Mav seems to use significant cell phone data; how to reduce?

[Carlitos_92]

Isn't that where the Lariat got the BT for data to phone, whereas ours is just for the voice, maybe text features?
We can't do BT Android Auto without a cable, or that BT adapter into the USB-C port.

Well, it's conflating different things. Bluetooth really is not related to wireless CarPlay or Android Auto.

Further, using either of those systems on your phone will absolutely use cellular data (on your phone), though it is up to the carriers to decide what counts as "data" and what the limits are. And neither CP or AA have anything to do with the OEM modem in the truck, unless you got really convoluted and fired up the Ford hotspot and connected your phone to it via Wi-Fi...

Bluetooth as a basic service for connecting phones for communication or music streaming is what I was referring to, and what I've assumed is standard on all Mavericks. So, given the terminology used in the post I quoted, I'm not sure what they are trying to say... but their truck indeed has Bluetooth.

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[HeyBales]

Not sure but believe text are not cell data but email attachments are. Pictures can be quite large. Streaming data is not cell plan data but the search to find the streaming data is cell billed data you can watch a two hour utube streamed video with no cell data but the web search to find it is. Years back I signed up for a "streaming service" ($12/mo) which allowed me to connect to it (connection was few bytes of billed data) then the web searches and all downloads were sent through the server in the form of streaming packets (unbillable cell plan data). Used almost no cell plan data. Do not remember which streaming server I used.

True text SMS aren't normal mobile data, even the compressed pictures & video sent as MMS usually isn't considered that - sent thru different channel on the wireless network.

But many phones use by default a messaging app (iMessage, Google Messages) - which handles the SMS/MMS, and data sent messages with those bigger pictures/video.

That's an interesting free data usage for streaming.

Since nothing is ever really free, the carrier is of course using that info to sell to some entity.

But now you got me thinking about those drivers that complain about the truck GPS and Ford tracking them and disabling all that to have privacy.
How many of them have a phone plan with free something, that allows tracking info anyway?
Well, now I got an extra question when those pop up!

This topic just made me look at data usage per app.
My text app Textra for 23 days has used 0.98 MB. (2.53 MB on wifi)
I thought it was leaving pictures rather large, but it's receiving them from iPhone senders and says it is compatible - that proves it. Only on wifi connection though per setting.
Whereas the Google Messaging app which I haven't even opened lately has used 1.74 MB.
(hmmm - it's used 40 MB on wifi - what!)
Not sure what's it's doing. Well, ya, I do know - reporting on me!

Ford app used 2.28 MB on wifi, 1.06 MB on carrier - which only happens when I used it on fillups to see the OLM and hopeful distance to next oil charge estimated.

 

[Cherokee]

No throttling on my Verizon plan.

Two IPhone 16 pro’s, monthly payment included in my bill.
Plus an Apple Watch my wife loves.
And the two free IPad elevens we got with the package. They add $10 a month each.

$254 a month.
Again no throttling back, ever.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Check out tmo

True text SMS aren't normal mobile data, even the compressed pictures & video sent as MMS usually isn't considered that - sent thru different channel on the wireless network.

But many phones use by default a messaging app (iMessage, Google Messages) - which handles the SMS/MMS, and data sent messages with those bigger pictures/video.

That's an interesting free data usage for streaming.

Since nothing is ever really free, the carrier is of course using that info to sell to some entity.

But now you got me thinking about those drivers that complain about the truck GPS and Ford tracking them and disabling all that to have privacy.
How many of them have a phone plan with free something, that allows tracking info anyway?
Well, now I got an extra question when those pop up!

This topic just made me look at data usage per app.
My text app Textra for 23 days has used 0.98 MB. (2.53 MB on wifi)
I thought it was leaving pictures rather large, but it's receiving them from iPhone senders and says it is compatible - that proves it. Only on wifi connection though per setting.
Whereas the Google Messaging app which I haven't even opened lately has used 1.74 MB.
(hmmm - it's used 40 MB on wifi - what!)
Not sure what's it's doing. Well, ya, I do know - reporting on me!

Ford app used 2.28 MB on wifi, 1.06 MB on carrier - which only happens when I used it on fillups to see the OLM and hopeful distance to next oil charge estimated.

