• by Tanya Gazdik , May 9, 2018

Volkswagen of America, Inc. is adding consumer-pleasing features to its VW Car-Net Security & Service mobile app.

Mobile apps have become increasingly important to automakers that aim to establish loyalty by offering convenience to its customers.

The new features include Curfew Alert and Valet Alert to notify owners if their vehicles are driven without permission, and Parking Information, powered by Parkopedia, to help owners easily locate off-street parking.

Owners can set a Curfew Alert to notify them if their vehicle is driven after a set curfew time. This feature can provide added peace of mind—parents, for example, can rest easier knowing that if their teenage drivers take the car without their permission, they’ll be notified. Curfew Alert can be turned on and off in the Car-Net app and when activated, an email or SMS text alert (or both) will be sent to the owner if the vehicle moves. Notification details can be viewed and edited through the Vehicle Options menu in the app.

The Parking Information feature can help owners by locating off-street parking information. Through the Navigate tab on the app, users can click the “P” icon to show available parking locations, either in the immediate vicinity or near a Point of Interest. Clicking on a specific location will display the address, hours of operation and pricing. Users can also send the location to their car’s navigation system, if so equipped, by clicking the “Send to My VW” button.

Existing features of the Car-Net app include: a remote door lock and unlock, honk and flash of lights, last parked location information, and status check (doors and windows); a check fuel level (gas models); monitor current charge and estimated driving range, turn charging on and off, and access climate control features (e-Golf only); a diagnostics and maintenance information, including the vehicle’s warning and indicator lights and Vehicle Health Report, scheduled service notifications, and dealer visit scheduling. 

With navigate, owners send a location from a connected smart device to the factory-installed compatible navigation system on select models. Family Guardian: speed alert (notification when the pre-determined maximum speed limit is exceeded), and boundary alert (notification when the vehicle has traveled outside of a pre-set virtual boundary).

Also standard is automatic crash notification: help automatically notify an operator who can quickly contact first responders in the event of a collision. Customers purchasing new Volkswagen models equipped with VW Car-Net Security & Service will receive a six-month trial subscription from Verizon Telematics that starts on date of the purchase for no additional charge.