2021 SYNC 3 NAV map update.

[bbf2530]

Hi gang. According to the Lincoln SYNC 3 NAV map update website, the latest SYNC 3 NAV map update will be released September 1st: https://syncnavigation.com/lincoln/

 

Good luck.

[maurykendall]

Paid Ford their money and got the usb in a few days, via USPS. It came with the usb drive and a clear set of instructions, which are pretty basic: start car, put usb stick in receptacle, and don't turn the car off until you're done, "which should be about 60 minutes." Ninety minutes later, it finally finished -- I'd driven random freeways, checked out Alviso, drove some more...still updating...drove some more...stopped and got a chili dog at Mark's (easy to eat outside the car and let it run under my watchful gaze.) Now it's about an hour-and-fifteen, but it's doing what it's supposed to (updating, restarting, repeat) so...then finally about 90 minutes later, the "complete" screen came up. 

I can't tell any difference. But I got to drive around in the car I enjoy so much...that's a win.

[bnewt]

my 2020 updated to 2.20 maps via wifi

pretty nice feature

[TomV]

Looks like the new 21Q4 MAPs require SYNC Software Version is 3.4 or higher.

 

The last MAPs update I had installed was from 19Q1 for SYNC Software Version is 3.2 or higher.

 

Does this mean no more MAP updates for older systems?

[bbf2530]

1 hour ago, TomV said:

Looks like the new 21Q4 MAPs require SYNC Software Version is 3.4 or higher.

 

The last MAPs update I had installed was from 19Q1 for SYNC Software Version is 3.2 or higher.

 

Does this mean no more MAP updates for older systems?

 

Hi TomV. No, the newest SYNC 3 NAV map update is NA 2 20 and is also available for SYNC 3.0. But I have heard of cases where a vehicle equipped with SYNC 3.2 needed to be upgraded to SYNC 3.4 first.

 

Also, the NAV map version numbers can be confusing. For example, the "NA 1 18" version included all available map updates through 1st quarter 2019 (not 2018).

I am assuming you currently have "NA 1 19"  (or "NA 2 19")? That version actually included all available map updates through 1st quarter 2020 (not 2019).

 

The newest NA maps update is NA 2 20. Now, there is some pandemic-caused confusion as to whether NA 2 20 includes all available updates through 2nd quarter 2020 (as the website states) or actually through 1st quarter/2nd quarter 2021 (as it usually would from past experience).

 

The entire NA 2 20 roll out was full of confusion, mistakes, incorrect information being posted on the SYNC 3 update website then removed and corrected later, problems with the downloads and installations, etc. Therefore, if anyone asks, I recommend skipping the update this year and subscribing again next year.  Hopefully the pandemic and its after effects will be less by then.

 

On a related note...Does your 2019 MKZ currently still have SYNC 3.2 installed? If yes, you should download and install SYNC 3.4 from the Lincoln SYNC 3 update website. You are eligible for it and can obtain it here: https://help.lincoln.com/update-sync/

 

Hope this information helps and good luck.

Edited November 18, 2021 by bbf2530

[TomV]

My 2019 MKZ came from the factory with SYNC 3.3.

 

At one time it updated automatically (over the modem) to SYNC 3.4, which resulted in lower audio levels from my Revel system. I hated the loss in volume, thus I found a method to flashed it back to SYNC 3.3. Afterwards I did a master reset and did NOT agree to Lincoln Connect. This prevents Lincoln from auto updating my system.

 

Lincoln must think I'm at SYNC 3.4 because of the for mentioned push. The Sync Map Update I downloaded in Sept 2021 have instructions that state 3.4 is a prerequisite. Digging around in the files, <HB5T-14G386-VHA.tar.gz> that contains another file <HB5T-14G386-VHA.sh> where it checks for MAJOR_MY20=3 MINOR_MY20=4 and exits the update if not met.

 

I have the option of temporarily updating to SYNC 3.4 again for the new maps... but I'm not certain if I can get back to SYNC 3.3 again afterwards. Someone on a MKZ Facebook site indicated Lincoln fixed the audio volume issue, but I can't find any reference anywhere.

 

Another option is to modify the <HB5T-14G386-VHA.sh> file to MAJOR_MY19=3 MINOR_MY19=3 and see if it allows an update.  This assumes the 3.4 prerequisite only because of a Lincoln marketing decision, rather than a software structure change. I'm still debating this approach.

 

 

Edited November 19, 2021 by TomV

[bbf2530]

1 hour ago, TomV said:

My 2019 MKZ came from the factory with SYNC 3.3.

 

At one time it updated automatically (over the modem) to SYNC 3.4, which resulted in lower audio levels from my Revel system. I hated the loss in volume, thus I found a method to flashed it back to SYNC 3.3. Afterwards I did a master reset and did NOT agree to Lincoln Connect. This prevents Lincoln from auto updating my system.

 

Lincoln must think I'm at SYNC 3.4 because of the for mentioned push. The Sync Map Update I downloaded in Sept 2021 have instructions that state 3.4 is a prerequisite. Digging around in the files, <HB5T-14G386-VHA.tar.gz> that contains another file <HB5T-14G386-VHA.sh> where it checks for MAJOR_MY20=3 MINOR_MY20=4 and exits the update if not met.

 

I have the option of temporarily updating to SYNC 3.4 again for the new maps... but I'm not certain if I can get back to SYNC 3.3 again afterwards. Someone on a MKZ Facebook site indicated Lincoln fixed the audio volume issue, but I can't find any reference anywhere.

 

Another option is to modify the <HB5T-14G386-VHA.sh> file to MAJOR_MY19=3 MINOR_MY19=3 and see if it allows an update.  This assumes the 3.4 prerequisite only because of a Lincoln marketing decision, rather than a software structure change. I'm still debating this approach.

 

 

 

Hi Tom. Yes, if you "found a way" to unofficially flash back to SYNC 3.3, the Lincoln database will still think you have SYNC 3.4. Thus, the NA 2 20 NAV map update will not install properly in your MKZ due to the unofficial rollback, as you found out.

 

If I recall correctly from your past posts, you are a bit of an audiophile. So I am curious: How much of a loss in volume did you actually incur?  I can not even approach full volume in my MKZ with the Revel Ultima system. Probably not even half volume, without causing temporary deafness. ?

So as an example (random numbers here), couldn't you simply get used to having your system set to 10 instead of 5 for low volume listening situations. Or 15 instead of 10 for medium volume listening situations? And 20 instead of 15 for high volume listening situations?

Or perhaps I am misunderstanding exactly what your loss of volume entails. If that is the case, just ignore me...my wife does. ?

 

Let us know how you make out and good luck.