OTA Insight

[evant8950]

Hi,

I have a 2024 Mustang GT premium. I have only received the 6.2 update but no others. I have tried factory resetting the head unit to no avail. Could someone perhaps provide some insight to whether my car is in line to get an update or should I take it to the dealer? My vin is 1FA6P8CF9R5407759

Thank you!

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[roadpilot]

Even if you are behind (I don't believe you are, but @rugedraw can confirm), taking it to the dealer will result in absolutely nothing being done. They don't apply updates just because, and they don't do them for free. These are not like cell phones where you just push "update" and it checks for the latest and greatest, and applies if there is one. Firmware is usually only updated manually if related to warranty work for a specific module or repair. Further, there is no set schedule for when you or anyone else will get an update once it is released. You'll get it when Ford sends it to your car.

 

[rugedraw]

I'll run the VIN in PTS tomorrow, but everything @roadpilot said is accurate.

 

[evant8950]

Thank you for the responses. I was just curious and a bit perplexed. I appreciate ya'll taking the time to respond and look up the vin number!

 

[Zig]

Where is it parked most of the time? We’ve only received / had ota updates applied one day after having the car outside the garage for 12+ hours. Currently on 6.4

 

[BrianJ77]

I'm in the same boat as the OP. Waiting on 6.3.2 to get the new cluster theme. In the meantime, I just use the track cluster. I like the tach front and center now that she's broken in and I can finally let her eat (makes it easier to time those shifts with the big tach). Puts a smile on my face every time!

 

[rugedraw]

@evant8950 OTA history is below. 6.1.0 was sent to you a few times before it went through, but 6.2.0 went through the first time. No other active OTA trigger for you at this time. There is no way to force an OTA to be sent to you and it is impossible to predict when it will be sent. There is nothing you can do but wait when it comes to the OTA process.

 

[evant8950]

@rugedraw thank you for looking that up! I appreciate it.

The car is usually parked outside but I try to put it in range of my WiFi. I even have connected it to the hotspot on my phone while I am driving so it could potentially download updates. The ford website is a bit misleading because it says connect to WiFi to receive immediate updates. I guess I will have to win the ota lottery.

 

[Zig]

@rugedraw thank you for looking that up! I appreciate it.

The car is usually parked outside but I try to put it in range of my WiFi. I even have connected it to the hotspot on my phone while I am driving so it could potentially download updates. The ford website is a bit misleading because it says connect to WiFi to receive immediate updates. I guess I will have to win the ota lottery.

It’s my understanding ota’s prefer cellular but may fall back to wifi for emergencies.

 

[rugedraw]

@rugedraw thank you for looking that up! I appreciate it.

The car is usually parked outside but I try to put it in range of my WiFi. I even have connected it to the hotspot on my phone while I am driving so it could potentially download updates. The ford website is a bit misleading because it says connect to WiFi to receive immediate updates. I guess I will have to win the ota lottery.

Since Sync 4 was first introduced in 2020 with the 2021 F150 and Mach E's, only two OTA's have required wifi to install. In the screenshot I sent you, you'll notice there is a column illustrating if wifi is required or not. 99% of updates will come in through cellular even if you're connect to wifi.

 

[evant8950]

@rugedraw that is good to know. I won't worry as much about making sure the car always has a wifi connection.

 

[roadpilot]

I'm in the same boat as the OP. Waiting on 6.3.2 to get the new cluster theme. In the meantime, I just use the track cluster. I like the tach front and center now that she's broken in and I can finally let her eat (makes it easier to time those shifts with the big tach). Puts a smile on my face every time!

One way to avoid waiting (assuming that you are behind AND assuming the firmware update(s) you want are critical) is to do the updates yourself manually. I'm not referring to just Sync updates ... I'm talking about ANY firmware updates released for ANY of the dozens of modules in your vehicle.

Doing this, however, requires an expensive purchase up front (Mongoose-Plus vehicle interface cable - about $540) and, each time you want to apply updates, you have to purchase a 2-day subscription to FDRS (Ford Diagnostics & Repair System - the same system the Ford techs use @ the dealership) for $50.

I, @rugedraw, and others have done this for years on our F150s. I actually applied everything that was outstanding on the Dark Horse when I first got it a couple months ago.

It does require the ability to use and understand a computer for more than just browsing the web, and you really should have a basic understanding of how modern cars have modules (think: mini computers) that control just about every aspect of the vehicle. It's not rocket science in any way, but it's also not for your average luddite, either.

 

[BrianJ77]

Since Sync 4 was first introduced in 2020 with the 2021 F150 and Mach E's, only two OTA's have required wifi to install. In the screenshot I sent you, you'll notice there is a column illustrating if wifi is required or not. 99% of updates will come in through cellular even if you're connect to wifi.

Do you know what cellular network they use? I live in a pretty rural area and have to have a Verizon signal extender at the house for my cell phone to work. Any phone on the Verizon network can automatically connect using it. Will the car use that extender like a normal cell tower, or does it go through WiFi which I also have installed on the car?

 

[BrianJ77]

One way to avoid waiting (assuming that you are behind AND assuming the firmware update(s) you want are critical) is to do the updates yourself manually. I'm not referring to just Sync updates ... I'm talking about ANY firmware updates released for ANY of the dozens of modules in your vehicle.

Doing this, however, requires an expensive purchase up front (Mongoose-Plus vehicle interface cable - about $540) and, each time you want to apply updates, you have to purchase a 2-day subscription to FDRS (Ford Diagnostics & Repair System - the same system the Ford techs use @ the dealership) for $50.

I, @rugedraw, and others have done this for years on our F150s. I actually applied everything that was outstanding on the Dark Horse when I first got it a couple months ago.

It does require the ability to use and understand a computer for more than just browsing the web, and you really should have a basic understanding of how modern cars have modules (think: mini computers) that control just about every aspect of the vehicle. It's not rocket science in any way, but it's also not for your average luddite, either.

Interesting! A little pricey for an OTA but could prove valuable in the future. Thank you!

 

[roadpilot]

Do you know what cellular network they use? I love in a pretty rural area and have to have a Verizon signal extender at the house for my cell phone to work. Any phone on the Verizon network can automatically connect using it. Will the car use that extender like a normal cell tower, or does it go through WiFi which I also have installed on the car?

I believe it is AT&T. Yes, the TCU (telematics control unit) is the "modem" in your car that connects like a cell phone.

Again, WiFi is pretty much useless for 99% of the OTA updates. It's only used if a firmware update is required to repair/restore the TCU or gateway that gets your OTA working via celluar.

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