Start the engine. SYNC boots. Maps load. The dash lights up like a tablet. Somewhere in that sequence, Ford’s Connectivity Package kicks in, but most drivers can’t point to what part. The term’s vague, and dealers don’t always help. One tells you it includes streaming. Another swears it’s just for Wi-Fi. Neither walks you through … Read more
Straight-six snarling, iDrive glowing, but Maps, messages, and audio feel frozen in time. Power’s modern. The dash? Not so much. That’s where Apple CarPlay enters the picture. But can your BMW handle it, and what’s the cleanest way in? It’s more than just the model year. Firmware, Wi-Fi hardware, and how much risk you’ll take … Read more
Tap Entune in a Toyota from the mid-2010s, and the screen feels frozen in time. No Maps handoff, no Siri, just clunky apps and the same AUX cord that’s been living in the glovebox for a decade. Between 2014 and 2018, Toyota sold over 4 million U.S. vehicles without Apple CarPlay. By 2019, the switch … Read more
Drive a 2011–2015 Ford with SYNC 2 and no CarPlay? You’re stuck with dead-end tech. Ford’s infotainment systems have come a long way, but not without bumps. Early F-150s and Escapes ran the clunky MyFord Touch setup. Now, Broncos and Mavericks ship with sleek SYNC 4A screens that run wireless CarPlay right out of the … Read more
You don’t need a brand-new RAM to enjoy Apple CarPlay. Whether you’re driving a 2024 2500 with Uconnect 5 or a 2014 1500 with the original head unit, there’s a way to get CarPlay on your dash—wired or wireless. Some trucks are plug-and-play. Others need a full infotainment transplant, a USB hub swap, or an … Read more
Remote start in a Lexus used to be a luxury perk. Now, it’s often locked behind a paywall. Whether you’re trying to warm up your RX on a January morning or cool down the leather seats in your ES under the Texas sun, that start button matters. But once that free Enform trial runs out, … Read more
Toyota’s push to bundle remote start into paid subscriptions has sparked plenty of frustration. What used to be a convenient feature on your key fob now feels like a rental—one that costs $8 to $15 a month, depending on your plan. And for many drivers, that doesn’t sit right. If you’re tired of paying for … Read more
If your Subaru doesn’t have Android Auto—or only supports it through a wired USB connection—you’re probably fed up with limited features or clunky setups. Navigation, hands-free texting, voice commands, streaming apps—they’re no longer luxuries, they’re daily driving essentials. Subaru started offering Android Auto across most trims around 2019, but if you drive an older model … Read more
BMW key fobs have evolved way beyond basic lock-and-unlock remotes. Today’s options can start your car, display vehicle diagnostics, or even turn your phone into a virtual key. But with that evolution comes a flood of upgrade paths—some official, others aftermarket—and not all of them play nice with your specific model or security system. Whether … Read more
There’s something undeniably fun about driving a Mini Cooper. But if your infotainment system still feels like it’s stuck in the early 2010s, the charm can wear thin—especially when your smartphone knows more shortcuts than your car does. That’s where Apple CarPlay comes in. With voice-guided navigation, hands-free texting, and easy access to your media … Read more