tranny 2.0 (official program name: “smart 2.0 Check Up”)
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144 Posts
I just had my upgrade done today and so far I'm very happy with it. The shifts in auto feel much smoother.
Transmission Upgrade for 2008 Fortwo Owners
I just got a letter from smart:
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The smart USA team is celebrating our first year in the USA with a call to all Model Year 2008 smart fortwo owners to bring their cars to their smart center dealership for a "smart 2.0 Check Up". For owners of 2008 models, we will upgrade your transmission to the new 2009 operating mode which provides for improved shifting dynamics as well as instant changing between automatic and paddle shifting just by touching either the up or down shift paddles. Holed the upshift (+) paddle for 2 seconds and you are back in automatic! It is great for driving in hilly conditions where you need a few more RPMs to keep you up to speed.
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I can't wait to see if this really does improve the shifting.
I just got a letter from smart:
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The smart USA team is celebrating our first year in the USA with a call to all Model Year 2008 smart fortwo owners to bring their cars to their smart center dealership for a "smart 2.0 Check Up". For owners of 2008 models, we will upgrade your transmission to the new 2009 operating mode which provides for improved shifting dynamics as well as instant changing between automatic and paddle shifting just by touching either the up or down shift paddles. Holed the upshift (+) paddle for 2 seconds and you are back in automatic! It is great for driving in hilly conditions where you need a few more RPMs to keep you up to speed.
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I can't wait to see if this really does improve the shifting.
Joined
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499 Posts
I had the 'killer bee' done yesterday morning at Loeber in Chicago. Trans flash, new battery, new drivers seat belt (SRS light was on), new sunscreen, manual, Vin tag, door sticker and manual. 2.5 hours overall. The transmission changes are well worth the time if only for the ability to shift between auto/manual modes which is pretty fast resulting in better over all performance. The shifts are ever so slightly faster and smoother also.
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26 Posts
flash
Any one have the experience of the flsh not working? They tried to do it on my car and it wouldn't take. they don't know why.
Any one have the experience of the flsh not working? They tried to do it on my car and it wouldn't take. they don't know why.
Joined
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431 Posts
had mine done yesterday.. love the new update. had my battery replaced as well only took 2 hrs and they gave me a loaner
the shifting is a little better.. the paddle shifting while on drive does come in handy but defeats the purpose of ever turning the shifter to be on manual mode
the shifting is a little better.. the paddle shifting while on drive does come in handy but defeats the purpose of ever turning the shifter to be on manual mode
Practically speaking, although at first I thought it was a good idea, but now realize this isn't much of an improvement. I tried using auto mode after the change but found it was so irritating that after starting off I immediately pressed the paddle to shift to manual mode anyway.
If you do use the "auto" mode primarily it will at least allow you more control over engine rpms when you need it - but why not just use the manual mode instead? Besides, it was easy enough to just nudge the shift lever sideways to go from auto to manual or vice versa. There is no advantage to keeping it in auto mode. Shifting by using the paddles or even the shift lever is so easy and intuitive that it is irrational to put up with the nonsense of that poorly implemented auto mode. This modification was a partial attempt to mitigate the problem.
As far as quicker shifting is concerned, there is really not much change at all. I did notice that the "creep" is more gradual though. That never bothered me anyway because I always put the transmission in neutral when stopped.
Although the shift mapping in auto is related to fuel mileage and they probably didn't want to change that, it should have also been altered to shift gears at higher rpms.
Get it done by all means, but don't expect miracles. Because of complaints regarding the "auto" shifting, my understanding is that a focus group was used to determine the best compromise to improve matters and they came up with this solution.
As far as I'm concerned, the best solution would be to get rid of the PRND consol, advertise the car as a clutchless manual, install tachometers in every model, and teach those unfamiliar with manual transmissions what to do. It's so easy to shift manually with this transmission that a child could learn and do it proficiently in a matter of minutes. An advertising campaign related to that would do wonders to car sales and eliminate the major complaint of virtually every reviewer of the smart car. It has a wonderful manual shift but a ridiculous auto shift. Change the focus from trying to sell it as an auto transmission and instead market it as a fun and easy to drive manual (which it actually is).
If you do use the "auto" mode primarily it will at least allow you more control over engine rpms when you need it - but why not just use the manual mode instead? Besides, it was easy enough to just nudge the shift lever sideways to go from auto to manual or vice versa. There is no advantage to keeping it in auto mode. Shifting by using the paddles or even the shift lever is so easy and intuitive that it is irrational to put up with the nonsense of that poorly implemented auto mode. This modification was a partial attempt to mitigate the problem.
As far as quicker shifting is concerned, there is really not much change at all. I did notice that the "creep" is more gradual though. That never bothered me anyway because I always put the transmission in neutral when stopped.
Although the shift mapping in auto is related to fuel mileage and they probably didn't want to change that, it should have also been altered to shift gears at higher rpms.
Get it done by all means, but don't expect miracles. Because of complaints regarding the "auto" shifting, my understanding is that a focus group was used to determine the best compromise to improve matters and they came up with this solution.
