lancesir

Hi guys,

I'm going for my recall tomorrow. I'm in the Type II category, so I don't expect part changes, just the ECU flash. I was just wondering if there's anything else about the recall I should be aware of. How's the new flash for the people that have it? Same performance/mileage?

lancesir

Actually I should clarify that I'm going for the fuel tank/heat shield recall

Bio

Same here, I'm booked for 3pm tomorrow, receive my letter yesterday (Finally!)

Here's to hoping there is a bit of a leak in my fuel tank to explain the average 280k I get per fill up

herbert

Mine's in today getting the fuel tank recall done (group 1 I think) . They called me and told me it needs an alignment too (at 24,000 kms !!).

lancesir

I guess most people are just getting their recall notices now, that's cool. Maybe we can share insights afterwards, especially with the new flash.

My mileage so far has been OK, can get about 350k per tank doing 90% city. But I'm driving it gently in order to see how good the mileage can get.

My car is pretty new so I don't think I need alignment or anything, but I could use a car wash :D

Bio

Took it in to Gyro Mazda, they did the work in less than an hour so it was pretty quick which is great... It's been almost a week now and as far as the butt dyno on the ECU reflash, yeah, there is something a little different.

Although I am definitely more experienced than to claim any real HP gains, I must say the power band does seem smoother. I had the M flash, and I used to have a lull at about 5,000 then a little over 6,000 rpm. When I do push it, the car does seem a bit more "zippy" that's for sure and the lulls seem to have smoothed out across the entire acceleration curve. No alignements or anything else needed, but of course I'm only at about 10k on the odometer.

Gord96BRG

You must be assuming that the alignment is OK from the factory - typically, it's NOT! Sure, the alignment will be "within specs", but the factory specifications allow such a wide range of tolerances that usually the alignments are not very good, certainly not optimal from a handling perspective. I took mine to an independent shop 1.5 years ago and had a precision alignment done, where I told them the numbers I wanted, each side front and rear, and said to the tech he'd get a case of beer as a bonus if he hit those numbers exactly. He did! Before, the camber difference between the front suspensions was over 0.5 degrees - after, they matched exactly side to side, and were at the high end of the tolerance spec - in other words, optimized for handling, but still "within specs". My car handled MUCH better afterwards.

If you get a dealer doing an alignment, you'll get an alignment that is "within spec", and no better - it will be a very sloppy alignment.

Regards,
Gordon

lancesir

Yes I think the new flash smoothed out the revs as well. No HP gain or anything like that, but that's expected. It's been a week since my recall and I must admit the car felt/sounded a little different leaving the dealership. I'm wasn't sure how to describe it but Bio's description sounds pretty good.

MyRXdrug

Hey Gordon,
do you have the numbers you used for your alignment? Where did you get the numbers from?
The car handles pretty well, I wonder how it'd handle with a good alignment. Did it affect your breaking or winter traction?

Hellbreed

Had my recall done, does feel a little different on the butt dyno almost like it pulls a little earlier then before. But of course there's the reset factor so hard to say, little more driving needed.

Hellbreed

Well, one thing is for sure, my mileage is worse on the new flash by about 30 kms per tank. It still feels peppier then before though.

herbert

Yeah...mine too. I'm going to start tracking mpg again for a bit, then complain. Mine was already pretty bad but seems significantly worse now.

04RX8chk

Me too - thought maybe I wasn't keeping a close enough eye on things, but after reading the two previous posts, I am pretty sure it isn't me. I used to get about 370 km when the low gas light came on. Since the recall, the light comes at around 340 km.

The Chad

I also noticed that my mileage seemed to drop....I'm going to track it more closely.

It's hard to judge having a heavy right foot ya know