OTA update confusion

[rugedraw]

So if you were outgoing and boisterous, you didn't get the updates?

When it comes to the Ford OTA gods, you never know.

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[carys98]

I am also frustrated by the lack of information on this front, however, let's also keep in mind the complexity of this on Ford's side. I work in complex software/hardware environments daily and here is my perspective:

1) There are dozens of modules that need to work in concert in our vehicles. It is not the same as updating firmware on a single device. Updates to one module affect others and they need to be carefully orchestrated and tested or things just don't work.
2) There are various hardware configurations across multiple trim levels that have different capabilities and modules which further complicates the update process (our trucks are not all the same)
3) Even trim levels with the same configuration can have different versions of hardware modules and firmware versions as they tweak capabilities and tune the truck manufacturing process week by week.

Given the complexity of this process, the lack of information and the lack of owner understanding is not surprising albeit frustrating. The reasons why some get updates and some do not may be deeply technical as they work through the above items. In short, an explanation may cause more challenges between owners and Ford than the frustration of no information.

I want certain updates however in the meantime, I'm driving the truck and loving it.

Just curious. How do you think the people that buy the SW/HW you work on would feel if you sent them a new release and later discovered a bug but didn’t inform them? That’s what Ford has done with both 6.3 and 6.4 and there are people out there wondering why some features aren’t working. They don’t need to tell us all of the details but just a basic level of communication is required. I agree with everything you said above I just wish Ford would say it.

 

[Adventureboy]

Just curious. How do you think the people that buy the SW/HW you work on would feel if you sent them a new release and later discovered a bug but didn’t inform them? That’s what Ford has done with both 6.3 and 6.4 and there are people out there wondering why some features aren’t working. They don’t need to tell us all of the details but just a basic level of communication is required. I agree with everything you said above I just wish Ford would say it.

Unfortunately, this happens all of the time for non-critical items. Since they cannot test every single truck configuration and every single user scenario, it is inevitable. This is why Ford has the EAP to iron out many of the glitches before it hits mainstream by testing it on a set of trucks with owners knowing they could run into glitches for which they need to provide feedback so adjustments can be made. Most of the glitches will only affect some vehicles that have specific characteristics and user settings.

The alternative is to provide NO FUNCTIONAL updates and only provide bug fixes. This means we would have only the functionality our truck was manufactured with and only newer vehicles would get additional functionality through the manufacturing process. This, of course, wouldn't be as good for us.

If stability is your preference, you can do this by turning updates off. This is why Fleet vehicles don't even have the update function.

While it might seem frustrating, we will get new functionality at some point which is better than not.

 

[rugedraw]

If stability is your preference, you can do this by turning updates off. This is why Fleet vehicles don't even have the update function.

This is not an option, as auto-updates only applies to updates that require the vehicles to be inhibited. With Ford vehicles, that is.....not sure about other manufacturers. I now work for Jaguar/Land Rover, and with this product, you can go into the connectivity settings and turn the 4G modem off with a toggle. This will prevent any updates from getting to the vehicles.

 

[Adventureboy]

This is not an option, as auto-updates only applies to updates that require the vehicles to be inhibited. With Ford vehicles, that is.....not sure about other manufacturers. I now work for Jaguar/Land Rover, and with this product, you can go into the connectivity settings and turn the 4G modem off with a toggle. This will prevent any updates from getting to the vehicles.

I wouldn't bet my lunch on it however, I believe the automatic update switch is for all updates.

It states "each Software Update". We know the schedule for updates is only for updates that require immobilization during the update. I believe you will get no updates if you turn automatic updates off.

Turning off your 4G/WIFI modem will also kill FordPass functionality.

 

[rugedraw]

I can tell you with 100% confidence that auto updates only applies to updates that require the vehicle to be inhibited.

The only way to "turn off" the 4G modem on our vehicles is to unplug it. There is no toggle button to turn the connectivity off in the settings. At least not on the ICE trucks, but I don't think you guys have that option, either.

 

[rugedraw]

Matter of fact, even with auto updates off, your truck will still get updates sent to it. However, it will just sit in queue until the OTA trigger expires 30 days later. Updates that do not require the vehicle to be parked only have a 14 day timer to install before the OTA expires. "Consent" for these types of updates is given automatically to the OTA the second you turn the ignition on your truck for the first time after the OTA trigger was created in the servers for the vehicle.

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