UK Customers

[portlandg]

Thanks this does make sense. I wonder if turning the car on and leaving it on in the garage connected to WiFi might work...

I have received all of the mentioned updates plus 3.5.3.4. All were received over the last 2 weeks. In that time my journeys have ONLY been my daily commute (7 miles each way, 15 - 20 mins) so no long journeys. When not travelling my car is at work/home connected to wifi but switched off. Wifi is connected even if the car is off. All of the recent updates have been received, downloaded and installed when OFF. When I get back in the car and turn on I get the update successful symbol. I don't think the duration of the drive has any bearing on receiving an update and I doubt that your suggestion of turning the car on and leaving it on in the garage will have any affect whatsoever. Certainly not with my car anyway.
The following was taken from the online handbook page 349.

Over the Air System Update Requirements Before updating, reference this list to make sure your vehicle is ready be updated. If these requirements are not met during a scheduled update, the update will be canceled and you can reschedule. • Your vehicle is not running. • Your vehicle is stopped. • Your vehicle is parked. • The hazard indicators are switched off. • The alarm is not sounding. • The doors are closed. • The parking lights are switched off. • You are not pressing the brake pedal. • An emergency call is not in progress. • Your vehicle is not in limp mode.

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[Mercury8]

I have received all of the mentioned updates plus 3.5.3.4. All were received over the last 2 weeks. In that time my journeys have ONLY been my daily commute (7 miles each way, 15 - 20 mins) so no long journeys. When not travelling my car is at work/home connected to wifi but switched off. Wifi is connected even if the car is off. All of the recent updates have been received, downloaded and installed when OFF. When I get back in the car and turn on I get the update successful symbol. I don't think the duration of the drive has any bearing on receiving an update and I doubt that your suggestion of turning the car on and leaving it on in the garage will have any affect whatsoever. Certainly not with my car anyway.
The following was taken from the online handbook page 349.

Over the Air System Update Requirements Before updating, reference this list to make sure your vehicle is ready be updated. If these requirements are not met during a scheduled update, the update will be canceled and you can reschedule. • Your vehicle is not running. • Your vehicle is stopped. • Your vehicle is parked. • The hazard indicators are switched off. • The alarm is not sounding. • The doors are closed. • The parking lights are switched off. • You are not pressing the brake pedal. • An emergency call is not in progress. • Your vehicle is not in limp mode.

Can I ask what evidence that you have that the car is connected to wifi when it’s off and that the downloads occurred when it was off?
In the 2 years I’ve had my car it’s only shown on my network when it’s powered on or for a few minutes after being turned off.
The guidance you’ve quoted seems to relate to the actual updates that need to be carried out when the vehicle is not being used and not the downloading of the updates. These can be scheduled via the screen.
The latest video released by Ford around these latest updates suggests that ‘drive cycles’ are relevant for the updates to be downloaded. It may not be a lengthy drive but it appears that regular driving, such as your daily commute, improves the chances. ?

 

[Mercury8]

Thanks this does make sense. I wonder if turning the car on and leaving it on in the garage connected to WiFi might work...

I don’t know if it would be worth it to be honest.
You would have to know that the update was available to download for your vehicle as Ford seem to release them in batches. Otherwise you would just be leaving your car on for nothing.
I’m only on 2.6.0 and have had the car 2 years.
Ford seem to have been intentionally vague about the OTA updates which just leaves us all in the dark.

 

[portlandg]

Can I ask what evidence that you have that the car is connected to wifi when it’s off and that the downloads occurred when it was off?
In the 2 years I’ve had my car it’s only shown on my network when it’s powered on or for a few minutes after being turned off.
The guidance you’ve quoted seems to relate to the actual updates that need to be carried out when the vehicle is not being used and not the downloading of the updates. These can be scheduled via the screen.
The latest video released by Ford around these latest updates suggests that ‘drive cycles’ are relevant for the updates to be downloaded. It may not be a lengthy drive but it appears that regular driving, such as your daily commute, improves the chances. ?

It stands to reason that it is on all the time because as your car spends more time "OFF" when it is at home or work there is absolutely no point in spending time in connecting to your home/work network if the wifi isn't going to work. When the car is "ON" and you are driving it is unlikely to connect to any wifi signals as it won't be within range for long enough. If 4G is always connected it makes sense that wifi is as well. If 4G turned off then you wouldn't be able to communicate with the car via the FP app to lock/unlock and receive data.

 

[Spacey]

It stands to reason that it is on all the time because as your car spends more time "OFF" when it is at home or work there is absolutely no point in spending time in connecting to your home/work network if the wifi isn't going to work. When the car is "ON" and you are driving it is unlikely to connect to any wifi signals as it won't be within range for long enough. If 4G is always connected it makes sense that wifi is as well. If 4G turned off then you wouldn't be able to communicate with the car via the FP app to lock/unlock and receive data.

