SYNC Tips

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Reduce the amount of noise inside your SYNC-equipped vehicle, If there are several people talking at once, loud wind or road noise, or other ambient noise, SYNC will not be able to recognize your voice commands.

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Voice Command Tips

There are several reasons SYNC® may not recognize or respond to your voice commands accurately. Here are some tips from the engineers.

Reduce noise

Reduce the surrounding noise inside your SYNC-equipped vehicle. If there are several people talking at once, loud wind or road noise, or other ambient noise, SYNC will not be able to recognize your voice commands.

Examples:

Speak naturally

Speak your commands in a smooth, steady and confident manner-yelling or speaking slowly won't help. Also, speak your commands directly toward the SYNC microphone located on the top side of the rearview mirror. Be sure you are close enough to the microphone.

Examples:

Be precise

Be sure to say all the words in the voice command in the correct order. Check out the Voice Command Card (under the USING SYNC tab) for an easy-to-carry list of the correct wording of all the SYNC voice commands.

Examples:

Correct

"Phone Call Mark"
"Play Track The Great Divide"

Incorrect

"Dial Mark", "Phone Mark"
"Call Mark Phone"
"Play Song The Great Divide"

Say exact titles

Sorry, no short cuts. Check your media player and say the entire name of a track or album exactly as it is appears in the playlist.

Examples:

SYNC doesn't recognize shortened titles. If the name of an album is listed as "Star Wars The Motion Picture Soundtrack" on your media player, SYNC will not understand "Star Wars." Sometimes titles include extra words. If an album is listed as "California Remix featuring Rihanna," you will need to include "featuring Rihanna," in order for SYNC to find the title on your media player.

Ask "What's playing?"

If SYNC does not recognize your request to play a specific artist's name or the title of an album or track, the next time that track is playing, push the VOICE button and ask SYNC, "What's playing?" Listen to SYNC's response and repeat what the SYNC voice said the next time you want to hear that track.

Examples:

Use longer names

SYNC's voice recognition works better with longer names. Rather than setting up your phonebook with only "Jim," "Joe" or "John," try using longer names like, "Jim Stanley," "Joe 123" or "John Stock Broker."

Examples:

Say exact names

Say names exactly as they are listed. If your friend is listed as Smith, Jonathan in your phonebook, SYNC won't find him if you say, "Jonathan Smith," or "John Smith," or "John." Check the format of the contacts in your phonebook and repeat the contact names exactly as they are listed.

Examples:

If you use a coding system, such as ICE for "In Case of Emergency" and it appears as part of Emily's listing: ICE Emily, you will need to say the abbreviation initials separately along with the name: "I C E Emily" to SYNC. When capital letters appear in your phonebook, you need to spell them out for SYNC to understand them. If you used BB for Baby sitter next to Chris, ChrisBB, you'll need to say both Bs in addition to the name: "Chris B B."

Substitute non-English characters

Substitute English letters for international characters. SYNC may not be able to match your pronunciation of a word that contains a character not found in English. If SYNC is having trouble understanding a sound, for example, the French "Ã©" try replacing it in your phonebook with the approximate English spelling of the sound, "ay." In this example, try changing the contact name in your phonebook by typing in "Renay" for "RenÃ©."

Examples:

Turn voice prompts off in SYNC

If you prefer to use SYNC without hearing voice prompts, first press the VOICE button. At the prompts, say "voice settings," then "interaction mode advanced."

Examples:

Increase the SYNC voice volume

Increasing the volume on your mobile phone will increase the SYNC voice's volume.

Examples:

Interrupt the SYNC voice

To interrupt the SYNC voice (for example, if it's telling you a long list of options), press the VOICE button. This interrupts SYNC and allows you to say a command.

Examples:

Check if SYNC with MyFord Touch/MyLincoln Touch is listening

You can double check that your SYNC® with MyFord Touch®/MyLincoln Touch® is listening to you by looking at your center display screen. The ear icon indicates that SYNC is listening.

Examples:

Learn how SYNC with MyFord Touch/MyLincoln Touch gets to know your voice

After listening to three voice commands from you, SYNC® with MyFord Touch®/MyLincoln Touch® begins to know and understand your voice. The more you use SYNC, the better it will work.

Examples:

Hear your options in SYNC with MyFord Touch/MyLincoln Touch

To hear a list of your voice command options for SYNC® with MyFord Touch®/MyLincoln Touch®, press the VOICE button and say "Help." You will hear examples of voice commands that you can say, based off of your most recent dialogue with SYNC.

