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Remote Software Updates - Description And Operation

Mobile Repair Possible:  N/A

Description: 

Software Download: 

Software Installation: 

Installation Pre-Condition Errors: 

Installation Update Errors: 

Description: 

Remote software updates also known as Firmware or Software Over the Air (FOTA or SOTA) or simply OTA, refers to a mechanism for VinFast to update software in vehicles remotely. In the past the only way to update vehicle software has been to be physically connected to the vehicle with the appropriate software and hardware tools.

Traditionally to solve problems with a control system in the vehicle, it requires the customer to bring the vehicle into a dealership, taking time for customer and cost for the OEM to provide updates to address the problem. Remote Software Updates allows VinFast to provide updates remotely, which increases customer satisfaction and reduces technical support requirements.

VinFast recommends updating vehicle software whenever new updates are available. This will ensure the vehicle maintains the latest features, functionality and quality improvements.

Overview of the Remote Software Update process

G16022915Courtesy of VINFAST, LLC

(1) New Upgrade Available → (2) Download the firmware → (3) Stop Downloading → (3) Install firmware → (4) Meet Install conditions 

Please note:  The following images may differ slightly but the instructions remain the same

Software Download: 

To enable the download of vehicle software updates there must be an active cellular or Wi-Fi connection to achieve an internet connection

NOTE: (if using cellular, data charges may apply and may impact data usage).

If automatic download on Wi-Fi or Cellular is selected, downloads will happen automatically and the customer will be notified when they are available to be installed.

If automatic download isn't selected, then a manual check can be achieved simply by selecting Settings-About-Firmware menu on the infotainment screen as shown below, this check may take several seconds.

G16022916Courtesy of VINFAST, LLC

If there is software available, the customer will be asked to confirm download. Once started the download process can be paused/resumed or stopped by the customer as shown on the screen below.

G16022917Courtesy of VINFAST, LLC

In the case of connection issues the system will continue to attempt reconnection until the download is complete.

Please note:  After the download is complete there is a short merging time. Once merging is complete, the installation can then be started.

IMPORTANT: Once the installation has started the car cannot be locked, therefore we the recommend to use scheduling, then lock the vehicle and leave the update to complete.

Software Installation: 

Once the software has been downloaded a notification will appear immediately on the infotainment screen, on the infotainment screen the customer will be able to Install the software immediately or schedule it for a later time. Installation time may vary depending on the size of the update an estimate of the time to completion is provided on the screen during the installation process, typical installation times are 30-45 mins.

G16022918Courtesy of VINFAST, LLC

To allow the install to begin the customer must accept terms and conditions of the software update and certain operational and technical pre-conditions must be met by the customer, then the installation process will begin.

G16022919Courtesy of VINFAST, LLC

Further details are provided in the following section Installation Pre-Condition Errors 

NOTE: During the installation process the vehicle cannot be driven, the touchscreen cannot be used and all exterior lighting will be off.
G16022920Courtesy of VINFAST, LLC

If there is an issue with the installation, the Software Update process will attempt to revert back to the previous software version this may take a similar amount of time to the installation process.

G16022921Courtesy of VINFAST, LLC

If this process is unsuccessful a critical error warning will be displayed to the customer instructing them to contact VinFast for help from their local dealership.

G16022922Courtesy of VINFAST, LLC

Scheduling an update: 

On the update ready screen, the customer can choose to schedule the update at a convenient time. Once selected the customer will need to accept the terms and conditions and then the installation will be scheduled.

G16022923Courtesy of VINFAST, LLC

Once scheduled the installation can be rescheduled in the update ready screen or the pop-up screen that will appear 2 minutes before the update is due.

G16022924Courtesy of VINFAST, LLC
G16022925Courtesy of VINFAST, LLC

If the installation pre-conditions are not met at the scheduled time a pop-up will appear to notify the customer.

G16022926Courtesy of VINFAST, LLC

Installation Pre-Condition Errors: 

As mentioned above to allow the install to begin certain Operational and Technical pre-conditions must be met by the customer, the following is a list of all the possible pre-condition errors, their code, type of error and recommended actions to resolve.

Operational errors are ones which the customer can easily fix with the SELF-FIX actions below, while technical errors may require further technical support and the SERVICE actions should be followed. If "Operational Errors" do not resolve with the recommended SELF-FIX actions or for "Technical Errors", advise the customer that the vehicle may need to be looked at by a technician and book a mobile or dealership service.

For technicians investigating these errors treat them like any other customer concern using the procedure Strategy, checks and repair verification as a guidance to work through the issue and identify the root cause, paying particular attention to any DTC's related to the MHU or T-Box; or communication with the MHU or XGW in the vehicle.

