FordPass SmartLink

[Mr C]

I'm not sure if your already aware but when you upgrade your 2016 Explorer from MFT to SYNC3 you don't gain any extra connectivity to the vehicle. Yes, FordPass will show your vehicle but there is no remote start, no fuel level, no tire pressures, no vehicle diagnostics if that was your purpose.

Yes SYNC3 is an improvement over MFT because of how poorly executed MFT was but please be clear on what you will gain.

Perhaps someone here who has completed that upgrade can comment.

The SYNC3 system didn't allow FordPass Smartphone connectivity until 2018 when they added the 4G modem.

I use 4G FordPass connectivity at work on a 2018 F150, its just OK.

The 4G data packages Ford offers in comparison to On* are too expensive so customer use is minimal.

You might be confusing the other In-Vehicle Connectivity System that Ford introduced for older vehicles like your 2016. This system was called SmartLink and yes, as Jason stated, it's being discontinued.

I was thinking of upgrading because I want remote start.....I originally was getting an aftermarket but figured I check to see if fords version was worth it......any opinion?

 

[Sgt1411]

I was thinking of upgrading because I want remote start.....I originally was getting an aftermarket but figured I check to see if fords version was worth it......any opinion?

It is my understanding that adding SYNC3 to a 2016 or previous MFT vehicle does not give you Remote Start through the FordPass App. I have SYNC3 on my 2017 Sport and I also have that vehicle added to my FordPass App but no functionality between FordPass and my 2017 exists. Same with a 2016 Focus with SYNC3.

You would likely need to add the 2018/19 SYNC3 package with 4G modem to get full FordPass Remote Start functionality.

I have Ford Remote Access cellular Remote Start kit with separate App but it is also discontinued when I looked for it on Ford Parts site or Dealer sites. If you could get older one of those kits you could have Smartphone App remote start on your 2016 because I used the same kit on my 2014 Sport with MFT.

Jason might know where those kits are available now, if at all.

 

[Mr C]

I'm not sure if your already aware but when you upgrade your 2016 Explorer from MFT to SYNC3 you don't gain any extra connectivity to the vehicle. Yes, FordPass will show your vehicle but there is no remote start, no fuel level, no tire pressures, no vehicle diagnostics if that was your purpose.

Yes SYNC3 is an improvement over MFT because of how poorly executed MFT was but please be clear on what you will gain.

Perhaps someone here who has completed that upgrade can comment.

The SYNC3 system didn't allow FordPass Smartphone connectivity until 2018 when they added the 4G modem.

I use 4G FordPass connectivity at work on a 2018 F150, its just OK.

The 4G data packages Ford offers in comparison to On* are too expensive so customer use is minimal.

You might be confusing the other In-Vehicle Connectivity System that Ford introduced for older vehicles like your 2016. This system was called SmartLink and yes, as Jason stated, it's being discontinued.

I was thinking of upgrading because I want remote start.....I originally was getting an aftermarket but figured I check to see if fords version was worth it......any opinion?

It is my understanding that adding SYNC3 to a 2016 or previous MFT vehicle does not give you Remote Start through the FordPass App. I have SYNC3 on my 2017 Sport and I also have that vehicle added to my FordPass App but no functionality between FordPass and my 2017 exists. Same with a 2016 Focus with SYNC3.

You would likely need to add the 2018/19 SYNC3 package with 4G modem to get full FordPass Remote Start functionality.

I have Ford Remote Access cellular Remote Start kit with separate App but it is also discontinued when I looked for it on Ford Parts site or Dealer sites. If you could get older one of those kits you could have Smartphone App remote start on your 2016 because I used the same kit on my 2014 Sport with MFT.

Jason might know where those kits are available now, if at all.

thanks

 

[Jeff118]

On my FordPass app under the "guides" section , "destinations" sub-menu, it says SmartLink was discontinued 3/14/19.

 

[jhu8]

It is my understanding that adding SYNC3 to a 2016 or previous MFT vehicle does not give you Remote Start through the FordPass App. I have SYNC3 on my 2017 Sport and I also have that vehicle added to my FordPass App but no functionality between FordPass and my 2017 exists. Same with a 2016 Focus with SYNC3.

You would likely need to add the 2018/19 SYNC3 package with 4G modem to get full FordPass Remote Start functionality.

I have Ford Remote Access cellular Remote Start kit with separate App but it is also discontinued when I looked for it on Ford Parts site or Dealer sites. If you could get older one of those kits you could have Smartphone App remote start on your 2016 because I used the same kit on my 2014 Sport with MFT.

Jason might know where those kits are available now, if at all.

Not entirely true. There is some functiomalfun between a 17 and the Ford pass app. I can view my fuel amount, odometer, and percent left of oil life.

 

[Sgt1411]

Not entirely true. There is some functiomalfun between a 17 and the Ford pass app. I can view my fuel amount, odometer, and percent left of oil life.

Awesome, can you tell me how?.....I have none of that and would love it.

Can you explain to me how the vehicle talks to my smartphone when it has no cellular modem?.....what technology is your 2017 vehicle using since it has no cellular modem?

 

[jhu8]

Awesome, can you tell me how?.....I have none of that and would love it.

Just run the app on your phone and make sure it's connected to your explorer. For Android, you should see an icon in the notification bar. Then go to the apps tab in sync 3. Click on the Ford pass app. I forget what happens next but check your phone. They should both sync together. Then turn off your explorer and load the app on the phone. You should have access to those items.