How Do I Know If My Jeep Needs A Software Update?

Have you noticed some features in a friend’s Jeep that are not in yours?

Have you experienced some bugs in using your software or experienced some delays in using your car infotainment system?

If you answered yes to any of these, your Jeep might just be calling for a software update. This article will let you know how to carry out a software update on your Jeep.

But, first, how can you confirm that your Jeep needs a software update?

Your dealership can determine if your car is due for software updates whenever you bring your vehicle for maintenance. They determine whether your car is due for software updates by checking your vehicle inspection number. When passed through certain checks, this number will tell them if your vehicle is running on the latest software or not.

Does Uconnect Need to be Updated?

The Uconnect that runs on your Jeep needs updating whenever new versions are available.

Like your smartphone app, the Uconnect comes with exciting features when you carry out an update.

You are sure to find some great benefits when you update Uconnect. Some of these benefits include:

• Improved car security
• Fixed bug problem
• Updated map and location navigation system
• Improved services in line with your mobile devices.

#1. Improved Car Security

The Uconnect system is not merely an infotainment system. It serves as the internal security of your car by protecting your vehicle against car theft.

You can connect the Uconnect software to your mobile device.

This connection allows you to receive alerts and notifications whenever someone attempts to enter your car without your knowledge.

The alerts come to your smartphone as direct SMS messages and emails. Once these messages are received, you can trigger an alarm on the spot.

This software also allows security agencies to find your car via GPS whenever it is stolen.

An updated Uconnect software implies that your vehicle protection is up to date.

In addition, this update ensures that tricks by those who want to steal your car are checkmated even before they attempt to carry out their act.

#2. Fixed Bug Problem

Bugs are a variety of glitches that you experience when you operate your Uconnect software. These bugs appear as an error, flaws, or a fault in your software operation.

In the case of your Uconnect software, when you begin to experience unintended results while operating the system, you need an update.

Software updates help to correct bugs in applications.

Like many other devices, the Uconnect software becomes slow, crashes, or brings unintended pop-ups.

These unwanted actions of the software call for a software upgrade.

#3. Updated Map and Navigation System

An essential function of your Uconnect software is that it helps you navigate your way through the city center. To find new routes and connections around you, you must keep updating the app.

Most new buildings and roads are regularly updated on the map. When you update your software, it allows you to access these updates seamlessly as you go on the way.

#4. Improved Services 

Your mobile device connects to your Uconnect software to facilitate a more convenient user interface.

The software must be in tune with your mobile device or any other gadget you wish to connect with the software.

These devices include Bluetooth devices, wireless network devices, and smartphones. You have to update the software for your Uconnect software to work well with your devices.

This update is necessary because they make the software compatible with the current technology trends of most devices. 

What Does it Mean When Your Car Needs a Software Update?

An update on your car software means that your manufacturers have made some modifications or wholly overhauled the software which runs in your car.

This modification intends to bring about new features previously not obtainable in the workings of your software. Most times, it helps to fix problems encountered by software users. 

More importantly, when released for use to customers, it may expose the software to some vulnerabilities.

When your car goes for an upgrade, these vulnerabilities receive correction after the upgrade.

In some cases, some features presented by the software may become old and outdated. These old features are replaced with newer ones after an update.

Modern designs of cars have gone beyond all mechanical parts. There is now a complex connection between the electrical and mechanical interface of the vehicle.

The car’s software operates the bridge that connects these systems. Beyond just passing as an infotainment system

How Do You Find Out Which Update your Uconnect is?

You could find out what version of Uconnect you have by going through the app. The app is preinstalled with the ability to determine what version it is.

On the touch screen interface, you could touch the app setting on the software. 

The settings pop up, and a system info menu also appears. By clicking on the system info menu, you find the details of your software.

These details contain the version written in figures and the year it was released.

There are two ways with which you can find this out.

First, you could go through the app and find out what version of the app is installed, or you could find out when you want to perform an upgrade.

Again, there are two ways you could perform an app upgrade and hence find the version.

You can perform an over-the-air update by yourself or go to your dealership and get help from there.

To perform an update yourself, you have to find out if a new version is available online. Then, visit the Uconnect website to find out if you have an update.

When you have access to the website, you will be required to provide your VIN. 

Once you have your VIN, insert this number on the website using your computer with enough space of up to 4GB.

Then download the software that is compatible with your car. Once downloaded, you can transfer this software into a USB flash or portable memory device.

You can now install this software to run on your vehicle.

You can now plug the USB device into your car. Your software screen interface would immediately recognize the file, and a display message would pop up.

However, before you proceed, confirm that the software version you have installed is lower than the version of the file you just downloaded.

You can easily note this by ensuring that the figures of the new file are higher than that of the old file.

After verifying that you have a recent version of the update, park in a well-ventilated area and then start your car; just put on the ignition; you don’t have to move about.

Once your ignition is on, you have confirmed the version by clicking yes.

The software immediately reset, and then a dialogue box appears containing the progress of the installation.

Until this process is complete, do not unplug the USB device or turn-of-the ignition. When you do any of these, the software becomes inoperative by the interruption.

Once the process is complete, the software restarts, and a dialogue box reappears, asking you to confirm if both software carries the same figures.

If they have the exact figures, you completed the installation successfully. However, suppose these figures do not tally; you may have to start the process again.

After the verification, it may take the software about 60-90 seconds to restart.

After that, you can unplug the USB device from the media hub of your car and immediately begin to enjoy your new version of the app.

The other way to update your car software is to drive to your dealership during your routine car checks.

The process may be the same, but the difference remains that you do not have to download the app your self nor do you carry out the installation.

Instead, you would obtain your VIN at your dealership and install the software without your efforts.

How Much Does it Cost to Update Uconnect?

It does not cost any amount to get an updated version of the Jeep Uconnect. The only amount you may spend in performing an update is what you may require for data services.

Even at the dealership, the charged services cover the cost of downloading and installing the software.

After the software has been downloaded and installed, most services are free. However, some services may require that you subscribe monthly.

Conclusion

You can find out if your Jeep is due for the software update yourself or with the help of your dealership during your maintenance session.

Your Uconnect needs to be updated periodically due to the changes manufacturers make based on perceived needs and customer complaints.

By going through the app, you can tell the version of software you operate and hence update it. This process does not cost anything.