Check out T-Mobile plans. Top of line plan is $170/2lines+3rd line FREE + T-Satelitte (starlink) if phone cannot connect to T-Mobile network. Starlink backup us $10 per line(s) you want to add/drop per monthly per line. (2 line 55+ plan = $130/month). All prices include $5/line for bank draft or debit card. I currently have older 55+ on 2 lines plus a $50/month unlimited wifi + phone ins + taxes = $159.60/mo. I connect my phones, tablets, printers, etc to wifi hub so uses unlimited wifi data on it so no phone line cell data is used while I am home (all lines are unlimited but subject to throttling).

 

[Surly Old Bill]

My Verizon plan was the best deal, bang for the buck with unlimited data, By far.

I thought most everyone was on unlimited data.
Especially with 5G up in so many places.
At work I can choose 5G
It is so very much faster.

We have unlimited data, but after a certain amount of GB it throttles down in speed. But, it's unlimited data at dial-up speed!

 

[inline_five]

No throttling on my Verizon plan.

Two IPhone 16 pro’s, monthly payment included in my bill.
Plus an Apple Watch my wife loves.
And the two free IPad elevens we got with the package. They add $10 a month each.

$254 a month.
Again no throttling back, ever.

Crazy. I'm a big fan of prepaid cell carriers and use Visible now, which is owned by Verizon and uses their towers. Unlimited everything with no throttling, it's $90/month for two lines and they are crediting us $50/month for buying iPhone 17's. So net price is $40/month.

We don't have a smartwatch but it also includes it for free (normally $10/month like you pay).

Go Unlimited With Plans Starting at $20/mo - Visible

We have the Visible+ Pro plan for our two lines.

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

No throttling on my Verizon plan.

Two IPhone 16 pro’s, monthly payment included in my bill.
Plus an Apple Watch my wife loves.
And the two free IPad elevens we got with the package. They add $10 a month each.

$254 a month.
Again no throttling back, ever.

Ouch! $68/month for 2 unlimited lines with Xfinity Mobile (Verizon), including free international data when we are over the pond.

HRG

 

[Surly Old Bill]

We have Credo, just 3 lines now, I think about $100. Also, I am 10 years old, so I can't download apps or do some other things with my phone. When my trophy fake-wife got this account she flippantly said the person with my # (which I've had through various carriers for about 15 years) was 8 thinking it didn't matter and we could update later. The Genius Bar couldn't update this and said I had to contact Apple. Apple is extremely difficult to contact. I can't even change over to my old Apple ID, because I'm 10 and might be trying to pull a fast one by switching to an ID of someone who's 63 so I can look at ads for vapes or something. Even though my original Apple ID has been tied to my phone # for 15 years.
No worries, though, I seldom use my phone for anything but text and incoming calls, anyway.

 

[Chops]

Well, it's conflating different things. Bluetooth really is not related to wireless CarPlay or Android Auto.

Further, using either of those systems on your phone will absolutely use cellular data (on your phone), though it is up to the carriers to decide what counts as "data" and what the limits are. And neither CP or AA have anything to do with the OEM modem in the truck, unless you got really convoluted and fired up the Ford hotspot and connected your phone to it via Wi-Fi...

Bluetooth as a basic service for connecting phones for communication or music streaming is what I was referring to, and what I've assumed is standard on all Mavericks. So, given the terminology used in the post I quoted, I'm not sure what they are trying to say... but their truck indeed has Bluetooth.

I need to enable Bluetooth on my IPhone SE in order to connect CarPlay to my Maverick.

I only pay $15/mo for my single phone with “throttling” if I use over 5GB in the month. Rarely do I use that much, and if I do I barely notice the throttling.

Although my phone is my only “computer” and connected to inter webs for 8 hrs plus per day - I don’t use stuff that sucks up the GB. The Mint Mobile Plan is part of T-Mobile made for retired hermits like myself. I appreciate them!

Don’t have a TV either. I use my PS5 console on a Dell Monitor to play video games btw. Luckily that does not use any of my 5GB allocation. It would get drained in a couple days I imagine!

