mazdaexe

Anybody in CA got their car "L" flashed? Any improvements in mileage? It will certainly help now, since the gases are so high up there...

Thanx

Zoom2X

I got "L" flashed today. I'll keep you posted.

Zoom2X

"L" is the lastest revision of the ECU code. Supposed to include a new fuel map

310Guy

Where did you get this done? Were you there for other service?

My worst fears have been confirmed. My mileage is a terrible 13.88 with mixed driving.

Do you know of any dealerships in Los Angeles that know about this L flash (i.e. would know what I'm talking about if I mention it to service)?

Thanks for any info.

RevRaz

I brought my car to the dealer on Friday for my free detail and asked about the L Flash. They said it wont make 1 bit of difference.

310Guy

Okay, "why" do they think it will not make any difference? Or did they just say that without explanation?

I mean, if I'm getting less than 14 mpg with mix driving, I'm really beginning to wonder if there's something wrong with my car.

Rx8Past

God, the mileage is killing me, almost taking the fun out of driving. I drove only 86 miles this weekend, and I used half the tank.. jeez.. I usually get at least 100 miles or more on half the tank, and I have an auto. MAZDA please do something before the Environmental Liberation Federation (ELF) torch my car and paint "I LOVE POLLUTION" on it like they did with the hummer dealer ships.

310Guy

Rx8Past,

How many miles do you have on your 8?

I'm just past 1,000.

BTW, I went ahead and wrote a letter to Mazda NA about my horrible gas mileage. I'll be mailing it tomorrow. We'll see where that goes with Mazda...

Zoom2X

I got it done at Heritage Mazda (formerly Tustin Mazda). I was there for the 2 recalls and asked if they would do the "L" reflash also. They didn't give me any hassle about it, just did it.

synthtk

I just had my car in for service (2 recalls, and CEL check) and they did the L reflash to fix the CEL (something to do with the cat), so far this tank seems to be lasting a bit longer than the previous ones.

-Chris

tripwire

Gee, I wonder why they do revisions at all?

Rx8Past

I have just exceeded 4000 miles. My mileage fluctuates a lot.. but I usually get about 230miles on about 13 gallons.

stangmatt66

I know there's a Heritage Mazda/Lincoln/Mercury in Huntington Beach. Tustin is now Heritage too?

jeffs8

Please help me here. Does this L flash really exist? I have my car right now at Heritage Mazda (Tustin Mazda) and they say they have never heard of this update. Nor would they do it anyway unless there was actually something wrong with the car as if 13-18mpg is right!!

I'm on hold with Mazda USA and they are acting like it doesn't exist either! WTF? Can we get someone at MUSA that knows what's going on in the 8 community?

I'm goint o the Rev-it-Up to give them what for!

This just in...MazdaUSA just told me that engineering does not consider a ECU flash a repair for poor mileage and therefore Mazda will not pay for it.

I only care that part of my decision to buy this car was the 18-24 mpg (I commute daily) was acceptable, but 18 max is NOT! I feel I was lied to and it affected my buying decision.

Anyone want to start a Class Action suit? I just want MUSA to help us fix our cars.

-js

310Guy

I contacted Mazda NA via e-mail to address my MPG issue. Here's the "canned" response I got from them:

--------------------

"Thank you for contacting Mazda North American Operations. I appreciate the opportunity to respond to you.

Please understand, the gas mileage estimates reported on the window label of your vehicle are for comparison purposes only and will vary depending on options, driving conditions, driving habits and the vehicle?s condition. These estimates are based on a mathematical formula provided by the EPA and are not the result of actual road tests. There is no guarantee, either by the EPA or the manufacturer, with regard to gas mileage. You should also be aware that fuel blends impact gas mileage, so fuel economy will vary depending on climate and temperature. For instance, in cold weather climates, oxygenated fuel (which requires chemical additives) is used which greatly reduces fuel
economy.

Unfortunately, we do not have any procedures to improve the gas mileage at this time.

I will forward your comments to our Product Planning Department in an effort to provide only the highest quality products to our customers."

--------------------

Well, there you go. According to this response there is no such "L" reflash to improve gas mileage.

Gee, this is a surprise.

Rx8Past

haha, I got the exact same e-mail from mazda when I complained!

and yes I also feel like I've been lied to, and it affected my buying decision. The car is beautiful and I really wouldnt have chosen anything else, but if I knew I would have such a big gas eater at a time where gas prices are no where near acceptable I would have at least waitied to buy the car.

310Guy

I also wrote them a letter so it'll be interesting how they handle that. I also called customer service. The rep told me I wasn't the first to mention the poor gas mileage.

skagen

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...649#post273649

somone in here claiming he got 25 mpg on freeway...but driving at 60 mph.

orangematics

I just called West Covina Mazda to schedule an appointment for the two recalls, then I asked the guy if I can get the ECU reflash and he said 'not a problem.' But he didn't sound too convincing. How would I know if the "L" flash has been performed or not???

tripwire

you can ask to see the printout of the version they have applied.

And you can do the - depress your brake pedal 20 times in 8 seconds and watch the oil pressure guage bounce - routine.

good luck.

310Guy

Find out if they have a "master tech" and speak with him/her.

When I spoke with Mazda NA they told me to find a dealership with a master tech.

brothervoodoo

Just had my reflash done today, I wrote the following letter and gave it to the rep regarding the reflash. I'm sure you can "word smith" it better but I didn't seem to get any flake and they went ahead and did the work. After the procedure, I confirmed by pumping the brake and saw the oil pressure gauge do the "sweep". Here's the letter, fill in the blanks were necessary, Note, I have a manual the automatic reflash is a different number..


================
Updating RX-8 Power train Control Module – (PCM) to the latest “L” calibration (N3H6 18 881L):

I have an early production VIN vehicle; Mazda has come out with 4 updates since the inception of the car. The latest “L” calibration leans out Air/Fuel Ratio in many places in the RPM range, as well as retarding timing to prevent pinging that has been reported to cars in areas that are hot, humid or at sea level. This leaning of the AFR will also improve fuel economy which is my main concern. I have been keeping strict records of all my fill-up’s and over the course of xxxxxx miles and have averaged only xx.x MPG on mixed driving. My car is definitely running pig-rich; exhibits immediate tail pipe carbon build-up and rough idle when cold.

I’m requesting this latest PCM reflash be applied to my car because the mileage is unacceptable given that the EPA has given this car 18-24 MPG rating.

*Attached: The following TSB (Clearing Eccentric Shaft Plate Profile Memory) explains yet another circumstance in which flashing to the “L” calibration is a good idea.

Thanks,
xxxx xxxx
================

sferrett

I had my car in for the recalls today and mentioned that I thought there was a PCM recalibration since my car was an early VIN. The service manager put that on the work order and voila, it got updated.

Some times more information (like telling them "it's the L reflash which has different fuel maps in it") will generate the opposite effect of what you want.

Sea Ray

Maybe I missed this somewhere, but why do we want to, or need to, clear the eccentric shaft plate profile? And while your at it, what the heck is it anyways??

Thanks