Free Vehicle Software Update Check!

I recently received an e-mail from the dealer that I bought my truck from. As the title says, it is for a free vehicle software update check. I bought the truck a year and four days ago and it has 10,500 miles. My truck has not been back to the dealer since I bought it and I had no intention of going there again unless I need warranty work. My skeptical side thinks this would be a waste of my time and is just an attempt to get me in the door so they can try to sell me service. My truck runs great and I have no complaints. Is there updated shift programming for the ZF 8sp in the last year? Is there any value in taking it in?

If it ain't broke, don't take it in to get a free vehicle software update check

It's probably an attempt to get you back to the dealership for service. I do use my dealership for service, and almost every time I'm there they flash the PCM with an update free of charge.


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I do not understand why they need to flash or update anything if your not having any issues.

I tell the dealer no flashes without my permission.

huntergreen said:

I tell the dealer no flashes without my permission.

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A long time ago, I had a new 2000 Dakota with the 4.7 and 5 speed manual. I remember reading that some people had negative effects after ECU updates, probably due to emission related changes to ignition timing. I'm not really worried about that now. I just don't want to sit in a waiting room for nothing. Even if someone convinces me there is an upside to it, I would probably go to a different dealer for personal reasons.

There was a recent update for the ZF concerning the torque converter.

sammon287 said:

I recently received an e-mail from the dealer that I bought my truck from. As the title says, it is for a free vehicle software update check. I bought the truck a year and four days ago and it has 10,500 miles. My truck has not been back to the dealer since I bought it and I had no intention of going there again unless I need warranty work. My skeptical side thinks this would be a waste of my time and is just an attempt to get me in the door so they can try to sell me service. My truck runs great and I have no complaints. Is there updated shift programming for the ZF 8sp in the last year? Is there any value in taking it in?

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Hi sammon287,

The software updates your dealership is most likely referring are TSBs that are released for different components of your vehicle. TSBs are free as long as you are under warranty, once you are outside of warranty your dealership can charge you. You can check for Uconnect software updates yourself by entering your VIN here: https://www.driveuconnect.com/software-update/. Please let me know if you have any additional questions!

Andrea
Ram Social Care Specialist

Thanks for that link Andrea.

Luke

I bought my truck just over one year and a few weeks ago. Last year around august, I had my truck in the dealer for a windshield issue. and when I picked it up they had updated the software for me, it was several update packages they installed. Anyways, on my drive home I would swear that my trucks performance had been woken up. It seemed to have more power off the line and shifts seemed smoother. I have no real data to back this up but it felt as if I had installed a programmer. I have also noticed since the update that my low fuel light comes on when I have about 6 gallons left when it used to come on with about 2 gallons left in the tank, also my fuel gauge will be sitting on "E" for a day or 2 before the low fuel light comes on.

I am all for free updates, they update software for a reason, not just because they want to. there is probably a small minor glitch or bug in the original code and the update fixes it.

jhal said:

I have also noticed since the update that my low fuel light comes on when I have about 6 gallons left when it used to come on with about 2 gallons left in the tank, also my fuel gauge will be sitting on "E" for a day or 2 before the low fuel light comes on.

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This sounds like a bad thing to me. I prefer the low fuel light not to come on too early.

huntergreen said:

I tell the dealer no flashes without my permission.

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Same here...but sometimes, they do it anyway