Ford Smartlink
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 551
Likes: 39
Everything I have seen is the service is $16.99 which would make your estimate around $100 higher than actual. Considering our 100 degree days started in May this year, I am willing to fork over some cash. Nothing like getting off work to walk to a crazy hot truck. I would much rather start the truck in my office and be greeted with a nice cool truck.
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 551
Likes: 39
https://www.fairwayfordparts.net/oem...wtdjgtZGllc2Vs
States this "Includes 2 year of telematics service (this includes remote start, remote keyfob and vehicle monitoring.)"
States this "Includes 2 year of telematics service (this includes remote start, remote keyfob and vehicle monitoring.)"
Senior User
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 174
Likes: 1
From: NC USA
Everything I have seen is the service is $16.99 which would make your estimate around $100 higher than actual. Considering our 100 degree days started in May this year, I am willing to fork over some cash. Nothing like getting off work to walk to a crazy hot truck. I would much rather start the truck in my office and be greeted with a nice cool truck.
And hey, get what you want and have your truck the way you want it. Just trying to see if I can 'justify' it to myself so I can get one too
Was figuring $17 + taxes would round up to ~$20/mo, or $240/year.
Guesstimating the taxes on cellular services is always a guess, and have seen 20% + range in the past is all. That and I always plan for worst case scenario.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 5,650
Likes: 243
From: GA
The dealer comment that you heard is not the case. Nate at Fairway sets up the unit for you once you receive it. You call him before you plug it in. He sets it up, then you can plug it in. The only thing a dealer needs to do is add it as a third key using IDS. I plan on trying to do this via Forscan to avoid a trip to a dealer. Nate said that once he sets it up, he will email you full step by step instructions to hand to your dealer to set it up which include the code they need off your specific SmartLink. I am hoping with that code, I can use Forscan as it needs a code like IDS does.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 5,650
Likes: 243
From: GA
No I sure didn't get an email... even looked back through deleted stuff.
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.
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.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,655
Likes: 21
From: Western MA
For $50 a year to be able to start, lock, unlock, "security" monitor, and activate the horn to help find the truck with Ford Remote Access.
For $204 + any taxes you can get remote access to your engine codes and a WiFi hot spot in addition to what you get with Ford Remote Access.
The WiFi is not technically worthless as it will give you some extra data over just using your phone as a hot spot but honestly I've got 20gbs a month and a lot of people have unlimited so I'm not sure how much added value the hotspot is worth.
Unless I'm missing something it seems you would be paying $150+ yearly to have remote access to your engine codes. Is there something else Smartlink does?
I think (and I could be wrong) Smartlink also allows you to use Alexa as well..... can anyone confirm?
For $204 + any taxes you can get remote access to your engine codes and a WiFi hot spot in addition to what you get with Ford Remote Access.
The WiFi is not technically worthless as it will give you some extra data over just using your phone as a hot spot but honestly I've got 20gbs a month and a lot of people have unlimited so I'm not sure how much added value the hotspot is worth.
Unless I'm missing something it seems you would be paying $150+ yearly to have remote access to your engine codes. Is there something else Smartlink does?
I think (and I could be wrong) Smartlink also allows you to use Alexa as well..... can anyone confirm?
Last edited by LiquidSteam; Jun 23, 2018 at 11:24 AM. Reason: ALEXA
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 5,650
Likes: 243
From: GA
For $50 a year to be able to start, lock, unlock, "security" monitor, and activate the horn to help find the truck with Ford Remote Access.
For $204 + any taxes you can get remote access to your engine codes and a WiFi hot spot in addition to what you get with Ford Remote Access.
The WiFi is not technically worthless as it will give you some extra data over just using your phone as a hot spot but honestly I've got 20gbs a month and a lot of people have unlimited so I'm not sure how much added value the hotspot is worth.
Unless I'm missing something it seems you would be paying $150+ yearly to have remote access to your engine codes. Is there something else Smartlink does?
I think (and I could be wrong) SmartLink also allows you to use Alexa as well..... can anyone confirm?
For $204 + any taxes you can get remote access to your engine codes and a WiFi hot spot in addition to what you get with Ford Remote Access.
The WiFi is not technically worthless as it will give you some extra data over just using your phone as a hot spot but honestly I've got 20gbs a month and a lot of people have unlimited so I'm not sure how much added value the hotspot is worth.
Unless I'm missing something it seems you would be paying $150+ yearly to have remote access to your engine codes. Is there something else Smartlink does?
I think (and I could be wrong) SmartLink also allows you to use Alexa as well..... can anyone confirm?
I`ve never used it but yes, Alexa is supposed to be supported via the SYNC 3 system but I don`t think SmartLink is required since Alexa is one of the apps in the AppLink catalog that can be used via the FordPass app and it`s been available for a few months now.
Senior User
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 174
Likes: 1
From: NC USA
I tried it but couldn't figure out what I would do with it.
Mostly I don't want to leave my phone listening all the time and sucking up battery.
Well that and the truck is my oasis... I go there to get away from the online-all-the-time world
That feature I do really like the concept of.
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Sick 'n Tired
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,969
Likes: 47
From: League City, TX
At first I couldn't get Alexa to work and wouldn't connect to my phone. But it eventually connected and started working. I find it's good for finding addresses of businesses that aren't in the native Sync 3 nav system.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,655
Likes: 21
From: Western MA
As GABAR said you can put the Ford+Alexa on your phone and use it now without Smartlink.
I tried it but couldn't figure out what I would do with it.
Mostly I don't want to leave my phone listening all the time and sucking up battery.
Well that and the truck is my oasis... I go there to get away from the online-all-the-time world
That feature I do really like the concept of.
I tried it but couldn't figure out what I would do with it.
Mostly I don't want to leave my phone listening all the time and sucking up battery.
Well that and the truck is my oasis... I go there to get away from the online-all-the-time world
That feature I do really like the concept of.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,541
Likes: 5
From: Weatherford Texas.
Fordpass is not required for Alexa, but the Ford-Alexa app is.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,541
Likes: 5
From: Weatherford Texas.
Waze is Navigation, Alexa is well Alexa. Like Google home it will control lights and other stuff in your house, you can voice search, don't know if it will pass the address to waze or google maps though, and ask it strange question like the commercial "is a hot dog a sandwich"