Had meeting with Aviator Engineers today!! - Issues/etc | Ford Explorer Forums - Serious Explorations

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Had meeting with Aviator Engineers today!! - Issues/etc

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 chage 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.
I have her email address, and as promised I will not give it out, but if there is a specific question you want answered I will send her a email. But lets make is something important as I don't want to over send and loose the connection!!

Back Up Camera flickering
Many including me have this issue. They videod 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
 



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Absolutely! There is a lot of stuff I know I didn’t post so if you have a question I’m open
 






Thanks for the rundown of issues discussed, and for taking a day to participate. I was hoping they would offer some feedback on the front suspension noise/rattle/rumble/clunk. The dealer tells me they are aware of the issue but so far there's been no feedback.
Again, thanks for your feedback.
Steve/Sharin
 






Thanks for the rundown of issues discussed, and for taking a day to participate. I was hoping they would offer some feedback on the front suspension noise/rattle/rumble/clunk. The dealer tells me they are aware of the issue but so far there's been no feedback.
Again, thanks for your feedback.
Steve/Sharin

This is the Aviator thread, not Explorer.
 






This is the Aviator thread, not Explorer.
Maybe it would be good to put the Aviator folks in their own forum so we Explorer folk wouldn't interfere.
Screen Shot 2020-02-29 at 9.11.52 PM.jpg
 






This is the Aviator thread, not Explorer.
I know that BUT most of the aviator sync 3 and other stuff are the same. They are birthed by the same mother FORD...
 












Nothing like beta testing product with paying customers! Great job...Ford learned a lot from Tesla.
 






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 chage 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.
I have her email address, and as promised I will not give it out, but if there is a specific question you want answered I will send her a email. But lets make is something important as I don't want to over send and loose the connection!!

I do have something specific I'd like to ask her about - will wireless CarPlay be coming in 3.4? That's the only reason I care about 4.0 at this point, and I'm sure there are others in the same boat. If they're trying to "bring it as close as possible", that's pretty tippy top of the list.
 






I do have something specific I'd like to ask her about - will wireless CarPlay be coming in 3.4? That's the only reason I care about 4.0 at this point, and I'm sure there are others in the same boat. If they're trying to "bring it as close as possible", that's pretty tippy top of the list.
I sent a email and asked, will let you know
 












Any answers to ANY of the items which I posted in your original request prior to this event?
 






Any answers to ANY of the items which I posted in your original request prior to this event?
I had over 100 requested from two sites in addition to my own! If you will recant your questions I may have answers and simply forgot to put them down on writing ✍️
 






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
This is ridiculous. NO amount of steering activity should make the motor hot to where it effects its operation. Next Ford will try and spin this into a feature by making an “active steering cooling system” and charge $$$ to band aid their piss poor engineering.
 






This is ridiculous. NO amount of steering activity should make the motor hot to where it effects its operation. Next Ford will try and spin this into a feature by making an “active steering cooling system” and charge $$$ to band aid their piss poor engineering.
Agree and as I mentioned there was a lot of attention to this when I brought it up!
 






This is ridiculous. NO amount of steering activity should make the motor hot to where it effects its operation. Next Ford will try and spin this into a feature by making an “active steering cooling system” and charge $$$ to band aid their piss poor engineering.
FYI, the same notation is in the 2020 Explorer Owner's Manual.

Peter
 















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@peterk9

In the interest of subject continuity, perhaps from Post #20 thru Post 27 of this thread could/should get merged into the "Pulsating Static On AM Radio Only When Moving" thread thread?

Suggested merge thread:

 






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