Ford Performance Tune

[M3dragon]

Phone update? not sure about that. All you do it go to fords site, download the app, plug it in and follow the prompts. Only thing you need is a Ford account. The rest is a normal tuner update process for pretty much everyone tuner I have ever used.

 

[st8]

Phone update? not sure about that. All you do it go to fords site, download the app, plug it in and follow the prompts. Only thing you need is a Ford account. The rest is a normal tuner update process for pretty much everyone tuner I have ever used.

I was implying that like when you get a phone update, it’s a small file that just simply goes over your existing firmware. You don’t reinstall/flash your whole phone OS with each update.

I wonder if the tune update is similar or if you have to flash the whole thing over again. Updating the actual tuner via computer is simple. I get that. It’s then what’s next as far as updating the car with that new tune. Whole flash of the tune again that resets key cycles or is it just some incremental update.

 

[M3dragon]

unless someone knows better than I, it would be a whole new flash as I understand it.

 

[st8]

unless someone knows better than I, it would be a whole new flash as I understand it.

Yeah that would be my assumption as well. Which would require me going back to the guy who did my install. Not sure if he’d charge me or not. My start stop rarely works anyway so probably won’t bother.

 

[TheHypnoToad]

Hmmm…this could explain why my autostop eliminator stopped working or it could be something else that Ford sent out.. Time to crack open the steering cover and see if pulling the autostop eliminator allows the vehicle to now remember the last setting or not.

 

[Chr1spy]

Is it possible to use the Ford points you get from buying the ST towards purchasing the tune/display?

 

[Dale5403]

Is it possible to use the Ford points you get from buying the ST towards purchasing the tune/display?

I would think so. Ford reward points can be used for Ford service and accessories.

 

[GearHead_1]

Hmmm…this could explain why my autostop eliminator stopped working or it could be something else that Ford sent out.. Time to crack open the steering cover and see if pulling the autostop eliminator allows the vehicle to now remember the last setting or not.

My AutoStop Eliminator quit working, I called the company and they instructed me to unplug it for 15 minutes and reconnect it. That's all it took. It's worked without issue for 18 months.

 

[TheHypnoToad]

My AutoStop Eliminator quit working, I called the company and they instructed me to unplug it for 15 minutes and reconnect it. That's all it took. It's worked without issue for 18 months.

Thanks! Took the cover off the steering column and disconnected the AutoStop for 15 and it works again. Now I need to retrain my brain not to include pressing the AutoStop button in my “things to press and/or twist“ start up list.

 

[Dre904u]

Wondering if those who are reporting the AutoStopStart staying off after tune are driving exclusively in Sport Mode? Sport Mode will keep it off.

I have driven in regular, sport and ECO and the start stop stays off. I also checked by battery level to make sure it wasn't my battery. I had my tune installed in May of 2023, so maybe I revived and updated tune.

 

[ConspicuousConsumption]

It continues to feel different to you because you got the latest and greatest oem strategy installed as part of the tune so it’s definitely different than what you had before.

Is it possible to get the latest and greatest OEM trans strategy without the tune? I have an early 2020 build and it shifts like shite. I did have an adaptive trans reset done at the factory a few months ago that helped some but still nothing to write home about. Did that reset give me the updated strategy?

 

[ConspicuousConsumption]

I have not. I had it installed by a ASE tech for warranty purposes. If I go do it again, it negates all of that.

Was that through a Ford dealership? How much did it run you? I'm assuming you bought the tuner and just had them go through the steps?

 

[st8]

Is it possible to get the latest and greatest OEM trans strategy without the tune? I have an early 2020 build and it shifts like shite. I did have an adaptive trans reset done at the factory a few months ago that helped some but still nothing to write home about. Did that reset give me the updated strategy?

It did not. It just reset its learning parameters from my understanding. What I’m not sure is if you did the recall for the bolt situation, if that may have flashed the updated strategy.

Was that through a Ford dealership? How much did it run you? I'm assuming you bought the tuner and just had them go through the steps?

No it was a shop that was ASE certified. A dealer can definitely do it. Just have to find one that is willing and educated on it. It was $150 to install it. I’ve heard stories of dealers installing for free. I’ve heard quotes up to $300. Yep bought the tuner and brought it to the shop.
For what it’s worth, the tune is quite nice and adds decent power.

