Brand Quirks
Brand specific quirks to keep in mind while building out your application.
Acura
Ignition On
Depending on model year, certain Acura vehicles do not return data when the ignition/engine is on.
Sleep State
Most Acuras will go into a sleep state after about a week of inactivity,
Audi
Primary Key User
In order to have access to all vehicle functionality the account that connects to Smartcar will need to be flagged as a Key User by Audi.
BMW/MINI
CONNECTED_SERVICES_ACCOUNT - SUBSCRIPTION errors
Smartcar API will throw a CONNECTED_SERVICES_ACCOUNT - SUBSCRIPTION when the data we receive from the vehicle is older than a month as this normally indicates a subscription issue.
Ford/Lincoln
Authentication
Connecting Ford and Lincoln vehicles requires the use of one of our mobile SDKs. We currently offer SDKs for iOS, Android, and Flutter. Smartcar’s Connect SDKs will redirect to Ford’s site to handle the authentication process when the user logs in.
Authentication via non-mobile platforms such as web browsers is not supported at this time. See Connect SDKs for our latest SDKs.
GM (Buick, Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC)
Authentication
Connecting GM vehicles requires the use of one of our mobile SDKs. We currently offer SDKs for iOS, Android, and Flutter. Smartcar’s Connect SDKs will redirect to the appropriate OEM brand site to handle the authentication process when the user logs in.
Authentication via non-mobile platforms such as web browsers is not supported at this time. See Connect SDKs for our latest SDKs.
VEHICLE_STATE - ASLEEP errors
After 3-4 days of no activity, GM vehicles will enter a deep sleep state at which point they will no longer respond to API requests to preserve their 12v battery. In order to get data from the vehicle again, the car will need to go through an ignition cycle.
UPSTREAM - RATE_LIMIT errors
In order to avoid hitting UPSTREAM - RATE_LIMIT errors use batch requests and ping no more than once every 30 minutes. Use of the OEM app also counts towards the rate limit.
Hyundai/Kia
Polling Limitations
Hyundai/Kia vehicles have a limitation where only 20 requests can be made in a 24 hour period. Smartcar allows one requests every 72 minutes to go to the vehicle directly. All other requests will be sent to the OEM’s cloud which may be updated after events such as:
- Every 10% of SoC while charging
- 5 minutes after ignition off
- Vehicle doors are left unlocked for 5 minutes
- After a command successfully completes
- Whenever charging stops
Nissan
“Vehicle has been found” MyNISSAN notifications
Vehicle owners may receive a notification from the MyNISSAN app stating “Success! We found the location of your vehicle. Check the map for the location of your YYYY Model.” every time the location endpoint is hit.
The app appears to have an option to edit notifications, but as of Feb 2024 they are not available in the app. Notifications may need to be turned off at the iOS/Android level by the vehicle owner.
PSA Group (Citroen, DS, Opel, Peugeot, Vauxhall)
Requesting control_charge permissions
If you request control_charge permissions for PSA EVs, upon login owners will be presented with a PIN and MFA screen in Connect upon submitting their credentials. They will need to have set this up on their OEMs application in order to grant your application this permission.
Rivian
MFA
If MFA is enabled the vehicle owner will need to re-authorize via Connect about every 2 weeks.
Tesla
Remote Access
It may take a few hours or up to a full day for the REMOTE_ACCESS_DISABLED errors to subside after remote access is enabled.
Charge Billing Records
In order to retrieve charge billing records, the main Tesla account must connect the vehicle, as driver profiles do not have access to this data.
Virtual Key
Tesla now requires virtual keys for 3rd-party applications in order to issue commands for the following models:
- All Cybertrucks, Model 3 and Model Y
- 2021+ Model S and X
Toyota/Lexus
Prius Prime - Location
Due to very low reliability/accuracy of the location endpoint for Prius Primes, we currently do not support that endpoint for the Prius Prime vehicles specifically. The regular Prius vehicle do support location.
Volkswagen
Control charge limits
Volkswagen only allows 15 charge commands (start/stop charge) before the vehicle needs to be driven again in order to start responding to start/stop requests.
CONNECTED_SERVICES_ACCOUNT errors on lock/unlock commands
In addition to verifying the VW account with the activation code, some cars will need to undergo the VW Ident Process before you can access remote lock/unlock functionality. This involves contacting the dealership to verify your ownership of the vehicle.
Missing Subscription (European VWs)
Upon purchasing (or activating the free trial), VW needs to review the request. You will get an email confirmation once they’ve cleared everything on their side.
Primary Driver Status
In order to fully interact with Smartcar, the credentials need to be flagged as the primary driver. You’ll need to tap the “become primary driver” flow in the VW app. Depending on the model, this may require you to be in the car to interact with the infotainment system.
Volvo
Lock/unlock commands
Volvo is an outlier regarding how unlock requests are processed. After initiating the request, after about 10 seconds you’ll need to open the trunk (boot) to successfully complete the request. You’ll know the car is ready to unlock the trunk as the hazard lights will flash. We recommend adding a notification for Volvos as part of the request loading animation to inform the user of this process.
Phone number username
Smartcar Connect currently checks for an email format, as such phone number usernames cannot be used. The owner will need to add their email to their Volvo account via the web portal.
Compatibility
Some models are not compatible because the device needs to be physically in the vehicle during authentication, which Connect doesn’t support at the moment:
- 2021+: XC40 Recharge
- 2022+: S90, S90 Recharge, V90, V90 Recharge, V90 Cross Country, XC60, XC60 Recharge, C40 Recharge
- 2023+: All models with the exception of the XC40
Even if the vehicle has been connected to and shows up in the Volvo app, if they go through Connect the account will present as if there are no vehicles on the account.