My 2015 KR had the Ford MFT which I could operate blindfolded. My 2016 Platinum has the SYNC 3 which is quite a bit different. Yesterday I bought a 32 GB USB flash drive and downloaded the SYNC version 2.2 of the Ford Owner site and installed it this morning, following the instructions.


1. How long does it take for the navigation map to reload? It has been 15 minutes just spinning and telling me "reloading Map".


2. Does the update include new maps?


3. Are there phone favorites (frequently dialed numbers) somewhere like I had with the MFT?


4. When I try to use Sirius Travel Link all it tells me it is acquiring data but never show any fuel prices (now and before the update), my subscription is good and Sirius radio works?


Everybody says that SYNC 3 is an improvement, I don't know about that.


Appreciate any advice before I take it to the dealer. Thank you.

 

On #3 It does show recents, but I haven't seen favorites. However, you can push the talk button and say "Call 'so-and-so' on mobile" so with that feature favorites seem a bit superfluous. But I am sure opinions will vary.

 

My 2015 KR had the Ford MFT which I could operate blindfolded. My 2016 Platinum has the SYNC 3 which is quite a bit different. Yesterday I bought a 32 GB USB flash drive and downloaded the SYNC version 2.2 of the Ford Owner site and installed it this morning, following the instructions.


1. How long does it take for the navigation map to reload? It has been 15 minutes just spinning and telling me "reloading Map".

A while. It does seem like it isn't working, but it will work itself out eventually. Once it finished loading again it will start like normal after that.


2. Does the update include new maps?
No, map loads are a separate thing and as far as I know there have not been any updates yet.

3. Are there phone favorites (frequently dialed numbers) somewhere like I had with the MFT?
This I am not sure of. Since I use an iPhone it starts up CarPlay and that has all my favorites, I haven't used the Sync 3 phone controls much. I would recommend using voice commands for this part, they work really well with Sync 3!

4. When I try to use Sirius Travel Link all it tells me it is acquiring data but never show any fuel prices (now and before the update), my subscription is good and Sirius radio works?
May need to do a factory reset. Also if you are by some chance in Canada, I don't believe it works there, even if Sirius Radio is.
But I am guessing you are in the US so all I can think of would be a factory reset, my travel link has worked fine so far.

Everybody says that SYNC 3 is an improvement, I don't know about that.
It's a pretty huge improvement, but keep in mind that the MFT you used had several years of development behind it. Sync 3 is only about a year or so old. There will be some bugs and that. Mine has been rock solid so far though. Expect to see more features added, and if you have an iPhone or Android phone, Android Auto/Apple CarPlay alone are worth the upgrade.

Appreciate any advice before I take it to the dealer. Thank you.

 

Thanks for the answers! My map finally displayed after about 25 minutes.


I am not saying SYNC 3 is bad, just different. It seems faster than MFT and I like the pinch/zoom feature.


As far as Travel Link is concerned, I already did a Master Reset. I will call Sirius and see what they say and have them refresh the signal. If that doesn't work I have the dealer look at it, should be covered under he 3/36 warranty.


I'll have to take it there anyway because the Lane Assist is not working as good as it did in my KR. It doesn't correct as well or strong as the KR did. I am sure they can adjust that. And, yes I know I have a choice of three aid levels.....it is on high.


Thanks again, great forum here!

 

Glad the maps loaded and good luck with the dealer! If they come back with a fix for the travel link issue that anyone could do (once we know how), be sure to let us know in case someone else runs into it.

 

I called Sirius and they refreshed my signal. Travel Link works now, although it should have worked before since it said "subscribed" for all the services.


While I talked to them they told me that their records indicate that my truck/radio does not have the 5-year free Travel Link subscription. I don't get it; I thought that all trucks with factory navigation come with the 5-years free Travel Link (starting late model year 2015).


Always something else.

 

My guess is the rep just didn't know what they were talking about. Our C-Max has 5 years of travel link as does our 2017 F-150. I can see it right on our account page on the Sirius site, pasted the F-150 below.

Infotainment:
Complimentary 5-Year Trial – SiriusXM Traffic
Complimentary 5-Year Trial – SiriusXM Travel Link®
Trial Ends: 07/21/2022

 

I just made the change and my account screen hasn't been updated yet. I'll hope for the best.

 

Just an update.


My Sirius account screen does not show the Travel Link 5-year subscription (however, it works). I called Sirius and tried to tell them that my truck should have come with it since it has factory navigation, they advised me to call Ford. When I called Ford (number on the Owner Site) the guy had no clue what I was talking about. Called Sirius again and they told me that the dealer has to submit paperwork when the truck was new.


I downloaded a PDF copy of the 2016 F-150 brochure and it clearly states that a 5-year complimentary subscription is included. At least I have something when I go to the dealer where I bought the truck and where it was sold new to one of their managers.


I will update here in case I am not the only one with that problem.

 

I just completed a 4200 mile round trip from Arizona to Alabama. I used the travel link alot. The fuel stations is ok, but I prefer my Garmin for navigation and it's "up a head" feature.

But the travel link's weather information is outstanding. I used the radar map to navigate the shortest route out of Harvey. I put in the major cities along the route and was able to check weather on the move.

Good tool to have.