On my 2008 Mercury I had upgraded my Sync system a number of times using the USB memory stick. But there was one major update to the system that required the Dealer to perform. It ended up costing me a little over $100 since it was after my 36-month warranty was over.

As Rebecca said, it happens.

 

I wish that MFT updates could be done through the connection to my home WiFi router, instead of having to walk a USB memory stick outside when I upgrade. It would be nice if the FE could "phone home" when parked in my garage, and download any update needed.
The mobile hotspot feature can be used to tether to a phone with a suitably meaty data plan. So it allows teenagers to update on the move with their devices connected to the MFT, which forwards the data on via the tethered phone. When you pull into a McD's with free WiFi, only the FE mobile hotspot needs to be connected to the free WiFi, all the teenagers in the back will still be connected to the FE mobile hotspot without noticing the handover.

 

Make sure you vote for that here, snave:

Ford Social: Wireless updates

Really? Wonder what would have to be updated.....wouldn't that just be in a recall or TSB that the dealer could do when it's in for service? You are just speaking of MFT, not NAV.....correct? We don't have NAV, but I can understand updates to NAV due to road changes. Would the system not work correctly without these updates, or is it mainly to add new features, or new capabilities with newer cell phones/devices?

(Lots of questions....I know, MFT is all new to us)

The updates mharvey was referring to are software updates to MFT. When we release one, our customers have the choice of going to the dealership to have a technician update the software, or downloading it onto a USB flash drive and performing the update themselves. Here's a link for more information:

Support Topics: SYNC Technology | MyFord Touch | Ford.com

The updates can include general enhancements to MFT for Bluetooth audio, voice commands, and phone compatibility.

DISCLAIMER: There may be times that we do require a vehicle to be taken to your dealership to have MFT updated.

 

The MFT has the ability to join a Wi-Fi network like you'd find at a McDonalds or Starbucks. The limitations are the SSID has to be visible (no way to join a hidden SSID) and as mentioned before, the Wi-Fi's password can't have more than 10 alphanumeric characters.

Once joined, your Escape can present its own Wi-Fi network that your devices can join automatically. Why would you want to do that instead of joining the free network directly? It's easier since once your devices are configured to connect to your Escape, they'll rejoin automatically. Depending on the Tech capabilities of your passengers, it may be easier on you.

I guess it depends on your data plan. If you can use your phone's data plan and pair your Escape to it without exceeding your plan, that's great. But sometimes you might need to mooch some free data to avoid exceeding your cap.

 

Thanks for explaining it. Sad to say, I'm still confused. Sounds like there is no wifi modem installed in the car, just a means to connect to another source. I would not want to use our phone's data plan for the wifi....I was hoping to have wifi provided thru Sync/MFT....but guess that would require a subscription. Lots to learn and figure out. Our dealership is supposed to have a salesperson who is the guru of all this. I'll have to find out how to do this based on what phone my wife has.

Thanks for explaining it.....no fault of yours, but it's making my head spin.

 

Yeah - maybe I am missing it too - I was thinking it uses your phones data connection to create a Hotspot for the car so someone could use their tablet/laptop.... Unclear to me would be how is this any different than using your phone directly as a hotspot, unless it uses the data connection if you have not "purchased" from your carrier the hotspot option... dunno

 

Do all of our 2013/14 Escapes have wifi? I saw it mentioned in the manual, but didn't specify standard or optional feature.

 

Hey everyone,

The password is a maximum on 10 characters if your MyFord Touch is on version 3.6.2. Here's how to set it up if you want to do so:

How to Use Auto SYNC for Phonebook Updates | MyFord Touch | Ford.com



Rebecca

 

Hey everyone,

The password is a maximum on 10 characters if your MyFord Touch is on version 3.6.2.

Will this be changed in a future release?

When I first bought the car I saw that it had an option to connect to an Access Point. The manual does not say why you would want to do that or what that provides, but I decided to try it out.

I found that this password size limitation also applies when you are trying to connect to an Access Point. My router at home has a longer password so I could not get it to connect.

I setup another access point just for the car as a test and created a shorter password and I was able to connect. I seem to remember that it was also was unwilling to accept some characters in the password (the keys on the screen would not light up to allow me to type them). It took some trial and error to come up with a password for my Access Point that the MFT would allow me to use.

What does the MFT use the internet connection for if you connect to an access point from the MFT?

 

Argh. My WEP password is 11 char and I'm not changing it. Why would Ford limit the password to 10 chars?

Weird.

 

I have seen the wifi on there, but could never think of a reason for it... Would be nice to be able to connect and move music to the jump drive - but even that is stretching it - not too hard to bring in the jump drive.. curious to see what it looks like on the network however.... I might need to play with it more...

 

I'm not sure what you would use this wifi for. But one thing to try (if you have it) is to use your phone, tablet. or other device that can connect to the internet via cellular data or other means as a wifi hot-spot. Then see if the Escape can connect to said devices hot-spot. Now you have mobile wifi for your Escape.

 

I'll try again with this new vehicle.

 

Shorten your home password to 10. I'm thinking 16 is the max not the min. I got mine to connect but I'm really not sure why.
Mark

 

I have a shorter password but I was never able to get a connection anyway.