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JKBrad, the only person who not just has an engine block heater in South Texas...but has used it! If I had one, I could definitely see the benefit of setting it up on a timer for cold mornings (no matter where I lived). Did you plug it in overnight or just plug it in an hour or two before you planned to driver?
I plugged it in for about 4 hours in my shop. I work at night, so the coldest part of the night it's parked outside, nowhere near a plug.
It worked great though. My wife laughed about since she's from Minnesota. She couldn't believe my truck has a block heater either.
Having a Lariat, don't you have Sync3? If so, when far from your truck, you can use the FordPass app to start it from anywhere. Seriously, I think you can be anywhere since it uses a cell signal to communicate with the vehicle. Plus, it gives feedback to let you know it's started.
JKBrad, the only person who not just has an engine block heater in South Texas...but has used it! If I had one, I could definitely see the benefit of setting it up on a timer for cold mornings (no matter where I lived). Did you plug it in overnight or just plug it in an hour or two before you planned to driver?
Not true, the truck only has wireless connection not a Cellular connection.
Not true, the truck only has wireless connection not a Cellular connection.
Are you sure or are you guessing? I'm talking about FordPass, I've read that it uses a 4G connection. If it wasn't using a cellular connection, how was I able to check in on my truck when it was 60 miles away?
See quote below, from Ford.
Farley first showed off how we could remotely start the Escape by a simple click of the button on the app.
“Even if the vehicle is in Canada, you can start your car from Tokyo!” explains Farley. He didn't advise this practice, but it was merely an exaggerated showcase of how good this technology is. And it's able to send those signals across the globe, because it connects through a cellular network using a 4G modem, similar to making a call on your iPhone.
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.
Sorry but I don't know anything about Sync3 or if I have it or not. I ordered the truck and kept a lot of the "extra tech features off. As for apps I keep my phone as simple as possible and down load nothing I don't need. My I-phone has no music on it...probably the only guy in world with out some. My phone does work with the truck and I like that feature.
I watch the Tach and listen to the idle when the RPMs go down I put in drive and go,I do believe the Tach is true.I still am a believer to let the Oil thin out a little esp in Cold weather.
Sorry but I don't know anything about Sync3 or if I have it or not. I ordered the truck and kept a lot of the "extra tech features off. As for apps I keep my phone as simple as possible and down load nothing I don't need. My I-phone has no music on it...probably the only guy in world with out some. My phone does work with the truck and I like that feature.
So, you sound similar to me....I try to keep things simple and functional. The only music on my iPhone is the U2 album that Apple pushed to it on their own. I'm not even sure how to delete it...lol. I keep apps to a minimum.
That said, since you have a Lariat, it's highly likely you do have Sync or Sync3. The app is pretty useful and I would recommend getting it. Beyond starting your vehicle from anywhere, you can lock/unlock it from anywhere. There may be a day when you need to let someone into your vehicle for whatever reason, it's an easy way to do it. Also, the FordPass app lets you locate your vehicle anywhere. That can be useful for finding your truck at a big event...where you may be heading back to it from a different direction than you left it (like in a giant parking lot). I even used it when I had it dropped off at the dealership for service. I could see where it was at the dealer to know if it was sitting in the parking lot or if they had it in building to actually work on it.
To try to get back on topic, I use the remote start almost everyday to start my truck in the morning before I leave for work. Sometimes it times out after 15 mins. I'm a firm believer in a good warm up.
As for apps and chit..... not for me. Too easy to get hacked. I'm an Android guy and use my phone to make calls, some text and 3 email accts. That's it. Oh, and weather.
Generally I've always simply started the vehicle, let it run for a very few seconds, backed out of the driveway and gently drive up the road. Heavy frost changes that to starting, setting the defroster, scraping the windshield and then easing up the street.
I have a neighbor that fires his truck up (a 1999 GMC 1500 I sold him in 2003) and tears off up the road like his butt was on fire. It's lived that life for 14 years and counting with no issues.
Engines today aren't like the old carbureted ones of the past. No over rich, choked starts. No worn rings and bearings at 70k miles. It really is amazing how well built and durable they are now. Just very complicated is all
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