What car connections do and why manufacturers include them
Connected car technology links your vehicle to the internet and your smartphone, letting the manufacturer and sometimes third-party services monitor and control certain functions remotely. The main features fall into three categories: safety and emergency response (like automatic crash notification), convenience (remote start, door unlock, climate control from your phone), and vehicle diagnostics (real-time alerts about maintenance needs, fuel level, tire pressure).
Manufacturers include these systems because they create ongoing relationships with owners after purchase. A connected car sends data back to the automaker about how you drive, where you go, and how often you service the vehicle. This data has value for product development, insurance partnerships, and targeted advertising. For you, the appeal is usually convenience — checking your car's status without walking to the driveway, or getting an alert if someone tampers with your vehicle while parked.
The systems vary widely by brand. Tesla's system is built into the car and requires a Tesla account. General Motors uses OnStar, which comes standard on many models. Ford uses FordPass. Hyundai and Kia use their own apps. Some luxury brands like BMW and Mercedes have more extensive remote features than mainstream brands. Older vehicles typically cannot be retrofitted with these systems — they are engineered into the car at manufacture.
Key Takeaways
- Connected car features are built into the vehicle at manufacture and controlled through a smartphone app or web portal tied to your account with the automaker.
- Basic features like remote start and door unlock often come free for a trial period (usually one to three years), then require a paid subscription to continue.
- Subscription costs range from roughly $100 to $300 per year depending on the brand and which features you choose, and prices increase over time.
- Your vehicle sends location data, driving patterns, and maintenance information to the manufacturer, and you should review privacy settings in your account to see what is collected and shared.
- Canceling a subscription stops remote features but does not affect the car's basic operation or safety systems like airbags and anti-lock brakes.
How subscriptions work and what they cost
Most connected car features operate on a subscription model. When you buy a new car, the manufacturer typically includes a trial period — often one to three years — during which remote features are free. After that period ends, you receive notices that the service will expire and you must pay to keep using it, or the features shut down.
Subscription pricing varies by manufacturer and by which features you select. A basic package covering remote start, door lock/unlock, and vehicle status checks typically costs $100 to $150 per year. Premium packages that add features like automatic crash notification, stolen vehicle tracking, or roadside information can run $200 to $300 per year. Some manufacturers bundle connected car services with other products — for example, a navigation or entertainment subscription — and charge a combined fee. Prices are not fixed; manufacturers raise them regularly, sometimes by $20 to $50 per year.
You manage subscriptions through your account on the manufacturer's website or app. Most allow you to pause or cancel at any time, though some require you to contact customer service rather than self-serve cancellation. If you cancel, the remote features stop working when ready, but your car continues to operate normally — the engine starts, the doors lock and unlock with the key fob, and all safety systems remain active.
What data your car collects and who can see it
Connected cars transmit data continuously to the manufacturer's servers. This includes your location (GPS coordinates), how fast you drive, how hard you brake, fuel consumption, tire pressure, battery voltage, and maintenance codes. Some systems also record whether doors are locked, whether the car is running, and when you typically drive. This data is stored in the manufacturer's database and tied to your account.
Manufacturers use this data for several purposes: to improve vehicle design, to identify safety defects early, to offer you targeted maintenance reminders, and to sell anonymized data to insurance companies and traffic research firms. Some brands share location data with navigation services or emergency responders if you call for help. A few allow third-party developers to access certain data through APIs if you grant permission in your account settings.
You can usually control some of this collection through privacy settings in your account. Most manufacturers let you opt out of data sharing with third parties, though opting out may disable certain features like emergency services integration. You cannot turn off all data collection without disconnecting the car from the internet entirely, which also disables the remote features you are paying for. Review your manufacturer's privacy policy and account settings to understand what is collected, how long it is stored, and who can access it.
Safety and emergency features that come standard
Automatic crash notification is a safety feature included in most connected car systems at no extra cost. If your car's sensors detect a severe collision, the system automatically contacts emergency services with your location and vehicle information. You can speak to the dispatcher through the car's speakers. This feature does not require a subscription — it is part of the vehicle's safety architecture and works as long as the car has cellular service.
Stolen vehicle tracking is sometimes included in the base subscription and sometimes offered as an add-on. If your car is reported stolen, you or law enforcement can track its location in real time through the manufacturer's app or a dedicated portal. The system can also disable the engine remotely in some vehicles, though this feature is restricted and requires police involvement in most cases.
