Otto Explains — Vehicle Electronics
Does Your Car Need a Software Update?
Short Answer
It might. Many systems in a modern car, from the engine and gearbox to driver assistance and the screens, run on software, and manufacturers release updates to fix faults, to correct safety defects through recalls and, on some cars, to add features. Updates arrive either at a dealer or workshop with the manufacturer's diagnostic equipment, or over the air on connected cars. If the manufacturer has an update for your car, you will usually be told through a recall notice, the car's screen or app, or at your next service.
Why do cars need software updates?
Much of a modern car is controlled by software: the engine and gearbox, driver assistance, lighting and the infotainment and instrument displays. When a manufacturer finds a problem it can fix in software, it releases an update. One example is an engine and gearbox update that cured a slight hesitation at low speed and an unnecessary check engine light. Some updates fix safety defects. On cars built for it, updates can also improve or add features. Which systems can be updated depends on the make, model, year and specification.
Can a recall be just a software update?
Yes. Some safety recalls are fixed entirely with software. Recent examples include displays that could go blank while driving, hiding the speedometer, gauges and warning lights until the software was updated. In Oman, recalls come under the Consumer Protection Law, which requires suppliers to tell consumers about harmful defects. The Consumer Protection Authority works with the Royal Oman Police and the vehicle agents so that an agent can find the last registered owner from the chassis number and contact them, and recalled vehicles are repaired at the authorised agent's workshop.
How do software updates reach your car?
There are two routes. The traditional one is in the workshop, where a technician installs the update with the manufacturer's diagnostic equipment; some manufacturers have their dealers apply any outstanding software campaigns whenever an affected car comes in for maintenance or repair. The newer route is over the air: connected cars download the update themselves, and some recalls offer either option. Over-the-air updates need the car's connected service, and which systems can be updated this way depends on the model, year and specification. How the programming itself is done is explained in what ECU programming is.
What happens during an over-the-air update?
The car tells you before it starts. Under UN Regulation No 156, which applies to vehicles approved under it, the manufacturer must tell you the purpose of an over-the-air update, what it changes, how long it should take and which functions won't be available, make sure the car cannot be driven while the update runs where that would not be safe, restore the car to a safe state if the update fails, and tell you afterwards whether it worked. In practice, one manufacturer requires the car to be parked and switched off, and the car cannot be driven until installation finishes. It also warns against opening the bonnet, disconnecting the battery or leaving a diagnostic tool connected during the update. Follow the instructions on the screen and start an update only when you won't need the car for a while.
How can you tell if your car needs an update?
You usually don't have to guess. Connected cars announce over-the-air updates on the screen or in the app. Dealers check which software campaigns apply to a car when it is in for service, and in Oman the agent contacts registered owners about recalls. If you have bought a used car or have moved address, it is worth asking the brand's authorised agent, with your chassis number, whether any recall or update is outstanding. If the car shows a symptom, a diagnostic scan and testing come first, because not every fault is a software problem. AutoTronix Lab carries out diagnostics and ECU programming, including manufacturer software updates; recall work is done by the manufacturer's authorised agent.
Common Questions
- Can I drive while an over-the-air update is installing? Usually not. On cars where updating while driving could be unsafe, the car is designed so it cannot be driven until the update has finished, so park somewhere you won't need to move from.
- Will an update change how my car behaves? It can. An update may fix a fault, change how a system works or add a feature. Over-the-air updates covered by UN Regulation No 156 must tell you what changes, before and after the update.
- Is a software update the same as a remap? No. A manufacturer update installs the manufacturer's own software to correct faults or add features as intended. A remap deliberately changes the engine calibration. At AutoTronix, ECU remapping is handled by AutoTronix PERFORMANCE, subject to the car's compatibility and an assessment first.