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.

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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."

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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 "é" 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 "René."

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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:

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.

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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.

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