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Did you see any contract terms in anything that you signed or signed up for? I'm wanting to know what the press releases mean by saying it's $17 a month for 2 years. I notice that you paid the $309 price up front. (that's what it sells for at Tasca also)
Are you paying $17 a month now? Does it say an expiration of those payments anywhere in your app, or your account? Thanks for your help in understanding what the 5-10 year commitment would look like.
Are there any instructions that came with it that you could scan and upload? My dealer wouldn't give me any of the paperwork that came with it.
Sorry, but I have already shipped the unit back to Tasca Ford. A "Quick Start" guide was the only thing that came with the device, and it did not cover anything that isn't included in the PDF's you provided a link to in your original post.
I don' tknow... I think the price, and then $17 a month (or more) onto perpetuity (or until Verizon decided to abandon the service.) Is just way too much, so you can start you car with your cell phone.
My wife has similar on her Volvo. Me... I like picking up my key fob in the winter... and hitting the little circle twice, and I'm done!
As for WiFi... I have a Sprint Zing Mobile that goes everywhere with me... (work provided)
How is this different from the remote access? Is it just the newer version of it through the app? Mine is the remote access $49.99 a year.
Posted a few times. Remote access let's you start/stop, lock/unlock, and beep horn to locate. Uses 3G.
SYNC Connect162 allows Ford owners to stay connected to their vehicles in a way they’ve never been able to before. This available built-in technology—powered by a 4G LTE modem and the AT&T network*—connects owners to their vehicles through FordPass™ on their smartphones.With a SYNC Connect-equipped vehicle, you can use FordPass to access advanced remote features.
Turn your vehicle into a Wi-Fi hotspot
If you have a 2018 or newer SYNC Connect-equipped vehicle you may be able to use your modem to create a hotspot for up to 10 Wi-Fi capable devices so you and your passengers can stay connected wherever you roam. Enjoy surfing the web, streaming music and more. Learn how to turn your vehicle into a powerful Wi-Fi hotspot.
Lock and unlock your vehicle’s doors
No need to hurry back to your vehicle, you can lock or unlock the doors from just about anywhere.
Remotely start your vehicle and climate control system
With the press of a button on your phone, you can start your vehicle. And, if you select Auto or Last Setting, you can set your vehicle at the same temperature and fan speed you previously selected. If it’s snowing outside, your vehicle can be nice and toasty; and if it’s a scorcher, it can be nice and cool.
Set up a remote start calendar
Whether you leave for work at the same time every day—or only on Tuesdays and Thursdays—just schedule a remote start for specific times and days of the week.
Note: If you haven’t driven your vehicle between scheduled remote starts, they will be turned off and you’ll receive a notification through FordPass.
Know what that warning light on your dashboard means and be empowered to take action
You can receive Vehicle Health Alerts directly on your phone. Whether your engine temperature is skyrocketing while a family member is out driving your vehicle or you are too busy running around and can’t recall if it’s time for an oil change, FordPass will alert you to concerns with your vehicle. You will even be told the severity of the issue along with the steps to resolve it. FordPass will provide access to Roadside Assistance or online appointment scheduling with your preferred dealer, making it easy to take action and have peace of mind.
Click here for more information on getting Vehicle Health Alerts.
Check the current status of your vehicle
If you’re wondering whether you have enough fuel to get to your appointment, you can check your fuel level in FordPass. You can also check approximate mileage and miles until your next service is needed.
Locate your vehicle
When you leave the mall, you can use FordPass to guide you to your parked vehicle. The Vehicle Locator feature saves the location of your parked vehicle with an on-board GPS. The vehicle location is automatically saved when you turn off your vehicle.
Thanks for posting this info. Have you encountered any limitations/issues with SmartLink functionality due to having upgraded from Sync 2 to Sync 3? Does SmartLink pretty much provide the equivalent of having Sync Connect on a newer vehicle? I just did the Sync 2 to Sync 3 upgrade to my 2015 King Ranch and am thinking seriously of getting the SmartLink.
Finally bit the bullet and bought the SmartLink. It was showing up online at my local dealership with part number VHL3Z-14F642-A ($309.12). I ordered it and got an email a few days later saying it was a mistake it showed up online (LOL). It's supposed to be ordered from the parts counter as a dealer installed part. I set up an appointment to have it installed and it was completed in about 2 hrs and cost $70 for time. The reason it even took that long is because I have the aftermarket AMP running boards plugged into the diagnostic port. They unplugged them to install the module, and then when the running boards weren't working after, they thought that the SmartLink module was the cause. It technically was, because they weren't plugged in anymore. lol I'm just going to hardwire them to the CAN bus anyway, so no big deal. Second issue, if you used Forscan to set your keyfob panic button to only honk after two presses, it won't work with the SmartLink app. It needs to be set back to one press.
I can see this showing up on ebay shortly like the old module did. It requires logging into a special website to activate and test the device, and then a username and password is generated and provided to the customer. From what I saw, there wasn't anything to program on the truck side unless you don't have a remote start from factory, then the tech has to get into IDS and turn that on. Everything is controlled via the FordPass App, there's just a setting to toggle on in the app to use SmartLink, then on the main screen you click SmartLink and log in with the password they provide you. From there, you can change the password and whatnot. Also, setting the WiFi hotspot SSID and password is done via the app as well. Everything can also be controlled via the web as well.
A couple things that stood out to me was that it seems there's an unlimited amount of times to remote start the vehicle. For example, with the FOB or the old Ford Remote Access, you could only start it twice between ignition cycles. I was able to do it three times. That's all I tried though. It also let me extend the run time three times without giving me an error, but I didn't sit and wait for it to time out. I wasn't about to let my vehicle idle for 45 minutes. lol It doesn't display a countdown of time left though.
Here's a few screenshots of the app. I forgot to take pics of the device, but I'll do that later.
This is only true if you don’t have factory remote start. If you do, it’s only a matter of pairing your existing key fob then programming the paired module the old fashioned way. Some year/models (especially newer high-end ones) might require IDS/forscan flashing to optimize settings, but vast majority do not. If you happen to need an aftermarket remote start, then your best bet would’ve been to go with 12VoltSolutions easy plug-n-play kit along with their add-on accessories like smartphone RC, which would cost you about the same price you’d be paying the dealer just to “install” smartlink!
So how do you get around the dealer only login to activate the cellular portion?
