Ford Pass, What's up with that?

[Utron]

Seems like a great idea, a modem built into the truck that you can connect to all the time. But I don't get it.

What you get with Ford Pass.

Location.
Fuel milage.
Tire Pressure.
Auto Start and Lock.

Here are some things I don't understand.

What is it connecting to? I assume a cell tower.

If it can connect to the internet, how come it can't do updates? I have to connect to my own network to do that.

You can auto start the truck from the app, yet if you're sitting in the truck, you have to press down on the brake to start.

While there are some really cool features in the app, seems like it should do more. Like have the truck come get me or something.

Sponsored

 

[Fcnrwy]

Here are some things I don't understand.
What is it connecting to? I assume a cell tower.
You can auto start the truck from the app, yet if you're sitting in the truck, you have to press down on the brake to start.

What is it connecting to? I assume a cell tower.
A. probably..
You can auto start the truck from the app, yet if you're sitting in the truck, you have to press down on the brake to start.
A. I would guess that the "Seat Sensor" detects a "Body" by weight.. And is configured to operate that way, for it being occupied..

Jerry

 

[Utron]

A. I would guess that the "Seat Sensor" detects a "Body" by weight.. And is configured to operate that way, for it being occupied..

Excellent answer, you must be a software developer to think of that.

 

[oysterville]

Seems like a great idea, a modem built into the truck that you can connect to all the time. But I don't get it.

What you get with Ford Pass.

Location.
Fuel milage.
Tire Pressure.
Auto Start and Lock.

Here are some things I don't understand.

What is it connecting to? I assume a cell tower.

If it can connect to the internet, how come it can't do updates? I have to connect to my own network to do that.

You can auto start the truck from the app, yet if you're sitting in the truck, you have to press down on the brake to start.

While there are some really cool features in the app, seems like it should do more. Like have the truck come get me or something.

This reads like a Jerry Seinfeld bit.

 

[Kenv24]

Seems like a great idea, a modem built into the truck that you can connect to all the time. But I don't get it.

What you get with Ford Pass.

Location.
Fuel milage.
Tire Pressure.
Auto Start and Lock.

Here are some things I don't understand.

What is it connecting to? I assume a cell tower.

If it can connect to the internet, how come it can't do updates? I have to connect to my own network to do that.

You can auto start the truck from the app, yet if you're sitting in the truck, you have to press down on the brake to start.

While there are some really cool features in the app, seems like it should do more. Like have the truck come get me or something.

Not sure if I personally need it to do more....or less....BUT...It showed me in real time where my other Ford truck was when they stole it....and I recovered it with the help of police in less than an hour. Win for me.....win for Ford. Officer that showed up said..."Wow....that is one of the best trackers I've ever seen"

 

[PNWMaverick]

Seems like a great idea, a modem built into the truck that you can connect to all the time. But I don't get it.

What you get with Ford Pass.

Location.
Fuel milage.
Tire Pressure.
Auto Start and Lock.

It used to provide real time GPS location of the truck as well as warranty status. Those two features were stripped.

Here are some things I don't understand.

What is it connecting to? I assume a cell tower.

Yes, a cellular network.

If it can connect to the internet, how come it can't do updates? I have to connect to my own network to do that.

There isn't anything that technically would prevent them from updating over cellular. Requiring a WiFi connection to update is a design decision made by them for reasons only they know. Performance of a traditional internet connection over that of a cellular connection is likely part of it.

You can auto start the truck from the app, yet if you're sitting in the truck, you have to press down on the brake to start.

That is because the truck knows someone is sitting in the seat.

While there are some really cool features in the app, seems like it should do more. Like have the truck come get me or something.

Our cars coming to get us in a parking lot will happen when we hit L3 of autonomy. Coming to get us anywhere is an L4 thing. We are decades out.

 

[Utron]

Not sure if I personally need it to do more....or less....BUT...It showed me in real time where my other Ford truck was when they stole it....and I recovered it with the help of police in less than an hour. Win for me.....win for Ford. Officer that showed up said..."Wow....that is one of the best trackers I've ever seen"

Well that's awesome. True, I don't see any ads, or weird behavior from the app. It seems strange a company would give something this good and free to their customers. Bandwidth costs money, they must be doing or selling something to make a profit off the app.

 

[MightyMaverick]

I noticed that they got rid of the odometer reading. I liked that. Just in case anyone asked what mileage I have on it, I can just quick reference it on the app.

 

[Utron]

It used to provide real time GPS location of the truck as well as warranty status. Those two features were stripped.



Yes, a cellular network.



There isn't anything that technically would prevent them from updating over cellular. Requiring a WiFi connection to update is a design decision made by them for reasons only they know. Performance of a traditional internet connection over that of a cellular connection is likely part of it.



That is because the truck knows someone is sitting in the seat.



Our cars coming to get us in a parking lot will happen when we hit L3 of autonomy. Coming to get us anywhere is an L4 thing. We are decades out.

Yes, the autonomous car thing is a bad idea at this point, we will have to change the roads so the AI can understand how to drive. But that of course, will cost billions, and will not happen soon.

 

[Blue_Max]

I noticed that they got rid of the odometer reading. I liked that. Just in case anyone asked what mileage I have on it, I can just quick reference it on the app.

Mine shows the odometer reading if I select the "Service" tab. The reading is in the upper left corner.

 

[Blue_Max]

Well that's awesome. True, I don't see any ads, or weird behavior from the app. It seems strange a company would give something this good and free to their customers. Bandwidth costs money, they must be doing or selling something to make a profit off the app.

I'm sure it gives them lots of information about you and your driving habits.

 

[Fcnrwy]

A. I would guess that the "Seat Sensor" detects a "Body" by weight.. And is configured to operate that way, for it being occupied..

Excellent answer, you must be a software developer to think of that.

NO.
But working in Commercial Packaging for 45+ years. You can PICK UP a thing or two...

Jerry

 

[Utron]

I noticed that they got rid of the odometer reading. I liked that. Just in case anyone asked what mileage I have on it, I can just quick reference it on the app.

Your pic shows a hot pepper red Maverik with a black kit, I love that, had to settle for a terrain since Lariats are hard to find anyway.

 

[Fcnrwy]

I just updated my Service Data, from my PC.
It allowed me to record my Oil Changes, but doesn't allow me to imput a Tire Rotation..

Jerry

 

[Ozarkbeard]

Well that's awesome. True, I don't see any ads, or weird behavior from the app. It seems strange a company would give something this good and free to their customers. Bandwidth costs money, they must be doing or selling something to make a profit off the app.

DATA.
They can sell any info you've agreed to when you bought the truck, to data aggregators, who may resell it to other similar companies. Stuff like your name, age, email address & tel.#, what kind of neighborhood you live in (based on other scraped data), how many miles you drive annually, where, when & how many times you go and how long you're there, etc. For example, BestBuy would love to send you ads if they know you shop there and when you usually do. Retailers can buy this data from aggregators.

The tracking in the Telematics modem unit can make Ford big bucks.

Sponsored