Two and a half years after General Motors pioneered free remote start from a phone in new cars, Ford is following suit.
It is providing 5 years of free remote start from a smartphone service in the new Ford Escape SUV, it said Tuesday. Through its SYNC Connect app, users can remote start their car from anywhere in the world where cellphone service is available.
The twist is the app is also reportedly the first by OEM makers to allow you to schedule remote start at certain times such as 8:05 am every morning. And the app can also receive over-the-air updates.
It also allows users to remotely unlock doors, and view where their vehicle is parked. Drivers can also check fuel levels on their phone and see tire pressure and battery levels.
Drivers of the 2017 Ford Escape must also have SYNC 3 and a built-in modem option to use the new Connect App with remote start from a phone, said CNET.
The Connect App will also be rolled out soon to Lincoln models and eventually to all Ford vehicles, said CNET.
Connect provides a two-step authentication process to protect the driver’s personal information, said Ford.
The 2017 Escape is also packed with other high tech features including Auto Start-Stop and two EcoBoost engines. For driver safety you get enhanced active park assist, lane-keeping, adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning with brake support.
The new Escape was announced at the LA Auto Show this week.
Of course it is news…. Heads up– your aftermarket market share just shrank again to OEM developments. Unless that doesn’t matter to you?
First OEM to finally catch up with aftermarket…. and this is news?