Examples:

Turn voice prompts off for SYNC with MyFord Touch/MyLincoln Touch

If you prefer to use SYNC® with MyFord Touch®/MyLincoln Touch® without hearing voice prompts, first press the VOICE button on your steering wheel, then say: "Interaction mode advanced."

Examples:

Mobile Phone Tips

Having trouble pairing or connecting your mobile phone to SYNC®? Perhaps your phonebook contacts are not recognized by SYNC? Or the volume is not quite right? Try these mobile phone tips from the engineers.

Try a Clean pairing

If you're having trouble pairing your mobile phone with SYNC, try a Clean pairing of your mobile phone with SYNC. Check your mobile phone for Bluetooth settings. Is SYNC listed? It may be listed under Hands-free Devices. Delete the SYNC listing.

Then check the Phone Menu on SYNC for Bluetooth Devices. If your mobile phone appears, delete its listing.

When both devices are clean of any prior connections, then try pairing your mobile phone to SYNC.

Examples:

Try re-setting your mobile phone

If you're having trouble pairing your mobile phone with SYNC, try re-setting your mobile phone. Please follow your mobile phone directions for safely re-setting it.

Examples:

Check Security and Auto Accept Settings

Your mobile phone may have Security Settings or an Auto Accept function that may interfere with pairing and connecting your mobile phone with SYNC. Check your mobile phone instructions to be sure the settings are not disabling your mobile phone's connection to SYNC.

Examples:

Update software and firmware

Software and firmware updates for mobile phones are made available frequently. Check to see if you have the latest versions; if not, update your mobile phone and try re-pairing your mobile phone with SYNC.

Examples:

Browse to confirm contacts

Browse your Phonebook contacts list in the SYNC Phone Menu. Confirm your contacts have been downloaded to SYNC. Also check that you say the contact name just as it is listed in SYNC.

Examples:

Check for missing contacts

If SYNC confirms your Phonebook Download is Complete, but it is empty or missing contacts, it could be the phonebook contacts are stored on the mobile phone's SIM card. Follow your phone manual's directions to move them from the SIM card to the phone's internal memory. Once they are moved, try re-downloading your Phonebook to SYNC.

Examples:

Turn OFF Auto Phonebook Download

Try turning OFF the Auto Phonebook Download feature on SYNC. If this feature is ON, each time you connect your mobile phone with SYNC, the system searches for updates. Turning this feature OFF can help stabilize the connection with SYNC. You can choose to manually update your phonebook with SYNC through the Phone Menu.

Examples:

Remove special ringtones and pictures

If you have problems calling or receiving calls from one or a few contacts, it may be due to a ringtone or picture that is associated with the contact. If this is the case, follow your mobile phone instructions for removing an associated ringtone or picture with that contact. Then try downloading your phonebook to SYNC, again.

Examples:

Add contacts manually

If you have paired your mobile phone with SYNC, but the phonebook cannot be downloaded, add contacts manually. Choose the Phone Menu on SYNC and then choose Add a Contact.

Examples:

Increase the volume

If the volume on SYNC is low when you are using your mobile phone, try turning up the volume on your mobile phone-while it is connected to SYNC. Many mobile phones have a dedicated volume control for Bluetooth-hands-free devices, which will also control the volume when it is connected to SYNC.

Examples:

Translate text messages

When you receive a text message, the SYNC text messaging feature can translate common text abbreviations — for example, LOL — and read them to you.*
*Only available if your mobile phone supports text messages.

Examples:

Media Player Tips

Having trouble controlling your media player or connecting it to SYNC®? Try these media player tips from the engineers.

Try re-setting your media player

If you're having trouble connecting your media player to SYNC, try re-setting your player. Consult your player's instructions for safe re-setting.

Examples:

Use an approved USB cable

If you're having trouble connecting your media player to SYNC, check your USB cable. Cables that have not been provided by or approved by the original manufacturer may cause problems when connecting to SYNC.

Examples:

Be aware of extreme temperatures

Leaving your media player in your vehicle in extreme temperatures can cause problems when you connect it to SYNC. Be sure to follow manufacturer's instructions for exposing your player to extreme hot or cold temperatures.