 

[MavStangVa]

No throttling on my Verizon plan.

Two IPhone 16 pro’s, monthly payment included in my bill.
Plus an Apple Watch my wife loves.
And the two free IPad elevens we got with the package. They add $10 a month each.

$254 a month.
Again no throttling back, ever.

If my Verizon plan was that much I would have 2 tin cans with a string between them for a phone. As I have stated many times I am cheap. My phone is a 4 year old kyocera duraforce. My phone plan was discontinued and Verizon begs me constantly to switch to an unlimited plan and they will give me new phone "free." I went to see about it. Currently I pay $71/month taxes and all for a 5gb per month data plan but here is the kicker, unused data rolls over for up to 6 months. Last I checked I had about 25gb of roll over, 30gb is max to have banked. The "free" phone with the new plan was only going to cost me $145/ month. I said NO THANKS and walked out.

 

[Cherokee]

You have

You have to buy an AT&T data plan to use the maverick

My Mav, a 2024 works just fine on Verizon.

 

[Cherokee]

If my Verizon plan was that much I would have 2 tin cans with a string between them for a phone. As I have stated many times I am cheap. My phone is a 4 year old kyocera duraforce. My phone plan was discontinued and Verizon begs me constantly to switch to an unlimited plan and they will give me new phone "free." I went to see about it. Currently I pay $71/month taxes and all for a 5gb per month data plan but here is the kicker, unused data rolls over for up to 6 months. Last I checked I had about 25gb of roll over, 30gb is max to have banked. The "free" phone with the new plan was only going to cost me $145/ month. I said NO THANKS and walked out.

I think mine being only $250 was because I have FIVE devices on the plan.
Again my plan was unlimited data so no throttling or data banking no roll over bullshit.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

I think mine being only $250 was because I have FIVE devices on the plan.
Again my plan was unlimited data so no throttling or data banking no roll over bullshit.

My 3rd line on T-Mobile is an unlimited wifi streaming cellular router for up to (16?,I think). Three TV's, one printer, several tablets etc. plus whatever devices visitors have when I furnish wifi password. 55+ plan $159.60/month. Plan also has free hulu & free basic netflix. Plus new phones some free or discounted every two years. Throttle does occur sometimes last 3-4 days of billing period usually during peak data time 4-8pm. Not since new 5g tower 4+/- miles from house. The are new plans which have high speed up to 256gig then 600 (if I remember correctly) guaranteed.

 

[Surly Old Bill]

I'm going to do a more in-depth investigation, looking at cumulative data on my phone before and after my next 500 mile drive up to Oregon. I'll do nothing, and use that as a baseline.

I haven't learned much on this thread via people's contradicting observations, but I'll try turning off the Ford Pass app and see what that does. I never use the thing, anyway.

I use a bluetooth wireless connector in the USB port, I'll disable that and use an actual cord and compare results.

I also know you can disable the vehicle wifi by pulling fuse #13 or something on the rear fuseblock; so add that to the testing.

There is a possibility that this data usage has zero to do with the Mav, and is some other thing turned on in my phone that I am unaware of.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

I'm going to do a more in-depth investigation, looking at cumulative data on my phone before and after my next 500 mile drive up to Oregon. I'll do nothing, and use that as a baseline.

I haven't learned much on this thread via people's contradicting observations, but I'll try turning off the Ford Pass app and see what that does. I never use the thing, anyway.

I use a bluetooth wireless connector in the USB port, I'll disable that and use an actual cord and compare results.

I also know you can disable the vehicle wifi by pulling fuse #13 or something on the rear fuseblock; so add that to the testing.

There is a possibility that this data usage has zero to do with the Mav, and is some other thing turned on in my phone that I am unaware of.

Bill,
I don't know if this will help you or not.
Fuse 11/12 is actually one combined socket here are some pictures.
I hope this helps good luck,
GB

This is fuse 11/12's location on the fuse panel.

This is what it looks like once removed

This is where it is all located..
Behind your glove compartment this is also where you change your cabin air filter.

Important You do not have to remove the glove compartment in order to access the fuse box
This is the passenger compartment panel you have to remove to access the fuse box

Good luck

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