CODE ERROR NAME ERROR TYPE RECOMMENDED ACTIONS
1 LV BATTERY LOW Technical SERVICE - Charge 12V Battery, service LV charging system or replace 12V battery
2 HANDBRAKE NOT ENGAGED Operational SELF-FIX "Ensure vehicle is stationary, gear selector is in Park, Handbrake is applied and try again"
4 VEHICLE MOVING Operational SELF-FIX "Ensure vehicle is stationary, gear selector is in Park, Handbrake is applied and try again"
8 VEHICLE CHARGING Operational SELF-FIX "Stop charging ensure charging gun is disconnected and charge plug is clear and try again"
10 IGNITION IS OFF Operational SELF-FIX "Ensure ignition is ON and try again"
20 EMOTOR IS ON Operational SELF-FIX "Ensure E-Motor is OFF and try again"
40 PARK GEAR NOT SELECTED Operational SELF-FIX "Ensure vehicle is stationary, gear selector is in Park, Handbrake is applied and try again"
80 EXTERIOR LIGHTS ON Operational SELF-FIX "Ensure all lights are turned OFF and try again"
100 OBD PORT IN USE Technical SERVICE - Ensure no devices are connected to OBD port or investigate faults with the OBD port.
200 HV BATTERY LOW Operational SELF-FIX "Ensure vehicle charge is well above 30% SOC and try again"
400 VEHICLE IN PUBLIC CHARGE STATION Operational SELF-FIX "Move vehicle from charge station or current location and try again"
800 AIR CONDITIONER ON Operational SELF-FIX "Ensure AC is turned OFF and try again"
1000 VALET/PET MODE ACTIVE Operational SELF-FIX "Ensure Valet Mode is OFF and try again"
2000 HV WONT TURN OFF Technical SERVICE - HV isn't being turned off, investigate faults with HV system in particular the VCU or BMS
8000 INVALID FOTA REQUEST Technical SERVICE - Reboot eCockpit and try again
800000XY* ECU FLASH PRE-CONDITION ERROR Technical SERVICE - Investigate specific issues with the ECU identified

When multiple pre-conditions are not met they are compiled in a bit mask to create a single error code, for example

Installation Update Errors: 

As mentioned previously if there is an issue with the installation, the Software Update process will log an error and its first action will be to attempt to revert back or "rollback" to the previous software version. The following is a list of all the possible software installation errors, their code, description and actions for a technician to take in service.

For technicians investigating these errors treat them like any other customer concern using the procedure Strategy, checks and repair verification as a guidance to work through the issue and identify the root cause, paying particular attention to any DTC's related to the MHU or T-Box; or communication with the MHU or XGW; or related to ECU Internal or Programming/SW errors in all ECU's in the vehicle.

Additional "Level 2" support may be required by contacting the local Service Operations Technical Support.

CODE ERROR NAME DESCRIPTION AND ACTIONS
2 INVALID METADATA Metadata of the data sets to be downloaded is not compatible.
SERVICE -
  1. Possible FOTA System or data problem, Contact level 2 support
3 INCOMPATIBLE SOFTWARE Part numbers of the software components is not compatible.
SERVICE -
  1. Possible FOTA System or data problem, Contact level 2 support
4 DOWNLOAD TIME TOO LONG Download time limit exceeded.
SERVICE -
  1. Check vehicle for any faults that may have affected the FOTA installation, then retry FOTA installation.
  2. Possible FOTA System or data problem, Contact level 2 support
5 INVALID DOWNLOAD METADATA Metadata of downloaded data doesn't match expected values
SERVICE -
  1. Possible FOTA System or data problem, Contact level 2 support
6 DECRYPTION ERROR Error in decryption of data sets, FOTA Key provisioning etc.
SERVICE -
  1. Check vehicle for any faults that may have affected the FOTA installation, then retry FOTA installation.
  2. Possible FOTA System or data problem, Contact level 2 support
7 INSTALLATION TIME TOO LONG Installation time limit exceeded
SERVICE -
  1. Check vehicle for any faults that may have affected the FOTA installation, then retry FOTA installation.
  2. Possible FOTA System or data problem, Contact level 2 support
8 FOTA UPDATE FAILED Installation failure
SERVICE -
  1. Check vehicle for any faults that may have affected the FOTA installation. Repair vehicle by reprogramming or replacing affected ECU's using IDS.
  2. Possible FOTA System or data problem, Contact level 2 support
10 FOTA UPDATE FAILED - ROLLBACK SUCCESS Installation failure, successfully reverted to previous software
SERVICE -
  1. Check vehicle for any faults that may have affected the FOTA installation, then retry FOTA download & installation.
  2. If FOTA installation is unsuccessful again, if necessary repair vehicle by reprogramming or replacing affected ECU's using IDS.
  3. Possible FOTA System or data problem, Contact level 2 support
11 FOTA UPDATE FAILED - ROLLBACK FAILED Installation failure
SERVICE -
  1. Check vehicle for any faults that may have affected the FOTA installation. Repair vehicle by reprogramming or replacing affected ECU's.
  2. Possible FOTA System or data problem, Contact level 2 support
12 DOWNLOAD CANCELLED BY USER Download cancelled
SERVICE -
  1. Check if user actually cancelled download or if there is an unexpected behavior within the vehicle system
  2. Check vehicle for any faults that may have affected the FOTA download.