FordPass 4.20.0 Released

[MME_Adventurist]

I was hopeful about this update, since it seemed specifically targeted at the problem, but the PAAK setup still won't connect to the car after downloading the key.

At least you can get the key to download… One step further than me.

Sponsored

 

[Jeffvisor]

Keeping a FOB handy is a good idea. I keep one wrapped in foil in my laptop bag, that I always take with me when going out of town. In town I can call my wife, but out of town I am on my own. So if I need to give the car to a valet, or I get a SSN (will it ever happen to me?), I have the FOB because of course I won't hand my phone to a valet or a Ford tech.

I keep my FOB in a Faraday bag I have a job 1 car and PAAK in the beginning was not very good with varies updates on the Fordpass and car its improved dramatically. I never used the FOB only PAAK. In the beginning you needed a lot of patience many times standing there pushing the button multiple times waiting for it to open. I used the keypad many times. Now it seems to always work, I do occasionally get a notice after I start the car and start driving no key detected I just hit the OK button and it goes away.

 

[phil]

Just remember that to get PaaK over UWB, you'll need to buy a new car.

I was planning to buy a new car in 2040 anyway.

 

[RWG]

Regarding the latest FordPass upgrade to 4.20.0.

I am lead to believe that Ford Engineering is a regular reader of this MachE forum. If so, these comments are for you:

There sure are a lot of updates to FordPass, which to me, indicates ongoing issues and poor IT development strategy. As a former Product Manager that dealt with a lot of internet and phone app products, here are some suggestions/thoughts:

This app does not impress me as being intuitive. To me, it seems like it was developed by "committee" and is therefore a bit confusing. Also, the software, under the covers, is only important to IT, the user interface is the important part. This app needs a single source of management and the main development focus should be the KISS principle. "Keep It Simple Stupid". Nothing should be written, presented, displayed beyond a 6th grade reading/comprehension level.

Simplicity is key, redundancy is annoying. Why is there redundant, repeat info on the Home and Vehicle tabs? It is not wise, warranted or needed. I suggest you combine the tabs to only one. Drop the redundancy. With two tabs, that are seldom in sync, you are just confusing users, creating more questions/concerns. Also, the Ford servers are inadequate, it takes way to long for this app to refresh/sync. I think you have an IT infrastructure problem.

There should be a single category heading for subject matter. As it is, you will find some charging data on one tab and other charging data located on another tab. This is dumb. With the current 4.20.0 version, you can find charging information under multiple headings, that is just plain wrong/confusing.

When you issue a new release, please provide detailed information of what was changed and why. This last release did indeed move access to some data, specifically charging settings, but I found nothing to explain the changes, I figured it out the hard way, what changed, when I went through the various screens to see what changed, depending on memory. The standard explanation I see is " Minor adjustments to help you enjoy the journey ahead." That statement is just a marketing legally sanitized statement that makes me think Ford is hiding something. Just tell us the facts, no marketing spin statements please.

Some of the data does not display properly on the app. The some fonts are cut off, i.e. this software does not seem to always render data properly, changing font sizes does not cure the problem. The problem appears to be poor UI rendering design and auto sizing, the presence of the issue depends on which tab you are viewing. It is as if each tab is for a different application, i.e. not related to the other. The data on one tab is fine, but the data on another tab is problematic

You have an entire department, at Ford, that answers questions about the FordPass, I know, I have called them. Nice folks but they are under trained, not well informed. They can only address FordPass issues based on the written documentation they have, which is many times not current. If you simplify the app, you can cut down on calls and related costs.


My expectations for a good app:

- Intuitive UI - logical, simple,organized
- Complete vehicle operational data access. As it is, some is on FordPass some is accessible only on the vehicle screen
- Explain the updates without the marketing/legal spin BS.
-Vehicle diagnostics, that works and means something.
-Faster response from the Ford server network
-Connectivity diagnostics, so the user can determine who really is the connectivity/speed problem.


Good Luck


PS: I have not experienced the many problems others have had with FordPass, perhaps it is because I do not have high expectations.

 

[Skip Towne]

Android still stuck in 4.18.0

I just got 4.20 on Android. I think it is pretty recent.

 

[fpasta]

Installed this version coming from .16 Now, I'm getting the recall notice in the corner again where it cleared in a matter of a day on .16 after getting the OTAs.

