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Ford to add Android Auto and CarPlay to 2016 SYNC 3 cars via update

Ford is updating a large number of 2016 model year cars equipped with SYNC 3 infotainment software, adding Android Auto and CarPlay to the vehicles with a free, over-the-air update via Wi-Fi, or using either USB or going through their dealer. The upgrade will be available for around 800,000 vehicles in total, giving a huge number of Ford car owners the chance to get big infotainment improvements without having to buy a newer model car. The OTA update option is also a big step for Ford – it's the company's first for software ever, and it's one of the major reasons that Ford recently hired around 400 new mobile smartphone engineers, the company tells me. For CarPlay, users will still also need to upgrade their vehicle's USB hub to make this work (which will also incur a dealer visit and a cost), but for those on Android, all that's required is a simple software installation. The USB install method is also faster, but the Wi-Fi update option is the start of the company's efforts to really increase its OTA update program, which will be used for security improvements as well as infotainment bumps. Even with a dealer visit and hardware upgrade for CarPlay, this sounds like a worthwhile thing for 2016 vehicle owners to do. CarPlay and Android Auto are huge upgrades vs. most in-car software, offering navigation and entertainment options that follow you from your phone to your car. Retroactively offering this kind of thing to car owners is a definite change in tone for carmakers, since they typically use these kinds of things as incentives to get people interested in vehicle model updates. But as data becomes increasingly important to automakers as a business, it makes sense to encourage greater in-car use of devices.Written by Darrell Etherington for TechCrunchRelated Video: Auto News Ford Lincoln Technology Infotainment android

Ford recalls 83k Taurus and crossover models for halfshaft issue

Ford and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have issued a recall for some 83,250 vehicles in the US, for an issue with halfshafts. More specifically a "halfshaft retention circlip" might not have been properly installed on affected vehicles, with the result being halfshafts that may move improperly or disengage completely from the linkshaft while driving. The NHTSA release also notes that the issue may occur "without prior warning" which obviously factors in to the timeliness of getting this checked.
Should the halfshaft disengage, a few troubling things could happen. If it occurs while driving, power from the engine will no longer be transmitted to the wheels. And, if the vehicle is parked without the parking brake applied after disengagement of the circlip, vehicles may roll away even if they're transmissions have been placed in "Park."
Affected vehicles are as follows: Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX crossovers from model years 2012 to 2014; Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS sedans from model years 2013 to 2014; Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT vehicles from model years 2013 to 2014.

Lincoln Aviator to return as a concept in New York

The keen Canadian eyes at Autoguide spotted on Lincoln Canada's Twitter feed that the Lincoln Aviator will be resurrected at the 2018 New York Auto Show in two weeks, albeit in concept car form. Given that today's Continental and Navigator were previewed with thinly veiled concepts, it's therefore safe to assume that we'll eventually see a production Aviator. According to Automotive News back in 2016, Aviator should be a three-row crossover based on the next-generation Explorer. So essentially, it will replace the MKT, which was last seen picking people up at your local airport and essentially nowhere else. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. For those of you who don't recall, this would not be the first Lincoln Aviator. The original sold from 2002 to 2005 was also based on the Ford Explorer, and although relatively well-received by car reviewing types at the time, it never caught on with the buying public. Its failure is still a bit surprising given the similar SUV fever of that era. The resurrection of the Aviator name also coincides with the return of Continental and the introduction of Nautilus, which replaces the MKX. However, have no fear MK enthusiasts, the MKZ and MKC still live on. You can be in charge of letting people know just exactly which cars those are. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.