkin. Free rental cars, quick service, and they work you in within 48 hours of your call to schedule an oppointment. Seriously although they could do better, they certainly are the best in town.

Mark

 

After an incident with flooding, I had mine towed to Ron Tonkin. They did a great job and the car was ready as promised. Brian Raymond was very helpful.

On the other hand the geeks at Vancouver Mazda are still claiming that the "L" reflash does not exist.

My car will now always be serviced at Ron Tonkin.