Examples:

Play similar music

If you want SYNC to play songs like the one you're listening to, just press the VOICE button and say "Similar Music" while the song is playing. SYNC will then play songs that are similar to the one you're listening to.

Examples:

Adjust sound settings using SYNC with MyFord Touch/MyLincoln Touch

To adjust your vehicle's sound system, touch the Entertainment corner of your SYNC® with MyFord Touch®/MyLincoln Touch® center 8-inch touchscreen. Touch Options, then touch Sound Settings to adjust the Bass, Treble, Midrange, Balance and Fade settings.

Learn more at www.syncmyride.com/touch

Examples:

Tag songs on HD Radio using SYNC with MyFord Touch/MyLincoln Touch

Tagging HD Radio™ songs is a fun feature of SYNC® with MyFord Touch®/MyLincoln Touch®. While listening to HD Radio, touch the HD Tagging icon, which looks like a shopping cart. A tag will then be stored on SYNC and can be transferred to a connected iPod® (applicable to supported devices only).

HD Radio is a trademark of iBiquity Digital Corporation. iPod is a registered trademark of Apple Inc. All rights reserved.

Examples:

Turn HD tagging on for SYNC with MyFord Touch/MyLincoln Touch

Don't see the HD Radio™ tagging option on your SYNC® with MyFord Touch®/MyLincoln Touch®? First ensure your HD Radio and HD tagging options are set to ON. Touch the Entertainment corner of your 8-inch touchscreen. Select AM/FM radio. Choose Options. Then set HD Radio to ON, and the tag button to ON.

Learn more at www.syncmyride.com/touch

HD Radio is a trademark of iBiquity Digital Corporation.

Examples:

Driver Services Tips

Having trouble running a Vehicle Health Report? Want to turn OFF the Run a Report prompt? Here are some tips from the engineers.

Don't block that number

If you're having trouble using the Vehicle Health Report feature, or submitting a report, ensure two things:
1. The mobile phone number you use to run a report must be listed as ACTIVE in your SYNC account.
2. Be sure Caller ID on your mobile phone is set to accept unidentified callers. Or turn OFF the Call Blocker feature.

Examples:

Turning OFF automatic prompts

If you don't wish to be reminded to run a report automatically, you can turn OFF this feature. In the SYNC menu, choose Vehicle Health Report and select Turn OFF Auto Report.

Examples:

Turning OFF 911 Assist reminder

If you don't wish to be reminded that 911 Assist® is set OFF, choose Set OFF without Reminder. Then, each time a mobile phone is connected to SYNC it will not play a voice reminder message; however, the screen will display briefly: 911 Assist OFF.

Examples:

Get back on track with SYNC with MyFord Touch/MyLincoln Touch

If you miss a turn while using SYNC Services for directions, get back on track easily by touching Update Route on the SYNC® with MyFord Touch®/MyLincoln Touch® center 8-inch touchscreen. The service will calculate a route for you based on current traffic conditions (you can also touch Update Route if you are stuck in traffic and want to see if there's a better way to go).

Examples:

Cancel a navigation route using SYNC with MyFord Touch/MyLincoln Touch

If you've requested a route from SYNC Services but no longer want directions for it, just press the VOICE key and say "Cancel Route," or select the Cancel Route button on the SYNC® with MyFord Touch®/MyLincoln Touch® center 8-inch touchscreen.

Examples:

Call in an emergency using SYNC with MyFord Touch/MyLincoln Touch

In the event of an accident involving airbag deployment or, in certain vehicles, the activation of the fuel pump, and if 911 Assist® is set to ON, SYNC® with MyFord Touch®/MyLincoln Touch® can make a call to 911. After SYNC places the call and the 911 operator disconnects, your ICE (In Case of Emergency) contacts, if programmed, will appear on your center display screen. Simply press one and SYNC will dial it.*

*The vehicle's electrical system (including the battery), the wireless service provider's signal and a connected mobile phone all must be available and operating for 911 Assist to function properly. These systems may become damaged in a crash. The paired mobile phone must be connected to SYNC, and the 911 Assist feature enabled, in order for 911 to be dialed.

911 Assist is available in the United States and Canada only.

Examples:

Download the SYNC Destinations Mobile App

SYNC® Destinations is a SYNC-enabled mobile application developed for use with SYNC Services.

