Understand how voice commands work

Nearly every SYNC® with MyFord Touch® feature can be activated simply with voice commands. You can use your phone, play music, change the temperature, and access many other SYNC services. Of course, you're still able to use the 8-inch touchscreen when you prefer it to voice commands.27

Voice command modes

SYNC with MyFord Touch works like a remote control for systems in your vehicle and multiple external devices, such as a Bluetooth®-enabled phone or USB media player. Because SYNC controls many systems, it needs to know which system you want to interact with. The part of a command that tells SYNC which system you need is the "mode."48

With voice commands, you need to tell SYNC which mode you want and wait for the prompt before telling it the task you want to complete. Once you're in a mode, when you press Voice you'll hear the prompt "<Mode>, please say a command." If your next command is within the same mode, you don't need to repeat the mode, just give SYNC the task.

However, it is no longer necessary to identify the audio source when switching between USB, Radio, and SIRIUS radio (if equipped) modes. For example, when playing media via a USB source, you do not have to say “Radio” to begin listening to a radio station, just press the Voice button, and then tell SYNC the station (ex. “FM 107.7”). Similarly, when in Radio mode, you can now press the Voice button and say “Play <Track> by <Artist>”  (ex. “Play The Ninth Symphony by Beethoven”) to listen to a specific track that is stored on your USB-connected device.

Voice command formulas

Category

Modes and Tasks
Entertainment

(AM/FM radio,
SiriusXM®,
USB/SD Card,
Bluetooth Audio,
CD player)34		 If the system is playing, say only the task: 

Ex.:  "FM 107.7"
Ex.:  "Play Beethoven"

If the system is not playing, say the mode and the task:

Ex.:  "Radio" | pause | "FM 107.7"
Ex.:  "USB" | pause | "Play Beethoven"
Phone For calls, say the task only:

Ex.:  "Call John at home."

For text messages, say the mode "Messages":

Ex.:  "Messages" | pause | "Listen to text message"
Climate Always say the mode, "Climate":

Ex.: "Climate" | pause | "Temperature 68 degrees"
Information
For SYNC Services say "Services," then follow the voice prompts129
 
To initiate a Travel Link connection, say "Travel Link," then follow the voice prompts
Navigation
(if equipped)		 Depends on the command; some require the mode "Navigation" first, others don’t 

See Exploring Navigation by voice 
 
 

Understanding how SYNC signals

SYNC uses four tones to signal important transitions in the voice dialogue.

sound

meaning
Chimes SYNC acknowledges your request; the voice session has started
Single Tone SYNC is ready for you to speak
High pitched, positive tone SYNC had heard you successfully
Low pitched, negative tone SYNC can't hear the command, or the command is invalid
 
 

Icons

SYNC also uses five icons to communicate the status of the dialogue (in lower left corner of touchscreen). 

Listening

SYNC is listening for your command

Paused

SYNC is paused and can’t hear you 

Try Again

SYNC couldn’t understand your command   

Success

SYNC has completed your command

Failure

SYNC didn’t hear a valid command in time and ended the voice session

Learn More

To learn more about having a successful voice dialogue with SYNC, see How to speak to SYNC

The best way to speak to SYNC

  • Enter contacts into your phonebook with both first and last names to increase the system’s ability to select the correct contact. 
  • Ensure the vehicle interior is quiet (e.g., windows are closed; passengers aren’t making noise).
  • When you speak, tilt your head in the direction of the SYNC microphone.
  • Speak in a smooth, confident, and natural voice, avoiding “ahhs” or “umms.” 
  • Say all words in a command in the correct order; for example, say “Climate” before giving Climate commands.
  • Say all names and titles exactly as they are listed on your devices; if your phonebook entries show last name first, say last names first when giving phone commands. 
  • You may need to give more information to complete a command—SYNC will tell you what’s needed, and you can always look at the touchscreen to see a list of the exact phrases you can say. SYNC will also tell you when you should use the touchscreen rather than speak. 
  • Note than some features are restricted when driving over five mph, and even a perfect voice command will not activate them if you're traveling above that speed.