Question on software versions

[Darvanos]

I had my car at the dealer for a few months due to a defect and in that time the versions for Sync were bumped to 3.1.1 and then to 3.5.2 (or so the notifications I got on my phone said). Ford pass is still showing the recall for the HVJB issue but I was under the impression that was included in one of the software updates I've gotten. Is 3.5.2 cumulative of 3.2.1 and 3.3.1? One of the other things I've noticed is that my Android Auto still doesn't expand to full screen which I believe was supposed to be in 3.2.1.

Car shows
Sync 4 Software Version: 21355_PRODUCT
Revision: 316

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[HuntingPudel]

The Power-Up package version numbers have nothing to do with the version numbers of the individual module versions. The 22S41 recall software was not included in any of the Power-Up packages. Did you ever get a notification that the recall software 22S41 was applied? If not, then the update probably has not happened. You might want to call your dealer to get a manual update done. See the FDRS thread and ask someone there to verify for 22S41 first. ?‍?

 

[Gullwingdmc]

I had my car at the dealer for a few months due to a defect and in that time the versions for Sync were bumped to 3.1.1 and then to 3.5.2 (or so the notifications I got on my phone said). Ford pass is still showing the recall for the HVJB issue but I was under the impression that was included in one of the software updates I've gotten. Is 3.5.2 cumulative of 3.2.1 and 3.3.1? One of the other things I've noticed is that my Android Auto still doesn't expand to full screen which I believe was supposed to be in 3.2.1.

Car shows
Sync 4 Software Version: 21355_PRODUCT
Revision: 316

Oh boy, it's not that simple unfortunately.

The short version is the car does not have ONE software version, it has dozens, one for each module in the car, of which there are dozens. The numbers you are seeing (3.1.1, 3.2.1, etc) are only for OTA updates and they are NOT version numbers. They are just reference numbers to those updates. No OTA update is cumulative, hence why you can get updates "out of order". Each OTA update addresses one or more modules, but none address all, because not all modules are OTA updatable. Most are though.

The only way to tell if a module is up to date is via Ford's diagnostic software FDRS. Dealers run that or you can buy it and run it at home. Dealers can update each module individually, or in a group if necessary. They will only update the modules Ford tells them to though, not all that are available.

The dealer should have done the updates to satisfy the recall. It will take a few days for the notification to clear on your FordPass account.

 

[Ghost Ryder]

Never understood why Ford does it this way. With Thousands of different combinations of different versions out there, conflicts would sure to arise. This would be a nightmare for Ford software programmers to troubleshoot. It would be easier if all cars are on the same software version.

 

[SnBGC]

Never understood why Ford does it this way. With Thousands of different combinations of different versions out there, conflicts would sure to arise. This would be a nightmare for Ford software programmers to troubleshoot. It would be easier if all cars are on the same software version.

There are something like 400 different PCM calibrations (software) for the Super Duty pickups. The reason for the variations is due to hardware configurations. Different engines, transmissions, gear ratios, passenger compartments, options etc. I don't know how many different configurations we have on the Mach-Es but they all aren't the same. I would expect the software to be specific to the vehicle. For example, there has to be a RWD version of software and a different version for AWD. Same for battery pack size, etc.

 

[Ghost Ryder]

There are something like 400 different PCM calibrations (software) for the Super Duty pickups. The reason for the variations is due to hardware configurations. Different engines, transmissions, gear ratios, passenger compartments, options etc. I don't know how many different configurations we have on the Mach-Es but they all aren't the same. I would expect the software to be specific to the vehicle. For example, there has to be a RWD version of software and a different version for AWD. Same for battery pack size, etc.

I get that, but even among cars with the same configuration, only some modules get updated on some cars but not others. So after a short period of time, cars with the same configurations, will have wildly different software version numbers because the Dealership or Ford refuses to apply all update that are available.

