Old vs new

[DWG]

With the SYNC4, it connects to Android Auto or Apple Carplay and you never have to pay for updates on that, it automated updates! I used the Google maps on Android Auto this weekend, and it works great!!

I agree that is a great option. It is also available to sync 3 so not a new option. The only difference is that on sync 4 it is a wireless connection. My son uses the map apps through his phone even though he has the built in navigation on his 20 escape.

Another issue related to the built in navigation in sync 4 besides the subscription is that it is part of connected services and with technology changes could become obsolete. There is a disclaimer in the 25 order guide indicating connected services might not work in the future. So a feature that is provided on your new car can eventually become worthless.

Connected Service and features depend on compatible AT&T network availability. Evolving technology/cellular networks/vehicle capability may limit functionality and prevent operation of
connected features. Connected services excluded Wi-Fi hotspot.

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[wireman]

I've had the 13.2 screen before on a 23 Escape. So yes we tried it. With the loss of physical buttons and the large screen my wife and I found it to be very distracting. This is just our opinion and maybe we are just old school but we were happy when we were able to switch out of the Escape and get the 24 BS. It still had the smaller screen with sync 3. While I am sure that the 25's have some great features that are not part of the 21 - 24 models, redesigns do not automatically mean better.

One thing I do not like about sync 4 is the fact that after the Ford Connect trial period the built I navigation if equipped will not work without an annual subscription. We really like the built in navigation on sync 3 and use it all the time and do not have to buy a subscription or update the maps every year if I do not want to for navigation to work.

I thought after the trial period you would lose the connected services like traffic, etc. but the built in nav would still work. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Mark S.]

I do not like the fuel gauge in mine as it is in 8 segmented bars so you never know exactly how much fuel you have

Fuel gauges are notoriously inaccurate. Indicator movement is rarely linear, i.e. you can't tell how many gallons you have left in the tank by looking at the gauge. You're better off using miles-to-empty indication.

 

[Mark S.]

That the Fordpass app is free!!

While it's true there is no direct out-of-pocket expense, there is some evidence that Ford is selling the data it acquires. I don't know precisely what data it's selling, but I'm pretty sure that's why we aren't charged for using the app.

 

[DWG]

I thought after the trial period you would lose the connected services like traffic, etc. but the built in nav would still work. Correct me if I'm wrong.

There is Connected Built In Navigation where the navigation will still work which I believe was a bridge between sync 3 and the initial roll out of sync 4 and there is just Connected Navigation which is what is in the 25 Bronco Sport according to the order guide.

The Ford website has a description of both types. The website says 90 days but the Order Guide says 1 year. what-are-the-sync-4-navigation-options

Connected Navigation (90-Day Trial)

• Begins a 90-day free trial on the vehicle's Warranty Start Date, not the date the modem is activated
• Reverts to a "moving map" with no destination routing functionality if a subscription is not purchased after the trial ends
• Updates full map yearly and "home zone" quarterly while service is active
• Provides navigation in "cellular dead zones"

 

[Dude]

There is Connected Built In Navigation where the navigation will still work which I believe was a bridge between sync 3 and the initial roll out of sync 4 and there is just Connected Navigation which is what is in the 25 Bronco Sport according to the order guide.

The Ford website has a description of both types. The website says 90 days but the Order Guide says 1 year. what-are-the-sync-4-navigation-options

Connected Navigation (90-Day Trial)

• Begins a 90-day free trial on the vehicle's Warranty Start Date, not the date the modem is activated
• Reverts to a "moving map" with no destination routing functionality if a subscription is not purchased after the trial ends
• Updates full map yearly and "home zone" quarterly while service is active
• Provides navigation in "cellular dead zones"

So the navigation confusion continues

Sync 3 Ford Navigation (built-in) confused many owners on for how many years their Nav subscription could be updated (typically on a yearly basis) and now some confusion with built in Ford Navigation under Sync 4 ?

 

[wireman]

There is Connected Built In Navigation where the navigation will still work which I believe was a bridge between sync 3 and the initial roll out of sync 4 and there is just Connected Navigation which is what is in the 25 Bronco Sport according to the order guide.

The Ford website has a description of both types. The website says 90 days but the Order Guide says 1 year. what-are-the-sync-4-navigation-options

Connected Navigation (90-Day Trial)

• Begins a 90-day free trial on the vehicle's Warranty Start Date, not the date the modem is activated
• Reverts to a "moving map" with no destination routing functionality if a subscription is not purchased after the trial ends
• Updates full map yearly and "home zone" quarterly while service is active
• Provides navigation in "cellular dead zones"

No destination routing makes it worthless to me. What's the use, staring at a moving map.

 

[DWG]

So the navigation confusion continues

Sync 3 Ford Navigation (built-in) confused many owners on for how many years their Nav subscription could be updated (typically on a yearly basis) and now some confusion with built in Ford Navigation under Sync 4 ?

Up until now I did not think about how long sync 3 map updates would be available since new cars were still being produced with sync 3 but now as sync 4 is showing up on the new vehicles how long will new map updates for sync 3 be available is a valid question. At least with sync 3 the navigation destination directions will still work after new map updates are no longer available.
One positive sign is that I just checked online and sync map update A15 is currently available for Ford Mytouch which preceded Sync 3. I wonder how difficult it is for map updates for sync 4 to be translated to a USB or download for sync 3. My uneducated guess is that sync 3 map updates will probably still be available for a few more years. Probably at least past the point where I am ready to trade in.

Of course there is always the option of using the map apps through our phones.

