How-To Update Your Mach-E! Faster Charging, Better Drivability

Join me in a how-to video showing the process to update all the software on your Ford Mach-E yourself. Gain access to the same tools dealers can use to have your car charge faster, drive better, and avoid some first-model-year bugs.
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Equipment I used:
- Clore Automotive PL6100 Flash Reprogramming Power Supply 100 Amp www.amazon.com...
- 15 Amp Male to 20 Amp Female Plug Outlet www.amazon.com...
- Mongoose-Plus J2534 OEM Vehicle Interface Cable www.amazon.com...
- HP - Stream 11.6" Laptop www.bestbuy.co...
- Luomorgo 75mm/3 inch Hole Saw, 1 1/4 inch Cutting Depth HSS Bi-Metal Hole Cutter for Wood Cornhole Boards Plastic Drywall & Metal Sheet www.amazon.com...
- 3 3.0 inch Flush Mount Black Plastic Body and Sheet Metal Hole Plug Qty 5 by Caplugs www.amazon.com...
- Kitchen Cart on Wheels www.amazon.com...
- 2-day FDRS license (important, get this last once you know you have everything else!)
Better Jump Point Access (Battery Access):
www.macheforum...
FDRS Instructions and latest information here:
www.macheforum...
Modules to update for improved DCFC charging curve:
www.macheforum...
Job 2 (July 2021+ cars) should not update these modules (at least as of 3/17):
www.macheforum...

[@lkuhn65]

Super informative! Gives me the ability to appreciate what my dealer service technicians can do for me and will enable me to to ask in depth questions. Thanks for taking the time to prepare this video!

[@patriot0971]

Great info. I have a Tesla Model Y but it is interesting to see tinkering on Mach E platform by the enthusiasts. Great looking vehicle :)

[@Youdanielmiranda]

Many Thanks for your video 🙏 I’m for portugal , and in this side of the world MME owners are a very few who concerns about this updates , and Ford Dealers are start to charge for these updates … Keep posting more videos please 🙏

[@ev_kimchi]

I hope all of the hardcore Tesla-stans who are leaving comments here (from their backseat while on the highway) are feeling super awesome. I'm glad this DIY video for Mach-E owners could also help you momentarily relieve your latent insecurities by crowing about your car's superiority.

[@fred993a]

Sir - You are wonderful and so generous with your time. Thank you!

[@quranpowell4562]

Excellent detailed how to video. Loved the fact you show on screen step by step. Been on the fence about the Mach E...now not so much.

[@ev_kimchi]

Oh the Mach-E is a great car -- but no vehicle is perfect. Software maintainability is one of the biggest downsides, especially for the first model year vehicles. But name your other EV and I can tell you the serious "cons" with it!

[@theOGman]

Wow! Thank you for share your wealth of knowledge. Great walk through. 👍

[@jmmanley1]

Excellent tutorial, thank you!

[@PeaceChanel]

Thank You for All that you are doing for our Planet Earth.... Peace.. Shalom.. Salam.. Namaste 🙏🏻 😊 🌈 ✌ ☮ ❤

[@Dickster48]

Yes, great tutorial and love the screen shots

[@SerendipitousProducts]

Awesome video. Thank you.

[@troublebot]

Just reading the comments, it's funny how insecure Tesla fans are over EV competitors coming to market. Competition is a good thing, it benefits all consumers.

[@ev_kimchi]

It's hilarious.

[@coryzutz2204]

Love your videos. What kind of at home charger do you have for your Mach E?

[@ev_kimchi]

I'm using Chargepoint Home Flex. I tried several and found they had the combo of best hardware such as the cable and plug design, and the best app. Totally reliable to charge my car and also our ID.4. Check out the State Of Charge channel for reviews of L2 home chargers.

[@HolyBibleOpen]

All those updates my Performance Edition recieved over wifi. Ordered my car the day they announced the Mach E so I'm one of the first to get the Performance Edition.

[@ev_kimchi]

I wasn't that far behind! However, that's not correct. Lots of updates to modules have not been delivered to these cars via OTA "PowerUp" updates.

