Ford Smartlink
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 5,650
Likes: 243
From: GA
You are correct but the multiple hotspot feature is an extra cost. The cellular service will be through Verizon.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
Without an external antenna, I suspect the hotspot will be no better than that on my iPhone. I had a GM truck before the Ford and the 3 watt cellular transmitter in it could reach distant cellular towers. With a handheld device, 0.6 watts is all you get. Without an external antenna, I am fairly certain that the Smartlink device will be limited to 0.6 watts, and as its antenna will be down below the dash, its performance will be greatly limited.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 5,650
Likes: 243
From: GA
Without an external antenna, I suspect the hotspot will be no better than that on my iPhone. I had a GM truck before the Ford and the 3 watt cellular transmitter in it could reach distant cellular towers. With a handheld device, 0.6 watts is all you get. Without an external antenna, I am fairly certain that the Smartlink device will be limited to 0.6 watts, and as its antenna will be down below the dash, its performance will greatly limit.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 5,650
Likes: 243
From: GA
They have the SmartLink and they also set up the account before shipping it to you.
Senior User
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 174
Likes: 1
From: NC USA
Am on the fence on this one, especially with a $250/yr service cost.
For me the health monitoring would be nice, but I almost always plug the phone in and Ford Pass already picks that up.
I don't use remote start since Ford suggests it causes more regens.... so not sure if it is worth it.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 5,650
Likes: 243
From: GA
Let us know your thoughts on it please.
Am on the fence on this one, especially with a $250/yr service cost.
For me the health monitoring would be nice, but I almost always plug the phone in and Ford Pass already picks that up.
I don't use remote start since Ford suggests it causes more regens.... so not sure if it is worth it.
Am on the fence on this one, especially with a $250/yr service cost.
For me the health monitoring would be nice, but I almost always plug the phone in and Ford Pass already picks that up.
I don't use remote start since Ford suggests it causes more regens.... so not sure if it is worth it.
I also want it but i`m on the fence because I heard from one user on here that the only way it can be turned on is by the dealer who sold you your vehicle and it also must be purchased from the same dealer. On the other hand, I sent FairwayFord an email on their eBay website and they replied back to me and said that was not the case.
I`m waiting to here what Texmudder has to say about this before I pull the trigger.
Senior User
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 174
Likes: 1
From: NC USA
Guess I'll have to think about going back to the old fashioned way - checking DTCs now and again.
The best part of Ford Pass for me is being able to see the IOLM status which can't be seen on the IPC for some reason. Oh well, guess I can check the dipstick LOL
Going to wait for more reviews to come in too.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 5,650
Likes: 243
From: GA
Dang... forgot about that, but did notice the app say something about a new update coming soon.
Guess I'll have to think about going back to the old fashioned way - checking DTCs now and again.
The best part of Ford Pass for me is being able to see the IOLM status which can't be seen on the IPC for some reason. Oh well, guess I can check the dipstick LOL
Going to wait for more reviews to come in too.
Guess I'll have to think about going back to the old fashioned way - checking DTCs now and again.
The best part of Ford Pass for me is being able to see the IOLM status which can't be seen on the IPC for some reason. Oh well, guess I can check the dipstick LOL
Going to wait for more reviews to come in too.
It really has some interesting features beside the Health Reports. The one thing that I really hate about it is that we have to use Verizon but 2018 and newer vehicle owners get AT&T.
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 551
Likes: 39
Health Monitoring via Ford Pass is going bye, bye in August for 2015-2017 vehicles. The only way we`re going to be able to get this feature back is via the SmartLink. 2018 and newer vehicles have the newer FordPass system built in from the factory so they won`t need SmartLink.
I also want it but i`m on the fence because I heard from one user on here that the only way it can be turned on is by the dealer who sold you your vehicle and it also must be purchased from the same dealer. On the other hand, I sent FairwayFord an email on their eBay website and they replied back to me and said that was not the case.
I`m waiting to here what Texmudder has to say about this before I pull the trigger.
I also want it but i`m on the fence because I heard from one user on here that the only way it can be turned on is by the dealer who sold you your vehicle and it also must be purchased from the same dealer. On the other hand, I sent FairwayFord an email on their eBay website and they replied back to me and said that was not the case.
I`m waiting to here what Texmudder has to say about this before I pull the trigger.
Senior User
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 174
Likes: 1
From: NC USA
Lol.....SmartLink is a much cheaper alternative to purchasing a 2018 or newer truck. The heath reports are one of my favorite features of FordPass. Did you receive an email from Ford a few weeks back talking about SmartLink?
It really has some interesting features beside the Health Reports. The one thing that I really hate about it is that we have to use Verizon but 2018 and newer vehicle owners get AT&T.
It really has some interesting features beside the Health Reports. The one thing that I really hate about it is that we have to use Verizon but 2018 and newer vehicle owners get AT&T.
Looked at the website yesterday after Texmudder posted about it, but other than stuff I can already do with my keyfob didn't see much.
There was something about DTCs in the video but they glossed over it. Dealers are gonna love all the calls and appts they get when everyone starts seeing minor codes thrown !
What kills me is the price. Am not a fan of "but it's only $X a month"; so much so those words are verboten in my household.
Adds up quick, and when you figure the hours you have to work to pay for the convenience it's something everyone has to balance based on wants as opposed to needs.
Did I read somewhere that the 18+ get the connectivity free but you have to pay if you want hotspot, or did I imagine that ?
I've got zero use for the hotspot myself, although it would probably be better than my T-Mo coverage LOL
If someone can convince me there is real value in it, I'll definitely give it a harder look after some analysis.
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 551
Likes: 39
The Fairway Ford website says it comes with 2 years of service which is what you would get with a new vehicle. After that there is a monthly charge even for just the remote start. Someone has to pay the cell company for that service.
Senior User
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 174
Likes: 1
From: NC USA
That's actually not bad considering that 2 years of service would run about $500 and the device is $350-ish as I recall.