Patch Farmer

I guess this question is directed to service writers and techs that work at Ford dealerships. Why isn't it just standard procedure to keep the PCM updates current. When you take your truck in for service and there is a PCM update is available just update it there should be no questions asked! The check engine light shouldn't have to be on. If there is a better PCM put it in. The same goes for sync updates put them in. Why wouldn't Ford want these trucks to run the best that they possibly could. I swear going to the local dealer is worse than dealing with a government agency. I guess this is just my rant but to me it is no more than common sense!

dmalone

I am guessing it's a case of"squeaky wheel gets the grease". If you are not complaining about anything then there is no motivation for them to fix or update it. If they were to proactively fix things or do updates for you then what would happen is they would have a lot of people saying "well, everything was fine before you updated it".

Legendsk

There's a lot to be said for "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Since I've been programming for more than 60 years, I'm well aware of how much damage a programming mistake can do. I'm not that afraid of an updated PCM program and would likely keep mine current. But I'm also careful to keep a copy of the old one so I can go back. I don't reckon most F-150 owners are in a position to do that and the conservative approach by dealers is, don't risk breaking something by updating software that is currently working acceptably well. And software is pretty much a mystery to most dealer service personnel.

Ssls6

I can tell you my own experience. I had a 2004 6.0L ford that I loved when I bought it. Quiet, smooth, powerful, good mileage. I went in for an oil change and boom, I got back a loud clanky sputtering engine. The PCM was flashed to, and I quote "meet EPA requirements" but what they really did was shut off the double injector squirt that managed the pressure spikes. It seems a lot of injector problem were happening on the all new 6.0L diesel. I was pissed but over time the 6.0L gave me more reasons to hate being an early ford adopter.

Today? I won't let them flash anything unless I'm having a big problem and their flash is known to fix it without side effects. If you like how your truck runs, don't let them fool with it's brain.

My 2 cents.