[@bigdougscommentary5719]

So why does the software show an available update when ur car shouldn’t update? That makes no sense. The software should be intelligent enough to eliminate any non applicable updates.

[@BentheEVguy]

Really cool

[@JeffMitchelliest]

In your equipment list you have a 3" hole saw and 3" covers, but in the thread you link to about adding the access points they have 2" and 2.5" photos. Would you mind posting photos of your access point location and what it looks like underneath?

[@ev_kimchi]

Good catch! Since I filmed the video, I purchased a replacement panel and precisely measured and drilled 3" holes. 3" holes are the way to go -- you can see what I did here: www.macheforum.com/site/threads/what-did-you-do-to-your-mach-e-today-%F0%9F%99%8B%F0%9F%8F%BB%E2%80%8D%E2%99%82%EF%B8%8F.17901/page-7#post-428785

[@plaujr88]

Great info. Still not totally sold on Ford products. Not sure why dealers are not doing this for Mach e owners. More cost to owners to purchase the items you mentioned. Will doing this void your warranty?

[@ev_kimchi]

Dealers don't do this for owners without a specific TSB or CSP from Ford that pays the dealer for the warranty work. Dealers are not a charity, and they can only do warranty work if it is paid for by Ford. As for voiding your warranty, this does not void your warranty -- Ford is actually selling you a license to be able to flash the updates created by Ford. It's a sanctioned activity that Ford permits owners to do.

[@edenviews]

Wow, you have gone out of your way to do this. I would hope Ford would do it for you for free.

[@Mike-cs8bp]

Thanks! Great video! My GTPE is being built this week (hopefully). Got some modules loaded but no built emails yet 😬. Anyway looking forward to your next video to see how well the charging curve update works…

[@ev_kimchi]

Editing now!

[@wheelsee]

Or Ford Dealers should just do the updates for us. Asking us to spend $1000's on equipment and software to update an issue from the factory is a ridiculous ask

[@ev_kimchi]

Ford isn't asking owners to do this -- but it is great that they offer licenses to DIY individuals! What Ford should do is get a #%$%$% clue as to how to do over-the-air updates. How complex can this be?

[@ericmathisen2825]

Apparently there is a ”jumper” port on the front bumper to give you access to 12v battery without removing panels under the hood. Haven’t tried this myself though. Would this have worked for you?

[@ev_kimchi]

There is a jumper port in the front bumper on the passenger side, behind a door that in European Mach E versions also has threads for a tow hook. It doesn't have the tow hook on the us version. Nevertheless I wish this location would work, but it only will unlock and pop the hood if you apply power, and cannot be used for jumping or battery support. See here for more www.macheforum.com/site/threads/jump-start-guide-in-owner-manual.3602/

[@refreshmob]

Yes unfortunate you drilled ports in the panel , the jumper port is on the bumper.

[@ev_kimchi]

@@refreshmob um, no it's not. The bumper access contacts will, when energized by 12V power, pop the frunk open so you can access the panel I show in the video where the 12V battery access is. Try it sometime, or perhaps read your owners manual....

[@refreshmob]

@@ev_kimchi aw man you 💯 right I really hope that's as satisfying to you as it is to me that you drilled holes in the panels just for some updates you have to make sure you get. 😉 I'm sure , anyways drill you car don't drill your car. really sorry for the post or running into the reply either way enjoy your car how you want . Have a great time riding gas free. I'm gonna go off and read some manuals.

[@hugegamer5988]

Great video. It would be nice if we had right to repair laws so that these systems were more open and we had the ability to create custom software updates. Even if it voided any remaining warranty it would be nice to be able to modify the car to whatever the owner wants.

[@ev_kimchi]

I'm not so sure you want to build and push your own software to the car, there's probably a lot that could go wrong there..... I think the real story here is how poorly Ford misunderstood and executed on its OTA delivery on a production vehicle. Moreover, the car needed so many updates, really felt like it was pushed out without adequate validation testing and quality control.

