Troubleshooting tips for SYNC and SYNC with MyFord Your SYNC ® system was designed to provide you with years of entertainment, information, and convenience. However, if you ever notice slower than normal operation or other issues, use the following troubleshooting tips to help keep your system operating in top shape.
This is the final screen from the v3.6 MyFord Touch self-installation process.
Vincent Hennigan
Ford Sync Specialist
It’s here!!! The MyFord Touch version 3.6 is available by going to the new website support.ford.com — and from initial quick tests… everything seems to work seamlessly and smoothly.
The new software update for SYNC with MyFord Touch systems includes all the improvements from previous updates, plus additional benefits, such as:
Improved system performance
Improved Home Screen
Increased Touch Zones on Home Screen
Improved screen interactions while using voice
Updated support for phones and media players
Improvements to System Installation
Quicker install – less than 30 minutes
Persistence of Navigation Favorites during installation
Ford Motor Company periodically releases SYNC® software updates to deliver the most advanced technology and this version was designed to hit some of the issues that have been out there — especially with ease of use.
Updates are tailored to your SYNC with MyFord Touch® system, and will vary based on your system’s current software level. The best way to find out what’s available is to log in to your SYNC Owner account at support.ford.com If you haven’t opened an account at this site, then open one up. The site will tell you if you need the update and guide you through the entire process.
Here is a quick overview of the steps to start the software upgrade:
Step 1 – Connect a USB drive to your computer. Before you begin, please make sure your USB drive is empty, has at least 2GB of free space, and is not password protected.
Step 2 – Get the update. The software download process requires your browser to have Java installed and enabled. If your browser prompts you to run a Java application from Ford Motor Company, please click “Run” to continue. You may also receive a security warning. Please click “Don’t Block” to continue. Be patient.. it may take 10 minutes or more to download the software update. And, using other programs during the download will slow down the process.
Now, take the USB from your computer and go to your vehicle…
Step 3– Take the USB drive with the software updates to your vehicle. Turn on your vehicle, and then turn on the radio.
Make sure your car is in a well-ventilated area. Your vehicle will need to be turned on, with the engine running between 25 to 35 minutes. Make sure that your vehicle is not in Accessory mode.
Plug the USB drive in to your vehicle’s USB port. The system should start the download process within a few seconds…
With the MyFord Touch system, now let your vehicle run and the entire download process takes about 25 minutes. While the process is going on, remove the SYNC system from your phone or device. You will have to pair it again after the installation.
SYNC displays “Installing Application” during the process. Do not remove your USB drive or turn off your vehicle while this update is in progress. Shortly after installation has begun, SYNC says “Installation Complete.” Ignore this message. It refers to a specific phase of the installation, not the overall update process. While the update is loading, SYNC will not recognize your mobile phone or media device.You will notice the software upgrade goes through at least five “sessions” of installing software and then “rebooting.” Be patient. Let the system run through the process and, as stated, in about 25 to 30 minutes will bring up the screen pictured above and once you push OK the process will end.
Once you have installed the SYNC software updates, you’ll need to pair your phone again. To complete the process, take the USB drive to your computer to report the successful installation (at the support.ford.com website).
You will notice that the MyFord Touch system seems more intuitive after the update. You will see a reference page appear after you push the Voice button that will assist in using the Voice commands.
Best of all, you could be listening to the Radio, using the Climate control or the Destination features and you can simply say “Call (contact name) and the Sync system knows you want to make a call without having to first say “Phone.” However, you will have to refer first to the mode if you want to go from Audio to Climate, for example.
More on the use of the upgrade after some “field testing.” For now, grab an empty USB jump drive and take “new control” of your MyFord Touch system. For those who aren’t comfortable with the self-installation process, please contact your Ford Service Department or your Ford sales representative.
Free Ford Sync Update Download
Anyone who experienced Ford Motor Company's [NYSE:F] MyFord Touch infotainment system is likely still recovering from the nightmare that were the blue screen of death, glitchy software, frozen screens, slow responses, and a complicated overall user experience. For the 2016 model year, Ford wiped the slate clean and ditched the MyFord Touch system in favor of Sync 3.
The new Sync 3 system loses the previous Microsoft Auto operating system and uses Blackberry's QNX system. For the technically inclined, think Linux versus DOS here.
Recently, we had the opportunity to spend some time with Sync 3 in the 2016 Ford Escape. Here's what we learned:
The Good
Right off the bat Sync 3 is galaxies better than MyFord Touch in the real world. It's quick, and we didn't experience one hiccup when it came to the user interface in all our testing. Simply put, it actually works as you would expect. While this might seem like a trivial thing, after using MyFord Touch, it's rather notable.
It's also dead simple to use. The virtual buttons on the touchscreen are large and crisp. The layout is simple, and so is the graphical user interface. It's not visually distracting in the least.
Changing settings; using Bluetooth streaming; switching between navigation, radio, and the settings functions--it's all a cinch. Plug in your iPhone and it instantly indexes the music and starts playing. Want to play Pandora off your iPhone? No problem, it's simple and works. We can't say same for some other automakers' infotainment systems.
ALSO SEE: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Shows Fourth-Generation Uconnect At CES
Sync Download Ford Website Slow Free
The Bad
It's 2016. These are 2016 model year vehicles. Sync 3 is a new system from Ford, and it doesn't come with Apple's CarPlay system or Google's Android Auto. To be fair, at this week's Consumer Electronics Show, Ford announced that all 2017 models with Sync 3 would be getting both CarPlay and Android Auto, and that Ford will offer a free update for 2016 model year vehicles with Sync 3 to add these systems later this year. Still, why didn't Sync 3 launch with these?
Sync Download Ford Website Slow To Go
The Ugly
Sync Download Ford Website Slow Version
Flat out, Sync 3 isn't pretty. The bit about it being dead simple in the list of good things? It's almost to the point of being a detriment. The graphical user interface is beyond simple. It's as if they designed it, coded it, and then said, 'It's 5 pm, let's not bother making it shiny or pretty. I want to go home and have a beer.' Even just a smidge of spit and polish (read: graphic design) would improve it visually. We aren't talking about adding fancy flash animation by any means.
Volvo's new touchscreen Sensus infotainment system is easy-to-use and gorgeous. Chrysler's current third-generation Uconnect system is drop-dead simple to use and not hard on the eyes, though the low-resolution screen is annoying. Chrysler's newly announced fourth-generation Uconnect system rectifies the low-resolution screen issue and makes the easy-to-use infotainment system even prettier than before.
If others can do it, why can't Ford?
Ford Sync Software Download
Bottom Line
Ford Sync Download
Is Sync 3 better than MyFord Touch? Absolutely. Is it the best infotainment system on the market? Not yet. But like most technologies, it will continue to improve with updates, and it's worlds better than what we had before.