Emergency information features vary by brand. Some systems include roadside information (towing, lockout service, fuel delivery) as part of the subscription. Others integrate with existing roadside information programs like AAA. Check your subscription details to see what is included — roadside information from the manufacturer is often cheaper than buying it separately, but it may have limits on the number of calls per year or distance covered.
Remote features and how to use them
Remote start lets you start your engine from your phone, warming or cooling the car before you get in. This works through the manufacturer's app and requires an active subscription. The car must be locked and the key fob must be outside the vehicle for remote start to function — this is a safety measure to prevent accidental engine starts. Remote start typically lasts 10 to 15 minutes before the engine shuts off automatically.
Remote door lock and unlock let you lock or unlock all doors from your phone. This is useful if you forget your keys or want to let someone into the car remotely. Most systems log every lock and unlock event in your account, so you can see if someone else accessed the car. Some vehicles also allow you to set up temporary access codes for service technicians or family members.
Climate control from your phone lets you turn on the air conditioning or heating before you arrive at the car. This works only when the engine is running (usually after you have used remote start), so it is most useful in extreme weather. Vehicle status checks show you the fuel level, tire pressure, door lock status, and whether any lights are on. These checks are usually free even after the trial period ends, though some manufacturers charge for them.
What happens if you do not renew your subscription
When your subscription expires, the remote features stop working, but your car functions normally in every other way. You can still start the engine with your key fob, lock and unlock doors manually, and drive safely. All built-in safety systems — airbags, anti-lock brakes, stability control — remain active and do not depend on the subscription.
The manufacturer may continue to collect some data (like crash detection) for safety and legal reasons, but you will not be able to access your vehicle remotely or receive alerts through the app. If you later decide to resubscribe, you can usually restart the service through your account, and the features will resume working. There is typically no penalty for canceling and restarting, though you may lose any discounts that applied to your original subscription.
Some manufacturers offer discounts for long-term commitments (paying for two or three years upfront) or for bundling connected car services with other products like satellite radio or navigation. If cost is a concern, check whether your insurance company offers discounts for vehicles with automatic crash notification or theft tracking — in some cases, the insurance savings offset part of the subscription cost.
Privacy and security concerns to know about
Connected cars are networked devices, which means they can theoretically be hacked. Manufacturers implement security measures like encryption and regular software updates, but vulnerabilities can emerge. Most automakers release over-the-air updates automatically to patch known security issues. You should keep your account password strong and unique, enable two-factor authentication if the manufacturer offers it, and review your account activity regularly for unauthorized access.
Location data is the most sensitive information your car collects. Even if you trust the manufacturer, a data breach could expose your home address, work location, and driving patterns to criminals. Some states have laws limiting how long manufacturers can store location data or requiring them to delete it after a certain period. Check your state's privacy laws and your manufacturer's data retention policy to understand how long your information is kept.
You can reduce data collection by disabling certain features in your account settings, though this may also disable safety features like emergency services integration. Some manufacturers allow you to delete your account entirely, which removes your personal data from their servers, but this also deactivates all connected car features. If you sell your car, make sure to remove your account from the vehicle so the new owner cannot access your data or see your driving history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use connected car features if I do not have a smartphone?
Most connected car systems require a smartphone app to access remote features. However, some manufacturers offer web portals you can access from a computer, and a few allow you to control basic functions through voice commands or in-car touchscreens. Contact your manufacturer to ask whether web access is available for your vehicle model.
What if my car loses cellular service?
Remote features will not work without a cellular connection. Automatic crash notification may also be delayed or fail if the car is in an area with no signal. Safety features like airbags and anti-lock brakes do not depend on cellular service and will function normally. If you frequently drive in areas with poor coverage, ask your manufacturer which cellular networks their system uses — some use multiple networks to improve coverage.
Do I have to use the connected car features?
No. You can ignore the app entirely and drive your car normally. The vehicle will still collect some data for safety and maintenance purposes, but you will not be able to access remote features or receive alerts. If you do not want any data collection, review your privacy settings to see what can be disabled, though this may affect emergency services integration.
Can I transfer my subscription to someone else if I sell my car?
No. Subscriptions are tied to your account and your vehicle's identification number. When you sell the car, you should cancel your subscription and remove your account from the vehicle. The new owner can create their own account and start a new subscription if they wish, usually with a fresh trial period.
Are connected car features worth the cost?
That depends on how much you use them. If you regularly use remote start, remote unlock, or vehicle status checks, the convenience may justify the cost. If you rarely use these features, the subscription is an unnecessary expense. Some insurance companies offer discounts for vehicles with automatic crash notification or theft tracking, which can offset part of the subscription cost. Calculate whether any discounts explore to your policy before deciding.