awefulspeller said:
Update the software to the latest version. I have an older version that I would prefer to keep because I know how it calculates the range, percentage of battery, and all the other little things. Last time I updated, I mis-judged how much actual battery life I had left until I was completely drained.
The SYNC software (running in the center console) doesn't calculate any of those things.
The center console is just a glorified radio and its SYNC software is actually completely
unrelated to the drive train firmware (which is the software that actually monitors the battery, manages charging, estimates range, etc.). The center console does display some of the battery and charging information, but that information is all calculated by the drive train firmware, which runs on
other computer modules using
other (non-SYNC) software. The SYNC software running in the center console does communicate with some of those modules, but this is merely to display their information.
As proof of all this, you can pull the fuse on the SYNC computer (the center console will be completely off and screen dark) and still drive and charge the car just fine. It is also possible to monitor all the battery, charging, and other drain train data in real-time (including the current range estimate and battery percentage) over the OBD port using an app like FORscan -- again, this all works normally even with the center console powered down and SYNC software not running.
While you can update the SYNC software yourself via USB using a download from syncmyride.com, only the dealer can update the actual drive train firmware, which is embedded in various modules throughout the car, using specialized equipment. This is because this must be done correctly, otherwise the car may malfunction. On the other hand, if you mess up a SYNC update, the worst that can happen is that the center console won't boot and you won't be able to listen to the radio, etc..