Frank.Herbst
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2018
- Threads
- 53
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- 498
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- Location
- Denver, CO
- First Name
- Frank
- Vehicle(s)
- 2019 GT350
- Thread starter
- #1
With COVID causing us to stay home a lot, I'm now so bored that I typed up the following. Even if you don't want to update your SYNC software and/or your car's MAP data, I'm hoping this might be somewhat helpful at some point. Anyway I have plenty of time so why not?
Notice: Below I mention using your battery charger instead of starting the car. Ford instructions state the car must be running to update SYNC software. I was thinking this is only because of the electrical load (draw on the battery) so I used the battery charger. It worked fine, no need to run the engine. Please note that I had to sit in the car and watch over the process. At one point I got a message in the small display between the Speed and Tach displays saying the car was going to shut down in ... seconds. All it took was pressing the OK button to over ride the timer caused shut down. This is apparently in case you don't have the charger on and leave the ignition on.
UPDATE: The most current version of SYNC available for your VIN will work for the version of MAPS Ford provides for you. The instructions for loading MAPS may incorrectly state you need a version of SYNC that is higher than the version Ford provides you.
Updating the SYNC software on your Ford/Shelby.
1. Enter "www.owner.Ford.com" in your browser
Select "Register/Sign in" and login with your SYNC account login and password.
If you don't have a SYNC account you can register for one on this screen.
Note: This will also be the login you use for the FordPass APP (info at https://owner.ford.com/fordpass.html)
Some on this site have reported older cars don't support FordPass very well but it is somewhat useful on my 2019. FordPass is optional and not required to update you car's SYNC software.
Next:
2. Under the "Support" Tab - "Select SYNC Software Updates"
3. Select "Check Your VIN for SYNC Updates"
4. Select "Check For Updates"
5. Under How Do You Want To Install Select "Flash Drive"
Follow the listed instructions. The short story is you will load the most
updated version of SYNC available for your vehicle on to a flash drive in your computer
USB port, and then load the flash drive into your vehicle. The software will be updated
to your car's SYNC system automatically after installing the flash drive in your car's USB
port. It took about 20 minutes on my car but older systems may take longer. The engine needs
to be running (I suggest driving around) or you can load the update after attaching your
car charger and turning on accessories with out starting the engine. Remember ground
cable needs to be on a bolt in the engine compartment or the system does not record volts
charged. Positive charger cable is OK on the battery, the negative charger cable can be
attached to a bolt on the shock tower under the hood.
The system will notify you when the update is compete and that it is OK to take the USB
drive out of the USB port. The updated software will be available the next time you start
your car.
6. You can return to "www.owner.Ford.com" on your home computer with the same USB drive
that you used to update your car's SYNC software. At the end of the software update on
your car a file is updated on the USB drive. By going back to "www.owner.Ford.com" as
described above you will see an option at the bottom of the screen to update your car's
online software version information. Basically you are taking a file off of the USB drive
and letting the online Ford site know you no longer have the previous version of SYNC
installed on your car. This will allow Ford to notify you properly based on correct SYNC
version.
If you have any questions or problems feel free to contact me a [email protected]
It is very possible some of this information might be slightly different based on your
model year.
UPDATE: When you update the new version of MAPS as described below, it WILL NOT show the updated version number under the SYNC information screen on your car. This may not happen for all year models, however it did on my 19. Ford is aware of this and is working on a fix that will be in the next release of SYNC.
Loading Ford provided MAP updates on your car:
1. I ordered the MAP updates for my Shelby from Ford at "https://syncnavigation.com/ford/home" or Ford CRC at (800) 392-3673
2. They sent me a USB drive with the latest MAP updates. The cost was $40.00.
There is a free internet download, I do not know how long that would take and
your car would have to be running or on the charger the full time.
