On Tuesday, I took my C7 to the dealer for its first oil change. I asked the service rep if she could find out if all the software programs are up to date since the car was built.

She said, "No, if you have a complaint we will check it out. However, if you do not have a complaint, we cannot tell you if the software is up to date or not. It is your responsibility to tell us if something specific is not working or is wrong. We can then troubleshoot it but we do not just go in and check out all the software to see that it is up to date. "

I said that was a poor answer and that there should be a quick way to know from the VIN if any software changes have come out. She went and checked with the service manager. She came back and said that she was correct; they do not just go check because I asked, and I have to report a problem first.

No, I do not have a specific problem with the car but MAYBE, just MAYBE with this being a first year model, there have been some software changes in the past few months.

Two points:
1. I think the answer sucked. She should have said just to humor me, “Sure, you just spent $65K on a Chevy, I will go ask them about it.”
2. Are you serious that they have no expedient way to see if the software is up to date?

Thoughts?

 

That is normal operating procedure. My dealer told me the same thing. They only do software updates if there is an issue related to the vehicle software. At least that is what my local dealer told me. If anything, you may want to look at the software fixes and release date as well as your production date and figure out if there is something you can report to get the update.

 

Being a guy who works in the IT industry, I agree whole-heartedly with you. Updates are made for a reason, and the vast majority increase performance viewed through the lens of bug-squashing and enhancing the user's experience. GM isn't doing all of these firmware upgrades simply for the fun of it.

 

From Settings, you can see the software version. Ask someone who just took delivery what their version is. You can then go back to the dealer and report that your software is out-of-date.

But I think I would not go back to that dealer.

 

While that is true, like you I am in the IT business. More over, we are a server manufacturer. In my experience, the old saying "if it works, don't mess with it" comes to mind.. Software updates can cause issues both in computers and cars. The C7's computers are very complex and require separate updates to different computers or modules. There have already been reports here of C7 owners cars having subsystems bricked as a result of a botched update. Due to the time and complexity of the C7 software update procedure, I understand GM's or any automobile manufacturers reluctance to provide software updates every time a customer asks for it.

I am guessing this is the same operating procedure for most every vehicle manufacturer and dealer when it comes to providing software updates.

 

That's pure bull... When my old C5 Z06 was still relatively new and under warranty I had it in for something and the tech called me to make sure the car didn't have a custom tune before he performed some software updates.

 

If it was an update to correct a misspelled word deep in the menu system, ok, not so worth it, but if it's for functionality fixes and added compatabilty with more devices for USB or bluetooth or something of that nature, absolutely.

I can see why GM would be resistant to do this, as they're on the hook for damage should it occur and accepting potential risk (which no doubt is very real, and varies depending on the quality of the upgrade system design and ability to back out changes), but the customer should absolutely want to stay current, especially since a faulty part could be replaced out of someone else's pocket. Personally I won't push for an update every time one comes available and will take the "if it ain't broke approach", but i'll be sure to make sure that i'm current as i'm approaching the end of my warranty and still on their dime.

 

Took mine to local dealer for state inspection after buying out of state. I ask him to check for updates and he said sure. When they were done with car he told me there were no updates and anytime I wanted him to check to just call since they now had my vin number.

 

You generally have to have a problem before they will do any software updates under warranty. If you want to pay them they will do whatever you want.

If your car was built mid November or before just tell them that the AC isnt working well and the fan seems to go from high to low speed often. The latest update is that and some radio update if you are losing presets.

 

Good points by all.

Can someone with a brand spanking new C7 provide me with their software version?

You know it was not so much the software issue, it was having the service rep, who probably drives a 95 Saturn SL1, completely blowing me off with the immediate reply of "can't help ya." Yes, maybe a change in dealer is the answer.

 

Bad dealer response..car companies usually get updates & they should do it without any fault

 

I believe if you contact Chev Customer Service (they monitor this forum) and give them your VIN, they will tell you if you are up to date. I did that a while back. There is also a GM website that is supposed to do that but it is cumbersome and difficult to interpret if you are not privy to its use. You can probably look through here or do a search and find them and send them a PM. I'm sure they will help you.

 

That is what they are supposed to do. He asked for them to check then they should check. This dont ask us anything unless you have a problem is bull. I took mines in and dealer told me I needed a update. I didn't ask one question about it. GM talks to the dealers not to the customer about updates. The dealer has to inform you if you ask, period.

 

so we now have to ask other owners about updates instead of the dealership? thanks GM great customer service. Apple needs to make cars they provide first class service and updates for free.