[@hugegamer5988]

@@ev_kimchi I’d agree with you on how ford handles the situation, not having a functional system that’s easy to use means the quality of the experience of the average user is lower. However I man have explained it badly, the average modder who tweaks the internal combustion engine through modifying software not only does not write all the software, or create their own hardware, but there is a tremendous amount of thing that can go wrong. Those include instant destruction of the engine and conditions that are unsafe for others on the road. Yet we have retained those rights. If my EV is past warranty, and I as the owner want to increase the current (torque) limiting of some other parameter, I should be free to do so with at least as much freedom as a gasoline engine.

[@ev_kimchi]

@@hugegamer5988 agree on principle, but modules in the Mach E are way more complex than tuning a 1960s Mustang and very bad things could happen

[@ammotroop9708]

Can you update sync this way too?

[@ev_kimchi]

You can if there's an update available for your car's APIM module. Some cars show an update for that right now to update to the new UX for the center screen.

[@majorchungus]

I like the yellow.

[@ev_kimchi]

💛

[@amisha.1617]

When can I take mine to you I would really appreciate the help I’m stuck on 1.7 fail OTA since they lunch it. I would gladly pay you instead of the dealer.

[@ev_kimchi]

Sorry I'm not a substitute for a Ford dealer.

[@jeffg9612]

Thinking of taking the plunge and following your lead. For the updates that require a USB drive, how does that work in this process?

[@ev_kimchi]

You can search and find more on this at MachEForum.com -- it is pretty easy to figure out.

[@josuealicea6402]

Hello, greetings, I have a question, I bought a mach e AWD that was manufactured in 07/2022 but I bought it in 01/2024 and it has been connected to the Wi-Fi for two months and no update has arrived and connected to Wi-Fi 24/7, look for information that if the APIM modules and the GWM are in the list of updates, they are not updated, the updates will not begin to flow, is this true?

[@ev_kimchi]

I sold my pony to the glue factory, but from what I remember you're probably right. the GWM module is the gateway that manages sending the OTAs to the other modules. if it is stuck, nothing else is getting updated I believe. APIM I think is the infotainment as I remember. Try taking it to a dealer and making them fix it if you're still under warranty. I'm sorry, but that car has such crappy quality even when it came to software updates. It's laughable how much crap I had to plug in to my car to try and get fixes for the bad product bugs in the car, looking back on it

[@davidbrannon3414]

If the car requires 12V power for the update, how does it update itself over-the-air presumably without the 12V power applied?

[@ev_kimchi]

Good question! I read this on the Mach-E Forum, so let me see if I remember this from memory .... The car does not need to take modules off the CAN bus to do the updates with the OTA way of doing things (which apparently makes some modules use a lot of power) -- and also OTA updates that require lots of power will do their thing to actually update when the car is running.

[@devbloggs]

Just bought a 2022 mache-e premium. Has this been updated already in my case?

[@ev_kimchi]

Your software is generally up to date in most modules as of the "build date" that you can find on the inside of your door. Ford is choosing to update some of the modules through Over-The-Air updates that vary by VIN. Not all cars are receiving all of the "Power Up" OTA updates from Ford. Some of your modules in the car can only be updated at the dealer, and you can get this done under warranty (aka FREE) only if you have a specific concern for which Ford has issued a TSB that allows the dealer to fix the complaint and claim a warranty service for it.

[@mustangian66]

So with these tools and the appropriate software can Blue Cruise be enabled in European countries too?

[@ev_kimchi]

Nope!

[@mustangian66]

@@ev_kimchi Damn!

[@jimkemp9573]

Dealer is going to install 8 software updates for charging curve and PAAK. About how long should I expect for them to have the car? thanks

[@ev_kimchi]

If it's more than a day, they're doing something wrong and maybe need a link to this video 🤔

[@jimkemp9573]

@@ev_kimchi Thank you for your reply. I have the following questions:1) How do I find out what the updates are going to fix before installing? 2) How do I determine if update pertains to my car? 3) How to remove update if it causes a problem?

[@jamesvandamme7786]

The first car that has FOSS software, and works on Linux, is the one I'm going to buy.

[@ev_kimchi]

🙄

[@daftrok]

Seems rather silly you cant just download the firmware for free into a usb and plug it into the car's usb port to get it.

[@ev_kimchi]

I know, right?

