2024 Mach-E GT vs. 2023 Premium: BlueCruise and SYNC 4A Observations

[Anthropod]

I recently added a 2024 Mach-E GT with the Performance Upgrade to our garage, joining my wife’s 2023 Standard Range Mach-E Premium. Both vehicles are fantastic, but I’ve noticed some differences on my drive home yesterday.


BlueCruise Experience:
On the drive home in the GT, I observed that BlueCruise maintained lane centering more smoothly compared to the 2023 Premium. While the 2023’s system is great, it occasionally exhibited a slight “ping-pong” effect within the lane (Never bothered me just didn't drive like I do.) The GT’s system felt more refined and natural, I did not get a "ping-pong" effect.


Software Versions:
Interestingly, my wife’s 2023 Premium has a newer software version than my 2024 GT. I’m anticipating over-the-air updates for the GT, but this raises questions about the differences in hardware and software between the two models.


Hardware Upgrades:
The dealership mentioned that the 2024 models feature upgraded cameras and CPUs, which could explain the improved BlueCruise performance. However, I haven’t found official documentation confirming these hardware enhancements. Seems a bit fishy.


Questions for the Community:

• Hardware Differences: Are there confirmed SYNC 4A hardware upgrades in the 2024 Mach-E models, particularly concerning cameras and processing units?

• Software Impact: Could the observed improvements in BlueCruise be solely due to software updates (Like updates broke/fixed/other), or is hardware a significant factor?

I have driven the same stretch of highway and the 2024 BlueCruise handled it a bit better. (Please note that the 2023 was great too...I could just tell it was a bit better in the 2024)

So glad I got this 2024. I never thought I would have a his and hers situation. But, after driving tons and tons of EV's and having my wonderful wife's blessing to get what I wanted...it was clear I wanted a Mach-E.

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[Sikkun]

23 most likely has the newest version of 1.3 while the 24 does not (or the other way around). Yes, there are multiple versions of 1.3.

They will most likely end up on the same version eventually.

 

[HuntingPudel]

The ‘23 has a newer version of Sync (the software that provides the user interface in the center screen) but it’s likely that the ‘24 has a newer set of PCM, CCM, etc. that are directly related to BlueCruise. There are dozens of modules in the car that each have their own software. The Sync system is just one. ??

Congrats on the new MME! ??

 

[Anthropod]

The ‘23 has a newer version of Sync (the software that provides the user interface in the center screen) but it’s likely that the ‘24 has a newer set of PCM, CCM, etc. that are directly related to BlueCruise. There are dozens of modules in the car that each have their own software. The Sync system is just one. ??

Congrats on the new MME! ??

Thanks! So dumb question. I know some modules get OTA updates, but would there be a lot that doesn't?

 

[GrayWolf]

Thanks! So dumb question. I know some modules get OTA updates, but would there be a lot that doesn't?

Not a dumb question at all - the answer is "yes". You can ask folks in this thread to pull your VIN to show you what modules have updates in the system. This won't tell you which might eventually be rolled into an OTA update, though.

To be clear: the notion of modules having updates that never reach your car is nothing new. I had been surprised to learn that manufacturers release the updates but don't encourage/enable dealer service techs to perform those updates (via TSB or other warranty-covered notices).

 

[Jimrpa]

Not a dumb question at all - the answer is "yes". You can ask folks in this thread to pull your VIN to show you what modules have updates in the system. This won't tell you which might eventually be rolled into an OTA update, though.

To be clear: the notion of modules having updates that never reach your car is nothing new. I had been surprised to learn that manufacturers release the updates but don't encourage/enable dealer service techs to perform those updates (via TSB or other warranty-covered notices).

It boils down to “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it (because you’ll likely break it then spend time/money fixing it)” ?

 

[HuntingPudel]

Thanks! So dumb question. I know some modules get OTA updates, but would there be a lot that doesn't?

Ford groups some updates together when sending via OTA or when manually updating via FDRS. My guess is that the group of module updates that affected Sync have gone through to your 2023 but the ones affecting BlueCruise have not. There is no discernible logic to how or when Ford releases an OTA package to a given VIN. I believe that there are two modules in the MME that have not been updated via and OTA package for which updates have shown up in FDRS. These modules are pretty much invisible to the owner unless the owner keeps track of all of the car’s systems via FDRS or has someone pull current revisions. ??

 

[Blue highway]

I recently added a 2024 Mach-E GT with the Performance Upgrade to our garage, joining my wife’s 2023 Standard Range Mach-E Premium. Both vehicles are fantastic, but I’ve noticed some differences on my drive home yesterday.


BlueCruise Experience:
On the drive home in the GT, I observed that BlueCruise maintained lane centering more smoothly compared to the 2023 Premium. While the 2023’s system is great, it occasionally exhibited a slight “ping-pong” effect within the lane (Never bothered me just didn't drive like I do.) The GT’s system felt more refined and natural, I did not get a "ping-pong" effect.


Software Versions:
Interestingly, my wife’s 2023 Premium has a newer software version than my 2024 GT. I’m anticipating over-the-air updates for the GT, but this raises questions about the differences in hardware and software between the two models.


Hardware Upgrades:
The dealership mentioned that the 2024 models feature upgraded cameras and CPUs, which could explain the improved BlueCruise performance. However, I haven’t found official documentation confirming these hardware enhancements. Seems a bit fishy.


Questions for the Community:

• Hardware Differences: Are there confirmed SYNC 4A hardware upgrades in the 2024 Mach-E models, particularly concerning cameras and processing units?

• Software Impact: Could the observed improvements in BlueCruise be solely due to software updates (Like updates broke/fixed/other), or is hardware a significant factor?

I have driven the same stretch of highway and the 2024 BlueCruise handled it a bit better. (Please note that the 2023 was great too...I could just tell it was a bit better in the 2024)

So glad I got this 2024. I never thought I would have a his and hers situation. But, after driving tons and tons of EV's and having my wonderful wife's blessing to get what I wanted...it was clear I wanted a Mach-E.

The parts of Blue Cruise that actually drive the car are not Sync. Sync is mostly the UI.

 

[CYBER-O]

While the 2023’s system is great, it occasionally exhibited a slight “ping-pong” effect within the lane (Never bothered me just didn't drive like I do.)

I tried Bluecruise three times in my 2022 Premium but I could not tolerate the twitchy ping-pong effect and have never used it after that.

 

[Anthropod]

The parts of Blue Cruise that actually drive the car are not Sync. Sync is mostly the UI.

So would the hardware be different? or is it more likely the software?

 

[Blue highway]

So would the hardware be different? or is it more likely the software?

The hardware is mostly the same... my point is simply that the evidence picture of different Sync versions in the cars doesn't have much if anything to do with the version of BC running in the car.

 

[ChehRob]

My '23.5 Bluecruise seldom 'Ping pongs' But it would be useful if we could report to Ford where that and other odd things occur.

 

[Sikkun]

I have a 23.5 that came with 1.3 from the factory and have installed at least 3 different updates to 1.3 (all of which Ford calls 1.3)

Really you can’t know what “version” is on the car without FDRS.

 

[Guss-E 2021]

I tried Bluecruise three times in my 2022 Premium but I could not tolerate the twitchy ping-pong effect and have never used it after that.

Interesting. I use BC almost daily in my 2022 Premium and it is very smooth, including lane changes. My issue, since the update, is that it takes longer to engage when activated on sections of roadway it used to activate almost instantly.

 

[Runningslow]

My '23.5 Bluecruise seldom 'Ping pongs' But it would be useful if we could report to Ford where that and other odd things occur.

You can use the record feedback function from your apps screen to do just that.

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