A Guide to Understanding OTA Updates

[AllenXS]

Thanks @mpshizzle and @benk016 I had a selfish reason for asking. I was wondering if the reason for multiple deployment failures could be tied to availability of cellular and/or Wi-Fi? I found that, during the 1.7.1 deployment, my Wi-Fi was having an odd issue. Long story short, a stupid router my HVAC contractor installed bridges my home network over to my neighbor’s network and all my traffic was flowing through their (unreliable) comcast connection and not my Verizon FiOS connection.

I think the word stupid is in the wrong place

Sponsored

 

[Jimrpa]

I think the word stupid is in the wrong place

I can’t fault my HVAC contractor. They’re not networking experts.

 

[AllenXS]

I can’t fault my HVAC contractor. They’re not networking experts.

Good call. Probably why I do all the network bits myself on the HVAC.

 

[EcoJim]

Yes, exactly my situation since the attempted update in November... Please papa Ford, don't make me go to a dealer for a fix. ??

Thanks. Yes, I confirmed this with Ford last week. He didn’t say “botched” but that’s what he admitted after leaving me on hold for quite a while checking with his contacts in the technology team. There’s nothing I or the dealer can do until an OTA is rolled out in “about 2 weeks.” (From last Friday). I have to admit, his straight forward explanation and apology for the delay since November was the most sincere thing I’ve heard from anyone there in the 4 times I’ve called on the issue since then. Not holding my breath.

 

[shark]

Can someone clarify a couple points for me?

5) How do I know which updates I have?

There's no good way to tell. If your car has had an update, the most recent one will show under "software updates" on your sync screen. Beyond that, only your dealer can access the update history for your car.

I assume people using FDRS can get accurate information regarding which modules have been updated and equate updates to the PowerUp version numbers. Is this correct? Is there a free tool that can get you this information via the OBD2 or perhaps a Website that can show this given a VIN? I don't necessarily want to install updates myself but I would at least like to be able to see what is updated and what is not.

7) What updates have been released?

For cars built before July 7, 2021:
1.4.0 - Added Securialert
1.6.0 - Nothing you'd notice
1.7.1 - Sync update, added notes
2.1.0 - Nothing you'd notice
2.3.0 - Sync update, added games, update scheduling abilities, and full screen CarPlay
2.4.1 - BlueCruise prep 1/7 - Driver assist feedback sounds changed (Early Access only)
2.4.2 -BlueCruise prep 2/7 - Changed brake pedal calibration(Early Access only)
2.4.3 -BlueCruise prep 3/7 - Instrument Panel UI update (Early Access Only)
2.4.4 -BlueCruise prep 4/7 - Instrument Panel again(Early Access Only)
2.4.5 - BlueCruise prep 5/7 - APIM nothing you'd notice (Early Access Only)
2.5.1 -BlueCruise prep 6/7 - Various driver assist modules(Early Access Only)
2.5.2 -BlueCruise prep 7/7 - Blue Cruise enabled (Early Access Only)
2.5.3

For cars built after July 7, 2021:
BlueCruise Map update

My GT was scheduled for build on 8/30 and came with BlueCruise upon delivery last October. So other than a "BlueCruise Map update", is it safe to say my car has not installed any OTA updates at this point and already includes everything in the list above?

 

[mkhuffman]

Can someone clarify a couple points for me?

I assume people using FDRS can get accurate information regarding which modules have been updated and equate updates to the PowerUp version numbers. Is this correct? Is there a free tool that can get you this information via the OBD2 or perhaps a Website that can show this given a VIN? I don't necessarily want to install updates myself but I would at least like to be able to see what is updated and what is not.

My GT was scheduled for build on 8/30 and came with BlueCruise upon delivery last October. So other than a "BlueCruise Map update", is it safe to say my car has not installed any OTA updates at this point and already includes everything in the list above?

Your build week is the same as mine, although my GT does not have BlueCruise.

My GT definitely needed software updates and yes, you can see that in FDRS. Of course your Ford service department has FDRS and they can run your VIN and tell you what software modules need updating.

Your GT does not have the new charging curve, but mine does because I did the software updates. I am not sure what else was "improved" with the updates I had my dealer do, but PaaK does seem to be a lot more reliable now.

 

[BigMach-E]

My Job 1 Select 2021 AWD has 2.3 (from feature set), but it still shows as PowerUp 2.1 and reads as up to date for like 3 months... CSP 21p22 run, and PaaK actually seems better, charging curve is better at high end, but doesn't peak as nearly as high as a lower SOC...but yeah, I have a feeling that some of these updates, when not completed, can cause glitchy issues. I've seen my phones in the phone list duplicate (2 of each phone), AA disconnect for no reason, audio issues...I'm not complaining, this stuff is hard to implement.

 

[SashaLondon]

When it says low battery for a reason it might fail what is the level (below 20%)? What should we keep it above when an update is due?

 

[RickMachE]

"in about 2 weeks" was stolen by these guys from building contractors.

 

[nor3bo]

Your build week is the same as mine, although my GT does not have BlueCruise.

My GT definitely needed software updates and yes, you can see that in FDRS. Of course your Ford service department has FDRS and they can run your VIN and tell you what software modules need updating.

Your GT does not have the new charging curve, but mine does because I did the software updates. I am not sure what else was "improved" with the updates I had my dealer do, but PaaK does seem to be a lot more reliable now.