 

[Cdubya]

Is it possible to get the latest and greatest OEM trans strategy without the tune? I have an early 2020 build and it shifts like shite. I did have an adaptive trans reset done at the factory a few months ago that helped some but still nothing to write home about. Did that reset give me the updated strategy?

You won't get the latest but there have been at least two PCM firmware updates for MY2020 that will help shifting some. Unfortunately, you need to still be under warranty and even then it is up to the discretion of your dealer whether they want to flash the latest. Since early 2020 builds have over a dozen modules with new updates, a few of us have bought the interface and leased FDRS software to flash the module updates at home. Not cheap but certainly an option, especially if you are out of warranty and are keeping the vehicle a while more.

Also, a lot of the tunes make full throttle shifting quicker, stronger, smoother than stock but may not address the ungainly day-to-day, partial throttle shifting that can occur with the stock calibration.

 

[ConspicuousConsumption]

You won't get the latest but there have been at least two PCM firmware updates for MY2020 that will help shifting some. Unfortunately, you need to still be under warranty and even then it is up to the discretion of your dealer whether they want to flash the latest. Since early 2020 builds have over a dozen modules with new updates, a few of us have bought the interface and leased FDRS software to flash the module updates at home. Not cheap but certainly an option, especially if you are out of warranty and are keeping the vehicle a while more.

Also, a lot of the tunes make full throttle shifting quicker, stronger, smoother than stock but may not address the ungainly day-to-day, partial throttle shifting that can occur with the stock calibration.

thanks for all the details. I have a very early 2020 that I bought lightly used last year, and I have the ford extended warranty through 2025 I think. Your info is directly up my alley.

I just imagine if I asked the service writer about any of this they’d look at me like I was speaking Greek and out of my mind. It’d probably be easier just to get the FP tune, though I’d have to figure out an ASE mechanic that would install it for me.

I’m just spinning my wheels. Would the tune basically give me all the shifting improvements and basic throttle improvements that the new firmware might give?

 

[Cdubya]

I’m just spinning my wheels. Would the tune basically give me all the shifting improvements and basic throttle improvements that the new firmware might give?

No one knows for sure. I would not assume that to be true. Since this is a Livernois device, let me give you my experience with their product/tune. I hooked the device up to my Explorer and sent them the stock tune with strategy code listed for the vehicle. They then send back a tune that was made for this strategy code. Note that they did not send me a tune based on the most up to date stock tune (with different strategy code). When I updated my PCM at the dealer, I essentially had to do the same process over--sent the new stock tune with new strategy code and they sent me a tune (they had already on file for that specific strategy code). Based on my experience, I would NOT assume that all FP tunes are exactly identical. Otherwise, why not just put the tune on the device and have people back up the stock tune and upload the FP tune? It also has been reported that the FP tune does not have any transmission tuning whatsoever. On the flip side, some FP users feel the shifting is clearly improved. Who really knows but I woudn't buy an FP tune just for the potential for better shifting.

 

[ConspicuousConsumption]

Ok so a very dumb question - I have a Mac and no access to a PC. Parallels is fairly expensive at $75 a year just to install this tune. Anyone have good ideas for how to get around the Windows-only requirement?

 

[Cdubya]

Ok so a very dumb question - I have a Mac and no access to a PC. Parallels is fairly expensive at $75 a year just to install this tune. Anyone have good ideas for how to get around the Windows-only requirement?

Does your Mac have an intel processor? If so, you can run bootcamp and install an unlicensed but still functional version of windows. Free and legit.

 

[ConspicuousConsumption]

Does your Mac have an intel processor? If so, you can run bootcamp and install an unlicensed but still functional version of windows. Free and legit.

it’s a new M2, but now that you mention it I do have an old Intel-based MacBook here. Damn, might just make this tune happen. I’m very wary of at all screwing with my Ford Premium Care esp, but I also can’t stand the idea of paying a dealer hundreds to click a button.

I promise not to post my indecisive waffling any more

EDIT: I ordered the tune from Steeda and loaded Windows on an old Intel MacBook Pro. Here we go.

 

[earworm]

I have driven in regular, sport and ECO and the start stop stays off. I also checked by battery level to make sure it wasn't my battery. I had my tune installed in May of 2023, so maybe I revived and updated tune.

Mine still goes off except for sport mode, so no difference with the FP tune