"telematics module" and "1 year subscription"

[Rocks]

I heard the fourth button was for remote start. No idea if it is, but that’s what the Red Line guy said.

Slate had that one YT short/tiktok that showed the the driver inserting the fob into the dash slot and driving away. So there's no "hold brake, push button" dance to do. So the only things that could "start" would be the battery conditioning and/or hvac.

There's not much else going on.

 

[EV Trek]

Slate had that one YT short/tiktok that showed the the driver inserting the fob into the dash slot and driving away. So there's no "hold brake, push button" dance to do. So the only things that could "start" would be the battery conditioning and/or hvac.

There's not much else going on.

And that is what you want for cooling or heating the cabin before getting in. And if you do that while it’s plugged in it uses power from the grid instead of the HV battery. At least that is how it has worked on my previous EVs and the one I have now.

 

[Rocks]

And that is what you want for cooling or heating the cabin before getting in. And if you do that while it’s plugged in it uses power from the grid instead of the HV battery. At least that is how it has worked on my previous EVs and the one I have now.

Good to know, thanks.

I guess the usefulness of the button would come down to the range of the remote.

 

[EV Trek]

Good to know, thanks.

I guess the usefulness of the button would come down to the range of the remote.

Yeah since I park in my driveway in front of my house my remotes work just fine from inside. Now coming out of a store or Restaurant I have to about be in line of sight, which in some places you are not supposed to do unless you can see the car anyway.
i like to sometimes hit the panic horn button when I see people walking by the car, scares the doo doo out of them LOL.

 

[E90400K]

I've never had a vehicle that has remote start nor cabin preconditioning, so I can live without it. Plus, no cell coverage at my home, it wouldn't work anyway.

 

[Rocks]

Yeah since I park in my driveway in front of my house my remotes work just fine from inside. Now coming out of a store or Restaurant I have to about be in line of sight, which in some places you are not supposed to do unless you can see the car anyway.
i like to sometimes hit the panic horn button when I see people walking by the car, scares the doo doo out of them LOL.

Ha!

You know the skull trick? Hold the remote up to your forehead while looking in the direction of car. It'll just about doubles the remote range.

 

[TPL]

I don't think you need a telematics module for battery preconditioning. HVAC preconditioning sure.

Battery preconditioning (possibly via the app) would be great. I want it to be at least manually activated.

 

[GrizzlysGhost]

Ha!

You know the skull trick? Hold the remote up to your forehead while looking in the direction of car. It'll just about doubles the remote range.

lol I do that, but I hold the remote against the bottom of my chin. And the wider I open my mouth the greater the range. Tekonologia!

 

[solartogo]

I've never had a vehicle that has remote start nor cabin preconditioning, so I can live without it. Plus, no cell coverage at my home, it wouldn't work anyway.

Telematics wouldn't work, but maybe the fob will, depending on what it can do.

 

[sodamo]

Help an old fart please, in simple language what does this module do? Why might I want it? My truck will basically live in a 60-80°F environment.

 

[bitpop]

I was wondering if they could get their app to interface with an OBD module either by bluetooth or WiFi. It wouldn’t help when the truck isn’t on but could likely really give a lot of good information on efficiency, temps, and state of health.

As far as remote start, couldn’t that be built into the keyfob like my 2013 Volt, that has no cellilar connectivity, which I can activate in my driveway from my house to precool or prewarm while plugged in?

OBD won't give us a way to expand features, if we're lucky we will just get some read-only data out/reset some logs/error codes. The only connectivity to the car the app will have is through the usb plug to the right of the steering wheel.

It seems really likely to me they haven't worked out remote start quite yet, since they don't list it as a feature, though I really hope it works as it does for your Volt.

Both OBD and remote start are big areas of interest for me. I want to log everything I can from the OBD port and also its cold af here in Ohio during the winter, and the remote start hvac on (while still plugged in to the wall) is a huuuge wishlist feature for me. However, given the whole barebonesness of the truck, I have my doubts.

If the telematics module gives me the remote start, then I guess I'll get the telematics module. (ew)

 

[metroshot]

Help an old fart please, in simple language what does this module do? Why might I want it? My truck will basically live in a 60-80°F environment.

Old fart here but retired from the IT field.

Telematics module will allow your cell phone via cellular connectivity to remotely start, lock, unlock and most importantly precondition your HV traction battery to prepare for better fast charging in cold temps.

You sound like you may not need this for the preconditioning if you live in warm climates year around. This is more of a benefit with cold weather climates.

I live in sunny year around warm weather and don't need the battery preconditioning but I do want it for remote control access via my smartphone's app.

My current EV - Ford allows me to remotely unlock, lock, roll windows up, start, climate control, etc even when I am many miles away or even across the world using the Ford Pass app.

I will get this module so that I can "extend" the range that a key fob can't remotely control.
Remember, the key fob is limited to short Bluetooth range of under 30'.

 

[beatle]

Help an old fart please, in simple language what does this module do? Why might I want it? My truck will basically live in a 60-80°F environment.

Even if you have no desire to turn the HVAC on remotely, it's possible that they will have an API for a telematics service to access. This should let you record and review your trips, energy use, charging metrics, etc. The module may also allow you to start/stop charging and/or change the amps the charger is pulling remotely.

Check out sites like TeslaFi to see what telematics can show you. Not sure if Slate will offer their own telematics service or if the API will be open. Maybe both. They are pretty neat as just a regular Joe, but they can be incredibly valuable for fleet operators and people who track their mileage for tax purposes. I think fleet use is the main reason they decided to offer it.

 

[Kopsis]

There is that fourth button on the remote. It has the circle+2x on it. Maybe that's the "prepare for launch" button.

EMP. Kills the weakly shielded infotainment system of any vehicle within a 1/4 mile radius. Slates are obviously immune

 

[sodamo]

Thanks guys. My plan was to add a cellular capability, either my Mobley via OBD or a Netgear NightHawk for my own stuff, maybe this would eliminate that and provide additional features or my solution works. Unknown for now I guess.