Question about updates and longterm ownership

[Newtype311]

I really appreciate all the info and context! I feel like I know what my expectations should generally be and what options I have long term. Thanks!

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[Schmedlack]

I want you FDRS experts to chime in....

Is it feasable to build a self-serve software update kiosk? Owners could connect their car with an OBDII cable originating at the kiosk to receive necessary updates. (Note: here in Maryland, there are similar devices for vehicle emission testing).

 

[rugedraw]

I want you FDRS experts to chime in....

Is it feasable to build a self-serve software update kiosk? Owners could connect their car with an OBDII cable originating at the kiosk to receive necessary updates. (Note: here in Maryland, there are similar devices for vehicle emission testing).

Yea, I guess so. The "kiosk" would need to include a power supply, the cable and a laptop with an active FDRS license (and a disclosure to use at your own risk). The user can bring their own USB drive. In theory, it is doable. That would be pretty cool if dealers had a set-up like that.

 

[AtomicInternet]

I want you FDRS experts to chime in....

Is it feasable to build a self-serve software update kiosk? Owners could connect their car with an OBDII cable originating at the kiosk to receive necessary updates. (Note: here in Maryland, there are similar devices for vehicle emission testing).

The issue would be disassembling the frunk to get to the battery so you can connect constant DC power. A lot of updates are 2+ hours and the battery will die long before then without a connected power supply.

If, however, everyone who uses the "kiosk" installed one of these (like me ), then it would just be two plugs and a laptop.
Battery Quick Connect: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CSYGK72P

This power supply is pretty cheap and does the job if you want to set one up:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ER3LH1G

Then you just need a laptop and this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B097NHQ7ZW

 

[garyd9]

I want you FDRS experts to chime in....

Is it feasable to build a self-serve software update kiosk? Owners could connect their car with an OBDII cable originating at the kiosk to receive necessary updates. (Note: here in Maryland, there are similar devices for vehicle emission testing).

"self serve" and "kiosk" suggests something unattended. I'm not sure anyone would want to leave the required equipment just laying out in public like that. I wouldn't.

On the other hand, there are folks here who are willing to help out others. For example, I have the equipment needed (mongoose, PSU, laptop) and if someone was willing to cover the cost of the 2 day software license, I'd probably be willing to let them park in my garage and run the updates with them. I might also ask for a donut or pizza (depending on the time of day.)

 

[Schmedlack]

Right - a kisok can be installed at a dealer. The technology is ready. The Maryland testing kiosk is fully integrated, and prints out a report, too. Only needs a credit card. Advantages are 24/7 access, little or no waiting, and several $ cheaper.

 

[bshaw]

I want you FDRS experts to chime in....

Is it feasable to build a self-serve software update kiosk? Owners could connect their car with an OBDII cable originating at the kiosk to receive necessary updates. (Note: here in Maryland, there are similar devices for vehicle emission testing).

Unfortunately, FDRS is not just plug it in and click "Go". (Like say an iPhone update)
You have to read the steps on the FDRS DIY thread and be detailed oriented about following them.

It would be cool if a dealer opened up a bay with the license and equipment and maybe a tech gets you started in a few minutes and then you gotta sit with your car while it updates.
Dealers are in the service business though, and this wouldn't be a profitable option for a dealer to offer

 

[MellowJohnny]

Except none of this FDRS black magic is feasible for 99.9% of Mach-E owners. The average owner won't know it even exists, let alone invest the time and money to do it. So as much as I agree that FDRS is a nice insurance policy for a very small number of owners, it's not a solution.

My opinion? Most of us will be paying the dealer at some point (or a 3rd party) to bring the car back up to spec. My Volvo dealer wanted $150 last year to apply bug fixes to the infotainment system because the car was out of warranty. To fix *bugs*. New feature? Sure. Bug fixes? No.

"Broken" software will be no different than broken parts.

 

[HuntingPudel]

"self serve" and "kiosk" suggests something unattended. I'm not sure anyone would want to leave the required equipment just laying out in public like that. I wouldn't.

On the other hand, there are folks here who are willing to help out others. For example, I have the equipment needed (mongoose, PSU, laptop) and if someone was willing to cover the cost of the 2 day software license, I'd probably be willing to let them park in my garage and run the updates with them. I might also ask for a donut or pizza (depending on the time of day.)

Doughnuts are the way! Before I got my Mongoose, I used to bribe @scoopman by feeding his kids doughnuts. We ate them too. ??

 

[AKgrampy]

I know I am in the minority but I have not had an update in a year and my car works perfectly well as far as I am concerned.

 

[kdonnel]

I know I am in the minority but I have not had an update in a year and my car works perfectly well as far as I am concerned.

And I think that is how the vast majority of MME owners feel.

The average owner does not seek out a message board and have no idea they are "missing" updates.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

I know I am in the minority but I have not had an update in a year and my car works perfectly well as far as I am concerned.

Contrary to forum opinion, we’re not required have the latest updates to every module. Sometimes that’s not even a good idea. Ask those that have been locked out of their cars with no easy way in.

 

[scoopman]

Doughnuts are the way! Before I got my Mongoose, I used to bribe @scoopman by feeding his kids doughnuts. We ate them too. ??

Those were the days.

 

[ChehRob]

There are some unusual cases of software/wiring/mechanical modules going badly awry. It is unrealistic to expect every dealership to be competent to correct this. Ford needs a few dealerships to have specially trained technicians/mechanics who can do it. MMEs have only been out a few years. Looking at Tesla, they took 5-6 years to get things more or less perfected. Ford has a couple of years to go.

 

[dtbaker61]

I just got my 23 GT back from a week at the dealer for a number of center console issues (freezing, crashes, buttons not working, etc.). I've always gotten my OTA updates no problem, but 19 different modules were out of date with 1-4 missing updates each. After those were updated the car worked normally again.

First off, through this process I learned that the car needed additional updates that were not OTA and that the vehicle can get into a state where version mismatches lead to critical instability. I'm clearly late to the party, but here I am.

Secondly, there were multiple Mach E's at the dealership that needed the same sort of update work and the technician hinted that at least one of them was out of warranty (over 50k miles) and the owner needed to decide if they wanted to spend the $2500 to get the updates. This is my concern.

Will there always be software updates that require dealership service that could potentially cost thousands of dollars? There was nothing "wrong" with the car, it just needed the latest updates essentially. This seems like the sort of thing that should only cost the service technician's hourly labor rate, at best. I can't think of another instance at the consumer level where you'd have to pay for software/firmware updates for an existing license. If this is the case, then I guess I need to start studying that FDRS DIY guide...

My approach to Updates is a little different than most.... I have a 2021, and after I got my HVBJB replaced and associated modules updated everything was working fine; so I turned Updates 'off'.

There have been no 'improvements' sent out via OTA that I care about, and there have been a number of OTAs that seem to have caused problems that I have dodged.

...I realize this may not be a popular choice, but I feel better following the 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' path when it comes to software updates considering @Ford Motor Company track record for poor version control and release notes.

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