SYNC Destinations allows users to access their SYNC Services accounts from their mobile phones to:

- Access the contacts in your phone and save them as Address/Destination Saved Points
- Conduct real-time business and address searches and save up to 25 Address/Destination Saved Points
- Get real-time traffic updates for 126 U.S. cities

The app is available for many popular mobile devices. For more information, view Does SYNC Destinations work with my phone? and How does SYNC Destinations work?

SYNC® Destinations is exclusively offered by Ford Motor Company and powered by Inrix.

Examples:

SYNC AppLink

Get voice control of some of your favorite smartphone mobile apps with SYNC® AppLink!

Download SYNC AppLink for your vehicle

With SYNC AppLink, you can use SYNC voice commands to control popular mobile apps. Certain vehicles require a software update to use SYNC AppLink. For more information, and to find download instructions if your vehicle is eligible, view Can I get SYNC AppLink on my vehicle?

Examples:

Control mobile apps with your voice and SYNC AppLink

Now you can control many popular mobile applications with voice commands and SYNC AppLink*. Just connect your phone to SYNC, press the VOICE button and say, "Mobile Applications." The SYNC voice will ask you to say a command. Say the name of a mobile app, or say, "List Mobile Apps" for a list of available applications.

Mobile applications must be previously downloaded onto the smartphone before SYNC can access them. Please note there may be a fee charged by the application owners for downloading their applications, not all applications are available for all smartphones. OpenBeak available only for BlackBerry®.

*SYNC AppLink available on select vehicles. For availability, view Can I get SYNC AppLink on my vehicle? Certain vehicles may require a software update.

The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited.

Examples:

Say, "Help" for a list of commands for mobile apps

When accessing your mobile applications with SYNC AppLink*, say, "Help." SYNC will reply with a list of commands you can use with that application.

Mobile applications must be previously downloaded onto the smartphone before SYNC can access them. Please note there may be a fee charged by the application owners for downloading their applications, not all applications are available for all smartphones. OpenBeak is available only for BlackBerry®.

*SYNC AppLink available on select vehicles. For availability, view Can I get SYNC AppLink on my vehicle? Certain vehicles may require a software update.

The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited.

Examples:

Ask SYNC to read Twitter feeds with SYNC AppLink

With SYNC AppLink* and the OpenBeak application, just say, "OpenBeak App," and then simply press the VOICE button and say, "Read timeline." SYNC will read your Tweets.

Say "Read direct messages" or for a list of Twitter™ mentions, say, "Read replies." You can navigate through your timelines by pressing the SEEK buttons.

Mobile applications must be previously downloaded onto the smartphone before SYNC can access them. Please note there may be a fee charged by the application owners for downloading their applications, not all applications are available for all smartphones. OpenBeak is available only for BlackBerry®.

*SYNC AppLink available on select vehicles. For availability, view Can I get SYNC AppLink on my vehicle? Certain vehicles may require a software update.

The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. Twitter is a trademark of Twitter, Inc.

Examples:

Say, "Thumbs up" to that song playing on Pandora

With SYNC AppLink*, when you hear a song you love, while listening to Pandora®, press the VOICE button and say, "Thumbs up."

Mobile applications must be previously downloaded onto the smartphone before SYNC can access them. Please note there may be a fee charged by the application owners for downloading their applications, not all applications are available for all smartphones.

*SYNC AppLink available on select vehicles. For availability, view Can I get SYNC AppLink on my vehicle? Certain vehicles 2011 Ford Fiesta may require a software update.

Pandora is a registered trademark of Pandora Media, Inc.

Examples:

Create a new favorite show on Stitcher with SYNC AppLink

With SYNC AppLink*, when you find a Stitcher™ show you like, simply press the VOICE button and say, "Add to favorites." The next time you want to hear a favorite station, press the VOICE button and say, "Play station favorites."

Mobile applications must be previously downloaded onto the smartphone before SYNC can access them. Please note there may be a fee charged by the application owners for downloading their applications, not all applications are available for all smartphones.

*SYNC AppLink available on select vehicles. For availability, view Can I get SYNC AppLink on my vehicle? Certain vehicles may require a software update.

Stitcher is a trademark of Stitcher, Inc.

Examples:

Restart your phone when using AppLink on 2011 Ford Fiestas

After you've installed a new app on the phone that you'd like to use with SYNC AppLink on your 2011 Ford Fiesta, close all apps running on your phone and restart your phone. Then, pair your phone with SYNC again.

