Mashedtators
Well-known member
Can you imagine doing that for every iPhone update?
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Adventureboy
Well-known member
It's not really comparable. The iPhone is a single device. Our trucks are a collection of modules, each with its own purpose and integrated together so if one device fails, you don't lose all truck functionality (at least in most cases). This is a far more complicated update than a single device, although I agree, a bit more maturity on this front is needed on Ford's side. I started the journey early in 2023, and it has improved much since the early days.Can you imagine doing that for every iPhone update?
Altivec
Well-known member
I disagree... The iPhone is not a single device. It's got radios, ram, storage, cameras, batteries, BCM, cooling. Apple understands that the more they integrate modules together, the better and cheaper the end product becomes. Year after year Apple is combining more things into their main CPU. Ford CHOSE to have a collection of modules with separate software. You feel that is because if one device fails, you don't lose functionality of the others. That may be true in some regard but the complexity of trying to get everything playing nice with each other jumps exponentially. This increases the potential for failure and makes if very hard to program.
My bottom line as a consumer is, I don't care about any of that. I know my iPhone always works, I choose to update it when I want, not when Apple decides. Most software updates go flawlessly. BUT, bugs do appear here and there. Anything remotely serious gets fixed in less than a week.
I had patience when Ford first got into this software game. But it's been 4 years now. So either this module way of doing things is way over their head or they just don't care. Either way... not good. Stuff that we had years ago in the app (ie. zone lighting control, pro power) were taken away with the promise they were coming back... Promises of software updates such as pro power with truck off to 2022 and 2023 models are no where near to be seen. Simple fix requests repeated here ad nauseam completely ignored. Many trucks not getting updates that were released years ago that others got. How long should a consumer have to wait? at 4 years, some people are already reaching end of life.
I do love my lightning and I am not going to say they did nothing. The software has improved tremendously over the years. They are actually really close to having 'decent' software as well. If they can just put some time and effort in getting some of these fixes people have been clamouring about for years, it would make a world of difference in how I feel about getting future Ford Vehicles. As it stands today, I have the impression that they don't get it and that does not bode well for when I am ready for my next truck. I hope they keep plugging away, keep their promises, and get things straight with the lightning software because if they move on to the next thing and leave us like this, I am out of here.
Adventureboy
Well-known member
We can agree to disagree. iPhones are not the same as a truck, nor should they be compared.
Apple has been upgrading iPhones for 18 years. iPhone is a consumer device. If it fails, it doesn't kill people (usually). Apple can fix a glitch in a day. iPhone is not driving a 7000lb truck down a 4-lane highway in hands-free mode.
The overhead on an automotive manufacturer is far more extensive, regulated and inherently more complex as a result. Automotive manufacturers cannot release an update or fix in a day because rigorous testing needs to be applied at the module level across all versions of the truck before an update can be released to the public. Everything you mentioned above is user convenience and takes a far back seat to the control modules that affect safety, like ABS, Power delivery and BlueCruise. When you have limited resources, those items are way down on the priority list. They will get there, but please understand the challenges here, over and above a smartphone.
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Are you ok?
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The term you’re looking for is “system of systems”.
MillieChliette
Well-known member
This is almost certainly what happened. If OPs truck hasn't already fixed itself, they ought to look at the power meter and will likely see one of the motors doing nothing and the power meter limited to 50 or 51.
Altivec
Well-known member
I don't discredit anything you said, however, these are excuses for why you are okay with the status quo. It's the legacy auto way because they all followed the same script for a hundred years. The customer had nowhere to go, because the next company was even worse. The problem for them now though, is software is becoming the name of the game and what is going to be the key differentiator for sales. If Tesla or Rivian weren't showing the world that software can be done well and can be updated easily, then your excuses would be valid. These are from start ups that don't have the capital that legacy auto has but yet, extensive regulations and complexity hasn't hindered them to be iphoneish. When the Lightning was introduced, I was excited and hopeful that at least one legacy company got the picture. Then the flip flops on EV's happened, then the layoffs in software happened.
At this point in time, if my truck were totalled, I would buy a lightning again. The reason for that is GM is the only alternative at the moment with a full size EV truck. I dislike their software decisions (mainly not having CarPlay) more than Fords. So at the moment, legacy auto can still get away with being dumb and dumber. They just have to thank their lucky star that Tesla had the opportunity to destroy their truck market but decided to go with the abomination called cybertruck. If they would have released a 'normal' truck and kept the prices low, it would be game over already. That miscue just bought Ford a little more time. If they continue with this snail pace or stick to the excuses like you claim, it's only a matter of time before someone out there shows them how it's done.
On the Road with Ralph
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Not that it matters, but I got the frunk update and did need revisit one or two settings, including the number of clicks needed to unlock all the doors.
I think we can all agree that Ford knows trucks. Software? Not so much.
I think we can all agree that Ford knows trucks. Software? Not so much.
bluxombie
Member
- Thread starter
- #25
Did that but it acted the same. Buuuut good news, I parked, or the charger on, and today is back to normal.Try sport mode
I really don't know what the reason was but the slow gradual 4 cylinder feeling acceleration is now corrected.
I didn't do anything but charge from about 65% to 85% and that was it.
The breaks in the reverse are now acting normal and the acceleration is the solid instant power we all are used to.
So strange, but at least it's a one off.
I wasn't thrilled at the thought of having our acceleration massively reduced.
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Back in my working days, IRS would lock down all major system updates from January to June only super critical were allowed, everything else waited until peak production season was over, then they would allow mid-year release on major systems.
Altivec
Well-known member
Sport mode is my prefer way of driving. Which reminds me of my hate for Fords software every day (ie. jumping through hoops to keep it in that mode). So the loss of spinning the tires is not due to modes. Actually, I am pretty sure full throttle in Normal and Sport are the same. Where sport mode differs is in the lower threshold of accelerator pedal press. It's mapped to be more aggressive with less pedal pushed down. But, if you stomp on it in either mode, you will be getting 100% in both.Try sport mode
The opportunity for me try taking traction control off to see if I can get some wheel spin has not materialized yet. I want to make sure no one is around me in case I smoke the joint up and look like a lunatic
Altivec
Well-known member
Finally had a chance to try some launches with traction control and advance track off. Unfortunately, there was no difference. I can no longer break lose and get wheel spin on dry pavement. Again, not saying it's a slouch, just saying I was able to spin my wheels easy when new. I also don't drive my lightning a lot. Had it about 16 months and it only has 6000miles on it. So it's basically new with no battery degradation, only thing that changed is a lot of software updates. This leads me to believe that one of them did adjust some performance parameters. Again not complaining. Just an interesting observation.
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