I have a Prem4X job 2 (Canada) and assume I also do not have the updated charge curve. Do you know if it would be available in FDRS for job 2 cars?

Also, I've heard dealers may not want to perform the updates without a recall notice, is this something they will do for us, or do we just have to wait for the OTA (again, assuming it will actually be sent...)?

I really thought they meant to have a better cadence when they promised to do the these updates and improve the cars with OTAs ?

 

[nor3bo]

There seems to be a lot of confusion around OTA. What updates are out, how they work, and how to know what you have. So I thought I'd make a guide to help clear things up.

1) What do the numbers mean?

Power Ups (OTA updates) are numbered, but the numbers mean nothing. They might as well be named Sharon, Bill, and Tim. They can come in any order and do not (necessarily) depend on each other.

2) Can the updates be installed by the dealer (or FDRS)?

Yes, they are being released via FDRS at the same time they are publicly released on OTA. The caveat here is they're not labeled or organized in the same way as the OTA - they just show as a set of modules needing updates. So if you ask your dealer for PowerUp x.x.x they may not know what you're asking for. Instead ask them to run all of the module updates in FDRS.

3) Can I force an update or get the current status of an update?

No. Unlike app updates, they are not available to go "fetch". We are totally at Ford's mercy here. Even if the update has been publicly "released" they still need to specifically send an update to your car, and it has a limited time window to download and install it.

While there's no OFFICIAL way to get more info about updates, it has been discovered that hidden in the Ford website you can get a bit more detail on the latest update push for your car. The easiest way to access this is via an iOS widget developed by @tonesto7 or an android widget developed by @kennelh and @DevSecOps

4)Automatic Updates vs Update Schedule (Settings found in Sync)
More details on this (courtesy of @Mirak) Can be found here

There are two kinds of updates that can be sent out.
1) Updates that can be installed on the fly while you're driving
2) Updates that require your car to be parked for a while

If you have auto updates turned on it will install "on the fly" updates as soon as it can (probably the next time you drive the car). Scheduling does not apply to these updates.

For updates that require your car to be parked for a while, it will wait until your next scheduled time. If you do not have a schedule set, it will not automatically install. As of power up 2.3.0 there is a button that will allow you to install these updates immediately rather than waiting for the next scheduled time.

As of the writing of this post, there have not yet been any publicly available updates that require the car to be parked

5) How do I know which updates I have?

There's no good way to tell. If your car has had an update, the most recent one will show under "software updates" on your sync screen. Beyond that, only your dealer can access the update history for your car.

6) What caused my update to fail and how do I fix it?

There are a plethora of reasons an update can fail but here are some of the more common ones I've seen on the forum

• Download failed or interrupted due to weak cell signal or wifi anomalies
• Battery level on car is too low
• Car was not driven enough times during the update window and update timed out
• Ford botched the update and sent out a corrupted file (this has only happened a small number of times, mostly to people in the early access program)

If the update failed there's not much you can do besides making sure your battery is charged and you are driving your car. In most cases your car will automatically try again in the coming days or weeks

7) What updates have been released?
*Updates marked with a star have not been publicly released

For cars built before July 7, 2021:
1.4.0 - Added Securialert
1.6.0 - Nothing you'd notice
1.7.1 - Sync update, added notes
2.1.0 - Nothing you'd notice
2.3.0 - Sync update, added games, update scheduling abilities, and full screen CarPlay
2.4.1* - BlueCruise prep 1/7 - Driver assist feedback sounds changed (Early Access only)
2.4.2* - BlueCruise prep 2/7 - Changed brake pedal calibration(Early Access only)
2.4.3* - BlueCruise prep 3/7 - Instrument Panel UI update (Early Access Only)
2.4.4* - BlueCruise prep 4/7 - Instrument Panel again(Early Access Only)
2.4.5* - BlueCruise prep 5/7 - APIM nothing you'd notice (Early Access Only)
2.5.1* - BlueCruise prep 6/7 - Various driver assist modules(Early Access Only)
2.5.2* - BlueCruise prep 7/7 - Blue Cruise enabled (Early Access Only)
2.5.3* - Nothing you'd notice

For cars built after July 7, 2021:
BlueCruise Map update

Thanks for the awesome write-up.

That 'built after July 7' list is pretty sad looking

 

[mpshizzle]

Thanks for the awesome write-up.

That 'built after July 7' list is pretty sad looking

Well hopefully this summer once the early cars are finished with the BC roll out things will start cooking for all cars

 

[mkhuffman]

I have a Prem4X job 2 (Canada) and assume I also do not have the updated charge curve. Do you know if it would be available in FDRS for job 2 cars?

Also, I've heard dealers may not want to perform the updates without a recall notice, is this something they will do for us, or do we just have to wait for the OTA (again, assuming it will actually be sent...)?

I really thought they meant to have a better cadence when they promised to do the these updates and improve the cars with OTAs ?

Yes, I have a Job 2 car and the dealer did the updates and now I have the faster 80% charge speed. The key to getting the dealer to do it without cost to you is to report a problem to Ford CS that a software update may resolve.

My problem was the car profile kept defaulting to my wife's (and Guest) even though she was not even with me. Ford CS created a case for me which I think the dealer used to charge Ford. The update fixed the problem, BTW.

 

[ricksta6]

Do module updates come OTA or are those only via FDRS?

 

[macchiaz-o]

Do module updates come OTA or are those only via FDRS?

You'll like this post from @breeves002: https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/ota-updates-technical-info.4923/

Sponsored