3. I used the battery charger as describe above to avoid running the car.
4. Place the MAP USB drive in your car's USB port.
5. Answer a couple of questions, like do you want to load the MAP data, and
the system will automatically load the updated MAP files to your SYNC
system. When finished you will be prompted to remove the USB drive
and SYNC will automatically restart itself. You will have access
to the new MAP data when you restart your car.
Good luck...
Notice: Below I mention using your battery charger instead of starting the car. Ford instructions state the car must be running to update SYNC software. I was thinking this is only because of the electrical load (draw on the battery) so I used the battery charger. It worked fine, no need to run the engine. Please note that I had to sit in the car and watch over the process. At one point I got a message in the small display between the Speed and Tach displays saying the car was going to shut down in ... seconds. All it took was pressing the OK button to over ride the timer caused shut down. This is apparently in case you don't have the charger on and leave the ignition on.
UPDATE: The most current version of SYNC available for your VIN will work for the version of MAPS Ford provides for you. The instructions for loading MAPS may incorrectly state you need a version of SYNC that is higher than the version Ford provides you.
Updating the SYNC software on your Ford/Shelby.
1. Enter "www.owner.Ford.com" in your browser
Select "Register/Sign in" and login with your SYNC account login and password.
If you don't have a SYNC account you can register for one on this screen.
Note: This will also be the login you use for the FordPass APP (info at https://owner.ford.com/fordpass.html)
Some on this site have reported older cars don't support FordPass very well but it is somewhat useful on my 2019. FordPass is optional and not required to update you car's SYNC software.
Next:
2. Under the "Support" Tab - "Select SYNC Software Updates"
3. Select "Check Your VIN for SYNC Updates"
4. Select "Check For Updates"
5. Under How Do You Want To Install Select "Flash Drive"
Follow the listed instructions. The short story is you will load the most
updated version of SYNC available for your vehicle on to a flash drive in your computer
USB port, and then load the flash drive into your vehicle. The software will be updated
to your car's SYNC system automatically after installing the flash drive in your car's USB
port. It took about 20 minutes on my car but older systems may take longer. The engine needs
to be running (I suggest driving around) or you can load the update after attaching your
car charger and turning on accessories with out starting the engine. Remember ground
cable needs to be on a bolt in the engine compartment or the system does not record volts
charged. Positive charger cable is OK on the battery, the negative charger cable can be
attached to a bolt on the shock tower under the hood.
The system will notify you when the update is compete and that it is OK to take the USB
drive out of the USB port. The updated software will be available the next time you start
your car.
6. You can return to "www.owner.Ford.com" on your home computer with the same USB drive
that you used to update your car's SYNC software. At the end of the software update on
your car a file is updated on the USB drive. By going back to "www.owner.Ford.com" as
described above you will see an option at the bottom of the screen to update your car's
online software version information. Basically you are taking a file off of the USB drive
and letting the online Ford site know you no longer have the previous version of SYNC
installed on your car. This will allow Ford to notify you properly based on correct SYNC
version.
If you have any questions or problems feel free to contact me a [email protected]
It is very possible some of this information might be slightly different based on your
model year.
UPDATE: When you update the new version of MAPS as described below, it WILL NOT show the updated version number under the SYNC information screen on your car. This may not happen for all year models, however it did on my 19. Ford is aware of this and is working on a fix that will be in the next release of SYNC.
Loading Ford provided MAP updates on your car:
1. I ordered the MAP updates for my Shelby from Ford at "https://syncnavigation.com/ford/home" or Ford CRC at (800) 392-3673
2. They sent me a USB drive with the latest MAP updates. The cost was $40.00.
There is a free internet download, I do not know how long that would take and
your car would have to be running or on the charger the full time.
3. I used the battery charger as describe above to avoid running the car.
4. Place the MAP USB drive in your car's USB port.
5. Answer a couple of questions, like do you want to load the MAP data, and
the system will automatically load the updated MAP files to your SYNC
system. When finished you will be prompted to remove the USB drive
and SYNC will automatically restart itself. You will have access
to the new MAP data when you restart your car.
Good luck...
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