300,000 Wasted Gallons?

calb · 03-05-2012, 10:56 PM

I was just thinking. Ford is mailing out 300,000 of these updates that require the car to be running during install. Online I saw a comment that an average of 1 gallon is used for each hour of idling.

So that means (unless you are doing it during an hour long trip) there is potentially 300,000 gallons of wasted fuel?

That isn't exactly environmentally friendly. Why on earth does the car need to be running the whole time?

**Turdle** · 03-05-2012, 11:16 PM

Wow, that sure does add up to a lot of Money.

tmilicia · 03-06-2012, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calb

I was just thinking. Ford is mailing out 300,000 of these updates that require the car to be running during install. Online I saw a comment that an average of 1 gallon is used for each hour of idling.

So that means (unless you are doing it during an hour long trip) there is potentially 300,000 gallons of wasted fuel?

That isn't exactly environmentally friendly. Why on earth does the car need to be running the whole time?

I'm not sure why they tell you that the vehicle needs to be running during the update. I updated my software from 2.4 to 2.11 without the vehicle running with no problem.

new to ford · 03-06-2012, 08:53 AM

I'll just plan the usb update for when I know I will have at least an hour drive.
In addition to not wanting to waste an hour worth of fuel or my time at idling, I am not going to risk overheating the engine!

*Joe Dirt* · 03-06-2012, 09:55 AM

They do not want to chance the battery dying in the middle of the install. No different than needing to have a computer plugged in during a software reload.

cnsheets · 03-06-2012, 10:55 AM

Or having it go into a power save mode after so many minutes.

flamidey · 03-06-2012, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calb

I was just thinking. Ford is mailing out 300,000 of these updates that require the car to be running during install. Online I saw a comment that an average of 1 gallon is used for each hour of idling.

So that means (unless you are doing it during an hour long trip) there is potentially 300,000 gallons of wasted fuel?

That isn't exactly environmentally friendly. Why on earth does the car need to be running the whole time?

Hi,

1 gallon per hour is a lot. From what I've read, regular cars (v4, gas, <2L engine) have an idle of less than 1/4th gallon per hour with a warm engine.

w1kedz · 03-06-2012, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmilicia

I'm not sure why they tell you that the vehicle needs to be running during the update. I updated my software from 2.4 to 2.11 without the vehicle running with no problem.

Previous updates haven't taken an hour... the car goes into a power saving mode after a certain amount of time with no engine running to keep the battery from dying. This could potentially leave you with a half installed firmware.

vulnox · 03-06-2012, 05:00 PM

It says in the update video that the length of time for the update depends on your current version of MFT. So those of you up to date to this point will have a lot shorter update than someone on 2.4. They say an hour at most, and you can do it while driving to work or whatever.

huskerroo · 03-07-2012, 11:19 AM

This is a great thread! My question...if you take the Ex into the dealer, what do they do? I assume they can do multiple updates @ the same time...do they have them all running in the shop OR do they hook them up to a battery charger to override the 10 power save feature???

Any dealers out there that can comment?

chimoman · 03-16-2012, 11:04 AM

They let them run. Appparently they are checking the cooling fans when doing the update. Someone on the Ford Explorer facebook page said the Service Bulletin said to run the fans during the update. They think this is the only reason people with build dates before 1 April were asked to bring their vehicles to the dealer. So they could check all the fans. I am holding back on using profanity and name calling.

new to ford · 03-16-2012, 11:10 AM

Yeah, imagine your truck overheats while doing the update! %^&$#@

03-05-2012, 10:56 PM	#1
calb Wannabe Elite Explorer 2012 AWD Explorer Limited Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 576 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	300,000 Wasted Gallons? I was just thinking. Ford is mailing out 300,000 of these updates that require the car to be running during install. Online I saw a comment that an average of 1 gallon is used for each hour of idling. So that means (unless you are doing it during an hour long trip) there is potentially 300,000 gallons of wasted fuel? That isn't exactly environmentally friendly. Why on earth does the car need to be running the whole time?

03-05-2012, 11:16 PM	#2
Turdle Old and in the way Humboldt, Kansas 2000 Mounty Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 23,785 Vehicle Specs	Wow, that sure does add up to a lot of Money. __________________ Jon 2000 Mountaineer Turdle-gone Vitamin D Wagon Sold also

03-06-2012, 09:55 AM	#5
Joe Dirt Making the mostest Holland, MI '00 V8 XLT Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 13,603 Vehicle Specs	They do not want to chance the battery dying in the middle of the install. No different than needing to have a computer plugged in during a software reload. __________________ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 My registry

03-07-2012, 11:19 AM	#10
huskerroo Wannabe Elite Explorer Kansas City, KS '11 XLT Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 20 Vehicle Specs	What do the dealers do? This is a great thread! My question...if you take the Ex into the dealer, what do they do? I assume they can do multiple updates @ the same time...do they have them all running in the shop OR do they hook them up to a battery charger to override the 10 power save feature??? Any dealers out there that can comment?

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03-06-2012, 08:53 AM	#4
new to ford Wannabe Elite Explorer Rochester Hills, MI '11 explorer XLT 202A Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 443 Vehicle Specs	I'll just plan the usb update for when I know I will have at least an hour drive. In addition to not wanting to waste an hour worth of fuel or my time at idling, I am not going to risk overheating the engine!

03-06-2012, 10:55 AM	#6
cnsheets Wannabe Elite Explorer Anaheim, California 11' Explorer Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 908 Vehicle Specs	Or having it go into a power save mode after so many minutes.

03-06-2012, 05:00 PM	#9
vulnox Wannabe Elite Explorer Overland Park, Kansas '11 XLT 202A Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 87 Vehicle Specs	It says in the update video that the length of time for the update depends on your current version of MFT. So those of you up to date to this point will have a lot shorter update than someone on 2.4. They say an hour at most, and you can do it while driving to work or whatever.

03-16-2012, 11:04 AM	#11
chimoman B New Brunswick Explorer 2011 Ltd Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 622 Vehicle Specs	They let them run. Appparently they are checking the cooling fans when doing the update. Someone on the Ford Explorer facebook page said the Service Bulletin said to run the fans during the update. They think this is the only reason people with build dates before 1 April were asked to bring their vehicles to the dealer. So they could check all the fans. I am holding back on using profanity and name calling.

03-16-2012, 11:10 AM	#12
new to ford Wannabe Elite Explorer Rochester Hills, MI '11 explorer XLT 202A Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 443 Vehicle Specs	Yeah, imagine your truck overheats while doing the update! %^&$#@