Volkswagen Offers Increased In-Car Connectivity With Car-Net Telematics

 Automotive  

In his latest article for 33rd Square, automotive expert Jordan Perch introduces Volkswagen's new integration of the car with the smartphone - the Car-Net system.

Volkswagen have decided to step up their game when it comes to in-car connectivity in effort to be able to keep up with the competition, since almost all major car makers provide excellent connectivity features in their vehicles, and it's something that is becoming increasingly important to consumers. Not a lot of Volkswagen models provide good in-car connectivity, and the German car maker hopes to change that with the Car-Net Telematics system, which they introduced recently. It will be offered in certain 2014 models, including the Volkswagen CC Executive, Beetle Convertible, Passat SE, and Beetle Coupe.

This is a system that includes various safety features, in addition to the connectivity features. Basically, it allows you to seamlessly connect your car to your smartphone or computer, so you can access and use all information on your electronic device through your car's dashboard. The functions this system provides are divided into four major categories, including Safe and Secure, Family Guardian, Remote Access, and Diagnostics and Maintenance.

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With the Safe and Secure function, you can receive support and assistance whenever you need it. Its features include: Automatic Crash Notification, Manual Emergency Call, Roadside Assistance, and Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance. The Family Guardian feature includes Speed Alert and Boundary Alert, which help you keep track of family members or friends while they are driving your car. This way, you'll get notifications if they exceed the speed you have preset, which is pretty helpful when you let your kid drive your car, and don't want them to drive faster than the preset speed.

Furthermore, there is the Remote Vehicle Access feature, with remote door unlock, remote honk and flash, as well as remote status check. With it, you can also talk to an operator, so that you can search for a location and send it to your car's navigation system. Lastly, Diagnostics and Maintenance performs diagnostics checks and can schedule services and dealer visits, and provides a detailed vehicle health report.

To put it briefly, the Car-Net Telematics system allows you to send alerts to emergency services in case your safety is jeopardized while you are on the road, it makes sure your kid is safe while driving your car by sending you alerts if they exceed preset speeds or cross a preset line, and helps you remotely check whether your car's doors are locked, and whether you have left your trunk open or your lights on.

Vehicles that are equipped with this system come with an “i-Button” that is located on their overhead console, which you should press whenever you want to use the system. It's pretty simple and straight forward, and doesn't distract you while you are driving. It is supported by a mobile app, which you will need to download so that you can use certain features. It can be said that the Car-Net Telematics looks a bit like the GM's OnStar system, but it does have some useful features that can't be found on OnStar, and Volkswagen believes that it will help the company make their vehicles more appealing to the younger population, which considers in-car connectivity to be extremely important.

By Jordan Perch

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Author Bio - Jordan Perch is an automotive fanatic and “safe driving” specialist. He is a writer for DMV.com, which is a collaborative community designed to help ease the stress and annoyance of “dealing with the DMV”