smart transmission 2.0 (re-flash)

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Permalink Reply by SATO on March 18, 2009 at 1:38pm

was it a sound investment?

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Permalink Reply by Tony on April 20, 2009 at 11:36pm

SATO, what might those factors be? I am going in this Friday for my Flash and a few other minor issues. I am between service points but wanted to have the software upgrade done while I have time away from the office. I love taking my smart to the beach. I did manage to get it stuck but with a simple push from a couple of guys I was easily on my way. *Parked in an area that was a bit too soft*.

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Permalink Reply by Barry Milberg on March 19, 2009 at 3:16pm

Had it done this morning -
transmission flash
ecu flash
battery update - turned out my orphan was a demo and had battery changed at 28 miles!!
sticker updates

The best part of the re-flash - for me - was being able to use the paddle shifters in D position. Made it so much easier to drop down a gear for passing, etc. and then to go back to D mode, if desired.

Did notice a slight improvement in shift speed - that made the shifts a little smoother, especially when a 'heavier' foot on the gas was used. Will be interesting to hear wife's review, since she felt the shifts were OK before (lighter foot on gas).

Note, these are all subjective observations, no instrumentation was involved!

What I would want for 3.0 flash - even faster (and smoother) shifting - so that the 'critics' of the smart (transmission) would have to find another 'flaw' to bitch about. But, my guess is the limiting factor is in the shift mechanism itself, not the control unit.

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Permalink Reply by Bruce Fromoz on March 20, 2009 at 1:14am

I just got the letter inviting me to upgrade, and I can't wait! It will be nice to down-shift with a touch, instead of romping on it. I'm sure the engine will like it too. Anything that they can do to add sophistication to this beautiful little transmission is always welcome!

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Permalink Reply by mr bad example on March 20, 2009 at 1:44am

i just got the same letter today. i have a pure, so no paddles, but i plan on a cruise control with a "sprinter" accelleration circuit very soon. better shifting will be welcome with better throttle response.

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Permalink Reply by Bruce Fromoz on March 20, 2009 at 3:08am

It will still be a welcome upgrade. I'm told that in addition to the paddle thing, the 1st to 2nd shift will be improved, and the "creep" function (at intersections) will be less aggressive.

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Permalink Reply by Marc L on March 20, 2009 at 5:38pm

Ok, I had the re-flash done while I was in the shop to have the transmission looked at. The dealership told me that they will ''reprogram'' but never explained the differences that I would notice. I did notice that there were a few strange downshifts today while driving and I assume it has something to do with this ''re-flash'' Thank God for this board or I would have thought something strange was going on. Now I will test with the left shifter while in ''D'' mode and see what happens. I didn't get the letter yet at home but will certainly get soon.

I did however get a 10th anniversay letter saying that there was a ''free'' gift waiting for me at the presentation of an enclosed coupon. Anyone received this yet?

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Permalink Reply by SmartCar Performance on March 23, 2009 at 3:33pm

I got my transmission flashed last week.

I am glad I got it done. It is definitely a little faster shifting from 1st to 2nd. And the shifting is smoother. I think the switching to manual mode is a big help because sometimes the car wants to stay at 6000 rpm for awhile. All you do now is just hit the paddle shifter to change it.

Overall worth the upgrade. 3.0 re-flash? Sure why not. More improvements, the better.

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Permalink Reply by mr bad example on March 23, 2009 at 6:56pm

wooooo, i finally got my car to 6000 rpms a couple of nights ago. some punk in a pontiac was revvin next to me at a light on the way home at midnight, i was watchin the lights, i popped into manual and stomped it for the first time in the 14 months that i've had my smart... BLEW HIM AWAY!!!! i played race car driver the rest of the way home and got 45.8 mpg for the trip. "drove it like you stole it" works almost as good as feather footing it.

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Permalink Reply by SATO on April 14, 2009 at 10:38pm

Did you go and watch the fast and the furious movie... Mr.BE???? did your smarty pop a wheelie like in the movies LOL

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Permalink Reply by Carlos on March 24, 2009 at 11:56am

Cool that you have the 09 upgrade aswell. In Europe we also noticed a difference, that the gearbox in auto mode will shift earlier to an higher gear.(5th at 65km/h in stead of 90 km.h) (in USA it already did from the beginning). We don't have the creep function.

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Permalink Reply by Scott Mankewitz on March 24, 2009 at 9:57pm

I got my smart back from the shop this morning. I had a stuck shifter. Anyway, thay did the re-flash and it is great. Shifts so much smoother.

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