recent message from smart

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Permalink Reply by smarttask on June 10, 2009 at 6:19pm

What software update for the transmission?

Roger

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Permalink Reply by Mark Wheeler on June 10, 2009 at 6:58pm

I got a letter from smart on May 14,2009.

The smart USA Team sent this letter to all Model Year smart for two owners to bring their cars to their dealership for a free "smart 2.0 Check Up" to upgrade your transmission software" to improve performance, esp on hills.
I live 100 miles from the dealer so it is not easy for me to do this, so I was wondering if anyone out there
had complied, and what the results are.

Mark

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Permalink Reply by jackb on June 10, 2009 at 7:43pm

If you have a 2009 model, this does not apply to you. The original transmission programming for the 2008 smart fortwo tended to be pretty aggressive in creep mode.Where you might have wanted to feather the clutch in a "normal" manual transmission car when coming to or moving slightly from a full stop, the smart would strain and lurch at rest, until it finally let go and relaxed into neutral, causing the rear end of the car to rise a bit...or it would jerk forward when all you wanted was a small incremental movement. With the upgrade, its behavior at rest is much smoother. The upgrade will not speed up or otherwise impact the notorious 1-to-2 shift lag in any way that you will be able to feel.

The upgrade will also change how your paddle shifters will work (assuming you have them), and the dealer may (depending on how your car is equipped) give you a beefier battery to end trickle discharge problems with cars left idle for extended periods. You will also get a new door sticker (for various legal compliance reasons) and a new manual. This is all covered at smart's expense.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Wheeler on June 10, 2009 at 11:54pm

Thank you, Jack.
Very helpful.
I will make the effort to get my 2008 car to the dealer in the future.
Mark

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Permalink Reply by SATO on June 11, 2009 at 10:20am

Mark, how many miles are on your smart? why? because you may want to get the 10k service done there while you are at it... I don't know how able you are to do it yourself (pretty easy) but it's just a thought being as you said a 100 mile drive there and 100 back....

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Permalink Reply by Mark Wheeler on June 11, 2009 at 3:10pm

I HAVE 6300 MILES ON THE CAR. BOUGHT IT AUGUST 08, SO THE OIL SHOULD BE CHANGED IN AUGUST.
I WILL DO THAT AND THE COMPUTER GIG AT THE SAME TIME. MY PREFERRED MODE OF TRAVEL IS THE BICYCLE.
THANKS
MARK IN MAINE

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Permalink Reply by mr bad example on June 12, 2009 at 10:55am

i change my oil every 5000 miles. the 10K service will change the cabin filter and a few other checks. the cabin filter is only used when the AC is on. at 20K they change the engine air filter. i can count the hours i have run my AC on one hand and have digitalia left to insert up my nostrils.

if you have an alarm or other electrical devices, you may get a bigger battery as well. the original battery is 41AH, they may replace it with a 60AH battery.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Wheeler on June 12, 2009 at 2:39pm

I have the most basic car. no AC no electric windows or any extras except for a nice radio.

What does the dealer charge for the first service and an oil change? I can have a local guy to the oil change. I can get it to the dealer for the computer change as I drive on hills here in Maine and the
transmission is not that good on a steep hill if you are not going very fast.

Thanks for your input.

Mark in Maine

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Permalink Reply by Ian Pellant on June 13, 2009 at 11:56pm

Interesting...
Does the reprogram change the shift points. It became apparent to me in my Aussie pulse that my transmission was programmed to be more "agressive" than the USA models of last year. Particularly the shift to 5th gear. Mine would not shift to or hold anything less than 80kph (say 50mph) in auto when the car was new. (Built 14 July 08). It would burble happily in 5th when in manual shift and would indicate upshift from 4 to 5 at around 60 kph (38 mph), but auto would not. This meant being in 4th most of the time in auto around town... hence it would be "more aggressive" on hills than the US programming.

So: Has the new US programming shifted the 4th to 5th auto shift speed more towards 50 mph?

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Permalink Reply by Mark Wheeler on June 14, 2009 at 7:20am

Hi Ian,
Interesting observation about your transmission. The dealer suggested to me that while driving on the highway to use the manual side of the transmission, thus avoiding the 4th gear a lot and getting better mileage. At my recent fill of gas, the mileage was 48 miles per gallon, very acceptable.
I amnot sure what the company/dealer has in mind by re programming the transmission, but I will get it done
in 2-3 months, before winter is upon us.
Mark in Maine

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Permalink Reply by Smart1 on June 14, 2009 at 2:21pm

Well I hope I get my letter pretty quick. As of yet I have not receive the letter nor was I aware of this software update. Thank you for the information. Guess I'll have to call my dealer and schedule the update even without the letter. I purchased my smart passion in March 2008.
Is there an official "smart" web site which has manufacture recalls, updates, etc. for the USA smart?

Thanks

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Permalink Reply by Mark Wheeler on June 14, 2009 at 3:42pm

CALL THE DEALER AND SEE WHAT HE SAYS.
MARK IN MAINE

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