had meeting with Lincoln Engineers today below is report | Ford Explorer Forums - Serious Explorations

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had meeting with Lincoln Engineers today below is report

Texas Steve

Member
Joined
October 15, 2019
Messages
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City, State
tomball, texas
Year, Model & Trim Level
2020 Aviator Reserve II
In houston there were over 100 cars (customers) and 8 different groups of engineering people from Ford/Lincoln. some of the group engineers were - powertrain, exterior, interior, seats, Sync, Paint, marketing etc. It was impressive to see that many from the company to review our thoughts etc.

The "interviews" took over 2 hours, one on one with each customer, with our cars. Very detailed questions, well organized and genuinely caring engineers and specialists. I was very impressed that they took their time to get very detailed on everything - yes we received a free gift and $250 check for taking our time as well.

I could not get answers to all the questions you all had asked, but do have some. If I missed your question, just ask here and perhaps I have the answer.

SYNC
Biggest thing i herd from everyone here was what about Sync 3.4 Updates and Sync 4! I was talking with THE engineer who is working on sync3.4 and 4.0
Sync 3.4 - There update #s are the date they are released - Example latest for 3.4 is 20021 (2020 year 21st day of the year) Currently to get this you have to get it from the dealer. They will be releasing a update by end of March/April via wireless/usb. The update that came across our "Lincoln Way" app, was a screw up between marketing and engineering - as there was not update!
  • Also told them they could make better use of the space in music, like larger album art with more info.
  • Also suggested more or personalized backgrounds
Sync 4.0 - 3.4 can NOT be updated to 4.0! They are looking at adding the ability of having dealers upgrade the head unit (processor etc behind the dash) for a price. But it is a hardware change out.
The lead engineer did say that they are committed to supporting AND updating 3.4 and will bring it as close to 4.0 features as possible as the year progresses.

Back Up Camera flickering
Many including me have this issue. They videoed mine doing it while there. If you let your dealer know of the issue, they will look at replacing the "IPBM Module". They have seen this on several cars and can be addressed.

Tailgate door toe opening flakey
I too had this issue. Well there is a specific sweet spot and once you know it, it works 100% of the time. If you look at the rear there is a piece that covers the trailer hitch assembly. You can clearly see where that plastic piece is, and there is a left side and right side (Line)of that piece - place your foot directly under the line on the left of that piece, toe in, almost up to you ankle deep, then pull your foot straight out!! works 100%

Engine noise
They agree and for new models will add extra sound deadening at firewall.

Seats Side Bolsters
Yep, they agree too tight, will be addressed with next model

Auto Engine Shut off
Yep, some of them don't like it either, but required. They said it must be a per start button push. I personally hate it, so I purchased a after marked unit that I plug in by the steering wheel and engine never shuts off at stops again!

Sunroof auto close on power down
They say there is a setting for windows etc that addresses this, but I forgot to check it, we got busy. IF someone know this setting let us know.

Pressing Lock symbol on drivers side doesn't work all the time
They agree that they need to enlarge the touch area to make it more responsive

Passanger assist handles - why not drivers side too!
They agree and noted

Steering being effected with excessive turns etc
It was noted by one of you that on winding roads with a lot of turns the steering becomes very cumbersome and wandering etc, even addressed in the manual! That steering motor gets hot. This caused a flurry of activity by them calling over several Engineer groups. They will look at this in detail for a potential fix. It was very noticeable that they were paying attention

Lincoln Way
Also asked them to add current status like if doors ARE currently locked, sunroof closed etc. "Excellent suggestions" and will look at this in a update - so sounded positive

WELL DONE LINCOLN! I truly believed that each group that took notes and spoke with me truly cared and will address items above, I don't believe it was just lip service. I'm 70 years old so Ive been around the block and know BS when I see it - this was not!

Hope this helped some of you.
steve

Last edited: 9 minutes ago
Houston Texas
2020 Aviator Reserve II, 2018 Indian Chieftain Classic Motorcycle
 



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SYNC
Biggest thing i herd from everyone here was what about Sync 3.4 Updates and Sync 4! I was talking with THE engineer who is working on sync3.4 and 4.0
Sync 3.4 - There update #s are the date they are released - Example latest for 3.4 is 20021 (2020 year 21st day of the year) Currently to get this you have to get it from the dealer. They will be releasing a update by end of March/April via wireless/usb. The update that came across our "Lincoln Way" app, was a screw up between marketing and engineering - as there was not update!
  • Also told them they could make better use of the space in music, like larger album art with more info.
  • Also suggested more or personalized backgrounds
Sync 4.0 - 3.4 can NOT be updated to 4.0! They are looking at adding the ability of having dealers upgrade the head unit (processor etc behind the dash) for a price. But it is a hardware change out.
The lead engineer did say that they are committed to supporting AND updating 3.4 and will bring it as close to 4.0 features as possible as the year progresses.
See, I wasn't fibbing. :) These are interesting to attend from the engineering side as well. Last one I did was a couple years back outside Chicago.
 






See, I wasn't fibbing. :) These are interesting to attend from the engineering side as well. Last one I did was a couple years back outside Chicago.
Yep very well organized and very informative ! Kudos to Lincoln!
 






Moonroof auto close on power down. I checked the manual Steve and did not find anything on the feature. Checked under 'moonroof' and also under 'windows'. Scrolled through the PDF version using the "Find" feature.

Peter
 






Moonroof auto close on power down. I checked the manual Steve and did not find anything on the feature. Checked under 'moonroof' and also under 'windows'. Scrolled through the PDF version using the "Find" feature.

Peter
Thanks
 






Yep very well organized and very informative ! Kudos to Lincoln!

It can be a bit crazy on our end bouncing from car to car, and hoping the previous group will give up time. Hah. Did anyone mention the analytics or diagnostics feature of SYNC at all?
 






No but being a tech guy I would love to know
 






No but being a tech guy I would love to know

Doh! Yeah, so if you're not aware, you can enable sending in analytics and diagnostics data (including failed voice commands) if you're hooked to WiFi. There's a pop-up that asks you about the first two when you first get the car (unless the dealer set it for you). For the failed commands, that's buried, much to my chagrin. You an switch them on in Settings -> General -> SYNC Analytics & Diagnostics if you so desire. You can just do Diag or just Analytics. This is the data I use to track bugs, any flow improvements, crashes, improve the product (heavily weighted to the failed command recordings since those are most useful), etc.
 






This was a great read. Thank you, i wish i could attend one of these in south Florida.
 






Thanks for posting this!

"Passanger assist handles - why not drivers side too!
They agree and noted"

This has been common on 16-19 Explorers as well and my SHO (from what I recall). My Fusion Sport has the assist handle for the driver though but it doesn't really need it as I just basically fall into the car. The Fusion's competitor (Chevy Malibu) has this as well. I have no idea why they didn't do this even on earlier Explorers. Pickup trucks and Ford E-series have that handle for the driver.

I'm chuckling at the "we understand and will address this in a future release" meaning it will probably never be addressed given Ford's culture.

It's good to know SYNC 4.0 is a hardware upgrade. Any idea when SYNC 4.0 is coming out in the Explorer? The Mustang Mach-E is supposed to use it, so I imagine 2022 is when it will debut in the rest of the Ford lineup.
 






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