 

[kennethjk]

After reading all of this why would anyone use PAAK. I have been carrying a car key for 52 years, not that big a deal. Always works

so of course I tried PAAK 2 days ago after driving the MME for over 8 months. Why, because I like gadgets and thought I would give it a try. I am still carrying the key for the moment. faraday bag is on the way.

downloaded right away, no problem. I phone 12, FP 4.2

now my seats don’t go back to my selection and CarPlay seems to be hit or miss, mostly miss, although that was with also carrying the key.

last night my wife was shopping (she had the key) and I was waiting in the parking lot, locked door and then tried to open, phone in my pocket, and it wouldn’t open. (I could have used keypad on door but didn’t) . When she got back from the store, door (key in pocketbook ) opened right away.

the only benefit I see is that now my phone in Fordpass shows a frunk and trunk button that works. I didn’t have that before.

i am thinking of deleting PAAK so my seat selection and CarPlay work again but don’t want to lose the frunk and trunk button in FP

 

[awp0]

After reading all of this why would anyone use PAAK. I have been carrying a car key for 52 years, not that big a deal. Always works

so of course I tried PAAK 2 days ago after driving the MME for over 8 months. Why, because I like gadgets and thought I would give it a try. I am still carrying the key for the moment. faraday bag is on the way.

downloaded right away, no problem. I phone 12, FP 4.2

now my seats don’t go back to my selection and CarPlay seems to be hit or miss, mostly miss, although that was with also carrying the key.

last night my wife was shopping (she had the key) and I was waiting in the parking lot, locked door and then tried to open, phone in my pocket, and it wouldn’t open. (I could have used keypad on door but didn’t) . When she got back from the store, door (key in pocketbook ) opened right away.

the only benefit I see is that now my phone in Fordpass shows a frunk and trunk button that works. I didn’t have that before.

i am thinking of deleting PAAK so my seat selection and CarPlay work again but don’t want to lose the frunk and trunk button in FP

Did you associate your PAAK with your infotainment profile (using the touchscreen)? That's the magic step that tells the car that it should load your profile, including seat settings, when you use that PAAK.

 

[kennethjk]

Did you associate your PAAK with your infotainment profile (using the touchscreen)? That's the magic step that tells the car that it should load your profile, including seat settings, when you use that PAAK.

the Final step of setting up PAAK was to be in the car with my FOB, which I did. Was there something else that needed to be done?

I am all ears.

 

[awp0]

the Final step of setting up PAAK was to be in the car with my FOB, which I did. Was there something else that needed to be done?

I am all ears.

If memory serves correct, you need to go into Settings (using the touchscreen), then go into the Profiles section and expand your profile. In the list of profile settings I believe there is a line item for your PAAK, and you need to click on that to "pair" your PAAK with your profile. I think the process asks you to lock or unlock the car using the PAAK, as a way for the car to detect the PAAK and save it to your profile. This should fix the problem with your seat settings, and it may improve your Carplay issues.

Keep in mind that the car may still get confused if your wife's key fob is nearby.

 

[kennethjk]

If memory serves correct, you need to go into Settings (using the touchscreen), then go into the Profiles section and expand your profile. In the list of profile settings I believe there is a line item for your PAAK, and you need to click on that to "pair" your PAAK with your profile. I think the process asks you to lock or unlock the car using the PAAK, as a way for the car to detect the PAAK and save it to your profile. This should fix the problem with your seat settings, and it may improve your Carplay issues.

Keep in mind that the car may still get confused if your wife's key fob is nearby.

I will check this out , thanks

the key FOB was mine not my wife’s. I just had her hold mine.

 

[awp0]

I will check this out , thanks

the key FOB was mine not my wife’s. I just had her hold mine.

Good luck! I've had certain frustrations with PAAK, but I feel like the seat settings (and profile assignment) as been pretty reliable lately.

 

[kennethjk]

Good luck! I've had certain frustrations with PAAK, but I feel like the seat settings (and profile assignment) as been pretty reliable lately.

I just linked the phone as you said, it wasn’t before.

will try it out a bit later

Appreciate the help

 

[kennethjk]

Good luck! I've had certain frustrations with PAAK, but I feel like the seat settings (and profile assignment) as been pretty reliable lately.

Went out to the car this evening with key in a faraday bag, couldn’t start the car, nothing. Opened and closed the door , tried 5 times, made sure FP was open. PAAK was useless. I could have entered passcode to start the car but taking key out of the pouch was easier.

I stopped somewhere on the way home and put key back in pouch . Went into the store, came out and PAAK worked fine.

will try again tomorrow.

 

[phil]

Went out to the car this evening with key in a faraday bag, couldn’t start the car, nothing. Opened and closed the door , tried 5 times, made sure FP was open. PAAK was useless. I could have entered passcode to start the car but taking key out of the pouch was easier.

I stopped somewhere on the way home and put key back in pouch . Went into the store, came out and PAAK worked fine.

will try again tomorrow.

Sponsored