I just joined and didn't find a forum specific to electronics, computers, etc., so I hope this is the right place for my questions.

We just purchased my DW's fourth Expedition, a 2013 King Ranch, and I'm told the car must go to the dealer when we feel a map update is needed. I'm asking if that can be avoided, as I'm guessing the cost will be high.

If you've updated your Nav system's map, did that smoothly or did it cause problems? I've screwed up two TomToms that never worked properly after updates, even with a lot of tech support help.

And a final question. Scrolling through the System Info program isn't coming up with an outside temperature choice. Can this be, or am I missing something?

Thanks for your answers, and having F-250s and 350s, a couple of diesels, I should enjoy this site.

 

You can purchase an update DVD thru NAVTEQ's web site. They are the ones that supplies the data to all MFGs. They will direct you to the Ford page to purchase the DVD. You just put the DVD in and follow the on-screan directions. Updates are normally about every 2 years for automobiles with the last update being last year and the next should be coming out sometime next year. Since you have a 2013, you have the latest database available.

 

Thanks, UCS, I'll save that information for next year.

 

No problem...We got about a ton of flyers and emails from Lincoln and a few from NAVTEQ to update our 2010 MKZ since last years update became available. Most likely won't update it unless the MKZ actually went on a long road trip. The NAV system in the MKZ kind of drives the wife nuts at times, so we normally just use our Garmin that gets updated about 4 times a year with the free lifetime udates. The Garmin is always more up-to-date than the NAV systems are. As a matter of fact, I just bought the wife a Garmin nüvi 3597LMTHD which has the free lifetime updates and has voice capabilities for her to use in the MKZ.

I personally would not have bought the NAV system in the MKZ, but you get stuck doing so to get other options that you want. At $200 a pop for an update every 2 years that is basically a 2 year old update by the time you get it isn't what I call very consumer friendly. They would be great and worth it to me if they came with the same type of free lifetime updates as the Garmins do

Who knows...By the time I buy a new F-150 in a couple of years, it may be that way...Otherwise, its the Garmin Nuvi 2797LMT with a 7" screen for $270.

 

UCS, I guess the bells and whistles are too alluring. $1500, or whatever the system cost, is way too much for what it does. And it doesn't seem to be as advanced as I expected.

If I could ask, if I study the manual on the nav system long enough, will I find a setting that will show speed limits on the road we're traveling on? Our other GPSs have had that capability.

Between figuring out the phone SYNC and how to use it, and so far not getting the garage door opener hooked up with our Wayne Dalton system, it's taking quite a while to get settled in with this. Of course, part of the problem is, it's DW's car and I've only had a couple outings with it myself to learn. I just need to take the manual out to the car and spend some time with it.

Had a success yesterday. took my iPhone and her new phone into an ATT store and had all my contacts transferred over. Then got her phone and contacts loaded into the system and set hers as primary.

 

Have had the MKZ for almost 3 years and still haven't SYNC'd the wife's phone to it. I don't think the NAV system will display the posted speeds like a Garmin, Tom-Tom and such. Ford manipulates the data they receive from NAVTEQ. As an example, I have a $100, 5 year old Garmin that can find our house here in NY, but have a $40K MKZ that can't find its way home. Go figure...

 

The salesman synced my iPhone before we left the dealership, but he wasn't able to link the bride's old flip phone. Maybe your wife's phone is not able to work with the system. My wife might average one short call a week and doesn't text or surf, so I bought her an inexpensive AT&T Z431 Go Phone that's sold with prepaid plans, although we use it with our plan. It's the least useable phone I've seen, very small keyboard, but it's modern enough that it syncs easily with the Nav system.

 

Nope...My wife's phone is SYNC'able, I just haven't done it...And she really doesn't worry about it...That, plus the MKZ sets at out house in AZ. and only gets driven a few times every 3-4 months.