Jim Farley “Winter update to improve range”

[MellowJohnny]

To be clear these words were the author’s, not mine. He asks the question in the article and implies the manufacturers are engaged in some sort of deception, when in reality they are just following their local testing protocols, warts and all.

Here’s the link to the article if you happen to subscribe to Apple News:

https://apple.news/A-JU9NNKIQdeTjPrnrnJi5Q

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[Jonno21]

Here is a power up history.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Power-Up_Version_History

Thanks. I'm aware of this list which has been kindly compiled from Forum members experiences. The release notes (as provided by Ford) do not include which countries these updates apply to. For example, some of the APIM updates do not include some of the games for the U.K. which are available in the U.S. (Not complaining too much about that one) There are other updates to PAAK (which we don't get due to insurance companies over here) and Bluecruise (which we probably won't get as the roads are too crowded anyway.) For UK noobs the list implies we will get what the U.S. gets unless they dig down in the forum.

 

[Pells11]

I have a friend that works on the software side at Ford Model e. When I told him I got my Mach e in late December when it was 0 degrees out he wrote to me:

"You will see a dip in range in cold weather but we are working on improving that now "

So seems to me that they are still working on this as this was just a few weeks ago.

 

[Pioneer74]

So seems to me that they are still working on this as this was just a few weeks ago.

I hope they don't "fix" it like they did on the Lightning. With one of the latest updates the DTE defaults to unrealistic numbers like the driving data is reset at every charge. The DTE used to be spot on. Now it can't be trusted.

 

[Blue highway]

Well, as always nothing is perfect and the EPA came up with their testing standards for EV's when EV's were in their infancy - so the EPA did a lot of estimating when designing the test procedures. The mileage tests are an approximation, and always have been - whether for ICE or BEV. In the case of BEVs the EPA mandates a 2 cycle test, but allows an optional 5 cycle test. It turns out that the 2 cycle test is conservative, but the optional 3 tests significantly overestimate range. EPA did this to allow carmakers to "cheap out" on the testing, and that's what all the manufacturers do - except Tesla. So, Tesla is playing by the rules but the rules are unrealistic. Ford and the other manufacturers know this, but they're afraid to get sued when people get stranded so they stick with the conservative tests. Musk on the other hand habitually lies/exaggerates, and until very recently has gotten away with it.

The problem the EPA has is that the testing cycles are now entrenched - and they can't change those tests and force carmakers to retest old cars. If new cars play by different rules, it makes it harder for consumers to compare legacy cars to new, and I am guessing that is why the EPA is sticking with their tests. Fundamentally the real problem is that it is impossible to come up with a single metric that applies in all situations, which is why they probably aren't bothering to address it.

could be worse... We could be stuck with the WLTP which is worthless.

 

[timbop]

could be worse... We could be stuck with the WLTP which is worthless.

I thought you were going to say "it could be raining" ?

 

[WLB]

I can share a weird thing that has taken place twice now. My car is in a heated garage and charged to 90%. I always start it to get the cabin warmed up. I have a 10 mile drive to pick up my grandkids in the morning, it is below zero and I check all my settings as I wait for the garage door to close as I leave. SOC is at 89% but I really do not check range but I have not seen it over 150 this winter. I arrive at my destination and my SOC is up to 93% and GOM is over 160. I was hoping that this was the Northern Lights somehow charging my battery while driving but now I know it is just some software manipulation! (Actually I believe battery temp factors into the SOC calc but that makes for a lousy story!)

I didn’t know a warm garage would help mileage, does it? May look like more mile range (until you leave), but it’s still cold outside….

 

[The Black Horse]

NO ONE HAS LIED TO ME MORE THAN JIM FARLEY.

 

[spgordon57]

I just saw this on twitter and wanted to ask if anyone knows what update Jim was referring to in this Twitter post
Is this different than the heating update or something entirely new because I haven’t seen any recent update for increased winter range being discussed.

The 2023 model (Premium Long Range) model has a bump in range over the 2022 model, from 277 miles to 290 miles. I am not aware of any changes in hardware or battery chemistry/size, and never found out how that increase was accomplished. If due to software updates, could they possibly upload the same changes to the MY 2022s?

 

[Maquis]

I hope they don't "fix" it like they did on the Lightning. With one of the latest updates the DTE defaults to unrealistic numbers like the driving data is reset at every charge. The DTE used to be spot on. Now it can't be trusted.

My Lightning GOM currently shows 277 @ 90%….my MME 186. The MME is pretty accurate for the current climate and driving style.
To be fair, I haven’t established much driving history with the Lightning yet.

 

[AKgrampy]

I didn’t know a warm garage would help mileage, does it? May look like more mile range (until you leave), but it’s still cold outside….

Does not help mileage. What I suspect is happening is as the battery cools the stored energy reflects a greater SOC. if I did not have a garage I suspect I would not see this happen. From other replies I now see it is a common occurrence.

 

[Jppumper]

Looking forward to that Q1 Frunk button though… ?


We have a '21 and when I received an onboard update, plus my phone app was refreshed with a "Frunk" button. I tried it and it works unclamping the lock mechanism, but you still have to lift the bonnet manually.

 

[generaltso]

Looking forward to that Q1 Frunk button though… ?


We have a '21 and when I received an onboard update, plus my phone app was refreshed with a "Frunk" button. I tried it and it works unclamping the lock mechanism, but you still have to lift the bonnet manually.

Are you saying you have a 2021 Job 1 car with a working frunk button in FordPass? What’s your build date?

 

[Jppumper]

Are you saying you have a 2021 Job 1 car with a working frunk button in FordPass? What’s your build date?

Car was built in the Aug-Sep time frame. We took delivery the week before Thanksgiving

2021.

 

[generaltso]

Car was built in the Aug-Sep time frame. We took delivery the week before Thanksgiving 2021.

That's Job 2. You've always had a frunk button.

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