Software and tips for BYD Atto 3 + other BYD EVs.

BYD Hardware, Software & OTA Software updates.

Hardware updates.

There is an issue with charging early export/international BYD vehicles at CCS2 Tesla V3 and V4 superchargers.

Note that in China uses the GB/T standard for DC charging, so export vehicles are the first to implement the CCS2 standard.

From a Chat GPT response:

The 2022/23 Atto 3 implements the CCS2 proximity-pilot (PP) circuit incorrectly—the inlet lacks the standard ~330 Ω latch-detection path, so the charger’s 1.5 kΩ pull-up sees an abnormally low PP voltage (≈0.6 V vs ~3–4 V expected). Tesla V3/V4 Superchargers strictly verify PP before closing DC contactors and initiating the PLC (ISO 15118/DIN 70121) handshake; the out-of-range PP reading makes them treat the plug as unsafe/unlatched and abort. Net: it’s a vehicle-side CCS2 hardware non-compliance, not a Tesla deviation; some third-party/V2 sites are simply less strict, which is why they still work.

PP/latch signaling isn’t optional. In CCS2, the proximity-pilot (PP) / latch detection is a normative requirement in IEC 61851-1 (Annex B), and DC EVSEs are expected to verify it before energising per the DC parts of the standard; Tesla’s V3/V4 simply enforce that check strictly. BYD acknowledged a vehicle-side hardware incompatibility and added a hardware update/retrofit to fix it, so the 2022/23 Atto 3s weren’t fully CCS2-compliant in practice even if they could pass looser chargers.

Software updates.

https://github.com/ahmada3mar/BYD (for ODB)

The latest BYD updates have wireless Apple Carplay and further refinements to ADAS, whilst software seen in the Sea Lion 07 in China (Sealion 7) show a completely revamped ADAS system where the driver display shows not just the one vehicle in front, but multiple vehicles in multiple lanes. Which BYD models could support such a system and could get an upgrade is not yet clear.

The other major update, this time not software but a minor hardware update, is for charging on BYD superchargers, with a trial fix installed in pre-March 2024 build Seal models previously had problems that prevented charging at V3 and V4 Tesla Superchargers. How this update will roll out once finalised and whether other affected vehicles such as the Atto 3 will also get the update is not yet clear.

The version number confusion.

One of the first strange things an owner encounters is that although current software included releases that identify themselves as everything from 1.0 thought to 1.7, so far not matter what update s have been installed, when checking for new software the vehicle always reports the current version as 1.0. So even if 1.7 is already installed, the status will be “Your car has been ungraded to the latest version: 1.0”.

If the new “energy screen” has “range display mode” with the option of “dynamic” then 1.7 is installed.

Some information on previous versions is available here.

How to update software.

The car checks software version in the background and will notify when a new release is ready for install, but you may discover that a new version is ready by checking manually, and this will ensure appropriate time for an update.

One the “vehicle settings” screen “software” tab, press “vehicle version” to initiate a version check. This launches a check for updates and displays a message with rather confusingly normally disappears before the check is complete. Not more action is needed as when the check is complete, if there is a new version it will tell you, but if there is no new version, nothing happens, and it is not clear whether the check is finished, so most people launch the check again, as once the car has a response it will display the “your car has been upgraded to the latest version” message which confusingly states the latest version is 1.0.

Updates

Version 2503

If waiting for version 2503 and tired of waiting. A user posted it online:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/15uSSWrSU4IKB6BrY3Adx0WyySKTadSUt/view?usp=sharing

Instructions are, extract the BYDUpdatePackage folder from the zip and put it on the root folder of the USB stick, formatted as FAT32. So it should look like:
\BYDUpdatePackage\msm8953_64\UpdateFull.zip

Start the vehicle with the USB/card inserted and the message “OTA or OTG update” should appear with only an “OTG update” button at the bottom.

V1.7.1 Version (Atto 3 Europe, but more recent than 1.8 Australia)

New features:
1. Add system languages: Catalan, Croatia, Bulgarian, and Ukraine.
2. Add BYD Assistant languages Italian, Portuguese
3. Add EV trịp charging planner function on Navigation
4. Add seat heating/ventilation switch
5. Add electric defrost switch.
6. Add Password to Drive function to avoid theft.
7. Add continuous dialogue, and wake-up free command support English and Chinese) on BYD Assistant.

