Ford Got BlueCruise Out to EA VIP by the End of the Quarter, but…

[Logal727]

I am confused. Two updates make your car unusable for 30 min each and a third for over an hour? How is that great news for Job 1 cars?

Ford originally said we can use our cars while the updates install in the background and then the next time we start the car it switches over to the new software seamlessly.

Prior to placing my order for the MME, I scheduled to test drive the Tesla Model Y and when we walked out to the car it wouldn't work because it was updating. They put us in a M3 instead which isn't really the same thing. Even then, we had to wait quite a while before the MY was ready to drive.

So then I researched the Ford product and found multiple instances where they stated every module is updatable over the air and we would never be without the use of our car while it was updating itself. Those features was a selling point for me so I am saddened to know the vehicle doesn't function as expected.

Still like the car but just a bit disappointed in the apparent disconnect between marketing and engineering.

Most updates you can do while
It’s driving, only limited number of updates require car to be off because it touches vital modules. You can also have it do it in the middle of the night. I don’t see the issue at all. Can you use your iPhone when you install an update? This isn’t a new thing with technology.

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[Logal727]

Some F150s in the BC OTA queue also right? How are they doing?

Would be surprised if most F-150 owners knew what BC was.

 

[SnBGC]

I'm pretty sure that Ford said early on that only some (not all) updates can be performed in the background. I do not have automatic updates set on. I only let it update when I'm home for the night and have no super critical plans for the next morning. So far I've had zero problems with OTA updates, have not experienced any inconvenience. Right now my biggest issue is how do I test BlueCruise, since I get on the freeway so rarely.

I don't remember when the story changed. When I placed my order, the belief was the car would operate while updating. I think the clarification came after the car was delivered if I remember correctly.

I just want accurate info. We expect to replace the dozen or so pickups in our fleet with the BEV version when they are available but I have reason to second guess that decision because our trucks need to be ready whenever the drivers start their shift. Last thing we need is to pay our guys to sit on site or leave the yard late because the vehicle is updating. Even scheduling isn't the solution because our guys are on call so they sometimes have to respond to emergencies at weird hours.

I wonder how the police Mach-E s are going to handle this issue? Maybe fleet vehicles are exempt from having to submit to down time? If so, then that would be an acceptable solution for those of us that rely on our vehicles more than the average user.

 

[JoeDimwit]

I don't remember when the story changed. When I placed my order, the belief was the car would operate while updating. I think the clarification came after the car was delivered if I remember correctly.

I just want accurate info. We expect to replace the dozen or so pickups in our fleet with the BEV version when they are available but I have reason to second guess that decision because our trucks need to be ready whenever the drivers start their shift. Last thing we need is to pay our guys to sit on site or leave the yard late because the vehicle is updating. Even scheduling isn't the solution because our guys are on call so they sometimes have to respond to emergencies at weird hours.

I wonder how the police Mach-E s are going to handle this issue? Maybe fleet vehicles are exempt from having to submit to down time? If so, then that would be an acceptable solution for those of us that rely on our vehicles more than the average user.

You can schedule when the updates happen. So, you could pick a time of day to update that you are unlikely to need the vehicles, or if your business isnt running 7 days/week, you can set the schedule to allow updates on only the days you are closed.

 

[SnBGC]

Most updates you can do while
It’s driving, only limited number of updates require car to be off because it touches vital modules. You can also have it do it in the middle of the night. I don’t see the issue at all. Can you use your iPhone when you install an update? This isn’t a new thing with technology.

I can live without a phone. Don't care about that. In fact, I don't even own a cell phone. The mobile phone I carry is issued by my employer and I only allow that to update while i am at my office desk. It can't go down during off hours because it is an emergency phone.

Our Jeep 4xe does OTAs also and they sometimes take 30-45 minutes but if we need the vehicle then we can drive it and the update will cancel and try later. That would be fine with me if the Mach-E offered me that same choice.

One of my biggest customers is the local utility company and they expect us to respond whenever there is a downed street light pole (usually due to accidents but sometimes they rust and fall over in high winds). Time is important for public safety. Depending on the area of town, I might be the manager that is closest to the scene so I will get there and secure the area while my guys head into town to drive out the heavier equipment.

In fact, the utility company actually installs radios in our fleet trucks just to mitigate the possibility of the cell phones not working. We don't get them in our personal vehicles of course but it would be a nice thing to have a portable version that I could carry when needed.

