Over the Air (OTA) Updates

NOTE: Refer to the Owner Literature for additional details of the over the air update process.

Over The Air (OTA) module updates are released from the Ford cloud and received by the vehicle GWM over the vehicle cellular and Wi-Fi connection. The TCU/ APIM vehicle Wi-Fi and cellular connection is used to connect the vehicle to the Ford data cloud and pass the data to the GWM over its Ethernet network connection. The download of OTA updates from the cloud to the GWM occurs seamlessly in the background. Once the download from the cloud to the GWM has completed, the GWM manages the software update installation to the receiving module(s). The module updates are communicated between the GWM and the receiving modules over the Ethernet network, for Ethernet connected modules and the controller area networks (CAN), for all other modules, dependent on the update protocols.

For vehicles capable of receiving over the air updates there are 2 general types of update; Scheduled updates and Non Scheduled updates. An installation update icon will appear on the vehicle display screen to inform the user to schedule a convenient time for the scheduled update to take place.

Vehicle status and operational preconditions must be met for all over the air (OTA) update software installations to complete, scheduled or unscheduled. The GWM is aware of the length of time required to update a given module and compares this against the battery state of charge. If it determines that the battery state of charge is not high enough to support the update, the update is postponed. Other preconditions must also be met before an OTA update is installed. The PTS software update dashboard displays the preconditions applicable to your vehicle. The preconditions can include but are not limited to, the following:

Electronic Steering Column Lock (ESCL) is engaged
Steering tension torque, no torque is applied to the steering wheel
A diagnostic self-test is not active
No Charging faults are reported
Ignition status, Ignition Off
Ignition status, Accessory functionality Off
The battery voltage is within the required range
The vehicle is stopped
PRNDL in park
Parking brake is applied
Charging is not in Progress (hybrid or EV high voltage battery charging/LIII)
The hazard indicators are off
The alarm is not sounding
The engine is not running
All doors and liftgate are closed
The parking lights are off
Limp home mode is not active
Illuminated exit is not active
The brake pedal is not being pressed
The battery voltage is within the required range
The windows are closed and not operating
eCall is not active
Remote start is not active
Vehicle theft (SVS) is not active
Remote park assist is not active
Neutral tow is not active
4x4 high/Low is not active
A DTC requiring vehicle service, is not present in the module targeted for the update.

The GWM confirms all preconditions are met and the battery status can support the update process before initiating the module update(s).

The GWM considers the battery life while the module programming action is active and the vehicle is off, to be a maximum of 45 minutes.

Scheduled Updates

NOTE: During scheduled updates the vehicle is disabled and does not function. Scheduled updates may take up to 45 minutes to complete.

When software updates are available that must be scheduled, because the update requires the vehicle to be disabled (unusable) for a period of up to 45 minutes, a schedule installation update popup appears on the vehicle display screen. Using the vehicle display screen the customer can schedule a time when the vehicle will not be in use, for the installation of the update to take place. When the update is in progress the vehicle display screen displays a progress bar. Upon completion, details of the completed update can be viewed on the vehicle display screen.

Scheduled updates are required for downloads to modules where the module data is erased before the new data can be uploaded (Erase and replace method). These updates need to be scheduled as the vehicle is disabled (unusable), for up to 45 minutes while the update takes place. Once the download has completed, a schedule installation update icon will appear for the user to schedule a time for the installation to take place. Once scheduled, the user is informed the installation is taking place and the vehicle is disabled while the update installation takes place. On the next use of the vehicle, details of the update can be viewed on the vehicle display screen.

Installation at the Scheduled Time

An internet network connection is not required during the scheduled update time. If an internet connection is available where the vehicle is parked, the connection is used to update the data cloud of the update status at the time the update completes. Otherwise the system updates the data cloud on its next connection to the internet.

The vehicle checks the ignition status, the ignition must be off
The vehicle display screen will display a 2 minute countdown timer with the option to cancel the update
The user is given the opportunity to reschedule the update
- If the user chooses to cancel the update, it will postpone until the next scheduled time.
- Once the update starts the use must wait until the update is complete.
The vehicle checks that all preconditions are met.
- If any preconditions are not met the installation process is postponed until the next scheduled time.
- If all preconditions are met the installation process starts and the vehicle is disabled for the time it takes for the installation to complete (up to 45 minutes).
The update begins, the user will see the update progress displayed on the vehicle display screen and is informed the vehicle is disabled while the update installation takes place. The vehicle may be disabled for up to 45 minutes. On the next use of the vehicle, details of the update installation carried out can be viewed on the vehicle touchscreen.

Non Scheduled Updates

Some updates are not required to be scheduled. These updates will install in the background once the download is complete and all vehicle preconditions are met. The customer can drive the vehicle normally during the update.

