Ford will finally roll out a OBD2 device that will bring remote start from a phone capabilities to older cars dating back to 2010.
The catch is, it will cost the user $17/month in fees and require a trip to the Ford dealer.
The new 4G OBD2 device is called SmartLink. It also provides, WiFi, remote lock and unlock, vehicle health and security alerts and tracking. Users can also set geofencing boundaries and receive an alert when a teen driver exits them.
SmartLink also resets the vehicle to the last settings in use, so if your seat heater was on, it will reactivate the next time you turn on the ignition.
The device was actually first announced over a year ago, but was delayed to make it work with Ford’s existing mobile app (called FordPass), said a spokeswoman. Ford dealers can enroll in the program now and consumers should be able to pick up a SmartLink by mid-year.
Users will pay an installation fee at the dealer and then $16.99/month for 24 months. Verizon is the service provider.
All Ford vehicles are expected to offer built in 4G by 2019.
Source: Ford, CNET
Why pay a monthly fee for remote start? Also, you already have a “hotspot” on your cell phone.
You’re paying the fee for the WiFi hotspot 4G feature, not for the remote start. Every phone app remote start has a yearly/ monthly fee, and this one gives you the in-car WiFi as well. Not a bad price really for what you get.
You know they’re going to charge at least $100 or more for ‘install’. And it won’t supply 4G That will be part of the vehicle telematics. But I’m sure there will be an extra monthly charge for that too.
16.99 for installation…that is hilarious..yes we installed it I.E. plugged it into the OBD2 port.
Doesn’t say anywhere in the article that the install will be $16.99. It most likely will involve a T-harness on the OBD port, and mount the unit behind the dash. Then there is programming for the specific vehicle using the Ford programming tool.
17 per month X 12 months = 204 a year. On top of the cost of having to pay for the 4G in the vehicle…Doesn’t really seem like a good deal to me…
At first i thought this was steep, but it says it will provide 4G WiFi. Data limits? All in all, seems damn nice.