Feature optimization:
1. Optimize Android Auto and CarPlay user experience
2. Optimize FCW and safety belt alarm volume
2. Optimize intelligent voice recognition accuracy and multi-accent compatibility (Internet required)
4. Optimize navigation accuracy in weak signal conditions
5. Optimize TSR recognition accuracy.
6. Optimize ICC behavior in curve.
7. Optimize ELK abnormal triggering in narrow roads and curve.

More details on EV charging trip planner to be added, but hopefully this also works with range estimation for actual trip, rather than just assuming one fixed set of conditions.

Update 1.8 June/July 2024.

(Video on Seal version (1.02) of the same update)

• New features:
  1. Added wireless connection to Apple CarPlay function.
  2. Added Mandarin, Cantonese, Spanish and Arabic into Intelligent voice assistant system.
  3. Added Malay, Indonesian, Vietnamese into system language and privacy policy.
  4. Added lock/unlock function when power on.
  5. Added BYD APP position function.
  6. Added Daytime Running Light – OFF function.
  7. Added mute function by short pressing volume wheel when Bluetooth phone rings.
• Feature optimization:
  1. Optimized ADAS volume and ADAS alarm trigger frequency.
  2. Optimized the system Ul interface.
  3. Optimized the wireless charging experience.
  4. Three-finger-swipe left/right for fan speed and up/down for temp (not listed from BYD)

Comments to be added.

1.7.1

Update 1.7 Dec 2023.

Update 1.6.1. Sept 2023

Installed as two updates that change no version number visible through the standard interface, the result is:

Here’s what’s included in the Over The Air (OTA) software package update:

• Refined ventilation function to prevent fogging in cooler temperatures.
• Optimisation of battery cooling.
• Improved air conditioning AUTO setting function.
  • A/C now retains settings instead of resetting to full auto every trip.
• Optimisation of outside temperature display.
• Improved power supply stability.
• Password for APK files: GHY0613byd (courtesy @Nic n00n)

Some information on previous versions is available here.

Assorted Atto 3/BYD tips.

Sideloading: Installing extra apps.

The entertainment screen of the Atto 3 and other BYD vehicles runs on a version of Android. Unlike an Android phone, there is no “play” store, so owners cannot just load their own apps that way. On Android phones, another technique is “sideloading” which involves installing the app from an “.apk” file.

An apk file can be downloaded from the web onto the phone, copied onto the phone, or accessed by the phone from a usb memory stick or memory card.

To allow installing an “apk” a setting must be enabled. This is the barrier on Atto 3, that setting cannot be enabled.

Getting around the setting requires initially requires a “workaround”, but once a program like “AppManager” is installed, then no more workarounds are required.

The current best “workaround” for getting enough installed to run AppManager is very simple: A special folder name, and a password. The problem now in later May 2023, is that the password is about to change with the next software update (it changed from 20211231 to BYD6125F, and from V1.6.1 to GHY0613byd), so either install AppManager or an equivalent now, or it will get a lot harder!

Almost all instructions go further than just AppManager, and advise on how to get a “Play” store equivalent going allowing installing apps just like on a phone, but that is not urgent. All that must be done before the password changes, is to install and enable AppManger, as this is enough to allow more installs after the password changes.

Systems like Aurora and GBox to give a play store, still requires a way of installing apps just like AppManager, and they can be installed at any time as long as AppManger is still enabled.

The key files are:

• wireless adb switch.apk
• AppManager_v3.x.x.apk

Wireless android debug (adb) is needed to enable AppManager, but once AppManager is installed an enabled, any ‘apk’ file can then be installed without further complications.

And here are resources on how to do it.

Resources:

• Web page explanation on xda forums.
• Helpful video with steps to install Aurora app store to provide future app installation (see note below).
• Sideload Apps Netflix / Firefox / Waze / Prime / Hotstar + Wired Android Auto | BYD ATTO 3
• Atto 3 Apps – Password Changed for 3rd Party App install

My assumption is that people who will be installing 3rd party apps can find out about “apkpure” and other safe places to download virus free “.apk” files to install on Android.

