New Transmission 09

[Wdhitch]

Originally Posted by babybenz

Well I heard differently that our dealer offers the service

+1 Somepeople hear what they want to.....

[Smartdavis]

I can't believe it would be very hard to upgrade the transmission. The car it tiny. How many parts can there be?

[mdfortwoguy]

It's not an issue of parts, it's an issue of programming.

I completely understand smart's reasoning on this... if it makes that much of a difference to you, order a 2009. This isn't some sort of conditional upgrade, it has no impact on the durability of the vehicle or the safety of the vehicle, and they have no obligation to change it... this is why there are model year changes and improvements, and there is no reason that they should "grandfather" them in to us with 2008s.

[smark]

Its like computers, they always upgrade, to get you buy a newer faster model. This is how they make money. Somebody out there will figure out how to modify the transmission shifts for the 2008 model. The 2009 models just came out. Everybody just hold on to your horses, and wait. If not go out and buy you a new Smart. That's what they want you to do.

[Wdhitch]

I swear that people on here just look for a reason to complain instead of reading between the lines....

The Tampa Brand Manager told myself and another smart owner to our faces on two separate occasions that the flash would be made available to the 08 owners. Of course smartUSA can't acknowledge that the flash exists at this point because they are still working on the roll out.

It's called patience...

[jayskulls]

Originally Posted by Wdhitch

We've had a dealer confirm that there will be a ECU flash for the 08's to bring them up to the same program but there wasn't a time table given. It's being rolled out.

This is great news! I've nicknamed my Smart "Rocky" because of the crazy automatic transmission. Did they say it would cost anything?

[smart fortimo]

Originally Posted by mdfortwoguy

It's not an issue of parts, it's an issue of programming.

I completely understand smart's reasoning on this... if it makes that much of a difference to you, order a 2009. This isn't some sort of conditional upgrade, it has no impact on the durability of the vehicle or the safety of the vehicle, and they have no obligation to change it... this is why there are model year changes and improvements, and there is no reason that they should "grandfather" them in to us with 2008s.

there are no plans to release a program update for the 2008s.

There is a difference between making updates available and retrofitting prior model years ("grandfather" them in to us with 2008s). I'm no fool -- I am not expecting nor am I looking for a hand out.

But, if there are improvements, and I'm interested, I'm going to want it and someone is going to get my $$. It probably won't be smartUSA (see Area 451 cruise control).

[Wdhitch]

Originally Posted by smart fortimo

there are no plans to release a program update for the 2008s.

AND I'M TELLING YOU THE DEALERS ARE TELLING US DIFFERENT. HERE'S WHAT WE WERE TOLD ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS.

1. THERE WILL BE A FLASH UPDATE MADE AVAILABLE FOR THE 2008 OWNERS TO OBTAIN THE 2009 TRANSMISSION PROGRAM.

2. THE PHYSICAL PARTS OF THE TRANSMISSION ARE THE SAME AS THE 2008. ONLY THE COMPUTER PROGRAMING HAS CHANGED.

3. THERE WILL BE NO CHARGE FOR THE FLASH. THERE WAS TALK OF A RECALL BUT THIS IS HOW THEY ARE TRYING TO HANDLE IT.

4. AT THIS TIME THERE IS NO TIME TABLE FOR AVAILABILITY BECAUSE THEY ARE STILL WORKING ON HOW TO DISTRIBUTE IT TO THE DEALERS.

I can't be any clearer than that. If you want further information Justin is the contact at the Tampa dealer that told us this.

[SPDYII]

Ow Ow Ow! That hurts my ears.

[jimvw57]

So..... what are your true feelings on this..... As stated, Patience....just a matter of time...Some guy with a broken cell phone will probably figure out how to re-program it. In the meantime, sit back and enjoy. look at the shifting as stopping and smell the roses. Soon all the other manufactureres will be duplicating it.