As the colours of autumn give way to the cold days of winter, VehicleLink thankfully has some hot new features to help keep you warm for the season. We’ve had a lack of major features implemented since the August update due to some unanticipated delays, however we’re hoping to get back into a more consistent rhythm of updates for the foreseeable future.
Added New Vehicle: 2023-2024 Ford Superduty
We’ve added support for the 2023-2024 Ford Superduty. There is emulation support, however it only works on the clusters from XL trim level and XLT trim level trucks. For trucks from the Lariat trim level and higher that cluster currently does not support emulation. The reason for this is that the CAN connection appears to come in on a fibre optic cable. For this reason VehicleLink can only communicate with the fully digial clusters in the Lariat and high trim levels in the vehicle. VehicleLink is able to convert the Lariat and higher trim level clusters, but no other trim levels at this time.
Added New Vehicle: 2017-2023 Chevrolet Traverse
We’ve added the very common GM Global A suite of features to this unit. For 2023 model year the Traverse has received a UHS instrument cluster with digital indicators. VehicleLink now has the capability to change these indicators to text from ISO or vice-versa.
Added New Vehicle: 2005-2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara
We added emulation support for this vehicle with the following emulation features.
Gauges: Speedometer, Tachometer, Temperature Gauge, Fuel Gauge.
Major VehicleLink Core Update – Core Version 2.3
VehicleLink will undergo a major update that has a dramatic impact on how VehicleLink will be used. We’ve attempted to simplify and streamline the user interface to make it easier for users to navigate. We’ve also added a host of safety features to prevent users from accidentally running scripts, and launching emulation in a vehicle. This update is currently in internal testing at the moment as we attempt to ensure it is as stable as possible. This update also adds a bunch of features for the backend that will be essentially invisible to users, however some of the benefits such as faster execution of scripts, and faster loading of bulk data will likely be noticeable. The Core Update will also include some bug fixes that have temporarily held up our full vehicle support as well as some new features to allow us to better implement full vehicle support. The VehicleLink core update will launch separately from the rest of the content in the November 2023 Update and may possibly launch at any point in the very near future.
GM Global A Updates
As GM’s Global A platform is one of the most popular platforms being encountered by VehicleLink users at this time we’ve made a few improvements to give users some quality of life changes that should make working with Global A a lot easier. Here’s the list of changes:
-Flashing of Global A Modules can now be performed in approximately 45 seconds instead of the 150 seconds it took previously.
-Get Module Information will now show the correct names of calibrations rather than showing their numbers. For example previously VehicleLink would give you information such as “Calibration 5: 12345678”. Instead of using the calibration number VehicleLink will now display the following information to the user: “Performance Calibration: 12345678”. This allows the user to get a level of information regarding the calibration similar to the dealer equivalent scan tool.
-The following vehicles have all had “Convert Speedometer to MPH” and “Convert Speedometer to KMH” added:
-2020-2022 Cadillac XT5(Only works on cluster with Opt Code UHS)
-2020-2022 Cadillac XT6(Only works on cluster with Opt Code UHS)
-2019 Chevrolet Silverado(Only works on cluster with Opt Code UHS)
-2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado(Only works on cluster with Opt Code UHS)
-2019 GMC Sierra(Only works on cluster with Opt Code UHS)
-2020-2022 GMC Sierra(Only works on cluster with Opt Code UHS)
At the time of writing the Cadillacs as well as the GMC Sierras now have aftermarket faces available via Kelowna Instruments that are designed to work with this features. The Chevrolet Silverados are expected some time in December. After the Silverados are available our next focus will be the UDD Opt Code Clusters.
The below features are BETA features. Meaning that they’re currently a feature that is actively in development and testing that we have expanded the testing to all VehicleLink users as we believe it’s quite stable and can be incredibly helpful to our users. Please note that as these are BETA features they do carry an increased risk of damaging a module. By using these features you’re accepting all elevated risks that do come with these features.
Ford Instrument Cluster Reading/Writing – BETA
We’ve completed internal testing on Ford Instrument Cluster Reading/Writing and are ready to expand the testing to the users currently with VehicleLink. As this is a BETA we’ve only been focusing on a select handful of vehicles for this test that we hope to expand in the near future. Upon release you can expect support for the following:
-Ford F150 2015-2020(XL Trim Level and XLT Trim Level clusters only. Lariat and higher trim clusters are in development still)
Please note that if during the Reading/Writing process your instrument cluster appears dead and no longer wakes up please disconnect the battery to reset the module and it should return to it’s normal operating state.
Ford Instrument Cluster Data Manipulation Tools – BETA
To be certain that our users can get the absolute most out of the new Ford Instrument Cluster Reading/Writing BETA we’ve also produced the Ford Instrument Cluster Data Manipulation Tools. These tools will allow you to automatically make common manipulations to the EEPROM’s contents to save you time. As time goes on we are aiming to expand these tools to all vehicles added as part of the Ford Instrument Cluster Reading/Writing. At this time here are the features you can expect to see in the Data Manipulation Tools:
–Convert Odometer to KMH(Converts a MPH odometer to KMH. This will also convert the default units of the odometer and digital speedometer in the case of vehicle’s battery being disconnected).
–Convert Odometer to MPH(Converts a KMH odometer to MPH. This will also convert the default units of the odometer and digital speedometer in the case of vehicle’s battery being disconnected).
–Modify Odometer(KM) – Allows you to set the odometer value displayed in the instrument cluster(in Kilometers) in the case of having to replace an instrument cluster. This feature must be used only for fully legal purposes otherwise your VehicleLink license may be revoked.
–Modify Odometer(MI) – Allows you to set the odometer value displayed in the instrument cluster(in Miles) in the case of having to replace an instrument cluster. This feature must be used only for fully legal purposes otherwise your VehicleLink license may be revoked.
–Modify Engine and Idle Hours – Allows you to set the Engine Hours and Idle Hours displayed in your instrument cluster in the case of having to replace an instrument cluster. This feature must be used only for fully legal purposes otherwise your VehicleLink license may be revoked.
–Modify VIN – Allows you to modify the VIN number stored in an instrument cluster in the case of having to replace an instrument cluster. This feature must be used only for fully legal purposes otherwise your VehicleLink license may be revoked.
On top of all of the above listed changes we’ve made major leaps in progress on GM Global B vehicles and are rapidly nearing a solution for those. We’ve also made great progress on 2022-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee/Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer models. We hope to have more news on this in the very near future as well as expansion of our Ford Instrument Cluster Data Manipulation BETA to include more vehicles featuring the Visteon SPC+24C32 instrument cluster platform. Our next update will also bring increased support for 2018+ Ford vehicles such as Rangers, Mustangs, Explorers and more. The November 2023 Update is expected to launch on November 30, 2023.