Again, the key files to download to a USB are:

• wireless adb switch.apk
• AppManager_v3.x.x.apk

With these two installed and activated, downloaded APKs can later be installed by the file manager found on the Atto 3 under utils. But it may be worthwhile to go further at some point.

Note, the “helpful video” above downloaded then Firefox apk to the USB, and then downloaded Aurora from the web using Firefox, while I downloaded Aurora to the USB, and the installed Firefox using Aurora. as this way, Firefox it may be easier to keep Firefox updated.

Also note, that an empty USB memory stick/card is not required, nor is reformatting and I used exFat and it was fine, but it can take what seems like a minute after inserting the memory stick/card into the USB A port. I say “stick/card” as I used microSD cards in a USB adapter.

Installing a “Play store” equivalent.

There several options for downloading over the air (although best done when the car is on wifi). Two main ones are:

• Aurora Store – for downloading apps to the car
• GBox – for a ‘virtual’ android environment and downloading apps to run within GBox on the car.

Aurora store is somewhat simpler, and perhaps the 1st step.

Once Aurora is installed, most other apps including Firefox can and GBox, Waze, A better route planner etc can be added directly to the main system.

Miscellaneous BYD/Atto 3Tips.

The is a tips section within the initial page on the Atto 3 which can be found here.

Finding the car sim phone number.

The car will not answer calls, but there are some applications where it could be useful to know the car phone number. I have not tested, but have been informed that if a USB keyboard is connected to the USB-A port, then the messaging app will launch enabling sending an SMS to another device which will then be able to see the number.

Battery and SOC maintenance and charging tips.

Charging overview for new EV owners.

The habit usually established with an ICEV to drive until fuel is low and then fill up needs to be broken as soon as possible. New thinking is needed. With an ICEV you go to “gas station” for the specific purpose of refueling, but charging is best done while parked while shopping or at cafe or at home. And best done any time when parked where charging is available. Once charging is needed, it is too late for the ideal experience. Charge early when possible.

There are two types of public charging:

1. Slow and often free “AC Charging”.
2. Fast but more expensive “DC charging”.

For fast charging, both flaps in the charging port must be removed in order to expose the two large high-speed charging pins.

To use the lower priced, and in Australia often free, lower speed “AC Charging”, most location require you to have your own cable, and unlike the charging cable that comes with the vehicle, you need to buy this one and it has an EV charging plus on both ends. These are called “Type 2” charging cables, and for the Atto 3 you need a 7kW version. A 22kW version will also work, but is heavier, more expensive, and won’t charge any faster unless:

1. You have 11kW charing version oft he Atto 3 not even available in all markets.
2. You also manage to find a public charger rated at more than 7kW. None of the over 30 public chargers nearest me are rated above 7kW.

Battery and SOC Maintenance.

Battery theory and background on the SOC or “state of charge” systems can be found elsewhere, and this section focuses only on maintenance for BYD blade batteries.

A key tip for battery maintenance is that all research indicates that LFP batteries preserve their capacity better if stored at lower levels of charge. Beyond this, the main other guidelines actually relate less to the battery itself, and more to the state of charge (SOC) system.

BYD recommends charging the battery to 100% approximately once per week, and every 3 to 6 months fully charging to 100% from a low battery <10% battery level:

Fully charging the vehicle is recommended at a regular basis (at least once a week), and fully charge it from a low battery (<10% SOC) once every three to six months.

BYD Atto 3 owners manual.

Both these steps are recommended because they help the state of charge system (SOC) provide the most accurate reading on the current battery level, and not to help maintain the battery. While the second step in particular may help detect a faulty battery there is no evidence these steps prevent faults or prolong battery life. Both fully charging to 100% and taking the battery below 10% state of charge, in fact both contribute to deterioration of the battery, but the impact of charging to 100% can reduced by not keeping the battery above 90% for long periods. Technically the less often the battery is fully charged or taken to very low charge levels the longer it should last. However, without charging to 100% the state of charge monitoring of battery level will get progressively less accurate, and while needed less often, periodically charging from a low battery level is necessary to check the current health of the battery how much energy now represents a full charge.

The recommendations are the balance of between keeping the battery as healthy as possible and maintaining accuracy of the state of charge system. While charging to 100% less frequently and charging from less than 10% less often could in theory marginally add to battery life, following the guidelines should still mean the battery would be expected to outlive the vehicle anyway, and any different would likely be somewhat academic. While the battery could in theory have another life after the vehicle, given vehicles last around 20 years and battery technologies keep advancing, the “another life” may also be hypothetical.

Well-designed LFP batteries can expect the equivalent of over 3,000 full charge cycles over their lifetime and have been observed to preserve their initial capacity significantly better than other battery chemistries.

Charging to 100% once per week will still take 20 years to in 1,000 full charges, and 2 cycles per year from 10% will be only 40 cycles in a twenty-year timeframe. Realistically, while keeping the battery at too high a level of charge will also reduce battery life, that is mostly going to happen when vehicles are not driven so often, which would significantly offset the impact of the battery spending longer times at high levels of charge.

Any battery deterioration from following these guidelines would be minimal at worst, and most likely below the threshold of measurement.

Why you can’t trust state of state of charge % (SOC)!

Various people do test where they measure things like “how far can I drive when the battery is at 0%” with the assumption the state of charge % is completely repeatable. This is a false assumption!! The SOC% is far from perfect. The more recently there has been a 100% charge event, the more reliable, and for low battery levels having a recent 10% cycle can help improve accuracy, but it is still not perfect.

Why not?

There are two methods used in combination to estimate battery SOC, and neither is perfect, other than as explained here, when the battery is fully charged or completely flat.

The first method is by measuring the power entering and exiting the batter. If since being at 100% charge, 30kW of power was consumed and then 20kW added by charging, the battery should be at full charge minus 10kW, right? Well, not quite, because some heat was produced by the battery, and that heat represents lost kW. Measuring that heat accurately is difficult because it doesn’t necessarily escape at the point or points you are measuring, but at varied levels all over the battery depending on environment. Overall, the longer since the battery has been charged to 100%, the more chance of error in the value calculated this way.

The second method is by reading the battery voltage, and this method is used to verify the value calculated by the first method. People often assume SOC % is a direct and accurate reading from the battery by some method like this, but in reality, this method is also inaccurate, and particularly inaccurate for LFP batteries.

The profile differs from battery to battery, but as can be seen from this sample data, at most temperatures there the change in voltage depending on charge can be less than the change due to temperature fluctuations. Calibrating any change in the “knee-point” of the charge curve can be critical for using battery voltage to correct any inaccuracies in the SOC calculated by the first method. The impact of use of this second method will be that there is a sudden jump in indicated SOC%. The “my battery suddenly lost 10% instantly!” syndrome results from an adjustment to estimated SOC based on reaching a voltage threshold that causes a revised estimate.

Following the recommendations.

BYD would not make such recommendations if by following them even a small percentage of batteries would fail under warranty, and as explained in “Atto 3 battery life” below, batteries would in practice be expected to outlive the vehicle with little degradation.

What are the consequences of not following the recommendations?

Basically, the indicated SOC or “state of charge” can get inaccurate, plus the ability of the system to detect a faulty cell would be diminished.

If keeping these factors in mind, they yes, charging to 100% each week is not needed if the battery is likely to remain above 50% charge anyway. Once per month under such circumstances would be ample.

However, before embarking on a road trip or other trip likely to result in charge levels lower than 30%, best to ensure the battery has been recently charged to 100% and preferably charged from <10% at least within the most recent 6 months.

Even without any need to go on road trips, a full charge from low SOC at least once per year will help detect any potential problems.

Technical features of an Atto 3 or other blade battery.

While sending the low individual cell voltage of less 4 volts to individual cells to charge cells in isolation is not possible, the SOC system can read the voltage of the lowest voltage cell and of the highest voltage cell and thus during charge cycles detect potential problems.

Atto 3 battery life.

BYD has cycle test data, but it is too soon for anyone to have any real-world data of exactly how long an Atto3 battery will last. Batteries from the original Nissan Leaf vehicles have been known to last for as little as 8 years, and given there is every reason for Atto 3 batteries to last over 4x longer, perhaps Atto 3 batteries will last only 32 years? Why 4x longer life? Because, as explained here, a battery 2.5x larger will last around 2.5x longer, plus LFP batteries last longer than the NMO batteries of the original Nissan Leaf, and unlike the Nisan Leaf, the Atto 3 has battery thermal management.

The reality is that batteries do not last “years” but “cycles”. One typical cycle will take an Atto 3 around 400 kms, and even if all cycles are on the highway, then cycles will still be around 300 kms. Given 3,000 cycles should be a minimum, expect at least 1,000,000 kms of battery life.

Accessories.

There are also some links to accessories here in the original Atto 3 page.

Hoot Nespresso: Expresso Coffee Machine / Hot Chocolate Machine.

The Atto 3 and as far as I know all other BYD vehicles support V2L or “vehicle to load” which provide mains voltage power for electrical appliances. So why not an expresso coffee machine?

As carrying beans and the grinding, tamping other processes of a regular machine can be a bit messy in a car, Nespresso compatible pods come to the rescue, and allow making various varieties of coffee and even hot chocolate on demand. I chose the Breville Essenza Mini as it is very low cost, and a very small and easy to accommodate size. Although at Cafes I may order coffee with milk, when I am confident of the quality of the coffee and the preparation, mostly drink coffee without milk, but I do carry some small UHT milk containers for “guests”, but current do not provide frothing from the car, although the Ikea milk-frother is an option.

Frunk/Hoot.

Yes, the term frunk is almost standard, but I also like “hoot” as in “hood boot” or “boot that is under the hood” for places where the term “trunk” is not in common use.

I have a frunk/hoot that I purchased from Chris EV Road Trips store at which can be found at evpartz.online and has collection available in Sydney. As these units are physically large the freight can become a significant part of the purchase price, plus as quality can vary, being able to see a sample all make supply with a local agent recommended where possible.

A feature of the frunk/hoot from Chris is that he has a system allowing removal without any tools for access to the battery or for car service which I feel is a very strong plus.

I also fitted struts at the front at that same time to make access that much easier. The 2022 Atto 3 was not designed around use of frunk/hoot, so I plan store only things that would be accessed one per week or less to avoid opening the hood to many times in excess of what the design would have expected.

Software: Tips and limitations.

Tips with current software.

Voice commands.

This will progressively be updated with voice commands discovered that are not listed list obtainable from “voice skills” in the “BYD assistant app”.

“Crack the windows” lowers all windows 10%
You can also say “wind all windows down (enter a %)” and it happens.
“Vent” or “tilt” sunroof just opens it for venting.

Indicated range remaining.

BYD Finally added ‘Dynamic’ mode for range display for international vehicles in July 2023, which had been in the user manual, and assumedly vehicles in China, for a least one year at that time. Whilst this should be huge improvement and provide more realistic projections when on the highway, my observations so far are that in urban use the result is slightly higher numbers for predicted range.

Bugs

– bug that warns about high beam on when it is set on auto.

– I want them to bring back the dimming rear view mirror that now doesn’t do anything at night which is annoying!

Thoughts/Suggestions for software updates.

These are a combination of thoughts on software limitations and updates BYD could/should make together with suggestions from others. This list will now also provide feedback to a list of suggested updates to be sent to BYD by the person behind the “BYD and Tesla Owners” YouTube channel.

Improve estimated range remaining.

To able to really tell you if you can reach your destination or not, requires accurate traffic weather and terrain information, as well as being able to know your driving patterns and whether you drive slightly under or over the speed.

But they could take the simple path of giving user their own “custom” changeable number for “full battery total highway range figure” or however the user likes to think of it, and you could switch to that reading when on the highway.

Navigation: trip with stops.

Ideally, the main point of using the vehicles own navigation system is that it could make recommendations on charging when on road trips, and the current BYD system doesn’t have any feature of this nature.

ACC / Cruise control.

If already in cruise and having accelerated above the set speed, why not have “up” take the current speed whenever the speed is above the current set speed? This would also provide a workaround for increasing speed by less than 5km.

Many people request some system allowing 1km/h increments. There are several ways this could be done, with the simplest being an option for 1 vs 5 km/h steps.

Wipers (Atto 3, Dolphin)

Some BYD vehicles don’t have a dedicated short focus IR camera under the windshield, but niether do Tesla vehicles, and although admittedly the Tesla implementation is often regarded as best turned off, at least they try, and BYD vehicles do typically have more cameras with higher resolution, so they could try.

Phone App – keys: As a key and more.