 

[SnBGC]

I get that, but even among cars with the same configuration, only some modules get updated on some cars but not others. So after a short period of time, cars with the same configurations, will have wildly different software version numbers because the Dealership or Ford refuses to apply all update that are available.

You say that like it is a bad thing.
I would argue that a car that is working fine doesn't need newer software. The old "Don't fix what isn't broken" idea....

But some cars have issues. Maybe their light switch isn't working. Instead of re-installing the original software, just give them the most updated version since that will almost certainly correct the issue. But no reason to push that software to another 60,000 cars if the light switches are doing okay.

 

[Ghost Ryder]

You say that like it is a bad thing.
I would argue that a car that is working fine doesn't need newer software. The old "Don't fix what isn't broken" idea....

But some cars have issues. Maybe their light switch isn't working. Instead of re-installing the original software, just give them the most updated version since that will almost certainly correct the issue. But no reason to push that software to another 60,000 cars if the light switches are doing okay.

My issue is that once you have multiple versions out there, future software updates with have to take all those different versions into considerations and make sure they all play nice together. Obviously if there is an update software version, then it was meant to correct something that was not quite right with the older version.

Just make sense to have every configurations on the same versions across the board.

My take is either not have OTA or if you're going to do OTA, do it right, and not patch work like Ford is doing. This is and area where Tesla got it right.

 

[SnBGC]

My issue is that once you have multiple versions out there, future software updates with have to take all those different versions into considerations and make sure they all play nice together. Obviously if there is an update software version, then it was meant to correct something that was not quite right with the older version.

Just make sense to have every configurations on the same versions across the board.

My take is either not have OTA or if you're going to do OTA, do it right, and not patch work like Ford is doing. This is and area where Tesla got it right.

Do all Teslas run on the same exact software package? If a new piece of software is created then all cars get it whether or not they even need it?

 

[viche12345]

Wait, so if I only got 3.1.1, and then got 3.5.2 a month later, does that mean I'll never get 3.2.1 and 3.3.1, both of which had actual tangible updates (like additional games and full screen AA)?

Or just pray that Ford packages them into another update in the future?

 

[Ghost Ryder]

Do all Teslas run on the same exact software package? If a new piece of software is created then all cars get it whether or not they even need it?

pretty much, tesla will ask you to install it by accepting on your app or car. Technically you can decline and just be on old software. but once you agree, it'll update you to the latest software available.

I can't tell you what happens under the hood and what actually is updated, but there's no option to only update certain modules like MME.

 

[Ghost Ryder]

Wait, so if I only got 3.1.1, and then got 3.5.2 a month later, does that mean I'll never get 3.2.1 and 3.3.1, both of which had actual tangible updates (like additional games and full screen AA)?

Or just pray that Ford packages them into another update in the future?

I'm in the same boat. I guess that 3.5.2 was like 3.1.1, So I was expecting a 3.6.1 and a 3.7.1 to get everything updated, but nothing came out yet.

 

[SnBGC]

pretty much, tesla will ask you to install it by accepting on your app or car. Technically you can decline and just be on old software. but once you agree, it'll update you to the latest software available.

I can't tell you what happens under the hood and what actually is updated, but there's no option to only update certain modules like MME.

Interesting. Maybe the software is able to determine what hardware is installed and then ignore whatever is missing? That might work. My 99 Ford can sorta do something like that in a very basic sort of way. Some transmissions have a PTO drum and most do not. The PCM can determine if that component exists by counting the teeth once the vehicle is first driven. If PTO is present, then the software will enable the High Idle control circuit (group of wires under the dash). If not, then those wires don't do anything. Maybe Tesla is doing something similar? If so, then that would be nice and simple IMO.

The accept/deny process is kinda similar in the Mach-E. I can choose to accept or not accept certain updates. There are a few that I didn't accept since the features they were adding had already existed on my car (horns and lights activation via app). It just stays there until the next OTA comes along. I accepted a later OTA and it installed. I am not sure if the first OTA went away or if they stacked. Kinda hard to tell with the information that Ford provides. ????

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