WiFi is required To download (most) firmware updates. The car gets notifications via LTE cell that an update is available for your car, and displays this notification on your car screen (amber download sign) and your phone App.- signifying you need to connect to WiFi. You may either go somewhere where WiFi is available, or use your cell phone hot-spot to connect to your car, and download the update. You will see a Green download sign when connected to WiFi. Updates may take some considerable time to download, even with good WiFi . Once the firmware update is downloaded to your car, you will be prodded to update it, which requires the car to be parked, closed up and left alone for up to 50 minutes. So no you can get by without constant WiFi if need be. But you really Do need LTE cell connection most of the time.