I realize it hasn't been out long but wondering if there are enough members who've gotten the "L" reflash (or very new cars) to compare notes. I missed the new version by a few hundred slots in the VIN sequence...

It would be particularly useful if there are a number of folks who kept mileage records before and after. Also interested in any performance changes, either subjective or otherwise.

 

...as a note to other mods, i'd really like to keep this poll in this section.

 

I had this reflash done on 2/24. Mileage improvements are at best .5mpg, and it is difficult to tell much improvement below 3500rpm.

It does appear to have more spunk above that.

 

With weather changing and summer gas now available, mpg right now will be hard to reconcile with winter driving.

 

Hard to know yet, flashed on Monday, does seem a little smoother, but the weather is warmer too. Time will tell on mileage.

 

What did you tell your dealer to get it done? Did you have a CEL or flooding problems, or did he just do it because you asked?

 

It seems a litttle spunkier to me, but it's hard to tell since my car has a misfire while warm, both before and after the reflash. Gas mileage is the same.

 

I asked my dealer to do it and they said everything was already up to date. Where is this sticker located with the L calibration part number?

 

I didn't tell him to do it, but I asked what my ECU level was "is it rev L?", when I picked it up. He said "Umm, Rev L, what do you mean? I explained the part no w/the letter 'L' at the end. He said, "Well they checked the ECU (cause I had mentioned to them a single flooding event back in Dec) and they got no codes." He continued that, "he forgot to write it up, but the tech updated it to the latest one anyway."

Now THAT'S service!!

:D (Seacoast Mazda, Portsmouth NH)

PS also cound not find any sticker, or mark that reflected the rev done. Don't know where they hide it if it is there (checked underhood and glovebox).

 

They put my sticker on the front lip of the hood, near the latch.

 

no stickers...what is the VIN range on the flashes?

 

(I posted my questions in Canzoomer section as well. Need this info soon...)

I am getting mine done today. Plan to do the oil-needle procedure...what is the last point about?

---> "Drive the vehicle and confirm misfire related DTCs are not stored" <--- how do i confirm if DTCs are not stored? what is a DTC?

Also, are they going to replace any parts related to "L" reflash?


Regards,
Max.

 

Most all of the warranty work TSB's will say to drive the vehicle after work is completed.

A DTC is Mazda's term for a code that is stored in the PCM (ECU) memory. The codes number represents a specific area or sensor that is reporting a problem. Some DTC's become MIL's. MIL means Malfuction Indicator Light....or as others call it, CEL...Check Engine Light.


Ater your PCM is reflashed, the Mazda tech should run diagnostics again to see if any new DTC's are stored.

No actual parts are changed in your vehicle during a reflash. It is just a software upgrade. Like a new driver for your video card.

 

Great info! So PCM stores different types of DTCs. MIL or CEL is one type of DTC. PCM, ECU, DTC, MIL, CEL I think we should have a thread for all the acronyms!

My vehicle doesn't have the CEL problem. Looks like the diagnostics will not return a bad DTC before or after the reflash.

 

To see if your PCM is at the 'L' calibration or higher, you can do the following test:
Insert key, turn key past 'acc' to 'on' position (but don't turn completely to 'ign'). Tap the brake pedal 20+ times within 8 seconds or so- if the oil pressure gauge needle sweeps from low to middle, and back to low, then you have the latest PCM flash (or a new car that came from the factory with the latest calibration).

I tried this last week and nothing happened... and on Tuesday after picking up my 8 after recall work and reflash was done, it worked as described indicating the dealer did what they said they would do.

More details on what this little test is about can be found on this TSB:
http://www.finishlineperformance.com...ocs/01-007.htm

 

Excellent info, this info should be in the RX-8 wiki.

 

I just got my car back from the dealer. They did the "L" flash and I confirmed it by 20-pedal procedure. I'll write back with any gas mileage difference.

 

Negligible mileage improvement (maybe from 19 to 19.5), and the car to me feels more sluggish in the midrange. It feels smoother from 6-9000 RPM, whereas before it was giving me a kick that I could really feel - I think I liked that better. If I could go back without getting CELS again, I would.

 

I did the brake pedal test, and it seems like I don't have the latest flash. My engine seems to run just fine, no MIL's. Gas mileage is leaves a bit to be sought after, but other than that it runs fine. I'll get it before I go stage 1, but until then, should I even bother?

 

Great info! Will go and run the verification test.

If negative on the test, should I simply ask the dealer for the L reflash, even if I'm not getting any CELs?

 

From my experience with the flash I am seeing much improved mpg's. Before I was lukcy to hit 100 miles at half tank and I am now consistently seeing above 130 at half tank. I would have to agree that it did change the characteristics of the car some but shifting from 1st to 2nd is much cleaner as it has always has been comparing to 2nd to 3rd. It has more pick up and less hesitation going from 1st to 2nd.

Thankx...

 

If you were one of the few getting 13 to 16 mpg your gunna LOVE the re-flash. Tech told me it adresses "quite a few sensor problems and the gas milage problem that Mazda won't admit to."
Before I had it done I had a Green drop in air filter and kept getting a P0102 MAF low input and a P0113 IAT sensor high input. The tech told me the re-flash would take care of it and so far it has. Really didnt notive a performance increase or decline.
Re-flash # N3H6-18881-L 6 SPEED
# N3H4-18881-L AUTO
No I'm not smart enough to tell you what the heck the sensor codes are or mean. Just what the service tech documented.

 

The tech is full of crap. L calibration does not address airflow meter / IAT code problems. Those codes are set by the airflow meter. If you installed a filter, the oil in some filters can damage the airflow meter element. Or, the airflow meter was unplugged with the ignition on. Since Mazda has never released information regarding fuel economy improvements with the "L" calibration, how would a dealer tech know?? Sounds like the dealer is telling people what they want to hear (kind of like this forum) rather than actual facts.

 

big bed

*** MOD EDIT: Offensive picture removed. ***

 

Picked up my 8 last Friday from the dealer. Had the recall work done plus asked to have the latest "L" flash for the ECU. I sited poor gas milage and a CEL once in a while. According to his tech notes, car was up to Mazda specs. So did I already have the L flash, or did the mechanic never look into it?
Brought the 8 home to see and performed as per G8rboy and the TSB. It confirmed that they did not flash my car.
Called the dealer today and explained. Poor gas milage and speicfied that I would like to have the latest flash. Even sited the TSB on how to check. They said they will do it. Remains to be seen however. I'm still giving them the chance. I'm also playing the "nice" customer for now. It seems to work so far. They are responsive and courtious. Even giving me a free loaner (3 or 6, my choice).
Not bringing it in until the 25th though. I'll chime back in to let you know.
BTW, also origianlly mentioned problems about misfire at idle (cold and warm engine). When I droped my 8 off, it was would misfire most of the time. When I got it back, there was no hint of misfire for the first couple of days. Although it sounds like its comming back again.
Could the dealer of used something like Chevron Techron or some sort of injection cleaner?
Al