If nothing happens when you hit 1,2,3 that means Maya 8.5 doesnt have the smooth preview.

Smooth preview and Mesh Smooth are 2 different things mate. The preview is just that...a preview. The Mesh Smooth is a final proper smooth...if you use that then save it...you are buggered as it will BAKE it with all those divisions.

Remember they are TWO different types of smooth

cheers bullet