Examples:

SYNC with MyFord Touch/MyLincoln Touch

Combined with SYNC functionality, MyFord Touch®/MyLincoln Touch® is a driver-connect technology that keeps you seamlessly connected with the rest of world when you're at the wheel. Learn more at www.syncmyride.com/touch

Touch once

If your center display screen on SYNC® with MyFord Touch®/MyLincoln Touch® is responding slowly, touching it multiple times will not help it work faster. Just touch the screen once and then wait a few seconds for SYNC to respond.

Learn more at www.syncmyride.com/touch

Examples:

Return to home

To return to the Home screen, just touch the Home icon (which looks like a little house) on the center 8-inch touchscreen on your SYNC® with MyFord Touch®/MyLincoln Touch®.

Learn more at www.syncmyride.com/touch

Examples:

Increase the SYNC voice volume

Increasing the volume on your mobile phone will increase the SYNC voice's volume.

Learn more at www.syncmyride.com/touch

Examples:

Check if SYNC is listening

You can double check that your SYNC® with MyFord Touch®/MyLincoln Touch® is listening to you by looking at your center 8-inch touchscreen. The ear icon indicates that SYNC is listening.

Learn more at www.syncmyride.com/touch

Examples:

Getting to know your voice

After listening to three voice commands from you, SYNC® with MyFord Touch®/MyLincoln Touch® begins to know and understand your voice.

The more you use SYNC, the better it will work. Learn more at www.syncmyride.com/touch

Examples:

Hear your options

Examples:

Turn voice prompts off in SYNC with MyFord Touch/MyLincoln Touch

If you prefer to use SYNC® with MyFord Touch®/MyLincoln Touch® without hearing voice prompts, first press the VOICE button on your steering wheel, then say: "Interaction mode advanced."

Learn more at www.syncmyride.com/touch

Examples:

Interrupt the SYNC voice

To interrupt the SYNC voice (for example, if it's telling you a long list of options), press the VOICE button. This interrupts SYNC and allows you to say a command.

Learn more at www.syncmyride.com/touch

Examples:

Translate text messages

When you receive a text message, the SYNC text messaging feature can translate common text abbreviations— for example, LOL—and read them to you.*

Learn more at www.syncmyride.com/touch

*Only available if your mobile phone supports text messages.

Examples:

Adjust sound settings

Examples:

Tag songs on HD Radio

Examples:

Turn HD tagging on

Examples:

Play similar music

If you want SYNC to play songs like the one you're listening to on your media player, just press the VOICE button and say "Similar Music" while the song is playing. SYNC will then play songs that are similar to the one you're listening to.

Learn more at www.syncmyride.com/touch

Examples:

Get back on track

If you miss a turn while using SYNC Services for directions, get back on track easily with SYNC® with MyFord Touch®/MyLincoln Touch®. Simply touch Update Route on the 8-inch touchscreen. The service will calculate a route for you based on current traffic conditions (you can also touch Update Route if you are stuck in traffic and want to see if there's a better way to go).

Learn more at www.syncmyride.com/touch

Examples:

Cancel a navigation route

If you've requested a route from SYNC Services but no longer want directions for it, just press the VOICE key and say "Cancel Route." With SYNC® with MyFord Touch®/MyLincoln Touch®, simply touch Cancel Route on the 8-inch touchscreen.

Learn more at www.syncmyride.com/touch

Examples:

Turn off call blocking

If you are having trouble accessing your SYNC Services and Vehicle Health Report services, double check to see whether call blocking is turned on in your phone or service provider settings. If call blocking is on, set it to off and try again.

Learn more at www.syncmyride.com/touch

Examples:

ICE your contacts

With SYNC® with MyFord Touch®/MyLincoln Touch®, select two of your phonebook contacts to store as In Case of Emergency contacts. In the event of an accident involving airbag deployment and if 911 Assist® is set to ON, SYNC can make a call to 911. After SYNC places the call and the 911 operator disconnects, your ICE (In Case of Emergency) contacts, if programmed, will appear on your center display screen. Simply press one and SYNC will dial it.*

Learn more at www.syncmyride.com/touch

*The vehicle's electrical system (including the battery), the wireless service provider's signal and a connected mobile phone all must be available and operating for 911 Assist to function properly. These systems may become damaged in a crash. The paired mobile phone must be connected to SYNC, and the 911 Assist feature enabled, in order for 911 to be dialed.

911 Assist is available in the United States and Canada only.

Examples: