Even the older Skoda Enyaq and Volkswagen ID.4 models will have preheating.

The first Volkswagen ID.4s and Skoda Enyaqs, which hit the market in 2020, marked an important milestone for their respective brands. However, owners had to deal with a technical limitation: the high-voltage batteries lacked a preconditioning function for fast charging. This deficiency could result in longer charging times, especially in low temperatures.

Now, Volkswagen and Skoda are distributing an over-the-air software update that introduces this functionality to older models of the Enyaq, ID.4, and ID.5, produced between 2020 and 2024. Models manufactured from 2024 already come with automatic battery preconditioning and therefore do not require this update.

Software version 3.9 is coming

For the Skoda Enyaq, the update to software version 3.9 introduces battery preconditioning, a revised welcome screen that no longer requires user confirmation, and several improvements to safety and the Online Connectivity Unit (OCU).

The update will affect around 200,000 vehicles and will be rolled out in phases. The first cars will receive it from the second half of November, with a second wave following about two weeks later.

Owners of Enyaqs with software 3.8 can install the new version directly via OTA. Those using an earlier version must first upgrade to 3.8, which is required to prepare the vehicle for the new feature. Vehicles with software 2.x will need to go to an authorized service center to complete the updates.

Here are the upcoming updates

Similar updates will also arrive for the Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.5 via software version 3.9.1, which also introduces improvements to the reliability of the electric door handles and AC charging.

Pre-conditioning of the battery in the updated models must be activated manually through a new screen on the infotainment system. This function will be available only when the battery temperature is below 20 °C. The software will also display the measured temperature, allowing the driver to monitor its status.

Skoda Enyaq iV Founders Edition

Once the feature is activated, the battery will gradually warm up until it reaches an optimal temperature of around 25 °C. This process takes approximately 30 to 40 minutes, a timeframe to keep in mind when planning a stop at a fast charging station.

A battery at the correct temperature can handle a higher DC charging power, reducing the time needed to recharge.

Volkswagen ID. Cross

Photo by: Volkswagen

According to Jiří Vlček, head of Skoda’s online updates project, introducing this feature required modifications to three key units: the vehicle’s control unit, the battery management system, and the infotainment system. This work also involved thorough testing to ensure the entire system worked properly.

Until now, some owners had tried to activate pre-conditioning independently using custom microcontrollers, diagnostic dongles, and OBD programming apps. With the new update, this feature is finally accessible directly through the vehicle’s dashboard interface, without relying on external solutions.

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