[jimmuller]

How does one find it? How does one pursue possible bugs that might be fix in newer code?

I have a few, ah, features that bother me. I'm not talking about the 1-chirp vs. 2-chirp bug but something more practical. When I go to Device Manager, select the iPhone plugged in the central console USB port and tell it to act as an iPod, which is to say disconnect it as an iPhone CarPlay device, the PCM does so just fine, but then five seconds later it reconnects and runs CarPlay anyway. Returning to Device Manager shows that it is connect as an iPod (I think) except that it isn't. I wouldn't mind except that it disconnects my Android phone connected via Bluetooth as phone so I can do hands-free calls.

I guess I could just call the dealer.

 

[JazzCatGab]

How does one find it? How does one pursue possible bugs that might be fix in newer code?

I have a few, ah, features that bother me. I'm not talking about the 1-chirp vs. 2-chirp bug but something more practical. When I go to Device Manager, select the iPhone plugged in the central console USB port and tell it to act as an iPod, which is to say disconnect it as an iPhone CarPlay device, the PCM does so just fine, but then five seconds later it reconnects and runs CarPlay anyway. Returning to Device Manager shows that it is connect as an iPod (I think) except that it isn't. I wouldn't mind except that it disconnects my Android phone connected via Bluetooth as phone so I can do hands-free calls.

I guess I could just call the dealer.

Jim, I wonder why you just don't spend $15/month and get a SIM for the iPhone from Consumer Cellular. Add an additional $10/month for 2 gigs of data (which I got close to using once in six months). Then just forward your Android to the iPhone whenever you are going to be in the car and have to answer it with hands free use. It seems pretty easy to do according to this story. It adds about 30 seconds to trip preparation and the same when you get back. Of course, if you are in and out of the car a lot, it would be a pain.

 

[DriveInHouston]

We discussed this before. PCM sees an Apple device. Asks whether it is an iPod or an iPhone. You tell it, it hooks you up accordingly.

You can't lie to it.

It will NOT convert your iPhone into an iPod just because you want it to.

Apple CarPlay will disconnect all BT phones when it gets started. Your complains to Apple, not Porsche. You can complain to Porsche why they didn't include Android Auto in PCM 4.x.

Getting a data card for the PCM will replace the internal one you get with the 1 year subscription for free in a new car. You can connect your smartphone to the WiFi but you will not get any other connections to the PCM (i.e. cannot take calls through the stereo system, like you do with BT). You can even designate your smartphone as the hotspot that your PCM uses to get to the Internet. I confirmed it works, but I didn't bother.

I bought a Data Card from T-Mobile as my 4th number in my plan. It works fine (faster than the integrated card it replaces) for the Nav module of the PCM needs of internet connectivity.

 

[jimmuller]

We discussed this before. PCM sees an Apple device. Asks whether it is an iPod or an iPhone. You tell it, it hooks you up accordingly.

"We" discussed it but "we" got it wrong. From p.62 of the Good To Know manual:

Swapping between the iPhone® as an iPod® and Apple CarPlay™

If the iPhone® is connected as an iPod® after it has been connected to the USB port in the center console or the glove compartment, Apple CarPlay™ cannot be used.

You can swap between using the iPhone® as an iPod® and Apple CarPlay™ using the Device Manager.

The Device Manager switches its understanding of the iPhone just fine and then re-connects to my Android phone. And then a few seconds later it automatically re-connects to the iPhone. If I go back to the Device Manager it shows the iPhone linked as an iPod. This behavior is at odds with what the manual says.

 

[Westcoaster]

How does one find it? How does one pursue possible bugs that might be fix in newer code?

I have a few, ah, features that bother me. I'm not talking about the 1-chirp vs. 2-chirp bug but something more practical. When I go to Device Manager, select the iPhone plugged in the central console USB port and tell it to act as an iPod, which is to say disconnect it as an iPhone CarPlay device, the PCM does so just fine, but then five seconds later it reconnects and runs CarPlay anyway. Returning to Device Manager shows that it is connect as an iPod (I think) except that it isn't. I wouldn't mind except that it disconnects my Android phone connected via Bluetooth as phone so I can do hands-free calls.

I guess I could just call the dealer.

Did you ever get to the bottom of this?

 

[jimmuller]

Did you ever get to the bottom of this?

Not yet. The car is currently in the shop for a few minor items and one thing on the to-do list is check the various software versions. For example, it does the single-chirp when locked sometimes. I should get the car back tomorrow.

I also notice that the PCM has a an entry somewhere buried deep in the Settings lists for a software upgrade. I have no idea how that would work or where its upgrade content is supposed to come from or how the car gets it. But I'll wait and see that the dealer did before researching it further.

 

[jimmuller]

I got my car back on Friday. System software updated to fix the single-chirp bug (not that I was concerned about it). This does not affect the PCM. The service guy didn't know there was an Update Software entry in the PCM menus. I am afraid to try it, wouldn't know where to get more software anyway or how to connect.

 

[Westcoaster]

I got my car back on Friday. System software updated to fix the single-chirp bug (not that I was concerned about it). This does not affect the PCM. The service guy didn't know there was an Update Software entry in the PCM menus. I am afraid to try it, wouldn't know where to get more software anyway or how to connect.

Did you confirm and can you provide the firmware version? About the update menu, don't fear that, it will allow you to back out instead of updating... generally this requires a DVD be inserted to continue the process, absolutely surprised the service guy (Porsche?) doesn't know this!

 

[717R]

Has anyone done a software upgrade to their PCM before? Does Porsche notify owners of new features and enhancements from time to time? Or does the PCM version you bought with, lasts till the ride goes to the scrap heap.

Was hoping for double byte lang support and more customisations of the home screen...

First time owner.

 

[jimmuller]

A few days ago I wrote email via the mailto: link on the Porsche Support website. Haven't heard back yet. At the suggestion of my SA I called Porsche USA yesterday, asked for PCM/Porsche Connect tech help. The person I spoke to didn't know anything about updating the PCM firmware, said I had to go through the dealer and that wasn't something Porsche did. I couldn't tell if she really meant that any support would have to come from whoever wrote the PCM software. She also seemingly asked someone else at an adjacent desk who echoed that same thought. Inotherwords, they didn't know or had never been asked that before.

There is an independent Porsche/BMW shop not far from me. I may ask them. Then again, maybe I won't bother just yet. Perhaps I'll get an email response. Perhaps I'll write to Zuffenhausen. Perhaps it will spontaneously fix itself.

 

[phroenips]

I can't speak for Porsche necessarily, but every single other manufacturer I'm aware of, the dealer performs the firmware upgrades. I wouldn't hold your breath for new features and enhancements though, it'll be bug fixes only.

 

[GTS18BGTS]

My Ram 1500 just upgraded over the air while sitting in my garage. Prior to that instance, I would have to download from the UConnect site on to a thumb drive and do it manually by inserting that into the USB port in the center console.

I'll add, this is all done at no additional cost. I do not pay for the upgrades.

 

[Westcoaster]

Has anyone done a software upgrade to their PCM before? Does Porsche notify owners of new features and enhancements from time to time? Or does the PCM version you bought with, lasts till the ride goes to the scrap heap.

Was hoping for double byte lang support and more customisations of the home screen...

First time owner.

Generally speaking only Porsche dealers do upgrades and only then for bug fixes, enhancements if they are included are secondary... so your PCM version may change but not solely for enhancements.