E.B. Cornburner
Explorer Addict
- Joined
- April 20, 2007
- Messages
- 1,131
- Reaction score
- 7
- City, State
- Oshkosh, WI
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2004 Eddie Bauer
I finally got a day off work, and planned to go to a big car show/swap meet, but since it was raining profusely, I decided not to go. I don't like trudging thru a swamp just to find some cheap parts.
So since I was bored out of my mind, and had nowhere to go, I stopped over by my Ford dealer and asked them if they could flash in any new software updates to my PCM. Initially, the service writer asked why, but when I got into explaining, he more or less stopped me and said we'll get it done for you.
45 minutes and $100 later, my PCM has all the newest updates. The tech didn't get into specifics about what was done, but mentioned that there were a bunch of updates that he installed.
My first road test I noticed the tranny does shift a little bit firmer and quicker now, especially 2-3 upshift. 1-2 is about the same, 3-4 is a little better, and 4-5 is a little better. There's still some of the original "stepping on an imaginary clutch pedal" feeling, but it's about half or less now. 2-3 upshift is really nice...It hits 3rd gear with some authority now, where before that was the sloppiest of all the gearshifts.
I also noticed the amount of lag time on a kickdown or when rounding a city street corner is greatly improved. Before, you'd make a corner and it seemed like the tranny was a bit confused on what it was supposed to do.
Engaging reverse or drive from park is quicker. Before, there was a considerable delay in initial gear engagement.
The throttle response is improved. I even mentioned a TSB regarding this, and the updates took care of it.
It seems to idle a little better. Before, it would always have a little unevenness to it at a warm idle.
When started, it idles up for a little while longer than before, and then smoothly settles in to its normal RPM. Before, it would quickly slow to its curb idle speed, and sometimes surge up and down till it warmed up a bit.
The best part is it's getting considerably better MPG now! Cruising on the freeway I'm now seeing 17-18 MPG on E85 fuel! That's better than it used to get on gasoline! I have to take a trip to the southern part of the state on Sunday, so that'll be an accurate way to measure any improvement. Last time I had to take that trip, I averaged about 15.7 MPG running on E85.
I'm happy with the results...I can't see anywhere that changed for the worse. Everything they did has made an improvement. In my opinion it was well worth the money spent.
So since I was bored out of my mind, and had nowhere to go, I stopped over by my Ford dealer and asked them if they could flash in any new software updates to my PCM. Initially, the service writer asked why, but when I got into explaining, he more or less stopped me and said we'll get it done for you.
45 minutes and $100 later, my PCM has all the newest updates. The tech didn't get into specifics about what was done, but mentioned that there were a bunch of updates that he installed.
My first road test I noticed the tranny does shift a little bit firmer and quicker now, especially 2-3 upshift. 1-2 is about the same, 3-4 is a little better, and 4-5 is a little better. There's still some of the original "stepping on an imaginary clutch pedal" feeling, but it's about half or less now. 2-3 upshift is really nice...It hits 3rd gear with some authority now, where before that was the sloppiest of all the gearshifts.
I also noticed the amount of lag time on a kickdown or when rounding a city street corner is greatly improved. Before, you'd make a corner and it seemed like the tranny was a bit confused on what it was supposed to do.
Engaging reverse or drive from park is quicker. Before, there was a considerable delay in initial gear engagement.
The throttle response is improved. I even mentioned a TSB regarding this, and the updates took care of it.
It seems to idle a little better. Before, it would always have a little unevenness to it at a warm idle.
When started, it idles up for a little while longer than before, and then smoothly settles in to its normal RPM. Before, it would quickly slow to its curb idle speed, and sometimes surge up and down till it warmed up a bit.
The best part is it's getting considerably better MPG now! Cruising on the freeway I'm now seeing 17-18 MPG on E85 fuel! That's better than it used to get on gasoline! I have to take a trip to the southern part of the state on Sunday, so that'll be an accurate way to measure any improvement. Last time I had to take that trip, I averaged about 15.7 MPG running on E85.
I'm happy with the results...I can't see anywhere that changed for the worse. Everything they did has made an improvement. In my opinion it was well worth the money spent.
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