Omicron

I agree this is outside the curve for normal driving. You might try ressing your ECU (remove the battery cable and pump the brakes a few times, then reconnect) as this ECU does learn. Also the short trips are definitely not helping any... the '8 uses completely different - and MUCH ricker - maps for a cold engine. Finally, it might be worth taking it to the dealer.

Tall Corn

Hiley in South Arlington did a very quick job - I called and set up an appointment on Thursday for first thing Friday morning. I got there right at 8:00 and by 8:15 I had my car back. Work order stated "PCM Update".

Now, what did it do for me? In my opinion, a lot smoother engine operation. Initial startup now goes quickly to a smooth idle and not the "lawn mower" warm up like I was having before. Now I turn the key and it goes to a nice smooth idle.

Mileage, well, haven't put that to paper - and y'know - I really don't care about the mileage. I didn't buy this car for gas mileage, I bought it for zip. Zip loves gas!

Driving home, I felt it a little sluggish in the lower RPMs, as compared to pre-flash, with the engine power not kicking in until post 5k rpm, when previously it kicked in and started to grab around 4 - 4.5k. As weekend driving continued, it started to feel responsive again, but not like it was.

I think I need to do a bit of "re-education" on my pcm by getting on it for it to learn I wanna move when I put my foot down........

Tall..............................

ZGlide

when the new flash is installed, are the electronics (i.e. radio presets, navigation history, tripometer) suppose to reset also? Just curious because after about 30 minutes of fumbling around, my service writer finally tells me the calibration he had installed in my 8 and no "M" update sticker was to be found on my car.

thew

it seems the dealers dont put a sticker on like MAzda says.. But you invoice will say.. the M flash somewhere.. Or it will say a bunch of numbers with the letter E in it.. Right after the letter E the next letter to follow is the flash code.

My delaer here trid to pull a fast one on me and did not really flash the car at all the first time i had it. when i got it back the second time .. I looked at the invoice with the service tech and saw the M flash was on it.. then i did the break pump test ( turn on key to On, pumb the breaks a bunch of time.. The oil guage will sweep the dial and thne turn back off.. This means you have at least the "L" flash.

Good luck ..

P.S.. the ECU has to relean your driving style so dont be alarmed when you think the car has less HP.. it will come back in a day or too..

thew

ohh,, the radio and all should not loos its presets becasue they dont have to disconnect the battery to flash the car...

If that hapeend to you it means the service tech disconnected the battery for some reason.

thew

the 8 burns very rich during idle.. this is why

thew

then i did the break pump test ( turn on key to On, pump the breaks a bunch of time.. The oil guage will sweep the dial and then turn back off.. This means you have at least the "L" flash.

HeelnToe

Just out of curiousity, does anyone know WHY such a bizarre procedure would be used to test calibration level? Did the L+ flash change the way the oil gauge works or something?

thew

this is how you reset the excentric shaft sensor. this just basicly resets the computer.

HeelnToe

LOL..., OK, thanks.

One would think a RESET COMPUTER button might have been easier

Then there's that wacky turn the wheel all the way clockwise, then all the way back, etc. trick...

And the hold in the DSC button for 10+ seconds trick...

It's like learning cheat codes for a video game. Someone really oughta make a list.

thew

kinda hehe.. the rest only works after L flash.. and its a thing that mazda teaches the techs.. but my book does mention it .


if you hold the DSC for 7 sec or longer it will really turn off the DSC .. just pushing the button only turns off half of it

as you konw

zoom44

you know i asked this too. i mean why 20? why not 15 or 10? there is no simple answer except that 20 seemed like a number that noone would do accidentaly.

also that procedure always reset the Eshaft sensor and cleared the memory but before L there was no indicator that you had done it correctly. the the sweep of the oil guage needle was added to L as a visual indicator that the Eshaft sensor had been reset. nothing else about how the guage works was changed.

thew

ahh

louis1128

i did my M today, 1st gear to 2nd gear more smooth, like other people said, seem like the car is slower, but maybe is just a feeling, more stablilize feeling, did not really check the speed for each gear, anyway, it's good to upgrade it to M

InuYasha

HAs anyone tried hooking up a Diagnostic Scanner to the car to determine the Flash Revision Level?

DjGO

My dealer said they updated my pcm with the new update but I don't think they did I am still getting 15 mpg city. And about 17 highway. I just got back from universal studios (revenge of the mummy is very fun) I only got 240 for a tank so about 17 mpg going at 80-85 mph and shifting at 3000 rpms. I keep telling them to update it and they said it is. Maybe they haven't updated the new software I don't know what to do.

thew

whats your service invoice say ?
the flash is listed if they did it

DjGO

it says updated to newest software. It does not say m reflash

HeelnToe

FWIW, I just dropped in on my dealer (Flemington Mazda, NJ) as service opened and had the airbag recall performed. I asked if they'd mind doing the M flash while they're at it, and they said "sure, no problem."

I didn't need to show TSBs or anything... they did it no questions asked. Very helpful people, especially considering I didn't have an appointment.

thew

nice to hear

An8inLAS

I have had the M flash for about 2 months now and can say that without a doubt after the ecu re-learns your driving style the car is much more managable in city driving. Stop and go in Las Vegas is much smoother and easier and yet the car still stretches it's legs on the highway. The increased mpg is a nice benefit also.

InuYasha

Dropped my '8 off yesterday at the dealer with a stack of TSB's. They have just taken over the Mazda franchise from another dealer here in town.

I reviewed each of the TSB's with the service rep, and he seemed genuinely pleased to see that I had info that would help him to do his job, especially since it was all warranty work.

1) Air conditioner amplifier

2) ECU "M" flash

3) NAV system software upgrade

4) Wheel noise from anti-corrosion coatings

They didn't have the A/C amplifier part, so the service manager said he would have it overnighted. I expect to have the car back tomorrow (I miss my '8!)

snap-on

The TSB that refers to the "M" flash became a MSP (Mazda Special Program) this afternoon.

When the dealer runs the vin on the car it will now tell them to reflash the car to the "M" level.

This is what we have been waiting for to help get some of the "lost" dealers to comply to the TSB.

TybeeRX-8

Had my M Flash done last week and it seems to be fine, but not as noticable as I might have thought reading all of the posts here. but, since some seem to still be having a problem getting the dealer to do it, here attached is a photo of the sticker applied by the dealer on the inside leading edge of my hood.

Pekoe

My M Flash impressions after approx 1K of varied driving.

I was tickled pink after driving on the M Flash for a few days.

I have one of the earlier manufactured models that gets flagged on most TSB's and the 2 recalls so far and that A/C problem :|

Anyway, my mileage has increased by 10 miles per tank to 275 with a 70/30 mix of highway to city respectively.

The smooth purr I drove out of the dealership with, on the M flash has reverted back to a slightly less noticeble rough idle. I not longer have hard starts and the chugging stall-like behavior on cold start is gone as far as I can tell.

And most importantly, I believe the car is performing better - although I would trade that for a smooth idle. I have a brand new (non rotor) fan-like whirling sound to investigate now.