So, this situation with the software updates is really bugging me (so I'm going to rant about it; you've been warned). I can't find the link, but I read last night that FCA put out a company wide mandate that updates are not to be performed unless there are symptoms cited in a TSB which indicates to update (usually to "the latest version" I might add). That just makes no sense to me, at all.
If I never updated my laptop, I'd be running some god-awful version of operating system and probably would have been hacked several times over by now because of the security holes. But hey, wait until your hacked, and then we'll perform the update. WTF?!!
Software updates are a fact of life. That's actually why software exists, so it can be updated independent of the hardware. I can remember having to switch out BIOS chips to upgrade before they had EEPROMs. But I digress.
If a software update is available, then I expect that software update has been tested and quality checked. To say they'll only upgrade it if you have those symptoms is folly. They fixed something, I'd like to avoid that something and stay current. If they're introducing bugs in these updates, then there is a QA problem they need to address. Yes, the software can be a safety issue if it doesn't work correctly. But, if there's a safety issue with the software, then it shouldn't be released to a single consumer. So I don't buy the safety angle for not doing updates. If that is truly the concern, then we should all be afraid.
My other thought that occurs to me is what damage might happen to the mechanical parts if the software if faulty and not updated. So, if there is a TCM update that prevents a hard shift or gear selection issue, if you don't get that update is your transmission going to wear faster than someone that has the update? Oh ya, then then dealers make money on those repairs eventually. Never mind, what was I thinking?!!
My wish list (for all vehicles):
- TSBs are made pubic and viewable by consumers.
- Software/Firmware versions and change logs made public and viewable by consumers
- Vehicles provide an easy way to see what versions of software are installed
- The auto industry gets off their collective @55 and creates a way for consumers to perform their own updates. Really, we got this.
- If not consumers, then there is a new business for someone. A laptop and some connectors to update vehicle software. No need to bring the vehicle to a dealer, the person would come to you, for a modest price.
Stuff like this just bugs the crud out of me because its greed driven. Not what's the right thing to do for our product or the consumer, but how can create a situation so we make more money off the consumer that just paid us $40-70K for this vehicle. Disgusting.
OK, I feel better...kind of.