I see there is another thread about some update for the SYNC, but it is 487 pages long now. No way I can read all that.

So just to save time, I got an email from Ford saying there is an update to download for SYNC. What will it change?

I started to try and do it but after my truck sitting there idling for almost an hour and still only a quarter of file showing download I said screw this and shut it off. Not idling my motor all day for that. As long as the radio still makes sound that's all I care anyway. I hate all this electronic crap in these new vehicles.

If this is some important update, can dealer do it without running my truck for an hour? Or should I just ignore it since I don't care about phones and nav. Only want my Sirius radio to work.

 

Not sure if this has something to do with the update or another electronic glitch, but the other morning I started my truck with the remote start. Got in and the display screen was black and was only showing the SiriusXM channel I was on, that my phone was connected and the menu bar on the bottom.
I could not control anything, not even with the steering wheel controls. Couldn't turn it off and even the dash lights for the climate control would not turn off, even with the key out of ignition.

So I left it hoping it would burn or something. But at end of day after work I went back out and everything has been fine.

Anyone else ever seen this?

 

You don't want to read that thread, so you start a new thread and expect someone else to do the work for you and summarize 487 pages here? Hmm.

Your truck has dozens of modules that control things. Like phones, the software for each one is updateable. Until just the past few years, only the dealer could update, but now some are sent directly to the vehicle "over the air" (OTA).

Except Ford had problems with OTA updates early on, causing vehicles to stop receiving them. There are a variety of solutions, from going to the dealership to buying (or borrowing) the hardware + subscription to the same diagnostics & repair system the techs use to do updates yourself.

What do updates do? Anything from adding new features, enabling features you already paid for but don't have (e.g., BlueCruise), or fixing problems with the vehicle.

Everyone's trials, tribulations, and what they went through to get and keep their truck updated has and is being covered in that (and other) threads. But nobody can read it for you. Sorry. You have to put in the legwork yourself, as everybody's vehicle is different.

Do you HAVE to apply updates? No. Unless you start having an issue that is resolved by a particular software update or if you don't care aboit new features that comes from an update (e.g., full screen Android Auto, Alexa in your truck, etc.). It's all up you you.

Don't mean to sound harsh, but updating SW for modules, including Sync, aren't like your phone where you press "Update" and 6 minutes later your device is up to date - so you do need to "do the work" to learn and not expect others to give you a Cliff Notes version of what has been going on and constantly changing for several years.

 

Okay. Sounds like crap I don't need. Thanks.
See, you saved me from reading 487 pages. Thanks!

 

I would completely disagree, but to each his own! Good luck!

 

If the body hadn't rotted off my 1977 F100 I would gladly go back to that in a heartbeat. No micro chips, roll up windows, manual door locks, no constant warnings popping up on the dash saying the collision avoidance camera can't see because it's dirty....even though I have it turned off.

 

Just go to the ford update page, put your vin in, download update to thumb drive, plug in and go. The Navigation update takes a long time, everything else minutes, except the download, and for me, I let wifi do it's thing.

 

Thanks for the info. I don't have navigation, it's just a plain jane XLT.

 

The update doesn't change much, it takes at least 90 minutes to install, it would take your dealer the same amount of time to install. You might plug your thumb drive back in the next time you have a road trip... or don't.

 

Without knowing what version you have now, it is virtually impossible for members here to say what changes are included. We don't even know what year truck you have. In a later reply you did share the very descriptive "plain Jane XLT" comment though - which certainly does not leave any room for interpretation (such as 4" or 8" display).

I guess what I am saying is that you should probably provide any amount of more information if you expect a thorough response.

But maybe you just wanted to vent and folks to support the decision you already made - that in your mind it is not needed!