I was incredibly excited when Porsche announced their new electric car. A Tesla-killer, people were whispering. However, if you own a Porsche Taycan, you’ll want to ensure you have the latest software updates installed to ensure it continues to live up to this.
Fortunately, Porsche offers over-the-air software updates that make it easy to keep your vehicle up to date.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to download and install a Porsche Taycan software update.
Table of Contents
What is Over-The-Air, and how does it work?
Over-The-Air, or OTA, refers to the ability to update software and features on a vehicle remotely without needing a physical service appointment or software update at the dealership. Manufacturers are increasingly using this technology to provide customers with the latest software updates.
In the Porsche Taycan, OTA allows updating the vehicle software and other functions. This can be done through updates or Function on Demand (FoD), depending on the availability of the process in the country.
Additionally, Smart Service allows the vehicle to identify maintenance and repair requirements, displayed in My Porsche and the PCM, and then transferred to Porsche partners defined in My Porsche.
How to download and install Porsche Taycan software update
Downloading your update
While Porsche’s OTA function allows background downloads, this will only work when set up correctly. In order for this to be functional, the following requirements need to be met:
- Data connection is successfully established
- Porsche Connect services and any individual services are activated in My Porsche
- Private mode is deactivated
- If you have any queries about changing these settings, please consult the owner’s manual or contact a Porsche partner.
Providing OTA is set up, the Porsche Taycan software update will download automatically as soon as they are available.
You can continue to use your Taycan normally during the download. The download may be paused when you switch off your vehicle but will resume automatically when you switch it back on.
Please note: Download times will vary and depend on your Wi-Fi connection’s strength.
Installing the update
Once the download is complete, you’ll receive a notification that the update is ready for installation. To begin the installation process, follow the steps below:
- Safely park your Taycan ensuring there is enough charge to complete the update.
- Find the notification on the screen or in the notification center.
- Select the notification.
- Tap Yes to confirm the installation of the update.
- As the update takes place, a progress indicator will be shown on the central display.
The installation time will vary depending on the content of the update. During installation, displays and vehicle functions may be temporarily disabled, and you should not use the vehicle until the installation is complete.
After the installation is complete, you’ll receive a notification on the central display that the update was successful. With the latest software updates installed, you can now use your Taycan as usual.
What do I do if I receive an error message?
There is always the potential for a Porsche Taycan software update to fail to complete correctly. If so, you will receive an error message on the central display. This will read:
“The online software update could not be carried out. This may result in functional restrictions. Please observe the warning and information lights and the Driver’s Manual. Please consult your qualified specialist workshop to have the update carried out in full.”
It’s essential to take appropriate steps to resolve the issue to ensure your vehicle is safe to operate. Please follow the recommended actions from the Taycan owner’s manual (summarized below).
- If the vehicle is ready for operation, it’s essential to adapt your driving style to the situation.
- If the vehicle is not ready for operation, it’s crucial to call a roadside assistance service and have your car towed. You can refer to the chapter on ‘Towing’ on page 245 of your Driver’s Manual for guidance.
- Have the fault immediately remedied at a qualified specialist workshop to ensure the vehicle operates safely and correctly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, performing a Porsche Taycan software update is a straightforward process that can be done in a few easy steps. Keeping your vehicle up to date ensures that you have access to the latest features and functionality and can help to improve the overall performance of your Taycan.
Overall, OTA technology simplifies the process of keeping your vehicle up to date, ensuring that you have access to the latest features and performance improvements without needing to take your car to a dealership.
As always, if you have any issues or queries, please consult the owner’s manual below or contact a Porsche partner.
