Skipping that update may be more dangerous than you think.
General Motors to record $1.6 billion loss as EV tax credit ends
GM will be forced to scale back its investment in electric vehicles, taking a $1.6 billion hit as the U.S. ends the EV tax credit and eases emissions regulations.
scripps news
- General Motors, like several prominent car brands, uses over-the-air updates to repair and upgrade vehicles.
- Ignoring these updates may result in operational and warranty issues.
Over-the-air (OTA) updates can be both a blessing and a curse for modern drivers.
OTA updates allow automakers to issue software upgrades and fixes for vehicles without physically servicing the vehicle through a service center. Although these updates are useful for drivers, failure to download and install updates can have serious consequences.
General Motors OTA updates: install or be affected by them?
Cars are more advanced than ever, from amazing driver assistance and safety features to software most drivers have never experienced before. OTA updates are one of the newest and biggest trends in automotive software. These updates essentially allow car brands to patch software bugs and upgrade vehicles remotely to nip problems in the bud and improve vehicles without the help of licensed technicians.
So what happens if an over-the-air update is available for your GM vehicle, but you forget (or refuse) to download and install it?According to General Motors development-focused blog GM Authority, it could affect your warranty.
The site says owners must install OTA updates “within 45 days of availability” or risk uncompensated damage. This means that failure to download and install updates can lead to software issues and damage. These damages are not covered by the warranty if the owner did not update the vehicle in a timely manner.
GM owners should note that they will receive a message via their infotainment system if there is an OTA update available for their vehicle. Therefore, we recommend installing General Motors OTA updates as soon as possible. Consider how new vehicles rely on software for critical operational functions. Just like your smartphone, your car will improve if you update it quickly.
Why are auto brands using OTA updates?
While the more technology-centric vehicles on the market can be a plus for drivers, they have unique needs when compared to older vehicles.
Over-the-air update function:
- Fix software bugs and potential security issues
- improve vehicle performance
- Add new features
- Modification and/or upgrade of existing functionality
- Update your vehicle to meet regulatory standards
Vehicles that rely heavily on software for operational purposes, such as Tesla vehicles, require OTA updates. These updates improve vehicle safety and also enable modifications and additions to features.
Although the download and installation process may seem tedious to drivers who are not accustomed to OTA updates, the act is much easier than driving to a service location and waiting for service. These updates require an internet connection via Wi-Fi or cellular data.
What car brands use OTA updates?
Over-the-air updates are much more common than you think. In fact, most major automotive brands have introduced OTA updates to protect, improve, and repair their vehicles, completely transforming the modern vehicle service experience.
Car brands using OTA updates
- audi
- BMW
- ford
- general motors
- honda
- hyundai
- come
- mercedes benz
- nissan
If you recently bought a new car, you may be using an OTA update. These updates are likely to become more widespread as major automakers focus on developing software-centric vehicles. So if your car’s infotainment screen asks you to download and install an update, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
