Finding Your Way With Ford SYNC 3

While Ford was one of the first carmakers to market a full infotainment system in non-luxury vehicles, the first attempt at this software wasn’t what was expected. Despite the glitches found in the MyFord Touch infotainment system, Ford has moved forward to reintroduce the new and improved Ford Sync 3.0 Navigation Information System.

Hands Free with SYNC 3
This Blackberry-based system began being installed in each Ford Model in 2016. This new smart system allows both the driver and passenger to easily make a call, listen to music, and navigate to any location with the touch of a button along with the sound of your voice. This voice-activated SYNC technology easily allows the driver to keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.

Ease of Use
Unlike Ford’s previous navigation information system, usability is the key factor for this system. With a home screen that defaults to a three-way split between navigation, audio, and phone information, with navigation getting the half of the screen closest to the driver, which is ideal for quick glances. Unlike the previous system, Ford’s SYNC 3 system allows each area to be expanded to full screen with a simple touch. Voice commands have also been pared down to short phases that are intuitive and eliminate the need for some touchscreen prodding.

Phone Capability
Ford’s SYNC 3 system can also be controlled with the use Ford’s SYNC AppLink, that can be controlled with compatible smart phones like Android devices that are 5.0 and higher as well as iPhone 5 and later models.

SYNC Connect
For those Ford models equipped with SYNC Connect, capable smart phone users have the ability to download the FordPass app to track your vehicle’s location; remotely access vehicle features such as start, lock and unlock and vehicle status including fuel level and approximate mileage. You can also schedule specific times to remotely start your vehicle so it’s ready to hit the road as soon as you are through the FordPass app.

SYNC 3 Plus Apple CarPlay Support

Compatible with iPhone 5 and later models running iOS 7.1 or higher, Apple CarPlay gives iPhone users an intuitive way to make phone calls, use voice-guided navigation, listen to music, and send and receive messages while staying focused on the road using Ford’s SYNC 3 system. Users can control Apple CarPlay through the in-vehicle display or via Siri voice control. Apple CarPlay support requires a USB hub upgrade available through Ford dealers.

SYNC 3 currently supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on all model-year 2017 Ford cars including the Fiesta, Focus, Fusion and Mustang, SUVs including the Escape, Explorer and Expedition, F-Series trucks and Ford’s electrified vehicles.

Automatic Updates Using Wi-Fi
Though Ford has been issuing SYNC upgrades since 2009, this is the first time the company is offering an update via Wi-Fi. In Wi-Fi-enabled vehicles with Automatic System Updates turned on within SYNC 3, the system will periodically connect to a customer’s designated Wi-Fi network to check for updates. If an update is available, the system automatically downloads the update in the background over a period of time without any customer interaction. SYNC 3 is designed to perform the update as long as Wi-Fi is connected prior to the vehicle turning off, therefore there is no need to keep the vehicle running for the update to take place.