HFord57

MyFord Touch Performance Upgrade begins shipping March 5, 2012 More than 300,000 current owners of 2011 and 2012 Ford Edges, Explorers and Focuses with the MyFord Touch system will soon be receiving some new software from their car company — the much-anticipated MyFord Touch and MyLincoln Touch system upgrade software. Dave Martin, Field Service Engineer for Ford, said March 5 that Ford would begin mailing out a special packet to the thousands of 2011/2012 model year Edge, MKX, Explorer and 2012 Focus owners with MyFord Touch and MyLincoln Touch. The packet will include a USB flash drive with updated software, a notification letter, detailed instructions for the 60-minute download, and an update user guide. Navigation-equipped vehicle owners also will receive an updated SD card with all-new, updated map data. Ford and Lincoln service departments are gearing up for this release because, if preferred, customers can elect to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer for installation of the upgrade. The new software upgrade will be installed on the 2012 Ford Taurus and the Flex which are now going into the “build mode.” The touch screen interface was first introduced in 2010 and has received many improvements since then, however, this new performance upgrade will simplify the interface and bring faster performance. It will have better phone compatibility, support for tablet computers and Audible audiobooks, improved navigation maps and destination entry. Ford has seen a dramatic growth in the use of their in-vehicle technologies since the introduction of the Sync system in 2008. A recent survey of 2011 and 2012 owners with Sync and MyFord Touch has found that 91 percent are using the hands-free calling at least once a month. Just over 60 percent use the hands-free phone calling every day. Eighty-five percent use wireless Bluetooth audio streaming with nearly half using it every day. The performance upgrade is offered at no charge to existing MyFord Touch/MyLincoln Touch owners (it’s covered under warranty). Most customers can upgrade the system themselves, however a few “early production” Explorers and Edges may need to have the work done exclusively at a Ford Service Department. For more information, please contact your Ford or Lincoln dealer. Or visit the site, www.fordtechlane.com

Amy: I am not familiar with a recall in relation to the Edge owners overall... but I know that Ford will be releasing before April a complete remake of the MyFord Touch software. Yes, the idea was to improve readability, use of the touch screen, the interaction of the various inputs (phone, bluetooth music, climate, navigation, radio, satellite, radio, etc. I think what you have gotten from your dealer is supposed to be a temporary fix before the total remake is ready. I wouldn't think they would take away navigation, ambient lighting and other items (those are line item features of your model). Please call your dealer to ask about how those are supposed to be activated. I try to release information as I get it from Ford on my website www.fordtechlane.com so I will be following this.

Ford dealers received information Dec. 14, 2011 expanding on the plans Ford is making to assist customers who own vehicles with the MyFord Touch and MyLincoln Touch systems found in the new Explorer, Edge and some Focus models. Some owners have had difficulty with the advanced in-vehicle technology system. Some media critics have panned the MyFord Touch system while others have praised it. The key elements of the performance upgrade plan will focus on improved quality through better system stability, improved voice recognition and software updates. The upgrade will improve performance and usability with improved screen refresh rates, improved response to touch, new simplified screens and easier phone pairing. New features will include ability to handle audible (book) files, better message access profile (voice to text conversion), better tablet compatibility and new map data. In this past week about 1,000 MyFord and MyLincoln Touch owners (Red Carpet lessees) were randomly selected to conduct an extensive Beta Test. The testing will put the new software through a variety of tests and engineers will have the opportunity to make any adjustments before the release of the final upgrade. According a representative from Ford’s In-Vehicle Technology support center, the upgrade is scheduled for release in first quarter 2012. An exact date has not been set pending results from the Beta Test. Ford said the performance upgrade plans to date include an offer to the customer to receive USB flash drives or SD cards (if their vehicle is nav equipped) along with instructions that will be mailed to them so they can install the software themselves. The customers may request their dealer execute the Performance Upgrade. If they make that choice, they will be asked to bring in the USB or SD card they received in the mail so the dealer can make the installation. An additional 1-year warranty extension will be offer to all customers receiving the Performance Upgrade. Joseph B. White, with the Wall Street Journal, said of the upgrade, “Ford’s upgrade move illustrates the benefit of digital technology: The look and feel of a digital dashboard can be changed in a few minutes by changing software.” Doug Newcome, with Edmund’s Inside Line, adds, “Let’s hope that other automakers follow Ford’s lead in making systems like MyFord Touch as easy to update as your smartphone or other electronic devices.” For additional info check with your local Ford dealer, visit the syncmyride.com website or visit the fordtechlane.com weblog.

Jack, since about July 25, 2011, all Edge, Explorer and Focuses with MyFord Touch have been delivered with the newest software. The software is a response to the TSBs about customer problems. The upgrade helps, but Ford intends to send all Edge, Explorer and Focus owners with MyFord Touch a new operating system. Check with your dealer for more information - I've heard release is set for January 2012. I know many people have had issues but many of those issues were phone or cellphone carrier related...