Auto Starts
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 29
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From: Anchorage, AK
Auto Starts
I got my truck used and the auto start on the key fob works but requires me to be pretty darn close to the truck. With winter around the corner, what did you guys get? I'll need probably a mile radius with some sort of confirmation that it started. I had a viper smart start on my old car, but towards the end there it would drain my battery in the winter if i didn't start my car every other day. Thanks
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 308
Likes: 125
From: Ontario
Found this with Google:
Features of FordPass SmartLink Uprade
The FordPass SmartLink — which can be installed as an upgrade for 2000 – 2017 Ford models, enhances your connectivity with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, smartphone control of existing key fob features, vehicle health and security alerts, and vehicle location tracking. The FordPass SmartLink is a small device that can easily be plugged into the OBD II port below the steering wheel.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 29
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From: Anchorage, AK
Anybody have a cost for he smartlink part that plugs in? I see its about $17 a month for the features, but couldn't locate the price of the plug in itself. Do any of you with Ford Pass have any positive/negative things to say about it? Thanks
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Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,534
Likes: 2,586
From: Livonia, MI
Hope I can clarify a few things on here.
FordPass was introduced in the 2017 F-150s, and was an option on most trims, so you won't have it. The Smartlink that was referenced was killed, I am pretty sure, by Ford before making it very far. Smartlink was just a rebranded third party module that Ford tried to adapt, I actually beta tested it on our Flex and it was great, sad to see they seem to have just abandoned it.
Having said that, there are third party modules you can get, just have to do some searching. But AFAIK, there is nothing currently from Ford that will work with your truck, only made worse by it being a 2015 which doesn't have Sync 3. If you had Sync 3 it looks like you can add the Sync Connect modules based on another thread on here, but I am preeeetttyyyy sure none of that will work as long as you have MFT since there is integration with the headunit and MFT won't have a clue what that is.
So you can go for a third party solution, or go the more expensive route of swapping out your MFT for a Sync 3 HU and parts, and then get the Sync Connect module. Probably looking at $2k or so for everything not counting labor.
Having said all that, FordPass/Sync Connect are outstanding, I had them on my 2017 F-150 and now 2019 F-150 and my wife's 2019 Escape, can't see going back. Scheduled auto starts and the ability to lock/unlock/start from just about anywhere is great. Plus seeing my tire pressures from the app so no surprises when we go to leave, fuel level, mileage, if you ever trade in your truck I think it's a feature you should be sure to get.
FordPass was introduced in the 2017 F-150s, and was an option on most trims, so you won't have it. The Smartlink that was referenced was killed, I am pretty sure, by Ford before making it very far. Smartlink was just a rebranded third party module that Ford tried to adapt, I actually beta tested it on our Flex and it was great, sad to see they seem to have just abandoned it.
Having said that, there are third party modules you can get, just have to do some searching. But AFAIK, there is nothing currently from Ford that will work with your truck, only made worse by it being a 2015 which doesn't have Sync 3. If you had Sync 3 it looks like you can add the Sync Connect modules based on another thread on here, but I am preeeetttyyyy sure none of that will work as long as you have MFT since there is integration with the headunit and MFT won't have a clue what that is.
So you can go for a third party solution, or go the more expensive route of swapping out your MFT for a Sync 3 HU and parts, and then get the Sync Connect module. Probably looking at $2k or so for everything not counting labor.
Having said all that, FordPass/Sync Connect are outstanding, I had them on my 2017 F-150 and now 2019 F-150 and my wife's 2019 Escape, can't see going back. Scheduled auto starts and the ability to lock/unlock/start from just about anywhere is great. Plus seeing my tire pressures from the app so no surprises when we go to leave, fuel level, mileage, if you ever trade in your truck I think it's a feature you should be sure to get.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Anchorage, AK
Hope I can clarify a few things on here.
FordPass was introduced in the 2017 F-150s, and was an option on most trims, so you won't have it. The Smartlink that was referenced was killed, I am pretty sure, by Ford before making it very far. Smartlink was just a rebranded third party module that Ford tried to adapt, I actually beta tested it on our Flex and it was great, sad to see they seem to have just abandoned it.
Having said that, there are third party modules you can get, just have to do some searching. But AFAIK, there is nothing currently from Ford that will work with your truck, only made worse by it being a 2015 which doesn't have Sync 3. If you had Sync 3 it looks like you can add the Sync Connect modules based on another thread on here, but I am preeeetttyyyy sure none of that will work as long as you have MFT since there is integration with the headunit and MFT won't have a clue what that is.
So you can go for a third party solution, or go the more expensive route of swapping out your MFT for a Sync 3 HU and parts, and then get the Sync Connect module. Probably looking at $2k or so for everything not counting labor.
Having said all that, FordPass/Sync Connect are outstanding, I had them on my 2017 F-150 and now 2019 F-150 and my wife's 2019 Escape, can't see going back. Scheduled auto starts and the ability to lock/unlock/start from just about anywhere is great. Plus seeing my tire pressures from the app so no surprises when we go to leave, fuel level, mileage, if you ever trade in your truck I think it's a feature you should be sure to get.
FordPass was introduced in the 2017 F-150s, and was an option on most trims, so you won't have it. The Smartlink that was referenced was killed, I am pretty sure, by Ford before making it very far. Smartlink was just a rebranded third party module that Ford tried to adapt, I actually beta tested it on our Flex and it was great, sad to see they seem to have just abandoned it.
Having said that, there are third party modules you can get, just have to do some searching. But AFAIK, there is nothing currently from Ford that will work with your truck, only made worse by it being a 2015 which doesn't have Sync 3. If you had Sync 3 it looks like you can add the Sync Connect modules based on another thread on here, but I am preeeetttyyyy sure none of that will work as long as you have MFT since there is integration with the headunit and MFT won't have a clue what that is.
So you can go for a third party solution, or go the more expensive route of swapping out your MFT for a Sync 3 HU and parts, and then get the Sync Connect module. Probably looking at $2k or so for everything not counting labor.
Having said all that, FordPass/Sync Connect are outstanding, I had them on my 2017 F-150 and now 2019 F-150 and my wife's 2019 Escape, can't see going back. Scheduled auto starts and the ability to lock/unlock/start from just about anywhere is great. Plus seeing my tire pressures from the app so no surprises when we go to leave, fuel level, mileage, if you ever trade in your truck I think it's a feature you should be sure to get.
5 Year Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 357
Likes: 126
I got my truck used and the auto start on the key fob works but requires me to be pretty darn close to the truck. With winter around the corner, what did you guys get? I'll need probably a mile radius with some sort of confirmation that it started. I had a viper smart start on my old car, but towards the end there it would drain my battery in the winter if i didn't start my car every other day. Thanks
https://www.f150forum.com/f118/added...lariat-451765/
Last edited by Kbexperience; Jul 30, 2019 at 03:46 PM.