Did Ford totally quit Sync 2 support?

[jestevens]

It was always a struggle for me to download updates from the ford site, the last update I can't even remember how I got a copy of the file - I had to really finagle with owner.ford.com site  but did get a copy on a USB stick finally.  It took quite a while to update and did have some nice features but yes, it's Sync 2 - a system that Ford is no longer interested in supporting and if I were them I would have terminated the Microsoft contract with gusto.

 

They want you to buy the new car with Sync 3 - you all might be used to the software development world where it is possible to apply updates on a routine basis but this is a car vendor - computers used to be for the life of the car, under the hood.  They want to treat Sync 3 like any other new model year feature.

 

Apparently the Sync 3 update also involves newer, updated hardware with capacitive touch screen and more powerful CPU in the embedded computer.  There's at least one company I saw someone link to on here that sells retrofit kits, they aren't cheap.

[homestead]

I found a version online that has the self diagnostic test using voice control. You can activate it manually which is what I have to do because I installed the version without first, then I found the full version. It won't let me update it.

I think you can edit one of the files on the flash drive and force it to reload the same version of sync.

[Redshift]

I think you can edit one of the files on the flash drive and force it to reload the same version of sync.

I'll look into that. I saw that one of the files is different. I just don't want to brick my car :-) 

[Zathrus]

Looks like Ford is indeed abandoning support for Sync 2 users. I received email today from Ford stating Vehicle Health Report for Sync 2 users will be discontinued effective August 1, 2018.  More info available here:

 

https://owner.ford.com/content/ford-dot-com/en/tools/account/maintenance/vehicle-health-report-discontinued-faqs.html

 

Really bad move on Fords part. I'm pretty sure continuing this existing feature would not cost them much money. What will cost them money is people remembering Ford's poor support of Sync 2 when they decide to purchase their next vehicle (from someone other than Ford).

Edited April 16, 2018 by Zathrus

[homestead]

Here is copy of the email I got today from Ford.

 

We'd like to thank you for registering this email to receive complimentary Vehicle Health Reportsfor your 2013 Ford C-max. We hope that you have enjoyed this service that we've offered over the years to Owners of 2008 - 2016 Model Year FordSYNC^®-equipped vehicles. Unfortunately, the necessary decision has been made to discontinue this service and we want to make sure that you're aware of how this impacts your receipt of the reports. Consistent with the Terms & Conditionsin the user agreement and starting August 1^st, 2018, this change will result in the following:

• Vehicle Health Information will no longer be sent through the mobile phone associated with this account
• Vehicle Health Reports will no longer be sent to this Email
• Vehicle Health Reports will no longer be available on the Ford Owner website

For more information regarding this change, including alternative ways to obtain Vehicle Health information, please review this Frequently Asked Questionspage on the Ford Owner site.

Again, we appreciate you taking advantage of this complimentary service that we've brought to Ford Owners over the years and want you to know that you can still take advantage of the many technology features available in your vehicle. If you are not already aware of these features, click hereand select the Year, Make, and Model of your vehicle to find out what options are available.

Thank you for being a member of our Ford family and we look forward to our next opportunity to serve you!

[obob]

Never knew about this.  Is it worth doing ?

 

https://owner.ford.com/how-tos/sync-technology/sync/vehicle-health/how-to-run-a-vehicle-health-report-with-sync.html

[howie411]

My wife got the email for her 2013 CMAX (purchased in 2014) and I got it also for my 2014 FFH (purchased in 2014).  What a slap in the face to remove a feature for cars we haven't even owned for 4 years.

[plus 3 golfer]

I never saw a value to the VHR.  It seemed to me it was of more value to Ford / dealers as I'd always get reminders that it was time your my oil change and so forth. So, I quit running it years ago.

Edited April 17, 2018 by Plus 3 Golfer

[Zathrus]

Agree the VHR report was not very detailed.

 

However, the VHR was a quick way to display the Oil Life Monitor (% of life remaining before oil change) for those of us who do not want to mess with OBDII monitors. I assume the OLM feature is unique to Ford. Does anyone know which (if any) OBDII monitors read and display Ford's OLM status?

 

Who knows...maybe Ford will be eliminating the OLM feature as well?

Edited April 17, 2018 by Zathrus

[rjam]

Did not know CMAX showed oil life left on any screen. I do run the VHR. Where can I see this info?

Thank you

[cr08]

As a 2013 Energi user, I'm also curious about this. Never seen OLM info in my VHR reports and they aren't displayed anywhere else in the vehicle other than retrieving via OBD port.

[Zathrus]

Did not know CMAX showed oil life left on any screen. I do run the VHR. Where can I see this info?

Thank you

   

To my knowledge, Oil Life Remaining does not appear on any in car screen/menu.

 

If your vehicle is registered on Ford Owners site (https://owner.ford.com), and you run VHR, you receive an email summary of VHR which contains Oil Life Remaining. (Note: Per post 29 above, VHR feature is being discontinued effective August 1, 2018)

Edited April 21, 2018 by Zathrus

[cr08]

Interesting. This is all I get on my Energi. If I open up any of the panes it is just the boilerplate over explanation of the systems. Again, a 2013 model.