The quickest way to correct Sync 4 time

Ford Sync 4 will usually pull the correct time from your phone's GPS or from the cellular network when you first connect. If the time is wrong, you can fix it in about two minutes by going into the Settings menu, finding the Date & Time option, and toggling the automatic time setting off and on again. If that does not work, you can manually enter the time yourself in the same menu.

The exact steps depend on whether you are using the touchscreen in your vehicle or the steering wheel controls, but both routes reach the same settings page. Most people find the touchscreen faster, though the steering wheel method works if your screen is not responding.

Key Takeaways

  • Sync 4 gets the time automatically from your phone or the cell network, so the first step is to toggle that automatic setting off and back on.
  • If automatic time does not work, you can manually set the time through Settings > Date & Time on the touchscreen.
  • Make sure your phone is connected via Bluetooth or USB if you want Sync 4 to pull the time from it.
  • The time will stay correct even after you turn off the vehicle, so you only need to fix it once.

Using the touchscreen to reset automatic time

Start by pressing the Settings icon on your Sync 4 home screen — it looks like a gear and is usually in the top right corner. From there, scroll down until you see Date & Time, then tap it.

You should see a toggle for "Set time automatically" or "Auto time." If it is already on, turn it off by tapping the toggle, wait five seconds, then turn it back on. Sync 4 will reconnect to your phone or the network and pull the correct time. This solves the problem in most cases.

If the toggle is already off, turn it on. Your vehicle will then sync to the network time, and the clock should update within a few seconds.

Manually setting the time if automatic does not work

If toggling automatic time does not fix the problem, you can type in the time yourself. Go back to Settings > Date & Time and look for a field that says "Time" or "Set time manually." Tap it and use the on-screen keyboard or the plus and minus buttons to enter the correct hour and minute.

Pay attention to whether Sync 4 is set to 12-hour or 24-hour format — if you see AM and PM options, it is in 12-hour mode. Enter the time, confirm it, and the clock will update right away.

After you manually set the time, you can turn automatic time back on if you want. Sync 4 will keep the manual time until it reconnects to your phone or network, at which point it will switch back to automatic.

Using steering wheel controls if the touchscreen is not responding

If your touchscreen is frozen or not responding, you can reach the time settings through the steering wheel buttons. Press the Menu button on the left side of the steering wheel (usually marked with three horizontal lines), then use the up and down arrows to scroll to Settings.

Press the right arrow or the button marked OK to enter Settings, then scroll down to Date & Time. Once you are there, you can toggle automatic time off and on, or manually enter the time using the arrow buttons to move between fields and the OK button to confirm each entry.

This method takes longer than using the touchscreen, but it works when the screen is not available.

Why Sync 4 time goes wrong in the first place

Sync 4 relies on either your connected phone or the cellular network to know what time it is. If your phone is not paired via Bluetooth or USB, or if your vehicle does not have a strong cell signal, Sync 4 cannot reach a time source and may show the wrong time.

Time can also drift if your vehicle sits unused for weeks or months without being connected to a phone or network. When you start the car again, Sync 4 may be off by hours until it reconnects.

Daylight saving time changes can also cause confusion — if automatic time is off, Sync 4 will not adjust for the time change on its own, and you will need to manually correct it or turn automatic time back on.

Making sure automatic time stays on

Once you have fixed the time, leave the automatic time setting turned on. This way, Sync 4 will always stay in sync with your phone or the network, and you will not have to fix it again.

Automatic time will update even if you travel across time zones — Sync 4 will pull the local time from the network or your phone and adjust the clock automatically. You do not need to do anything when you cross a time zone line.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Sync 4 time reset every time I turn off the car?

It should not. If the time keeps resetting, your phone is probably not staying connected to Sync 4, or automatic time is turned off. Check that Bluetooth or USB is still active after you park, and make sure the automatic time toggle is on in Settings.

Can I set the time without connecting my phone?

Yes. You can manually enter the time through Settings > Date & Time on the touchscreen or steering wheel controls. Sync 4 does not need your phone to accept a manual time entry, though it will override it with the network time if automatic time is on.

Does Sync 4 automatically adjust for daylight saving time?

Only if automatic time is turned on and your phone or vehicle has a network connection. If automatic time is off, you will need to manually adjust the time when daylight saving time changes.

What if the time is still wrong after I toggle automatic time?

Try disconnecting your phone from Bluetooth, waiting ten seconds, and reconnecting it. If your phone's time is wrong, fix that first — Sync 4 will copy whatever time your phone is showing. You can also try manually entering the time and then turning automatic time back on.