[@PrivateEyeYiYi]

You own the car but you have to purchase a license to upgrade it? LOL

[@ev_kimchi]

no you don't have to purchase a license to update it -- but Ford has very unreliable OTAs. Thanks for stopping by to my channel, Elon

[@Magicinstalls]

I like to tinker as much as the next guy, but hard pass on spending 800 in parts for an update my local ford dealer will do for free. I'll just bring it in...

[@ev_kimchi]

you're in the extreme minority of customers with a Ford dealer who will do these updates for free. Ford does not pay the dealer to keep their cars updated, and so you've got to find a TSB that your dealer can bill to Ford for the warranty work time -- or find a dealer who actually is nice and gives good customer service. . . . . . Or you can just ditch the Mach-E and buy a car that has better quality so it doesn't need so many updates to function properly.

[@Magicinstalls]

@@ev_kimchi No, thanks, I'll stay in the extreme minority and my dealer will do my updates for free and keep my car. Also if something goes wrong, your warranty goes out the window.

[@alcontech]

Yeah….speaking from experience the Dealer won’t do this if they don’t know how to and whatever “hotline” they call for problems tells them just to release the car with a wish and a prayer I’m here because the several dealers I’ve taken it to for this problem are useless.

[@williamchristie7365]

I wish I would have watched this before I bought my Mach E. WTH!!!

[@ev_kimchi]

never too late to sell it, I always say

[@Magicinstalls]

Power supply? I think what you should've got was a battery tender putting out about 6 A. That would've been just fine. A power supply is not meant to be connected to a battery or charging.

[@ev_kimchi]

Actually nope -- you need constant supply for FDRS, not just a battery tender. Feel free to check the links in the description of the video for Ford's instructions. But you do you ;-)

[@Magicinstalls]

@@ev_kimchi actually, I’m very well first on the subject. I flash my motorcycle all the time and I use my battery tender to keep the battery In the safe zone. That is all that is needed that elaborate power supply is Wayover kill.

[@ev_kimchi]

@@Magicinstalls that's great, well you do you.

[@mikesandler48]

You must be an electral engineer. I'll go to the dealer for this.

[@ev_kimchi]

I'm not, but thanks for the complement 🤔 you shouldn't do this if it's outside your comfort zone. Unfortunately you need a nice dealer to get one that will bother doing this for you.

[@terryrodbourn2793]

It acts like firmware updating to computer!

[@jkirk99]

that is because it is.

[@ev_kimchi]

🙀

[@chrisbraid2907]

How Tedious!

[@ev_kimchi]

The Mach-E is a great car -- but no vehicle is perfect. Software maintainability is one of the biggest downsides, especially for the first model year vehicles. But name your other EV and I can tell you the serious "cons" with it!

[@AaronVanNoy]

It seems like a bunch of work for something that you paid for! Shouldn't @ford be held liable and simply over the air update your vehicle? Or at least send @ford a bill for all of these tools and your time!

[@jkirk99]

that ota update is coming. this vid is for people that don't want to wait or just want to.

[@AaronVanNoy]

@@jkirk99 how long do people have to wait for new options/features?

[@jkirk99]

@@AaronVanNoy until it is ready? have a look. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Power-Up_Version_History

[@ev_kimchi]

I tell ya, you'd be waiting a very long time if you expect an OTA on almost every one of these modules! Ford is doing a laughable job in being able to deliver new software versions to its cars via OTA.

[@AaronVanNoy]

@@ev_kimchi what a bummer. I got an update on my Tesla last wee. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@pforce9]

That car is like an Android phone. Tesla are like Iphone.

[@Johnny2Feathers]

Tesla software is way better. Ford has a long way to go

[@pforce9]

@@Johnny2Feathers Android still has not caught up with Iphone and Ford will never catch up with Tesla.

[@Johnny2Feathers]

@@pforce9 I agree

[@rodman7224]

This is their first full production EV by Ford and this what they came up with. Tesla has a serious competitor.You guys can laugh all you want but the first Tesla was no where near close to this good.

[@pforce9]

@@rodman7224 Just like in drag racing, when someone pulls a hole shot on you, you can blow up your engine trying to catch them. The flaw in your argument is that the first Tesla is not ford's competition, the present Tesla is and they are getting better all the time.