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Connected Cars

Plain-language explainers about built-in connectivity, location settings, and how vehicle data can be removed.

Connected Cars guides

Connected services

What connected services actually do

Many newer vehicles include a built-in cellular modem that supports features like remote start, roadside assistance, and over-the-air updates. These features often send and receive data in the background.

  • Check your owner's manual or infotainment menu for a section called connectivity, connected services, or data sharing.
  • Some services run on a trial period and continue collecting diagnostic data after the trial ends.
  • Look for separate toggles for diagnostics, usage analytics, and remote features.

Location settings

Understanding vehicle location settings

Navigation, emergency response, and remote vehicle finder features may rely on location data. Many systems let you limit how often location is shared or turn off non-essential sharing.

  • Review whether location sharing is set to always, only during navigation, or off.
  • Emergency features may keep location access even when other sharing is limited.
  • Clear saved destinations, home, and work addresses if you share the vehicle.

Data deletion

How data deletion usually works

Deleting data from the vehicle screen and deleting data held in an online account are often two separate steps. Knowing the difference helps you plan.

  • A factory reset in the vehicle usually clears local profiles, contacts, and saved places.
  • Account data stored online may require a separate request through the account or app.
  • Keep a note of the date you made each request for your own records.

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