I agree plus we wouldn't be able to use the remote start via Wi-Fi if the Wi-Fi was off on the car when the car is "OFF" I've tested this with my phone mobile data off which is just as well as the phone signal where I live is 1 bar or no bars.

 

[Mercury8]

It stands to reason that it is on all the time because as your car spends more time "OFF" when it is at home or work there is absolutely no point in spending time in connecting to your home/work network if the wifi isn't going to work. When the car is "ON" and you are driving it is unlikely to connect to any wifi signals as it won't be within range for long enough. If 4G is always connected it makes sense that wifi is as well. If 4G turned off then you wouldn't be able to communicate with the car via the FP app to lock/unlock and receive data.

The problem with that though is the phrase ‘stands to reason’ which I’ve found rarely applies with Ford.

If the car was always connected to wifi I don’t believe that so many people would be having issues with the OTA updates.

Sorry, but this is a sore subject for me based on the issues I’ve had with ota updates despite being connected to wifi. ?

As you say, the car spends more time on when driving which is why cellular data is the main source of the OTAs.

Here is the information that Ford have provided to me:

The car remains connected to WiFi for a maximum of 15 minutes after ignition off. It will normally always connect when in range of home WiFi and if a new software update is available it will start or continue to download it (it may only partially download an update when it's a larger file) and in this instance will mix cellular and WiFi downloading).

 

[Mercury8]

I agree plus we wouldn't be able to use the remote start via Wi-Fi if the Wi-Fi was off on the car when the car is "OFF" I've tested this with my phone mobile data off which is just as well as the phone signal where I live is 1 bar or no bars.

I don’t have a ‘remote start via wi-fi’ function. My remote start works as long as the car has access to a cellular network like when I’m at work so it is not reliant on wi-fi.
Ford have advised me that the wifi only remains on for a maximum of 15 minutes once vehicle is switched off?‍
2 years into my car ownership and still in the dark!?

 

[TomW]

So, the Ford steaming service…… worth it or not? I have only just received the update and wondering if anyone is using the streaming in order to use Alexa….?

 

[Wonky_Donkey]

So, the Ford steaming service…… worth it or not? I have only just received the update and wondering if anyone is using the streaming in order to use Alexa….?

It’s been covered a couple of times - but because it’s a current topic….

You don’t need the Ford streaming package for basic Alexa functionality. The recommended way to go is use Alexa how you want, and if there’s a particular function that needs the subscription it will just tell you.

You can then decide how important that particular Alexa feature is to you and if it’s worth the £££ to have it.

 

[portlandg]

The problem with that though is the phrase ‘stands to reason’ which I’ve found rarely applies with Ford.

If the car was always connected to wifi I don’t believe that so many people would be having issues with the OTA updates.

Sorry, but this is a sore subject for me based on the issues I’ve had with ota updates despite being connected to wifi. ?

As you say, the car spends more time on when driving which is why cellular data is the main source of the OTAs.

Here is the information that Ford have provided to me:

The car remains connected to WiFi for a maximum of 15 minutes after ignition off. It will normally always connect when in range of home WiFi and if a new software update is available it will start or continue to download it (it may only partially download an update when it's a larger file) and in this instance will mix cellular and WiFi downloading).

If that is what Ford have said then it MUST be correct.????

 

[nataliej]

When looking in the FordPass app for chargers for my upcoming trip there is a filter for "In-Network" chargers.

Some of these chargers can be started from within the app by pressing "SELECT" and confirming on the next screen.

Others show "Charge Card Only". What charge card would that be? Is that my Ford Pass RFID card?

Might be a dumb question, but if that's the case, could I turn up at one of these chargers (which maybe doesn't have a chip & pin reader) and authenticate with the Ford Pass card? The money would then come from the card stored on my account.

 

[nataliej]

Also, why all rapids don't have card readers is beyond me!

 

[Wonky_Donkey]

Others show "Charge Card Only". What charge card would that be? Is that my Ford Pass RFID card?

Yes

Might be a dumb question, but if that's the case, could I turn up at one of these chargers (which maybe doesn't have a chip & pin reader) and authenticate with the Ford Pass card? The money would then come from the card stored on my account.

Yes

 

[Wonky_Donkey]

Also, why all rapids don't have card readers is beyond me!

Welcome to the Wild West of non standardised EV charge networks. ?

Suppose we should be grateful they all use the same plug

 

[nataliej]

Welcome to the Wild West of non standardised EV charge networks. ?

I was just having flashbacks of the journey down to Austria in summer of 2020. It was in the ChaDeMo ported Nissan Leaf and we had to replan the entire route the night before because Belgium and Luxembourg closed their borders.

That meant going through France and to say it was a charging desert would be putting it kindly. So many chargers required an app or worse, just an RFID. I remember finding one random charger in the middle of some small French town and it somehow accepted the Shell card, meaning we could charge.

There were actual tears of relief when we made it to Austria at the end of the second day.

So you can see why I plan ahead!

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