Mastering Phone Calls in Your 2012 Ford Fusion: A Complete Guide to SYNC with 2-Line Display

The 2012 Ford Fusion, a reliable and stylish vehicle, often comes equipped with Microsoft’s SYNC system, a technology that, while not as advanced as today’s infotainment setups, still offers crucial functionality, especially for phone calls. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough of how to effectively use your 2012 Fusion’s SYNC system with its characteristic two-line display for hands-free calling. While it might seem basic compared to modern touchscreens, this SYNC system, when mastered, can significantly enhance your driving experience by allowing you to stay connected without compromising safety. This detailed guide will walk you through pairing your phone, making calls, receiving calls, managing your phonebook, and troubleshooting common issues. Let’s dive in and unlock the full potential of your SYNC system!

Understanding Your 2012 Ford Fusion’s SYNC System

Before we begin, it’s important to understand the fundamental components of your SYNC system. The key elements you’ll interact with include:

• The Two-Line Display: This is your primary source of visual feedback from the SYNC system. It shows you the current function, prompts, and call-related information.
• The Steering Wheel Controls: Specifically, the buttons related to voice control (usually a button with a head icon or a voice bubble), phone controls (accept/end call, typically a phone icon), and volume controls.
• The Center Console Buttons: These buttons surround the radio and climate control systems. The SYNC controls (often labeled ‘PHONE’) are vital for navigating menus and initiating actions.
• Voice Commands: SYNC relies heavily on voice commands. Learning these commands will drastically improve your interaction with the system.

Step-by-Step Guide: Pairing Your Phone to SYNC

The initial and perhaps most crucial step is pairing your Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone to your Ford Fusion’s SYNC system. Here’s how to do it:

1. Turn On Your Vehicle: Ensure the ignition is on and the radio is operational.
2. Prepare Your Phone: On your phone, navigate to the Bluetooth settings. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on and your phone is set to discoverable or visible mode. This will allow your phone to be found by the SYNC system.
3. Activate SYNC on Your Vehicle: Press the ‘PHONE’ button on the center console of your Ford Fusion. The two-line display will show a prompt similar to “No Phones Paired”.
4. Start the Pairing Process: Press the ‘OK’ or ‘SELECT’ button, which is usually located in the center of the control knob or as part of the directional pad surrounding the knob. The system will then guide you through the initial set up process of pairing a phone. The screen may display something like “Press OK to begin Pairing”. Press the ‘OK’ button again.
5. Search for SYNC on Your Phone: Your phone should now be actively searching for available Bluetooth devices. On your phone, you should see a device name similar to “SYNC” or “Ford Fusion” appear in the list of available devices.
6. Select SYNC on Your Phone: Tap or click on the SYNC device name from the list on your phone to begin the pairing process.
7. Confirm the Passcode: The SYNC system will generate a PIN code displayed on your Ford Fusion’s two-line display. Your phone will prompt you to confirm this PIN or sometimes asks for the PIN to be entered into the phone. Enter the PIN displayed on the SYNC display into your phone or accept it when prompted on your phone. If the process is successful the two line display should confirm “Pairing Successful” or “Phone Paired”..
8. Set As Preferred Phone(Optional): The SYNC system may ask if you would like to set the paired phone as the preferred phone. If this is your primary phone, choose yes. This will ensure that the phone connects automatically when you enter the vehicle.
9. Allow Access to Contacts and Call History(Optional): The SYNC system may prompt you to allow access to contacts, text messages, and call history. If you want to make calls using your phonebook and access call history through SYNC, then select allow when prompted.
10. Test the Connection: After successful pairing, try making a test call to confirm that the audio transfers to your car speakers and the microphone is working correctly.

Important Notes on Pairing:

• Troubleshooting: If your phone doesn’t find the SYNC device, double-check that Bluetooth is enabled on your phone, and that your phone is visible/discoverable. If pairing fails after multiple attempts, try restarting your phone and/or the car. Sometimes, deleting existing paired devices in the SYNC system’s menu may also help.
• Multiple Phones: SYNC can usually store multiple paired devices. However, it will prioritize the “preferred” device upon startup. You can change the preferred phone in the SYNC settings.
• Pairing Process May Differ: The exact prompts and steps might slightly vary depending on your phone’s make and model. However, the fundamental steps remain largely similar.

Making Phone Calls Using SYNC’s Voice Commands

Once your phone is successfully paired, you can leverage SYNC’s voice commands to initiate calls, making your driving experience safer and more convenient.

1. Activate Voice Recognition: Press the Voice Command button on your steering wheel (usually a button with a head icon or a voice bubble). You should hear a tone or a prompt like “SYNC please say a command” or “Please say a command”.
2. Say the Command: Speak clearly and distinctly into the microphone. Here are a few common voice commands:
   • To call a contact by name: Say “Call ”. For example, “Call John Smith”.
   • To dial a number: Say “Dial ”. For example, “Dial 555-123-4567”. Say each digit individually instead of saying the entire number at once. SYNC may confirm the number, and allow you to say “Dial” to confirm or correct a number before dialing.
   • To call a recent number: Say “Call recent”, then choose the number by its position or its name if it’s saved in your phone book. SYNC will provide the recent calls as an option using the two line display.
   • To redial the last number: Say “Redial”.
3. SYNC Response: SYNC will recognize your command. It will usually confirm by saying the name or the number back to you. Sometimes SYNC will ask you to confirm your command by displaying the contact name or phone number and asking to confirm using the “Dial” command. It will then initiate the call.
4. Adjusting Volume: While on a call, use the volume controls on your steering wheel or center console to adjust the sound level as needed.

