First off, please forgive me if this topic has already been covered.

I just purchased my 4 Cyl EX- L 2010 three days ago. I am still getting to know it and Accords in general.

I noticed that toward the end of this cycle, they released the Special Edition.

The Special Edition seems to have the same four cylinder engine and the same five speed transmission, but it also seems that the transmission was re-programmed to upshift more quickly creating better fuel efficiency.

I am wondering, is this a software change that can be done by the dealership?

 

My understanding is the transmission change is both internal and electronic; there really is nothing you can do short of replacing the transmission control units. The cost of such a modification would never be recovered in fuel savings; per the EPA, the difference in the two cars amounts to $50 per year in fuel savings if you drive 15,000 miles per year. Given it would cost thousands of dollars to have the transmission upgraded, you would need to drive the car a million miles or more to get even close to recovering the costs.