 

If you buy a car from a dealer that sells new 20K to 80K cars and trucks you get treated no better than if you own a 20K car. There are exceptions of course, find a local corvette club and ask who the 'good' dealers are.

Want to be treated like royalty, buy a BMW, Porsche, etc, they will listen to anything you want to say - they wont do anything but they will make you feel good. But most of their service writers still drive beaters

 

Never hurts to have a copy of the update/recall with you. My lawnmower had a recall. The service department said there are no recalls. I produced a copy of the manufacturers website showing it.
Nothing more needed to be said. He wrote it up and it got done.

 

anyone that "claims" to be in IT for years - would not suggest to "upgrade - just for the helluva it".

I've seen updates/patches cause more problems then they fix.

After my saying that though; the lone exception is if it's a security update; those I do as soon as they become available.

 

Indeed, I use the 'dont fix what isnt broke' line often.

One update I did on my Ram (you can download radio/dash updates from them and install yourself) screwed up my outside temp readings, the shuffle no longer stays on on restart and a couple other things. Tried going back to the previous but once the firmware was changed no going back a version. They said 'whoops' and the next update will fix it lol, it did, two months later

I had the C7 HVAC update done a month or so ago, didnt help one bit, auto HVAC isnt that great in these..

 

The opposite extreme is there was one company selling a locking plug for the OBDII port to prevent a dealer from upgrading calibrations without your consent/knowledge. Calibration updates that should only be installed IF a problem is present or it is a condition that bothers the customer are very common and the other changes and side effects of these aren't desirable at all.

I was glad I kept up with the 2nd generation CTS forum when I owned mine because one of the calibration updates addressed complaints by some customers that they felt excessive drive line vibration or surge. The new calibration left the converter unlocked until a higher speed which significantly reduced non-interstate driving mileage and some reported that post flash the throttle response felt significantly more sluggish.

Calibration updates can be like some of the wonder drugs so often advertised that produce great benefits like the simultaneous cure of heartburn, baldness, and impotence but may produce a few side effects including unexpected extremely painful death.

 

Thank you Mike. Seems we think alike.. This topic makes me think about my f'n iPad 2.. After the iOS 7 update, my iPad 2 crashes daily when browsing the net. It's evidently been an issue for countless people and it's been very frustrating for me to the point that I am very close to replacing it with a new tablet. I should have known better when I updated that thing as it was working perfectly up until iOS 7 or 7.1.

That said, my company builds high end servers and we develop our own operating systems for our NAS servers that we design and build. Our customers are very well known high profile post production and broadcast entities (Universal, Technicolor Warner Bros etc) and military and aerospace entities. While we release new versions of the OS on a regular basis, we normally don't suggest updating the OS which happens to be a simple flash via a web browser unless there is a particular feature that a customer requires or a bug is encountered by a customer. You just never know what can happen with a software flash and as such, unless there is an issue, it's generally frowned upon by manufacturers and even customers who understand the potential risks. I know this not only applies to the IT industry but also the auto industry. BMW and even Mercedes are no different. If there isn't an issue, they don't recommend it and more importantly, they will not get reimbursed by the factory unless there is an issue to address or a safety concern requiring an update.

As you noted, security updates are a different story largely because there is always something exploited by hackers within Microsoft's operating systems. We have become accustomed to applying these updates for good reason but we don't typically seek those updates for functionality and instead we do so for our own protection. Big difference as those kinds of updates are patches as opposed to complete kernel updates (short of service packs) which are similar to flashing your car and bring along a much greater risk for corruption.

I've been in the computer industry for 25 years now and have run a server/storage manufacturing business for almost 17 years now. I brush shoulders with some very big players in the industry and the general rule of thumb for most manufacturers as mentioned previously is that if it works, don't mess with it!

That said, like the OP, I too inquired about the software updates and as I said, I encountered the same response. While I would love to have my C7's software continually up to date, I understand the dealers response as well as the logic behind it. Having said that, we are not far off from our cars being continually updated. This technology is beginning to be deployed through the new 4g connected cars. It's something we will likely see down the line in future C7's or other models equipped with 4g data where the car will be updated not by the dealer but by GM through the air waves.

In the mean time, if your car is working fine and there isn't some new feature that a software release addresses, why even risk it? For me, it's not that important. My car works fine and I'm very pleased with it so I'm not fretting being behind a version or two.

As to those inquiring as to the latest version, I think they only thing we can see version wise would be the version running on the infotainment system. There are several other modules that can be updated within the car that address other things and unless we have the right hardware tools to see the versions, we are not privy to that information.