Old Fords Will Get Wi-Fi Connectivity, Remote Start And Other Features Using Company's SmartLink Accessory

Ford launched SmartLink, an On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) accessory, Friday, which will enable advanced features such as remote start, lock and unlock, 4G Wi-Fi and vehicle location assistance on 2010-2016 model Ford and Lincoln cars.

Stephen Odell, executive vice president, global marketing, sales and service, Ford Motor Company, said in the official press release: “Ford SmartLink will surprise and delight owners of recent model-year vehicles by adding some of today’s most popular connectivity features.”

The feature works using an OBD 2 port situated below the cars’ steering wheel and uses a companion app and web portal, which can be used for activating the features and scheduling appointments with a preferred dealer.

Using SmartLink, users will be able to remotely lock, unlock and start their vehicles using their smartphones. The cars will also be able to use the customer’s mobile data connection to create a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot capable of accepting up to 8 devices.

In addition to this, customers will be able to get location assistance and vehicle health and security alerts using the accessory and the accompanying app.

The SmartLink accessory doubles up as a Wi-Fi hotspot and a smartphone-based remote start initiator.

The company will make the accessory available at Ford and Lincoln dealerships starting this summer. The company hasn’t announced the pricing for the device yet.

Ford cars produced after July 2016 come with a built-in 4G LTE modem located below the steering. It currently connects to Verizon’s wireless networks.