A car software update is a package that upgrades software—or changes configuration settings—in one or more vehicle systems. It may arrive wirelessly as an over-the-air (OTA) update or be installed through a local connection by a dealer or service center. OTA describes how data is delivered, not a guarantee that every step is automatic or that every vehicle system can be updated remotely.
What a car software update changes
Modern vehicles use software in electronic systems and control units. An update can replace software with a newer version or adjust configuration parameters. Depending on the specific update, its purpose may be to fix a bug, improve performance, add a feature, or change how a vehicle function behaves. The manufacturer should identify the purpose and the systems or functions an update may affect; the scope is not the same for every update.
UN Regulation No. 156 defines a software update as a package used to upgrade software to a new version, including a change to configuration parameters. It is a regulatory definition; which requirements apply depends on jurisdiction and vehicle type.
What “over the air” means
An OTA update transfers data wirelessly rather than by cable or another local connection. That makes OTA a delivery method, not a synonym for every kind of car software update. An update may instead be installed locally, such as through a dealer or service center. And wireless delivery does not necessarily mean the car installs the update unattended: the owner may still need to approve it or prepare the vehicle.
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Which systems can be updated remotely depends on the vehicle’s design, the particular update and the manufacturer’s process. Some OTA updates involve infotainment or navigation; remote update capability for other systems should not be assumed.
How an update generally reaches and installs on a car
Although the screens and steps vary, the broad process is usually to prepare an update, transfer it to the vehicle or service provider, check it, then install and activate it under the required conditions. Downloading and installation can be separate stages. NHTSA describes preparation, transport and reception in its 2020 report on firmware updates; Regulation No. 156 distinguishes downloading from execution, which includes installation and activation. A vehicle may present these stages differently or handle some in the background.
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Can you drive while your car is updating?
Do not assume you can. Depending on the update, vehicle functions may be unavailable during installation, and the car may prevent driving until the process is complete. Follow the prompts and instructions for your exact vehicle, rather than applying steps from another make or model.
For example, Tesla’s software-update guidance separates download and installation and directs owners to vehicle-specific information. Cadillac’s US guidance says downloads can happen in the background and installations generally require the vehicle to be parked. These are manufacturer-specific examples, not universal procedures.
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Regulation No. 156 calls for users to be informed about an update’s purpose, effects on vehicle functions, expected duration, functions that may be unavailable and instructions for safe execution. Check the vehicle’s own prompts and manual for the actual parking, power and other conditions required.
Why update security and status matter
Software updates can improve a vehicle, but a remotely reachable update route also needs safeguards against invalid or compromised software. Regulation No. 156 addresses authenticity and integrity checks, secure execution, user instructions and status reporting, including recovery or a safe state if an update fails or is interrupted. These safeguards are requirements in that regulatory framework; they do not establish that every update process is inherently secure or inherently unsafe.
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NHTSA describes automotive cybersecurity as protection of vehicle systems, networks, software, users and data from malicious attacks, damage, unauthorized access or manipulation. Its October 2020 firmware-update report provides technical and security context, not a current measure of how many cars receive updates.
For OTA update human-machine interfaces, ISO/TS 20003:2026 is identified as Edition 1, published in February 2026. Its abstract focuses on helping operators understand whether an OTA update succeeded and whether it affects vehicle operation or feature quality.
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How to find the right update instructions
- Identify the vehicle precisely. Use the make, model, model year and, where requested, the vehicle’s software version or configuration.
- Check the owner’s manual or official manufacturer support. Confirm eligibility, how the update is delivered, which functions it affects and any connectivity or power conditions.
- Follow the vehicle’s prompts. Note whether download and installation are separate, whether the car must be parked, and which functions may be unavailable.
- Check the reported result. Use the vehicle’s status message or the manufacturer’s specified support route if execution fails or is interrupted; do not try another brand’s recovery steps.
- Ask a dealer or service center when the update is local or the instructions direct you there. A consumer OBD-II tool or Wi-Fi hotspot is not a universal update requirement.
There is no single update schedule or universal procedure established for all cars. Availability and steps vary by make, model, software version and market.
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