As far as I'm concerned, the best solution would be to get rid of the PRND consol, advertise the car as a clutchless manual, install tachometers in every model, and teach those unfamiliar with manual transmissions what to do. It's so easy to shift manually with this transmission that a child could learn and do it proficiently in a matter of minutes. An advertising campaign related to that would do wonders to car sales and eliminate the major complaint of virtually every reviewer of the smart car. It has a wonderful manual shift but a ridiculous auto shift. Change the focus from trying to sell it as an auto transmission and instead market it as a fun and easy to drive manual (which it actually is).
Joined
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2,188 Posts
It seems like the benefit of being able to switch to manual from auto without nudging the shifter to the left is offset quite a bit every time you make a turn. Since it's tough to shift using the paddles during a turn, it seems like you'd have to nudge the shifter anyway, in which case you might as well leave it in manual.
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9,509 Posts
Thread's notice
You may find that some posts look like "new to the subject". Those are actually moved from other threads: it happens that Members are starting new threads on a subject already covered elsewhere.
Do not blame the Poster(s), they most likely have a valid reason to "miss" the old thread – probably because, to them, the title wasn't clear enough or not related...
We may try to merge when it is not too confusing. Especially if newer post(s) bring a new and beneficial angle to the "older" thread.
Your patience is really appreciated. Thank you.
You may find that some posts look like "new to the subject". Those are actually moved from other threads: it happens that Members are starting new threads on a subject already covered elsewhere.
Do not blame the Poster(s), they most likely have a valid reason to "miss" the old thread – probably because, to them, the title wasn't clear enough or not related...
We may try to merge when it is not too confusing. Especially if newer post(s) bring a new and beneficial angle to the "older" thread.
Your patience is really appreciated. Thank you.
What is in a name?
One of the problems with the various 2.0 threading is that apparently smartUSA didn't put an official title on the upgrade program for the dealers' use (or if they did, the dealers ignored it). Some dealers are calling it a recall, others a transmission upgrade (only), one refers only to the emissions sticker, and so on -- potentially 70-or-so different descriptions for the same thing.
Add: Official program name is "smart 2.0 Check Up."
One of the problems with the various 2.0 threading is that apparently smartUSA didn't put an official title on the upgrade program for the dealers' use (or if they did, the dealers ignored it). Some dealers are calling it a recall, others a transmission upgrade (only), one refers only to the emissions sticker, and so on -- potentially 70-or-so different descriptions for the same thing.
Add: Official program name is "smart 2.0 Check Up."
Joined
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499 Posts
Shifting 2.0
This is my 2nd post since having mine reflashed and I will say that some changes are very subtle, some are much better such as running up near red line and not having the shift hang up while upshifting to the next gear. The shifts in auto seem to be a little more responsive and a little faster, shifts in manual are definitely faster. The car is now much more fun to drive.
This is my 2nd post since having mine reflashed and I will say that some changes are very subtle, some are much better such as running up near red line and not having the shift hang up while upshifting to the next gear. The shifts in auto seem to be a little more responsive and a little faster, shifts in manual are definitely faster. The car is now much more fun to drive.
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11,903 Posts
My dealer Guessed because he hasn't done one yet.
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9,509 Posts
It may depend on what your car actually needs, the whole shebang or simply the flash?
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161 Posts
Kudos
"smart 2.0 Check Up" completed by smart center of Cherry Hill this AM in just under three hours. Full recall including new battery, and Owners' Manual (a vaste improvement over original).
I like the new shifting program. Once up to speed I return to Auto mode via the paddle shifter, then at next stoplight I can engage manual mode seemlessly - without moving floor shift to left. Now I have to watch more Formula One races on TV to perfect my technique.
BTW, if you live in the area there is a nice selection of '08s and '09s on the lot, plus a few tricked out smarts in the garage. Check out the "Off-Road" package complete with 'Roo Bars. And there is a Sale in Parts Department.
Kudos to Service Advisor David Stamato and all the staff at smart center of Cherry Hill!
"smart 2.0 Check Up" completed by smart center of Cherry Hill this AM in just under three hours. Full recall including new battery, and Owners' Manual (a vaste improvement over original).
I like the new shifting program. Once up to speed I return to Auto mode via the paddle shifter, then at next stoplight I can engage manual mode seemlessly - without moving floor shift to left. Now I have to watch more Formula One races on TV to perfect my technique.
BTW, if you live in the area there is a nice selection of '08s and '09s on the lot, plus a few tricked out smarts in the garage. Check out the "Off-Road" package complete with 'Roo Bars. And there is a Sale in Parts Department.
Kudos to Service Advisor David Stamato and all the staff at smart center of Cherry Hill!
Joined
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3,895 Posts
Shouldn't be "shabang" because "shebang" sounds just wrong.
Call your smart center and ask them if they can go ahead and do the upgrade.Do we have to wait for a letter from smart usa or the dealer to get these upgrades? I haven't been notified, but my 08 has comfort pack, so I would think I'd be invited for the new battery as well as the flash.
What's a girl gotta do to get flashed?
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