 

[SnBGC]

You can schedule when the updates happen. So, you could pick a time of day to update that you are unlikely to need the vehicles, or if your business isnt running 7 days/week, you can set the schedule to allow updates on only the days you are closed.

We are 24/7. Emergency services.

I think there are some police versions of the MME. I wonder how they solve that issue?

 

[JoeDimwit]

We are 24/7. Emergency services.

Would it be possible to schedule them rolling times? Like truck 1 updates at 2:00 am, truck 2 updates at 4:00am, etc?

 

[generaltso]

Our Jeep 4xe does OTAs also and they sometimes take 30-45 minutes but if we need the vehicle then we can drive it and the update will cancel and try later.

But those are just Uconnect updates, right?

 

[JCHLi]

Updates are happening during weekends

But, beware, they have to give the more senior computers first crack at these weekend updates, otherwise they'll end up having to pay them for the weekend as well...

 

[macchiaz-o]

We are 24/7. Emergency services.

I think there are some police versions of the MME. I wonder how they solve that issue?

Officers get time off. Patrol cars get routine maintenance, i.e. downtime. It's not the same for your employees? Some of them are on call all the time?

 

[RonTCat]

Some F150s in the BC OTA queue also right? How are they doing?

Yes. Similar to Mach-E.

 

[Jimrpa]

Officers get time off. Patrol cars get routine maintenance, i.e. downtime. It's not the same for your employees? Some of them are on call all the time?

There is a major health care system where I live that operates the only fleet of air ambulances (helicopters) in the area. Obviously, major health care emergencies aren’t kind enough to wait when the aircraft are in for required maintenance and checks. If they’re able to take air ambulances out of service of maintenance and checks without seriously impacting public safety, I suspect you might find a way to periodically take a Mustang Mach E out of service.

 

[SnBGC]

Would it be possible to schedule them rolling times? Like truck 1 updates at 2:00 am, truck 2 updates at 4:00am, etc?

I presume so. But, if we get an emergency call an arrive at 1 am then if the update starts while we are in the middle of the road/accident scene then that could be problematic. I sent an e-mail to the Telematics team for Ford's fleet system so they might have a reasonable solution.

I don't use PaaK for a similar reason. Sometimes I need to move my car so I usually hand my fob to one of the officers or EMT workers and have them move it for me. They usually get a kick put of driving that thing.

 

[Blue highway]

I am confused. Two updates make your car unusable for 30 min each and a third for over an hour? How is that great news for Job 1 cars?

Ford originally said we can use our cars while the updates install in the background and then the next time we start the car it switches over to the new software seamlessly.

Prior to placing my order for the MME, I scheduled to test drive the Tesla Model Y and when we walked out to the car it wouldn't work because it was updating. They put us in a M3 instead which isn't really the same thing. Even then, we had to wait quite a while before the MY was ready to drive.

So then I researched the Ford product and found multiple instances where they stated every module is updatable over the air and we would never be without the use of our car while it was updating itself. Those features was a selling point for me so I am saddened to know the vehicle doesn't function as expected.

Still like the car but just a bit disappointed in the apparent disconnect between marketing and engineering.

Huh? if you would like a time capsule, just don't accept any updates. Updates for my phone, PC, and various devices all take some time during which the device is unusable.

Getting updates is great news. Getting updates 8 months after the same software has been installed daily in new cars is disappointing... but waiting an hour for an update that's finally coming... I'm in.

 

[SnBGC]

Officers get time off. Patrol cars get routine maintenance, i.e. downtime. It's not the same for your employees? Some of them are on call all the time?

Time off for employees yes, the vehicles not so much. Some of our trucks run double shifts each work day. Usually idle on weekends though. We have a specific maintenance schedule to minimize downtime. Stuff happens though. Trucks do breakdown and that is when it gets really hectic.

Preventative maintenance is one thing and expected to keep the machine in service. Updating software is not something that should be necessary for the vehicle to function. We have trucks in our fleet that are still running the same software the vehicle shipped with.

We don't need games or full screen CarPlay or stuff like that for our fleet. We want the vehicle to work the same as when new. If the powertrain needs an update then the dealer or service tech can flash the PCM. That has been working fine for over 20 years so it should be a reasonable thing to ask for still.

At a minimum, allow is to use the vehicle and cancel the updatebfor another time. Sounds simple to me. ???

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