Tuesday Tech Tips – Wireless and Internet
MFT (MyFord Touch)
Every month or so, I get a phone call from a customer telling me that their Wireless & Internet feature on their system is not working. Or “I’m sitting here in my truck at my house. I’m connected up with my WiFi at home, but I can’t download the update for my Sync system.” “I’ve got my iPad in the car, but there’s no internet in the car. I think there is something wrong with my system.”
The idea here is that you have an answer to the business road trip or any road trip, for that matter, in which someone within the vehicle wants to do something on the world wide web. Kids have homework? Playing online games while riding down the road? Watching YouTube in the back seat?
What the System will not do
1. You cannot hop in your car for a road trip, fire up your WiFi-dependent device, and go online.
2. You also cannot park in your garage and hook up to your home’s WiFi, or anywhere else for that matter (Starbucks parking lot).
3. You also cannot download your MyFord Touch updates from Syncmyride.com directly to your vehicle.
Why?
1. Your vehicle does not have a wireless router built in. If it did, you would have a monthly charge from somewhere that would only be able to be used while in the vehicle.
2. The system also does not have an interface for the internet installed such as Microsoft Internet Explorer, or Google Chrome, or Apple’s Safari. I can think of many reasons as to why this might be impractical. So, even though you can connect with your home’s WiFi, or at a restaurant, or other venue, unless you have an Internet enabled device, it won’t actually do anything for you.
3. Downloading an update from SyncMyRide.com follows a process utilizing a USB thumbdrive. You download the update to your portable drive and install it in the vehicle via the USB port (leave engine running for duration of update). Once it is completed, you take the thumbdrive back to your computer, plug it into the USB port so that the update can be logged as having been completed with Ford
Wireless & Internet – How it Works
So, you want to set your vehicle up for Internet?
You have to have a device that can be your Internet portal. This can be accomplished a couple of different ways.
1. A Wireless Air Card – Most of the major phone companies offer these. They offer them with or without contracts. They all offer many different solutions. I found that Radio Shack has a list of providers and what they offer on their website.
2. Mobile Hot Spot/Tethering – Most phone companies offer this and it is built into many Smart phones on the market. It is a feature that has to be activated through your phone company. This makes it possible for multiple devices to pair up with your phone as the internet portal. I tend to do this while visiting my in-laws at their house out in the country. I plug my phone into a power outlet, turn on the Hot Spot feature, grab my iPad and goof around with my kids on YouTube.
When you have decided how you want to achieve mobile internet access in your vehicle, plug the device into the USB port on your vehicle. Mobile Hot Spot on your phone does not require this, but it will drain your battery quickly – your USB port will help to prevent this. When plugged into the USB port, will find in the Wireless & Internet menu security settings and other settings for your mobile internet needs.
Surf Safely!!!
Want to learn about SYNC or MyFord Touch? We have classes every Saturday: SYNC Class at 9:30am, MyFord Touch at 11:30am. FREE One-on-One sessions are also available on weekdays by appointment. Call 817-498-8838 to schedule and please allow for 24 hrs. notice.
