Can a sync update, modify electric range/performance?

[MeeLee]

I just upgraded my 2019 FFH SE's Sync system to the newest. Not sure when the last time the system was updated (could have been stock from the factory).

It had some errors doing so, in that it didn't have an XML file to upload.
Also, it seems like the grey 'theme' isn't installed, but instead I get to see a blue theme, with some different character fonts.

There may have been an error upgrading my ford's Sync system.
Anyway, after the upgrade, I could no longer listen to radio, when Android Auto was enabled. Many of the base features weren't accessible (usually I would turn off spotify using the power button in order to access the radio, however this time around the power button has the same effect as the play button).

 

Anyway, I also noticed that the car accelerated more smoothly.
Before  I would accelerate on electric, and when I pressed the throttle above 30%, the electric motor output would exceed the second line, and accelerate slower.
Now it feels more smooth.

I also noticed my car runs 50% longer on electric range.

Before I would leave my house, and somewhere after the first stop light, around the 5 min mark, the engine would kick in to replenish the battery.

Now, I've tested almost 3x longer electric range. The engine kicks in around the 2nd stop light, but since I had to stop there, and accelerate again on engine for a short time, then I could coast an additional 5 minute bar on electric before the engine kicked in again.
But if I reverse blipped the throttle (engine braking) before the engine kicked in again, I could do an additional 5 minutes of electric range (at ~35MPH).
That's 3 bars of 60+ MPG.
 

It seems to me, that I can now run on battery longer, before the engine kicks in. And the acceleration is smoother.
Is this even possible from a sync update?

 

I would figure if this was possible, they would better have programmed the car to start on the gasoline engine, and use electric for coasting only. As that gets the best MPG.

Edited July 14, 2021 by MeeLee

[mwr]

5 hours ago, MeeLee said:

I just upgraded my 2019 FFH SE's Sync system to the newest. Not sure when the last time the system was updated (could have been stock from the factory).

It seems to me, that I can now run on battery longer, before the engine kicks in. And the acceleration is smoother.
Is this even possible from a sync update?

I would figure if this was possible, they would better have programmed the car to start on the gasoline engine, and use electric for coasting only. As that gets the best MPG.

I assume the FFH always starts using the electric motor because it provides enough power/torque from a standstill to give adequate acceleration. Then the gas engine starts so both are available for normal operation.

[Waldo]

No, the powertrain and hybrid control modules are not capable of being updated through the Sync system or even any of the over-the-air updates.  Only the new platforms with a new electrical architecture (like the Mach-E) are capable of this.

[MeeLee]

OK, some more info,

Apparently the update changed the 10 min fuel bar interval to a 5 bar.
3 bars of 60+ MPG on a 5 minute bar interval graph, is pretty much equal to 1 bar on the 10 min. So I assume it just reset the timing interval.

The more gentle acceleration, I probably would attribute to a pseudo effect. After I restarted the car, it operated pretty much back like normal.

 

I bought another USB stick, and re-did the update, but there's no XML file on the USB drive after finishing the update.

I presume the update gets interrupted by the car turning off? (as the update takes well past 20 minutes).

 

I found a way to listen to the radio, by just clicking on the 'ford' icon in the app list.

I did notice the lack of bass, is because the rear speakers are a lot softer in volume, than the front ones.
Anyone noticed this in their FFH?

To balance out the sound, I'd have to set the fade to 75% rear speakers.

This may not have been related to the update, as previously I've had passengers say they could hardly hear the music...