OTA Updates - What triggers them?

[TahoeTwoBears]

I'm sure this has been discussed to death, but I can't find a clear answer. Like everyone else I'm behind several updates (that I'd like to have). I have received some (6.8), but I see several others here that I haven't received. So here's my question: I've got good Wi-Fi in my garage, but I'm beginning to believe that I need to have the car exposed to a good ATT signal. I use ATT and have weak coverage here at home. Does it take a cellular trigger to start these things or can it all start and complete over Wi-Fi?

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[hybrid2bev]

Ford sets the OTA trigger on the server when they are ready to send an update to your specific car. When you turn on your car it phones home and says 'Hey I'm awake and ready to receive the files'. Ford then transmits the files. Then car installs the update (either immedatly or via inhibit installation). It should work via wifi but I think the car has to be on (Ready Mode) to stay connected to wifi.

For best results, you'll want to drive the car often and have good AT&T coverage.

 

[4sallypat]

Ford sets the OTA trigger on the server when they are ready to send an update to your specific car. When you turn on your car it phones home and says 'Hey I'm awake and ready to receive the files'. Ford then transmits the files. Then car installs the update (either immedatly or via inhibit installation). It should work via wifi but I think the car has to be on (Ready Mode) to stay connected to wifi.

For best results, you'll want to drive the car often and have good AT&T coverage.

This is correct - according to the Ford OTA developer I spoke to, Ford will send out the files for a set period of time and if your vehicle does not download it, it will try again at a later time.

The most important conditions to meet is to have a high SOC (HV) and 12V battery level (LV) as well as parking it closer to an AT&T cell tower.

 

[Thunderbuck]

...as well as parking it closer to an AT&T cell tower.

OR, having a solid connection to home Wi-Fi.

 

[4sallypat]

OR, having a solid connection to home Wi-Fi.

Not really - WiFi is used to communicate vehicle data to Ford and to download certain files but not for installation due to hacking concerns.

All OTA updates are done thru AT&T cellular for security.

 

[Rpellicciotti]

This is correct - according to the Ford OTA developer I spoke to, Ford will send out the files for a set period of time and if your vehicle does not download it, it will try again at a later time.

The most important conditions to meet is to have a high SOC (HV) and 12V battery level (LV) as well as parking it closer to an AT&T cell tower.

That explains a lot. I have 1 bar of service for AT&T at my house. I have great wifi though.

 

[hartmms]

All OTA updates are done thru AT&T cellular for security.

That is interesting information. My house is located in a valley where cell reception is horrible ( -113dBm on a good day). I'm pretty sure I've at least once gone into the garage and turned on the car to have it check for updates and install a new one without driving it to a better cell coverage area. Maybe it downloaded the software on the last outing.

Additionally, the "security" reason seems suspicious. If Ford was worried about folks intercepting the software download and reverse engineering it on a user wifi, they could just setup an encrypted channel to send the data over.

Also - Ford website says otherwise:

Customers can receive notifications detailing the software updates when they are available and can even opt in to have the updates applied automatically over Wi-Fi or cellular connections.​

 

[Thunderbuck]

Not really - WiFi is used to communicate vehicle data to Ford and to download certain files but not for installation due to hacking concerns.

All OTA updates are done thru AT&T cellular for security.

Ford themselves recommend Wi-Fi for updates. I've received several this way myself.

 

[rugedraw]

Since Ford started this OTA process on Job 1 2021 F150's and Mach E's, only two updates "require wifi" to download and both of those updates were released recently. One of these updates was to fix a connectivity issue in the TCU that prevented the cellular connection from working and the other one was for the BCM (I think)and it is believed to fix a minor config issue that was triggering a check engine light in F150's with the 5.0L engine after a PCM update. Both of these updates update a config within the respective module and do not update any of the actual files in any of the DID's within the module. That may be a key indicator as to why they come in via wifi and not cellular, but that is pure conjecture by me.

Edit: Disregard as a few trucks have reported getting this OTA that do not have the 5.0, so no idea what the other wifi update does. Based on the release notes, maybe it addresses the phantom update notices people have been reporting.

 

[GuliblGuy]

I also believe, if I remember correctly, that the car checks in to the Ford servers every 10 key cycles to see if there are updates.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

That explains a lot. I have 1 bar of service for AT&T at my house. I have great wifi though.

Our place is at or slightly less than 1 bar. Rarely have an issue with OTAs.

 

[AZBill]

I have had a couple of updates download over wifi. But the logic for when they download them is definitely not clear. The first year I had my car, nearly every update downloaded on a Friday. I still seem to get them on Thursday or Friday most of the time. Never got 6.8 and have not gotten 6.13 or 6.14, but have seen a few PU random updates recently.

Definitely have never seen a weekend download, the servers must belong to the UAW and have weekends off.

 

[Homestead]

I was thinking today it would be nicer if we could trigger downloads ourself rather than having Ford push them to our cars.
Was done that way on my last ford.
Went to ford website logged in and downloaded the latest sync files.
Put the files on large flash drive and ran the install.

 

[RickMachE]

I was thinking today it would be nicer if we could trigger downloads ourself rather than having Ford push them to our cars.
Was done that way on my last ford.
Went to ford website logged in and downloaded the latest sync files.
Put the files on large flash drive and ran the install.

USB updates took forever to apply. And they only updated Sync.

 

[RickMachE]

I'm sure this has been discussed to death, but I can't find a clear answer. Like everyone else I'm behind several updates (that I'd like to have). I have received some (6.8), but I see several others here that I haven't received. So here's my question: I've got good Wi-Fi in my garage, but I'm beginning to believe that I need to have the car exposed to a good ATT signal. I use ATT and have weak coverage here at home. Does it take a cellular trigger to start these things or can it all start and complete over Wi-Fi?

What triggers OTA updates is a secret. Rumor is that sacrificing a live chicken at sunrise may trigger them.

I do know that your ability to receive them can be enhanced by sending $50 to:

RickMach-E
53 Grease The Process Dr
ByeByeMoney, MI 48104

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