Ford rolled out Over-the-Air updates on most 2021 and newer vehicles, and ever since then, things have gotten a little more… fun. Before OTA existed, any time someone said “I think my truck lost the tune,” the answer was simple. A tune can’t just disappear. Unless the truck was returned to stock or flashed with something different, the tune stayed right where it was.

But OTA changed everything.

Why OTA Updates Matter for Tuned Vehicles

Ford now pushes these updates through the infotainment system. Most owners have no clue this includes modules like the Powertrain Control Module. Since trucks are set to auto-update by default, someone can go to sleep with a perfectly dialed MPT tune and wake up with a truck acting like it hasn’t had its morning coffee.

If an OTA update targets the PCM, it overwrites the existing tune with the newest Ford stock file.

First Step: Turn Off Auto Updates

This one is huge and will save you a ton of headache.

Go into the SYNC menu and disable auto updates. This doesn’t block updates forever, but it gives you the final say before anything installs. You’ll be able to check update details ahead of time and stop your MPT tune from being overwritten without warning.

Skip down a bit for a full step-by-step on disabling these.

How To Tell If Your Tune Was Overwritten

Most MPT tunes give you an easy clue: the gear indicator on the dash.
If that disappears, your truck is no longer running an MPT tune.

Other signs:

• Noticeable loss of power
• Softer or delayed pedal response
• Slower acceleration
• Clunky factory-style shifting
• The truck simply “feels wrong”

If you’re on E50, E85, big injectors, or any combo that requires tuning, a surprise OTA can be even worse because the truck jumps back to a Ford stock file not meant for your setup.

Can You Re-Flash Your Existing MPT Tune?

Usually, yes.

Your old tune will load back in and work fine as long as the Ford update wasn’t a major calibration jump. But Ford doesn’t always update in tiny increments.

A 2021 F150 3.5L might go from:

• ML3A-14C204-LUH
• LUJ
• LUL

…and now the most current is LUK.

When Ford updates the operating system, we prefer to rebuild your tunes on the newest version. This avoids future OTA conflicts and keeps everything cleaner and more stable.

MPT’s Solution: The LVL1 Tune Update

No need to buy brand-new tunes.

This is exactly what the LVL1 Tune Update is for:
https://morepowertuning.com/products/lvl1-tuneupdate

Here’s how it works:

• You choose how many tunes to update

• Place the order

• Reply with your order number in your tuning ticket

• We pull your existing files

• We download the newest Ford stock calibration

• We rebuild your tunes on the updated OS

• If the new file isn’t supported yet, we contact SCT or HP Tuners and get it added

Everything on the backend is handled for you.

Example: Real Customer Question

Customer:
“Hey Mike, looks like my truck updated the other day. First thing I noticed was the gear display disappearing, and it definitely drives noticeably different. Feels like it’s down on power and just not behaving like it did before. Do you think I need to re-flash my tune?”

My reply:
Hey man,
Yep, sounds like an OTA update overwrote your tune with the latest Ford file.

Technically, you can flash your older tune back in and it will usually work, but we prefer building on the latest Ford version when possible.

Here’s the LVL1 update link:
https://morepowertuning.com/products/lvl1-tuneupdate

Just reply back with the order number and we’ll take it from there.

If you prefer not to update, your previous tunes will still load.

Mike @ MPT

How To Disable Ford Over-the-Air Auto Updates

These steps apply to most 2021+ Ford models with SYNC 4:

1. Go to Settings on the touchscreen

You’ll find this on the bottom bar.

2. Select “Software Updates”

The icon usually looks like two arrows in a circle.

3. Tap “Automatic Updates”

This opens the control menu.

4. Toggle Automatic Updates to OFF

Your truck will now stop installing anything automatically.

5. Optional: Turn on “Manually Check for Updates”

This lets you see what Ford plans to push before it touches your vehicle.

6. When an update shows up, always read the description

If it mentions:

• Powertrain Control Module

• PCM

• PT-xxxxx

…assume it will overwrite your MPT tune.

Final Tips to Avoid OTA Surprises

• Turn auto updates off

• Read update descriptions before installing

• Stay alert for anything mentioning PCM

• If your gear display disappears, your tune is gone

• If the truck suddenly feels weak or soft after an update, assume OTA hit it