 

[wireman]

Up until now I did not think about how long sync 3 map updates would be available since new cars were still being produced with sync 3 but now as sync 4 is showing up on the new vehicles how long will new map updates for sync 3 be available is a valid question. At least with sync 3 the navigation destination directions will still work after new map updates are no longer available.
One positive sign is that I just checked online and sync map update A15 is currently available for Ford Mytouch which preceded Sync 3. I wonder how difficult it is for map updates for sync 4 to be translated to a USB or download for sync 3. My uneducated guess is that sync 3 map updates will probably still be available for a few more years. Probably at least past the point where I am ready to trade in.

Of course there is always the option of using the map apps through our phones.
[/QUOTE I think after 3 years you have to pay for Sync 3 map updates.

I like built in Nav for times that I travel without a cell signal. I don't use Carplay hardly at all.

 

[Stircrazy]

Fuel gauges are notoriously inaccurate. Indicator movement is rarely linear, i.e. you can't tell how many gallons you have left in the tank by looking at the gauge. You're better off using miles-to-empty indication.

ha-ha miles to empty only works if you live somewhere flat. I leave home and it says 300 miles to empty, I drive 55mils and it says 180miles to empty. when I leave work I get back in the car and it says 200miles to empty (guess it regenerates gas while I am working) drive home 55miles and it says 200 miles to empty. also the difference in milage between my winter tires and my summer tires is quite a bit which will throw it out even more.

the best set up is like what I have in my truck, the trip screen will tell me how many Liters or Gallons of gas I have used that "trip" so I always reset trip 1, every time I fill up. I have found every analog fuel gauge I have ever had (well they might be analog to digital, but have a sweep needle to display how much fuel you have) has been fairly accurate to 1/32 of a tank, once you learn that vehicle, unlike temp and alt gauges fuel gauges are pretty darn accurate. ya they will go so far before they come off full but the gradual sweep gives you a better idea than something where a bar just disappears every 8th of a tank so you don't know if you have 7/8th or 3/4 of a tank. that's a 60 mile discrepancy either way, when I have my summer tires on. it might be better if they stated the condition of when it drops a bar. so if I am full and it drops a tiny bit under full does it display 7/8? and as soon as it drops a tiny bit under 7/8 does it display 3/4?

if that is how it is then I can say ok, if it is showing 7/8 I have between 7/8 and 3/4 of a tank. its a digital screen for my fuel gauge, how hard would it have been for them to put 16 or 32 segments to make it more accurate. I love my Outer banks dash with the larger and fancier screen I just wish they kept the fuel gauge like the ones in the base model. the rpm and speed are analog style gauges, why change the temp and fuel to screen gauges

 

[Stircrazy]

With the SYNC4, it connects to Android Auto or Apple Carplay and you never have to pay for updates on that, it automated updates! I used the Google maps on Android Auto this weekend, and it works great!!

so does sync 3, sync 4 has wireless ability for android auto a better processer and a bit better ui. I actually prefer the sync 2 in my truck with built in nav to the sync 3 android auto in my bronco, any day of the year hands down. maybe when android auto adds in support for native radio features like radio and USB or cd and so on so I don't have to switch between systems all the time I may change my mind, but that still doesn't change the fact that android auto is buggy as heck ha-ha

 

[Schuelady]

so does sync 3, sync 4 has wireless ability for android auto a better processer and a bit better ui. I actually prefer the sync 2 in my truck with built in nav to the sync 3 android auto in my bronco, any day of the year hands down. maybe when android auto adds in support for native radio features like radio and USB or cd and so on so I don't have to switch between systems all the time I may change my mind, but that still doesn't change the fact that android auto is buggy as heck ha-ha

Well, so far I love my SYNC4!

 

[JJRoss0]

Fuel gauges are notoriously inaccurate. Indicator movement is rarely linear, i.e. you can't tell how many gallons you have left in the tank by looking at the gauge. You're better off using miles-to-empty indication.

Took my new (to me) BS OB out for a drive. Full tank of gas and it said I had 363 miles to empty. Halfway trip on the 80 mile trip and it said I had 391 MTE. Finished the trip with 80 miles back and a reading of 251 MTE. What do you use if you can't trust the gallons in tank indicator OR the miles to empty?!?!

 

[DWG]

I am sure the miles to empty changes with the computers calculation of mpg so highway driving should read as more miles to empty than city driving. Probably not very accurate either way.

I generally try to fill up at half a tank

 

[Mark S.]

Took my new (to me) BS OB out for a drive. Full tank of gas and it said I had 363 miles to empty. Halfway trip on the 80 mile trip and it said I had 391 MTE. Finished the trip with 80 miles back and a reading of 251 MTE. What do you use if you can't trust the gallons in tank indicator OR the miles to empty?!?!

The MTE computation will change based on use characteristics. i.e. the computer determines how many miles you can drive at the current computed mpg. Like the fuel gauge, it's not perfect. It's more of a trend indication.

If you want a generalized idea of how far you may drive on a tank you can do manual computation. Tank size is a known quantity. If you know what your typical mpg is you can simply do the math. Before you do that, I suggest you manually compute your actual mpg--do not rely on the panel indication. To manually compute mileage you must track fuel use for at least three tanks under your normal driving conditions. Three tanks will average out the variables such as temperature, differences in when the pump cuts off, more or less highway driving, ect. Set your trip odometer to zero, fill the tank, then drive until you need fuel. Refill the tank, noting how much fuel you pumped, but do not reset the trip odometer. Do this for the next two fills. On the third fill up, note the amount of fuel pumped, then add it to the total from the other two tanks. Divide the miles shown on your trip odometer by the total fuel used over the three tanks. This will give you the most accurate mpg for your vehicle for your use characteristics. With this number you can accurately predict how many miles you may drive on a tankful of gas.

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