The phone cannot be reliably used as key since the only communication is by mobile data, which means if either phone or car is out or range, then a locked car would not be able to be started. Two possible solutions are Bluetooth and NFC. If the mobile data can be on when the car is off, why not at least Bluetooth? Even with a fallback mode, but pressing the unlock or something? The other issue is that all the features of the key are not available via the app.

– Turning on A/C via phone app should do just that, not open mirrors and turn on music or DLRs. (Music is the worst one.)

– Option to auto-lock after a short time when you walk away with keys.

Phone App: as a key.

Sonar / Parking sensors.

As of April 2024, latest software the changed to the proximity sensors feedback making it necessary to change forward to reverse and back again for them to be active at low speeds such as when parking. As this change is problematic in the view of some, it could be an option.

Sentry Mode.

Hopefully self-explanatory, but doorbell cameras that sense motion can operate on a tiny rechargeable battery for months, surely this could also be available unless there is a Tesla patent or something.

Driver Profiles.

Given there are many settings, and even more desired, the ability to switch profiles would be highly desirable. If multi-phone app and phone-key were supported, switching could be automated.

Current ADAS limitations.

Request- reverse the removal of lane departure warning when speed is under 60km OR make it a selectable option.

– 3D view looking front to rear to have option to mirror the image (left to right) . Note it does this by default for the standard rear view wide view cameras, so at the moment it is not even consistent. I feel mirroring the image is safer as, for example, you notice a car approaching your blind spot on your right, and this vehicle appears on the right side of the screen (i.e saves you from doing mental gymnastics).

• The ability to turn off cornering speed assist separately to ACC. It’s my biggest bugbear.

Voice commands.

A more advanced AI on the driver interface should not be possible, allowing far more flexible voice commands.

Sounds.

Allow a selection of sounds and provide different sounds for different notifications.

System / user interface settings.

– Clearer software versions.

– Some of the settings that only remain active for the current drive, make an option to keep the changes permanently.

– Delay dimming the screen to avoid dimming when passing under something very short like an overhead bridge, or prime to system for a quick brightening after brief drop in light.

– Allow the charger cover to open when in proximity with the fob (at the moment I have to open and reclose the front door to deactivate the charger cover lock).

– More trip status information. Option to be via trip meter for KW/KWh stats and battery related info (like trip Kms A and B) rather than initiated from start of the car. **

– Multiple charging schedules.

The big one: more advanced ADAS/Self Driving.

BYD appears to have mostly used “off the shelf” systems for ADAS, surround view and dashcam, which would be one reason there are 3 separate forward facing cameras, as one came with each system.

The software needs to be brought at least up to date, with at least improved phantom braking rejection and improved lane tracking.

The software currently in vehicles like the Seal and Atto 3 identifies just one other object, while more advanced driver assistance systems clearly identify far more.

The image of the Yangwang U8 display shown here is from a vehicle on show that was tracking the position and orientation of those around the vehicle.

While the blind spot monitoring and cross traffic alert radars do detect the presence of other moving objects, it is not really clear whether there is any object tracking beyond the one object in current BYD software as of April 2024.

BYD is following a path common in China of including LIDAR in the most advanced systems, but given Tesla does a lot with cameras and that the quality of cameras on BYD vehicles is quite reasonable, a lot could be done with existing hardware.

BYD (OTCMKTS: BYDDF) is focusing on smart driving features like never before, and will start making its in-house developed ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) feature available on urban roads by the end of next month, according to a new report.

The first availability of BYD’s city pilot assisted driving feature will be March 30, and the Denza-branded N7 SUV will be the first of the group’s 20-plus existing models to get the feature, LatePost said in a February 5 report, citing several people familiar with the matter.

Feb 6th 2024: BYD to launch high-level smart driving feature at end of Mar, report says

—–….

Updates:

• 2024 July 1 : 1.8 software release for Atto 3.
• 2024 June 12 : Minor update, with comments on pending and potentially pending software releases.
• 2024 April 9 : Updated the “software updates to request” list.
• 2024 Feb 3 rd : Why you can’t trust SOC%
• 2023 Dec 20 th: Update 1.7
• 2023 Nov 29th: Added accessories and updated software password.
• 2023 Oct 13: Added battery and charging tips section.
• 2023 Sept 3: 1.6.1 software update.
• 2023 July 30: Added notes on dynamic range from version 1.6.
• 2023 May 22: First version.