Update Now

The update now function enables the vehicle owner to activate an update as soon as an update has been downloaded to the vehicle, rather than waiting for the scheduled update time. The option is designed to give more flexibility for users with schedules that do not fit a scheduled weekly update timing.

The update now button can be selected on the vehicle display screen when an update is available through the following:

Settings Menu, System Updates
The OTA schedule update notification
The OTA 24hr update reminder notification

When the update now button is selected, a pop up screen displays showing a countdown stating the update will start in "x" minutes, the vehicle is not usable during the update and instructing the occupants to exit and secure the vehicle before the update starts. An option to cancel an update is also displayed.

NOTE: The occupants of the vehicle must have exited and secured the vehicle within the stated time period for the update to start.

System Settings

Vehicle connectivity must be enabled for over the air updates to be applied to the vehicle.

The customer has the option to turn Automatic Updates on or off, to switch notifications on or off, and set or change update schedules. Manual updates can be initiated by selecting the update icon on the vehicle display screen.

Notifications

The primary point for notification of OTA software updates to the customer is the vehicle display screen. The customer also has the option to receive notifications through the FordPass app or the Ford customer website. If the customer's e-mail is available, the customer can choose to receive OTA related notification via e-mail.

Update available: Notifies the user system software updates are available.

Schedule reminder: Once an update is scheduled the user is informed through the vehicle display screen 24 hours prior to the scheduled time that the installation is going to take place and is given the option to reschedule. If the user has chosen to use the Ford mobile app, they will receive the same notification 12 hours prior to the scheduled installation time.

Download From the Cloud to the Vehicle

All module software update files are downloaded from the Ford data cloud by the GWM through the vehicle Wi-Fi or cellular connection provided by the TCU, expect for APIM SYNC software files, which are passed through the GWM to the APIM. Updates to the APIM module are driven by the GWM.

Internet Network Connection

The vehicle has 2 sources of connection to the Ford data cloud, vehicle Wi-Fi and vehicle cellular data. The vehicle is required to have a minimum of 3 bars signal at the location where the vehicle is parked over night, to make sure OTA updates are completed without delays.

OTA Update Subtypes

There are a number of OTA update sub types as described below.

Simple: These are update releases that generally affect a single module.
Coordinated: These are update releases that may affect a number of modules and requires each module to be at a specific version.
Non Coordinated: update may include multiple modules in each update, however does not require all modules to be at a specific software version.

Cancellation of Ongoing OTA Updates

The customer does not have the direct ability to cancel an OTA system software update. There are a few reasons why an update may be canceled.

Ford Motor Company can cancel the update at any time before the installation of the update is complete.
If the automatic updates setting has been toggled to OFF, with the vehicle connectivity selection still enabled, the update will expire after a period of time if a manual update icon is not available from the vehicle display screen determined based on currently installed software.
A master reset can cancel an ongoing update.

Module Over the Air Programming Capability Chart

Module Name	Over the Air Update Programing Capable (Yes/N0)	Module Update Method
APIM	Yes	ABA swap
GWM	Yes	ABA swap
TCU	Yes	ABA swap

OTA and Connected Vehicle Dashboard

PTS has a Connected Vehicle tab that allows access to details of the Over the Air (OTA) update status of the vehicle. The dashboard contains a calendar with a 60 day history of the Over the air update activity on the vehicle and a Currently In Process dashboard. The calendar contains but is not limited to the information listed below.

The update ID
The data and time each update was attempted
The module(s) receiving the update
If any DTCs were cleared after the update
The connectivity methods allowed for each update
Release notes for each of the updates
A list of software updates or attempts
It an errors occurred with the update
The number of retries that were attempted if an update failed to download to a module
The software level currently installed in the ECU
The software that was in the module prior to the update

The Currently In Process dashboard contains but is not limited to the information listed below.

The update ID
The data the update was released from the cloud
The ID of the TSB, FSA or SSM if the update is related to one of these actions
The module(s) receiving the update
The connectivity methods allowed for each update
The download status from the cloud to the GWM
The type of update being installed (bug fix, security, new feature, etc)
The status of the download to the GWM or the installation from the GWM to the module.
If the vehicle needs to be inhibited during installation
Module software part number
Release notes for each of the updates

Updating Modules Using The Diagnostic Scan Tool

Modules with an Ethernet network connection can be updated through the diagnostic scan tool, using the USB flash method. A 32 GB USB drive formatted to exFAT can be used to transfer software to the Ethernet connected modules. Connect the appropriate exFAT format USB drive to the diagnostic scan tool and follow the on screen prompts to complete the software download.