Not my 2004 loaner, thankfully. The wrecked loaner was some lady's 2005 loaner in front of me.

Took my sedan for an oilchange and some miscellaneous items this morning and I was hoping for a 2005 loaner to have a bit more pep--but I got a 2004. I was not dissapointed b/c I guess the car's ECU had been "programed" by aggressive driving--it was very fast and the manual shift delay was minimal. I have a 2003.5--Is the duration of the shift delay part of the ECU learning the driver's habits or did something change in 2004? My 2003.5 is fast/quick, but has a bit greater shift delay than the 2004.

Anyway--Back to the accident--I am driving home from work in the rush of 5pm--and I notice a new white 2005 G35 sedan a few car lengths ahead of me. As I get closer I see that it has the "BLAH-BLAH Houston Infiniti. COM" stickers on the top of the rear window. And I'm like--Hey I'm in a loaner from "BLAH-BLAH Houston Infiniti,"..........you're the reason I didn't get a 2005 loaner--so I ran her off the road into a ditch. Just Kidding--A truck ran a stop sign and smashed the lady's (2005 loaner) front right bumper,grill, headlight, hood, and fender in a low speed accident. Took camera phone pics--but just got the phone and don't have a clue on how to upload pics. Will try to post later--sorry.

 

Haha, that sucks, at least you are OK. And at least it wasn't your car

You can reset your ECU. Let the engine warm up to normal temp. Shut it off, disconnect the battery (negative cable is fine). Let it sit for 10-15. This usually lets the settings go back to factory. Hook it back up and turn the engine on and let it run for about 2-3 minutes before revving the engine or anything. Then when you drive it, drive it hard and fast, you will get it use to your new habits. Its usually good to do this after you break in the car. My mechanic has an 05 stang and he is beating it up new because he wants the ECU to learn, but on a Ford V8, it doesn't really matter.

 

Nickk6 wrote: "Haha, that sucks, at least you are OK. And at least it wasn't your car."

My post was not written that clearly b/c I was trying to be funny, I meant not my loaner--my 2004 loaner was not wrecked--It was the 2005 G35 loaner that was a couple of cars in front of me. Better them than me, but thanks for your concern anyway.

Just as I passed the intersection--there was a crash not 2 minutes later in the same intersection as the first accident. Glad it was not me, I will not be taking that short cut again.

About resetting the ECU--If I drive spiritedly, will that ECU re-program by that alone? I think in my quest for better fuel economy I have been driving light the last 6 wks or so and my low fuel light went on at 280mi, then 290mi, then 302 mi--and I drive about 20 miles beyond the low light. Thanks

 

so what happens if you crash a loaner? Who pays? would the truck driver's insurance have to pay the dealer in this case?

 

2005's auto tranny shifts much faster and downshifts with revmatching.
I was surprised, when i first drove the 2005 auto, how quickly none smg transmition can shift.
so i dont think u can do anything on your car to shift that fast.

 

You can go to the Tech & Mods section and there is a Sticky Thread that tells you how to reset the ECU using the gas pedal.

 

My 2004 AT shifts very aggressively. It is a quick shift, smooth, I love it. The only thing is, no matter how easy I drive(and lets face it in any given tank, I romp here and there to pass someone) I usually get about 18.5-19.5 MPG. I think the most I have ever acheived is 21 MPG and that is with 2/3 hwy and 1/3 city. Guess to get the EPA (lying aholes) MPG rating, I'd better be in neutral going downhill!(LOL). I don't agree with the way the EPA rates vehicles. We need real world ratings when purchasing a vehicle. Anyway, my tranny is great.

 

Hmmm, how did this thread get off into the tranny issues?

 

Well, that was my fault. Since, this was my first loaner car experience--manual mode shift delay was a bit less in my loaner--and I happened to see an 05 loaner get smashed.

I would Imagine the truck driver's ins. would pay.

Thanks for the ECU comments.

 

They have never asked for insurance on a loaner, I will have to look at the fine print the next time!

 

Yes you can. My manumatic shifts improved dramatically after installing
gordgee's 10 wire Hypergrounding kit. I also upgraded my original 2003 Automatic
Transmission software from AL001 to AL004. My 2003 5AT shifts just as quick as
the 2005 loner I drove last year.

 

UPDATE: Picked up my car last night and the problem under the hood was louder than before, so I called the service guy on the way home(6:45pm) and let him know I would be there in the morning. He called me back and said he would have a loaner for me. (by the way you can mention to the service rep. that you want your sunroof lubed--it keeps it from binding) Anyway in the morning I showed him pics of the wrecked G35 loaner---he said wow, that happened right in front of you? I said yeah, I was wondering why you didn't give me an '05? He told me that $3200 worth of damage was done to the loaner and that the insurance from the loaner-driver would pay the claim and if it was not your fault, your ins. co. will seek reimbursement from the driver at fault's ins. co. Anyway, it was the truck's fault, he ran a stop sign, so the lady's ins. co., payed the claim and will go after truck's ins.--according to the dealer.
Anyway--service rep called to see what loaner # I would get--there was one 2005 loaner--- #18Lakeshore slate--so I was.....18, 18, 18....and #2 was called and I was like--ohh man. Well wouldn't you know it, #2 is also Lakeshore slate 2005 loaner--So, in the end, I get the 2005 for a while.

Peace--anyone care to tell me how to upload pics from phone?

 

"I don't agree with the way the EPA rates vehicles."

FWIW, my highway milage is .3 MPG above the rating. City milage is only +-20 MPG though.

 

what is a gordgees grounding kit???

 

Got my car back and had everything taken care of--even though it took 2 attempts. I am happy with the car, and service overall.

Dave B--I can tell you later what I had done--you may need it on yours as well. For example--complete new 2004 compressor kit put in--etc. l8r