Remote Start - Permanent or "Subscription-Based"???

[Whitenight]

For the second time, the AT&T subscription is for the hotspot functionality not the general vehicle communications.

Directly from the onboard screen.

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[Whitenight]

Never stated that it had anything to do with the key fob and the remote start. What I DID say is that Ford uses it for other things other than a HotSpot. Those who say that the onboard modem is only used as a HotSpot are wrong and Ford changed it to be that way.

 

[MavVa1024]

https://www.ford.com/support/how-to...fordpass/how-much-does-the-fordpass-app-cost/

There are features of the AT&T Modem that will require a subscription fee to use. The Lock/Unlock, Remotes Start ( or remote features) are not on that list. They are included complimentary, and allegedly indefinitely. As long a the vehicle is in an area with AT&T cell coverage, and you ( or whoever has the FordPass App linked to the truck) is in an area with cell coverage ( regardless of provider because cell phones....) you should be able to monitor and start the truck.

The mobile hotspot ( an related firmware updates via said hotspot) are not entangled with the remote start capabilities of the truck. If you have either the XLT Lux or Lariat Lux, you ALSO get a keyfob that is capable of remote starting the vehicle.

OFCOURSE you have to leave the on board modem active... otherwise the truck has no way to communicate with a cell network for the app based remote start.

If you don't want to send the data to ford, and just have to have remote start, there are aftermarket remote starts that are not too hard to install. I"m pretty sure the FM8 harness and CMHCXA0 module from idatastart will work just fine, would want to verify that though.

 

[aspect]

This is a weirdly confrontational thread, but to put an end to the debate:

https://fordauthority.com/2019/10/fordpass-services-are-now-free/

Ford announced two years ago that the non-wifi services would be no cost. Could that change in the future? It's possible. Right now there's nothing to be concerned about.

 

[Jakb]

You do not have to pay for the remote start feature in the app. Ever!

Thanks @YazYaz!

For the second time, the AT&T subscription is for the hotspot functionality not the general vehicle communications.

https://www.ford.com/support/how-to...fordpass/how-much-does-the-fordpass-app-cost/

There are features of the AT&T Modem that will require a subscription fee to use. The Lock/Unlock, Remotes Start ( or remote features) are not on that list. .

Thanks everyone. I was totally wrong. I got all mixed up reading into the subscriptions and the 4g system

 

[YazYaz]

Never stated that it had anything to do with the key fob and the remote start. What I DID say is that Ford uses it for other things other than a HotSpot. Those who say that the onboard modem is only used as a HotSpot are wrong and Ford changed it to be that way.

Nobody said that the onboard modem is used only for Hotspot. What has been explained is that when the free trial ends the onboard modem will still "answer the phone" when your Ford Pass app calls it to remote start the car. As far as software updates all you have to do is connect your home wifi to the vehicle (when you are within distance) and or when you connect to the car with your phone using Android Auto or Carplay, all updates can be done. If your phone is connected via Bluetooth, it can also use the Bluetooth connection. My vehicle does it all the time automatically.

 

[daddio211]

You are being too polite about it. It's TOYOTA doing this. And backtracking to the 2018 model year to start this key fob remote start subscription BS

GM is pulling this same BS. I bought a new GMC Sierra in 2017 and used the app really often. I sold that truck a few weeks ago in preparation for my Maverick and GM told the new owner he had to pay $11.99 a month forever to use the app. Screw that! I added him as a "family member" and gave him access.

Granted, we've become friends through the sale of the truck and he trusts me as I can literally unlock and start HIS truck. Not that I ever would and he understands that, but I'm so sick of these "subscription services!"

 

[Whitenight]

Nobody said that the onboard modem is used only for Hotspot. What has been explained is that when the free trial ends the onboard modem will still "answer the phone" when your Ford Pass app calls it to remote start the car. As far as software updates all you have to do is connect your home wifi to the vehicle (when you are within distance) and or when you connect to the car with your phone using Android Auto or Carplay, all updates can be done. If your phone is connected via Bluetooth, it can also use the Bluetooth connection. My vehicle does it all the time automatically.

Actually, yes someone did and that is why I posted my response, that the onboard modem does more than what some people think, to begin with:

For the second time, the AT&T subscription is for the hotspot functionality not the general vehicle communications.

 

[Darnon]

Yes, but I said the subscription. Ford's telematics and FordPass app uses the modem, but they don't charge for that traffic.

 

[atomguy245]

GM is pulling this same BS. I bought a new GMC Sierra in 2017 and used the app really often. I sold that truck a few weeks ago in preparation for my Maverick and GM told the new owner he had to pay $11.99 a month forever to use the app. Screw that! I added him as a "family member" and gave him access.

Granted, we've become friends through the sale of the truck and he trusts me as I can literally unlock and start HIS truck. Not that I ever would and he understands that, but I'm so sick of these "subscription services!"

What Toyota is doing is so much worse. They are charging a subscription for the remote start button on the key fob in your pocket. Not even the app.

 

[Caper]

https://www.ford.com/support/how-to...fordpass/how-much-does-the-fordpass-app-cost/

There are features of the AT&T Modem that will require a subscription fee to use. The Lock/Unlock, Remotes Start ( or remote features) are not on that list. They are included complimentary, and allegedly indefinitely. As long a the vehicle is in an area with AT&T cell coverage, and you ( or whoever has the FordPass App linked to the truck) is in an area with cell coverage ( regardless of provider because cell phones....) you should be able to monitor and start the truck.

The mobile hotspot ( an related firmware updates via said hotspot) are not entangled with the remote start capabilities of the truck. If you have either the XLT Lux or Lariat Lux, you ALSO get a keyfob that is capable of remote starting the vehicle.

OFCOURSE you have to leave the on board modem active... otherwise the truck has no way to communicate with a cell network for the app based remote start.

If you don't want to send the data to ford, and just have to have remote start, there are aftermarket remote starts that are not too hard to install. I"m pretty sure the FM8 harness and CMHCXA0 module from idatastart will work just fine, would want to verify that though.

^ This is the correct information

 

[donbreiner]

Seeing news lately about auto manufacturers selling vehicles with remote start and buyers are finding out too late that the mfg. only allows that feature for a 'trial period', after which the poor buyer has to pay an annual fee to keep the feature they thought they paid for when they purchased the vehicle active. Does anyone around here know if this is something that applies to the Maverick? I know it's a feature in the Lariat Luxury package but wanted to verify if it was permanent or a recurring source of revenue for FOMOCO.

It's free! We have a 2021 Ford Transit 3.5L , use the Remote Start frequently.

 

[spuds_mackenzie]

What Toyota is doing is so much worse. They are charging a subscription for the remote start button on the key fob in your pocket. Not even the app.

If that's true, then that pretty much marks the new Tundra off my "wants" list and probably any future Toyota product.

 

[atomguy245]

If that's true, then that pretty much marks the new Tundra off my "wants" list and probably any future Toyota product.

Since 2018 they've been selling cars with a remote start on the key fob that was really just a "free trial." Now they are asking $8/month for customers to keep the feature active. And you know that 99.99% of Toyota buyers had no idea that the physical button on their remote was a temporary feature.

 

[spuds_mackenzie]

Since 2018 they've been selling cars with a remote start on the key fob that was really just a "free trial." Now they are asking $8/month for customers to keep the feature active. And you know that 99.99% of Toyota buyers had no idea that the physical button on their remote was a temporary feature.

The wife has a 21 highlander and neither one of us had any idea.

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