New 718 Owner - Porsche Car Connect (and other monthly fees)

New 718 Owner - Porsche Car Connect (and other monthly fees)

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tedblog

1,438 posts

79 months

Monday 19th February 2018
quotequote all
Gorsh said:
Well done - at least I got you looking things up rather than guessing. The OP was asking about PCC and connecting his phone for data or getting a separate SIM, he didn't mention the tracker. You don't mention the 24 months data included for the built in apps and google earth etc which is as I understand it what the OP was referring to - the data services work without all the chargeable items you mention, all you need is a data service.

It's now obvious from all the detail we have uncovered that my original comment was correct - the whole PCM package is complex and all the features and optional charges take a bit of understanding. He will learn the basics at handover and then pick the rest up as he goes - this is what most folk have done. It is a mistake to dive in and subscribe to everything as consideration needs to be given to what features are wanted first.
My PCC is actually up for renewal so i knew it was 1 year the cost and what the other services provided so didnt need to guess. I dont use the other services and my insurance dont demand tracker.
Im a bit confused ref fitting your own sim for PCC as you need an access code from Porsche to activate it on your smartphone? Im guessing if you fit your own sim then they wouldnt give this code?
This was my original email from Vodafone ref PCC

Dear

Thank you for using Porsche Car Connect, I hope that you are enjoying your Remote services.

You may be aware that you also have the ability to access Safety and Security Services. However, without paying a subscription, you are unable to utilise this service in the event of a theft.

Important Insurance Information: Your vehicle may require you to have an active tracking system for insurance purposes (please check with your insurance provider). If a Thatcham approved tracking system is an insurance requirement, your insurance cover may currently be invalid.

To pay your subscription, please contact our customer service team on 01282 473 732 or login to your account on the web portal and pay online. https://pcc.cobratelematics.com/cwp

Benefits of the Security Services - Stolen Vehicle Tracking
 Pinpoint GPS tracking (accurate to within 10 metres)
 GPS and GSM Jamming detection
 Remote Engine Immobilisation
 Automatic Driver Recognition
 Thatcham ‘CAT 5’ Accreditation
 International GSM coverage
 European coverage (44 European countries)
 European Police liaison
 Tow-away alert
 Tamper-alert
 Detailed history during the theft to facilitate recovery
 Recognised by major insurers
 Automatic system health check


Edited by tedblog on Monday 19th February 07:12

lowndes

807 posts

213 months

Monday 19th February 2018
quotequote all
There are two similar sounding services.

Porsche Car Connect (PCC)
https://pcc.vodafonetelematics.com/cwp/login.do

Porsche Connect Services. (PCS)
https://www.porsche.com/uk/connect/


PCC is administered by Vodafone Automotive and comprises Remote Services, Safety Services and Security Services. The Remote Services is included “free” for the first year. Safety and Security are bundled together at £235 per year and if required will have to be paid for ab initio. If you need tracker for insurance or other purposes, then this is where you pay for it. It is the old VTS system but now built into PCM but still requiring the fob. As far as I am aware the tracker is Cat 5.

PCS is quite separate and provides inter alia access to Porsche Apps. To enable it you need to set up a Porsche ID. Once you have this ID you will get a pairing code that you enter into PCM to connect your car with the system. This system for MY 2018 cars works off an embedded sim. I think the first 2 years data is included in the cost of the car.

Apart from Tracker which I need for insurance purposes the other functions are of very limited value and in practice I never use any of them.

Gorsh

329 posts

104 months

Monday 19th February 2018
quotequote all
lowndes said:
There are two similar sounding services.

Porsche Car Connect (PCC)
https://pcc.vodafonetelematics.com/cwp/login.do

Porsche Connect Services. (PCS)
https://www.porsche.com/uk/connect/


PCC is administered by Vodafone Automotive and comprises Remote Services, Safety Services and Security Services. The Remote Services is included “free” for the first year. Safety and Security are bundled together at £235 per year and if required will have to be paid for ab initio. If you need tracker for insurance or other purposes, then this is where you pay for it. It is the old VTS system but now built into PCM but still requiring the fob. As far as I am aware the tracker is Cat 5.

PCS is quite separate and provides inter alia access to Porsche Apps. To enable it you need to set up a Porsche ID. Once you have this ID you will get a pairing code that you enter into PCM to connect your car with the system. This system for MY 2018 cars works off an embedded sim. I think the first 2 years data is included in the cost of the car.

Apart from Tracker which I need for insurance purposes the other functions are of very limited value and in practice I never use any of them.
Thanks, you explain that very well - there is a lot of confusion (including me sometimes) around these services. My experience is different to you as I don't need the tracker active for my insurance so I haven't paid for it, although as you say the Remote Services do work on my Car Connect app, they are kind of useful but I doubt I will be paying the £99 after the first year which is free.

The Connect Services however I do find useful, I like having Google Earth on, looks much better than the plain maps, live traffic is great too which also needs the data service I think. The other things come into their own when away from my home area - I use the internet search to find shops/businesses etc and in particular I like the petrol station finder with the locations and prices nearby - it even knows which grades of petrol are for sale. The other apps are for me a novelty rather than useful, but I will be adding my own SIM to keep these things going after the free 24 months.

As a side issue - I updated the maps to 2018-1 the other day, I connected the car to my home wifi to do it as it was a large download. You can update a maximum of three 'areas', the UK and Ireland is divided into two so on top of that I did part of France.


Edited by Gorsh on Monday 19th February 11:04

Retired01

39 posts

75 months

Monday 19th February 2018
quotequote all
lowndes said:
There are two similar sounding services.

Porsche Car Connect (PCC)
https://pcc.vodafonetelematics.com/cwp/login.do

Porsche Connect Services. (PCS)
https://www.porsche.com/uk/connect/


PCC is administered by Vodafone Automotive and comprises Remote Services, Safety Services and Security Services. The Remote Services is included “free” for the first year. Safety and Security are bundled together at £235 per year and if required will have to be paid for ab initio. If you need tracker for insurance or other purposes, then this is where you pay for it. It is the old VTS system but now built into PCM but still requiring the fob. As far as I am aware the tracker is Cat 5.

PCS is quite separate and provides inter alia access to Porsche Apps. To enable it you need to set up a Porsche ID. Once you have this ID you will get a pairing code that you enter into PCM to connect your car with the system. This system for MY 2018 cars works off an embedded sim. I think the first 2 years data is included in the cost of the car.

Apart from Tracker which I need for insurance purposes the other functions are of very limited value and in practice I never use any of them.
It really is a poorly explained dog's breakfast of similar acronyms, disjointed / poor functionality and a poor user interface.

A situation not helped by the fact that I've not met anyone in an OPC who has a good grasp of what the functionality is or how it works.

To add a little to the above, the app which provides what is essentially synchronisation between itself of the PCM in the car is now just called 'Connect' and includes a link to PCC.

As you say PCC functionality is limited and beyond playing with it when I first got it rarely use it. The only thing that I find slightly useful is to check if the car is locked. If you find it isn't you can lock it, but only if you have 'entry and drive'.

IMO PCM Apps / functionality is largely irrelevant / useless excepting Google earth, Online Search, RTTI online map update (limited) and from time to time parking info. Apps like train and flight info are so limited as to be useless.

Edited by Retired01 on Monday 19th February 11:18