Making Phone Calls Using SYNC’s Manual Controls

While voice commands are efficient, you can also use the physical controls on your center console to initiate calls, especially if you prefer navigating through menus.

1. Access the Phone Menu: Press the ‘PHONE’ button on your center console. The two-line display will show options like “Call History”, “Phone Book”, or “Dial Number”. You may need to navigate using the directional buttons or knobs on the center console.
2. Select “Phone Book” or “Call History”: Use the ‘OK’ or ‘SELECT’ button to access the selected menu item. If you chose “Phone Book” SYNC will show your contacts. If you chose “Call History” then a list of recent calls will be displayed. You can scroll through your contacts or call history using the directional buttons.
3. Select the Desired Contact or Number: Scroll through the list on the two-line display until you find the contact or number you wish to call. Once selected, press the ‘OK’ or ‘SELECT’ button again to initiate the call.
4. Select “Dial Number”: Alternatively, if you choose “Dial Number”, the system will allow you to enter each digit one by one using the numeric buttons on the center console, or, the directional buttons to move and select numbers which will be displayed on the screen. Press the OK button after each digit is selected. Once the number is correctly entered, the system will show it on the display and await the OK button to begin dialing.

Answering Incoming Calls

When you receive an incoming call, SYNC will alert you with an audible ringtone or chime and display the caller ID on the two-line display.

1. Accept a Call: Press the ‘PHONE’ button on your steering wheel to answer the incoming call. The button will usually display a phone receiving a call icon.
2. Reject/End a Call: Press the opposite ‘PHONE’ button or the same phone button again (sometimes this is a long press or double press) on your steering wheel to reject an incoming call, or end an active call. The button will usually display a phone hanging up icon or be the same button.
3. Mute/Unmute Your Microphone: During an active call, if your SYNC system supports it, there may be a dedicated button to mute your microphone or you can use voice commands by saying “Mute” or “Unmute”.

Managing Your Phonebook

SYNC automatically downloads your phone’s contact list when your phone is connected, provided you have given the necessary permissions during the initial pairing. Here’s how to manage it:

• Access Phonebook: Navigate to the ‘PHONE’ menu, and select “Phonebook” using the navigation buttons and OK button.
• Browse Contacts: Use the directional buttons to scroll through the list of names in your phonebook.
• Call a Contact: Once you’ve highlighted the desired contact, press the ‘OK’ or ‘SELECT’ button to initiate the call.
• Adding New Contacts: Adding new contacts to the system requires adding them to your phone’s contact list and allowing SYNC to download those contacts again when your phone reconnects with SYNC.

Troubleshooting Common SYNC Issues

Even with a reliable system like SYNC, you may occasionally encounter issues. Here are some common troubleshooting steps:

• Phone Not Connecting: Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your phone, and that your phone is visible or discoverable. Try deleting the pairing from both your phone and the SYNC system, then re-pair them.
• SYNC Not Recognizing Voice Commands: Speak slowly, clearly, and directly into the microphone. Ensure there is minimal background noise inside your car. Try repeating the commands and ensure you’re using the correct vocabulary.
• Contacts Not Syncing: Check your phone’s permissions for Bluetooth and contact access for SYNC. You might need to allow SYNC access within your phone’s Bluetooth settings. If this continues, remove the phone from SYNC’s paired phone list and re-pair the device and allow all access to the phone.
• Audio Issues: Check your phone’s volume settings as well as SYNC’s volume. Sometimes restarting your phone, or re-pairing it, can also fix audio issues.
• System Freezes: Try turning the car off and then back on again to reset the SYNC system. In rare situations, you may need to disconnect the car’s battery for a few minutes to fully reset it. Consult your vehicle’s manual before doing so.
• Software Updates: While the 2012 SYNC system may not receive regular updates, keeping your phone’s software up to date may resolve some connectivity issues. Occasionally, Ford provides downloads for updates to the system and these downloads should be installed per instructions if they are available from a reputable source.

Tips for Optimal SYNC Performance

Here are a few tips to ensure a smooth and reliable experience with your 2012 Ford Fusion’s SYNC system:

• Keep Your Phone Battery Charged: A low battery on your phone can sometimes cause connectivity issues with Bluetooth.
• Maintain a Clear Environment: Try to keep the inside of the car free of excessive background noise while using the voice command function.
• Familiarize Yourself with Commands: Practice common voice commands to become more proficient, making usage easier and safer.
• Update your contacts regularly: If changes to phone numbers and contacts are made they may not be updated on SYNC unless the phone is reconnected with access allowed.
• Consult Your Vehicle’s Manual: Your Ford Fusion’s owner’s manual has specific information on the SYNC system, including further troubleshooting tips and FAQs.

Conclusion

While the SYNC system in your 2012 Ford Fusion might not be as feature-rich as modern infotainment systems, it’s still a capable tool for making and receiving hands-free calls. By following these steps and tips, you can maximize its functionality, stay connected, and drive safely. Remember to prioritize learning the voice commands, understand the system’s nuances, and regularly review the troubleshooting steps. With practice, you’ll master your SYNC system and enjoy a safer, more connected driving experience.