Yet another software update.

[rugedraw]

So it's connected to the cell network? Or through your phone? I haven't seen any notifications of updates but since the car is pretty new it might not have needed any yet.

Yes, your vehicle is connected to Ford's cloud via the TCU (telematics contol unit) which is basically a modem. The problem with Ford is that the right hand does not know what the left hand is doing and they have conflicting info about these things posted for their customers. Ford tells you that you "need" to be on wifi for updates, but in reality, there have been maybe 3 total OTA's that actually require wifi, and none of those updates have been to these vehicles since what those updates were intended to fix does not apply to the Mustangs.

Screenshot below is from the OTA dashboard of my truck. Notice the three updates logged in the history all say 'No" under the "wifi required" field. OTA triggers have a window of either 14 or 30 days on the server depending on how the module being updated comminucates with the network. When an OTA is sent, if the vehicle is not started for the TCU to ping the server back to accept it, the OTA trigger will time out and fail.

So, to the people on this thread who have (or had) the spinning pinwheel issue: If an OTA was sent while the vehicle had the spinning pinwheel, then the vehicle never completed the handshake with the server for the OTA to download the files and install.

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[MidwayJ]

I went a year from new with no updates, then a couple in a couple months, then another year with nothing. If your car is working fine, you don't need any updates anyway!

Makes sense. Thanks!

 

[goodlettjr]

I agree with the theory that you don't need wifi and it uses cell only However, I connected mine to Wi-Fi a few months ago and got several back to back so who knows. Possibly only certain size and below will push OTA. Also not all cars will get all OTA updates. It isn't a one size fits all. It may only be for a limited series of vehicles, known for an issue.

 

[glenng6]

Got this one today... One item that is obvious is if the stereo is on, opening the door IMMEDIATELY silences the audio.
No more is there a delay.

Good job Ford.

I got the 26.2.4.11 yesterday!

 

[jeffnudi]

Mine updated yesterday while driving on I-95 in North Carolina. All of a sudden it was like the steering wheel was fighting me. I have never turned on the Lane Centering function, but the update apparently turned it on. It took me a few minutes to figure out which button I had to push to turn it back off. What a pain in the butt.

 

[goodlettjr]

Mine updated yesterday while driving on I-95 in North Carolina. All of a sudden it was like the steering wheel was fighting me. I have never turned on the Lane Centering function, but the update apparently turned it on. It took me a few minutes to figure out which button I had to push to turn it back off. What a pain in the butt.

Your car updated while driving?

 

[rugedraw]

I agree with the theory that you don't need wifi and it uses cell only However, I connected mine to Wi-Fi a few months ago and got several back to back so who knows. Possibly only certain size and below will push OTA. Also not all cars will get all OTA updates. It isn't a one size fits all. It may only be for a limited series of vehicles, known for an issue.

The APIM is the biggest update in terms of file sizes.....they can be up to 6GB of data if it is a full APIM update with a new OS.

Your car updated while driving?

APIM, GWM and TCU updates install while the vehicle is on and running. All other modules require the vehicle to be parked and inhibited.

 

[Starship Enterprise]

I got my update. Immediately went into settings and reverted some of the active driver aids that sometimes switch to active. The worst is emergency braking. That always comes back on. I trust my foot more than the car's camera. Need to check active lane keeping now that you mention it. As much as I love my car I absolutely hate these active steering and braking features. They are more trouble than they are worth.

 

[rbuike]

Will the updates continue when the 3/36 warranty expires? Will Ford charge after that for an update via the service department? In ten years will the vehicle be obsolete?

Probably should have asked that before you bought it ;) but that is the norm now. Obsolete doesn't mean it won't still start and drive

 

[Sofa King]

Will the updates continue when the 3/36 warranty expires? Will Ford charge after that for an update via the service department? In ten years will the vehicle be obsolete?

I was pissed when GM cut off a car of mine at the 2G sunset... it was the cell network that was obsolete... originally they were going to give everyone a box/dongle to connect to newer cell service... then the pandemic chip shortage raised their cost too much, and that idea went out the window! I would have paid to keep connected... there were no OTAs, but the app had everything the ford app has... fuel level, mileage tire, pressure, etc.. and you could find an address on your phone and "send" it to your car... the nav system was ready to go there when starting the car. I felt like a part of the car was broken... a headlight goes out, get a new one... or replace it with an upgraded one (LED/HID)... so why couldn't they just replace the cell module with a new/upgraded one.

OK, rant over... part of the reason I have fords now, lol... of course ford will likely do the same in the future!

 

[Jekyll_Hyde]

I got my update. Immediately went into settings and reverted some of the active driver aids that sometimes switch to active. The worst is emergency braking. That always comes back on. I trust my foot more than the car's camera. Need to check active lane keeping now that you mention it. As much as I love my car I absolutely hate these active steering and braking features. They are more trouble than they are worth.

You’ll regret turning off emergency braking when someone stops short and you run into the back of their car. My last car saved me twice, once on the highway when traffic went for 60 to 40 to 0 in 30 seconds. It breaks faster than a human. Of course the car behind me didn’t have EB and slammed into me, but at least I wasn’t at fault.

 

[Starship Enterprise]

I don't tailgate.

There are similar braking systems that have mistakenly stopped the car when it detected a truck in the opposite lane coming around the corner. The system mistakenly thought it was an oncoming vehicle. Car & Driver reported that happening in BMW's if I remember right.

 

[MidwayJ]

You’ll regret turning off emergency braking when someone stops short and you run into the back of their car. My last car saved me twice, once on the highway when traffic went for 60 to 40 to 0 in 30 seconds. It breaks faster than a human. Of course the car behind me didn’t have EB and slammed into me, but at least I wasn’t at fault.

Fortunately I've never rear ended anyone in nearly 50 years of driving, except for once on a clear patch of ice at very low speed. I understand where it could be helpful these days, though, with so many drivers looking at their phones.

My Maverick occasionally gives me collision warnings reacting to parked cars on the outside of curves on residential streets. When that happens I'm glad it doesn't have the auto braking feature.

 

[Ragstrom]

Probably should have asked that before you bought it ;) but that is the norm now. Obsolete doesn't mean it won't still start and drive

Exactly. My 2016 Ram used to get OTA updates. It came with a 3G connection. Guess what? That crap is dead and I don't get any more updates yet the truck is perfectly fine. Let's get back to reality, not everything needs to be connected.

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