Still baffled by PCM data/Car Connect
Discussion
So after 6 months of frustrating failure in getting Porsche Car Connect via Vodafone to work the dealer actually deactivated the previous owner, which was the hurdle... It works now as an app gizmo but it wont unlock the car (like my BMW one that took 5 mins to setup) could - that's a handy function if you lock your keys in. But it doesn't do it does it? So more or less pointless paying for this toy unless you want to pay even more and get the tracking.
Ever since they activated Vodafone Connect (its a SIM I assume?) it it has rejected the existing EE PCM data SIM in the car though - not 100% sure what it does but must add some connectivity - maybe the Gracenote track database (but as it wont rip a CD to HDD Jukebox thats no so much use). I'd hoped when i put it in it would give me Google maps but cant see it :-(
I have tried emailing and even going in person to the dealer for info and advice (no response to email/with a customer/didn't call back...) So, does anyone understand this setup? Can use my mobile's data via Bluetooth in particular to get Google maps on the PCM screen?
Cheers
Ever since they activated Vodafone Connect (its a SIM I assume?) it it has rejected the existing EE PCM data SIM in the car though - not 100% sure what it does but must add some connectivity - maybe the Gracenote track database (but as it wont rip a CD to HDD Jukebox thats no so much use). I'd hoped when i put it in it would give me Google maps but cant see it :-(
I have tried emailing and even going in person to the dealer for info and advice (no response to email/with a customer/didn't call back...) So, does anyone understand this setup? Can use my mobile's data via Bluetooth in particular to get Google maps on the PCM screen?
Cheers
I'd check that the EE SIM is valid.
- My understanding is that Google Earth / traffic etc needs the data that the EE Sim can provide.
perhaps there is a tick box (push the option button) to check in the data menus.
(I use mobile phone when I need it).
And think its all pretty redundant now that carplay has been enabled for google maps / waze.
- My understanding is that Google Earth / traffic etc needs the data that the EE Sim can provide.
perhaps there is a tick box (push the option button) to check in the data menus.
(I use mobile phone when I need it).
And think its all pretty redundant now that carplay has been enabled for google maps / waze.
I don't have an iPhone guys, and nor will I be getting one to suit the car, but I did have another EE SIM to try with a full 4Gb data definitely on it. No luck. Rejects that one too. Its likely easier to just give up and the Google Maps from my phone in its Brodit charging holder does the job really. 
I'm also having very little luck with the voice activated functions - used to use it quite often in the BM - but say 'call John Smith mobile' to this and it thinks i'm speaking Martian!
I'm also having very little luck with the voice activated functions - used to use it quite often in the BM - but say 'call John Smith mobile' to this and it thinks i'm speaking Martian!
First thing to say is that Porsche infotainment offer is a confused mess, and much of it isn’t worth having anyway.
Dealer support is, in my experience, woeful, might just as well ask the next drunk you meet on Saturday night.
Anyway, some things I have discovered (fairly confident here but don’t bet the farm on it being absolutely correct). Also I’m assuming we’re discussing the latest PCM.
The car needs a data connection for quite a few features to work RTTI (Real Time Traffic Information), petrol station info, online search, Google Earth etc. This can happen in several ways;
The car comes with a SIM, to which you have no physical access, installed. This canl be used to support most / all(?) of the Porsche supplied capabilities without extra charge.
If you want to do other things such as watch YouTube videos etc. via the car’s wifi hot spot you will need to:
(a) Pay a stupid amount of money to Porsche for a data package which will enable use of the inbuilt SIM
(b) Insert a SIM with a data allowance in the PCM SIM slot
© Create a wifi hotspot on you mobile phone and configure PCM to use this for data.
IMO the best option is (b). Once set up it just works, get in your car and drive away, nothing else to do.
If you go with ©you will need to enable the mobile’s wifi hot spot as you get in the car. Most (all?) phones disable the hot spot after a period of inactivity
Using (b) or (c) will cause all data need to be fulfilled via your SIM rather than the embedded SIM (not much in my experience, YMMV)
Cannot use USB / BT for data connection.
For the Porsche connect stuff to work you need to have registered at
https://connect-portal.porsche.com
People keep referring to Google Maps. Porsche Connect offers Google Earth not Google maps. This provide a satellite view overlay onto the map display and street view. The maps and RTTI are from Porsche not Google.
PCM supports Apple Car Play. This is different from the above and for this to work you do need an up-to-date version of IOS. Connection to PCM via USB. This will give you Google Maps and traffic via Car Play.
If you want to lock the car remotely you need to have the keyless entry option specified.
Dealer support is, in my experience, woeful, might just as well ask the next drunk you meet on Saturday night.
Anyway, some things I have discovered (fairly confident here but don’t bet the farm on it being absolutely correct). Also I’m assuming we’re discussing the latest PCM.
The car needs a data connection for quite a few features to work RTTI (Real Time Traffic Information), petrol station info, online search, Google Earth etc. This can happen in several ways;
The car comes with a SIM, to which you have no physical access, installed. This canl be used to support most / all(?) of the Porsche supplied capabilities without extra charge.
If you want to do other things such as watch YouTube videos etc. via the car’s wifi hot spot you will need to:
(a) Pay a stupid amount of money to Porsche for a data package which will enable use of the inbuilt SIM
(b) Insert a SIM with a data allowance in the PCM SIM slot
© Create a wifi hotspot on you mobile phone and configure PCM to use this for data.
IMO the best option is (b). Once set up it just works, get in your car and drive away, nothing else to do.
If you go with ©you will need to enable the mobile’s wifi hot spot as you get in the car. Most (all?) phones disable the hot spot after a period of inactivity
Using (b) or (c) will cause all data need to be fulfilled via your SIM rather than the embedded SIM (not much in my experience, YMMV)
Cannot use USB / BT for data connection.
For the Porsche connect stuff to work you need to have registered at
https://connect-portal.porsche.com
People keep referring to Google Maps. Porsche Connect offers Google Earth not Google maps. This provide a satellite view overlay onto the map display and street view. The maps and RTTI are from Porsche not Google.
PCM supports Apple Car Play. This is different from the above and for this to work you do need an up-to-date version of IOS. Connection to PCM via USB. This will give you Google Maps and traffic via Car Play.
If you want to lock the car remotely you need to have the keyless entry option specified.
Porsche should pay you for that. I'm very grateful - its the info I wasn't given, the phonecalls that found no one or were never returned and the emails they cant be arsed to answer - and I'm 7 months in!
SIM it is then but may need to get them to deactivate the inbuilt Vodafone Car Connect SIM if they are clashing - my remaining hurdle!
Many thanks indeed.
SIM it is then but may need to get them to deactivate the inbuilt Vodafone Car Connect SIM if they are clashing - my remaining hurdle!
Many thanks indeed.
I find Apple CarPlay pretty good and now use Waze exclusively for navigation. One problem that I cannot resolve is getting my phone and PCM to link automatically to create the hotspot. Each time I enter the car, unless I return in minutes, I have to make the iPhone link by persistently hitting the Password followed by Done on my phone. If I leave the PCM and phone to find each other it simply doesn't work, even if I try to get the PCM to link by hitting search nothing happens. My car was in for some warranty work last week and I had a Toyota Rav4 (not nice) to tied me over. The phone found the car without any intervention from me. Any ideas on how to sort this frustrating first world problem would be appreciated!!
Rob
Rob
Pope said:
Read it all - answered nothing i'm afraid. Retired01 still rules!
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