Hi, I am interested to understand how Kodiaq software gets updated. A few threads suggest a combination of needing to download things to flash drives (I think it was maps), going to dealers for some updates, and some suggestion of over-the-air updates too perhaps?

 

Can anyone break down the different types of update that are possible, what purpose they serve, and what methods are applied?

 

(am rather hoping a new Kodiaq will just use Wi-fi or 4g and get on with updates itself as the idea of a flash drive or going to a dealer for them to press a button seems somewhat archaic in 2021!).

 

Thanks 

The way these things happen is changing/has changed, so you need to state how old your car is.

It will be new (if it ever arrives!).

4 minutes ago, Doombar said:

It will be new (if it ever arrives!).

 

Your car will come with an embedded e sim wired into the electronic circuitry. If you sign up to Skoda Connect when you get the car (free for the first year and payable thereafter) you will get updates inc mapping direct to your infotainment system. I'm guessing that important updates will still have to be done by your dealer, but the more generic ones will come to you.

How comprehensive the map updates will be is currently up for discussion on other pages here, but there is currently talk that Skoda will reintroduce downloading from the Skoda Portal manually, which is how I had to do it in my 2018 Kodiaq. 

In my 2017 SEL Kodiaq (Columbus unit) I get informed on screen when updates are available, and can choose to download then and there (by phone data link) or wait till I get home and use wifi.

 

I’ve never used a flashdrive on it.

 

When maps are updated, the whole download can be enormous - but I’m not myself heading for Finland, Hungary, Macedonia, etc, so just tick the countries I want and let the car get on with it.  I presume I can update them later if ever needed.

While downloading UK maps, the satnav still works.   It seems happy for to make a start on the downloads snd then soon finish the trip - it seems to sort it all out itself.

 

I don’t pay for the part of Skoda Connect which enables me to use the app on my phone but I do pay for the part that gives me full traffic information. I don’t know if that makes a difference.

How strange is that ! With my 2018 Kodiaq I had Skoda Connect free for a year and never received any updates of any kind and the only way that map updates could be done was to download them from the Skoda Portal and then transfer them to the car via SD card or flash drive.

Interesting,

ive always wondered how the updates occur, mine is a second hand 2017 Kodiaq SEL and I’ve never had any updates appear on my screen as yet and am intrigued because every now and then my maps don’t tend to stay on the route correctly and it’s quite frustrating

14 minutes ago, LBaker24 said:

Interesting,

ive always wondered how the updates occur, mine is a second hand 2017 Kodiaq SEL and I’ve never had any updates appear on my screen as yet and am intrigued because every now and then my maps don’t tend to stay on the route correctly and it’s quite frustrating

If the map data has never been updated, it would be well worthwhile visiting the Skoda update portal and downloading the latest 2021/2022 maps.

What do I download this to? Is it easy to do?

4 minutes ago, LBaker24 said:

What do I download this to? Is it easy to do?

Click on this link to the Skoda Portal   https://updateportal.skoda-auto.com/en-GB  Enter your VIN number and follow the instructions. It says to use an SD card, but a USB flash drive will also work. You may also have to use a larger memory one than the 32GB they recommend.

Once you've started the download, it will probably take 3 to 4 hours to complete. Once you have it on your computer, transfer it to your memory card/stick, again not a quick process. Once that's complete take the memory to your car and insert it into the appropriate slot then press menu > settings > system information > update software.

If doing it on your drive keep the  engine running as it can take a while and will flatten your battery. Best way is to go for a drive whilst it's downloading to your car and if you have to stop the car before it's complete, the download will pause and then restart when you restart the car.

Some comments on the above, based on experience of updating my Columbus MY20:

(1) I've never found that the car will recognise data on a USB stick - I always have to use an SD card, even though the manual implies I can use either: you might have a different experience

(2) Agree that you will now need a 64 Gb SD card with the latest maps - and the download from the maps portal might throw up an 'network' error, but you can just 'resume' and not have to re-start. The portal is dreadfully slow.....

(3) If using a Mac to download and unpack the zip file/download to SD card, you will probably need to use an app such as 'CleanMyDrive' to remove hidden Mac-specific files from the SD card that seem to stop the Columbus from recognising a valid data file

(4) It's important that the folders Mib1, Mib2, and file metainfo2.txt, are the only things on the card and on the top-level of the directory

(5) No need to run the engine or even turn the ignition on (in my car) - just turn on the infotainment system, start the process, go back every 15 minutes or so and adjust volume ie something to stop the system from turning off

(6) Updating takes about an hour

(7) When searching for valid map data files, the Columbus can be so slow you think it will time out (which indeed it might) - but when it works, it still takes some time to start the process

(8) When it says '100%' on the progress bar...be patient and let it do more stuff until it has obviously finished,

 

It should, really should, be much simpler and foolproof, but it isn't - perhaps people have a better experience with OTA updates on MIB3

Humour me - What is MIB?

 

So far we have via a phone, via home Wi-fi, and an sd card as options. Is this for the incar entertainment only?
 

What about other tech that might need updating - like stuff under the bonnet (no idea what!) - is other stuff updated separately via some sort of OBD port? Does a dealer do that at a service? Is it only done if you have a fault? 

Updating via Phone or WiFi is essentially the same - for the former, the phone becomes a WiFi hotspot. Not recommended for a near-30 Gb download for obvious reasons....

 

MIB (modular infotainment platform, no idea where the 'B" comes in) is the designation of Skoda, VW, Audi etc infotainment system, so the latest version, v3, supports wireless Android Auto and Apple Car Play, and evidently gets its updates over the air (OTA) via its built-in SIM card, whilst v2.5 (found in, for example, MY20 cars) has slots for SD cards which have the updated navigation data on. You can also have media eg music, on an SD card.

 

Tech 'under the bonnet' is updated by the dealer when Skoda releases new software to improve things and/or fix a problem, such as a change in the engine management software, or DSG gearbox software, and so on. For example, the 'kangarooing' problem exhibited by some of the early 1.5 petrol engines was supposedly fixed by a software update administered by the dealers - they have equipment and software which plugs into the car and does this. 

 

There are some things that a 'home user' can fiddle with via the diagnostic port, but increasingly the car's systems have been locked down, thus limiting what the home user is able to access and change

Quote

) I've never found that the car will recognise data on a USB stick - I always have to use an SD card, even though the manual implies I can use either: you might have a different experience

For the possible benefit of the OP, I can attest that a USB memory stick does work as that's all I've ever used.

That's interesting olderman1: I agree, USB method should work, but consistently - on my car - never did. Columbus registered the presence of the USB stick, just could never update from it. Weird......

With respect to this comment ‘Updating via Phone or WiFi is essentially the same - for the former, the phone becomes a WiFi hotspot’

To be sure I understand can someone tell me if  the car should be able to connect to my home Wi-fi (proximity allowing)?