OTA reflashing: the challenges and solutions

Reprogrammable onboard modules have been in automotive use for more than a quarter century. But as electronic controls inhabit virtually every system today, anyone with a late-model vehicle knows that at some point, one or more of its electronic control systems will need to be “reflashed” with new software-often more than once.

In fact, even where the problem may be all-mechanical, including bearing knock, it can be ameliorated by new software for the engine computer.