Apps in PH that make driving smarter, safer

In the current age, where almost everything is connected, numerous car brands in the Philippines have sought to digitalize various aspects of the car or motorcycle ownership experience. The aforementioned was accomplished via smartphone applications. 

So, in celebration of World Information and Telecommunications Day, let’s check out some of the locally available car or motorcycle companion apps that, in one way or another, can make owning a vehicle more convenient and easier. 

Nissan Connect

The NissanConnect Services, or simply NissanConnect, was brought into the local market alongside the all-new Almera back in 2023. However, it has been around in other markets since 2015. 

Per Nissan Philippines’ website, the said app is available for owners of the Almera and Patrol, and it can be downloaded from the Google Play Store for Android and the Apple App Store for iOS smartphones

For added safety, the app provides numerous functions, which include: 

• Theft alert
• Curfew alert
• Speed alert
• SOS Emergency call
• Automatic collision notification

Additionally, the app enables Nissan Almera and Patrol owners to remotely lock or unlock their car and start or stop the vehicle’s engine. It can also actively track the vehicle’s location, provide reminders for maintenance schedules, remotely turn on the horn and lights, and make detailed reports concerning vehicle condition and other parameters. 

BYD App

Another car smartphone app available in the Philippines is the BYD smartphone app. It is compatible with almost all locally available BYD nameplates, the latest of which include the recently launched eMAX 7 multi-purpose vehicle. 

Listed as the “BYD Cloud” on vehicle spec sheets, the app is touted as a convenient tool, especially for electric vehicle owners. 

For starters, the app can show detailed parameters such as battery levels, which is useful for estimating the distance to travel between charging points. Additionally, the software can also remotely control the car’s air-conditioning (and ventilated seats if available) to “pre-cool” the car during hot days. 

Other notable functions of the BYD App include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Remote car locking and unlocking
• Vehicle location tracker
• Tire pressure monitor
• Door and window monitor

Like most of the other apps on this list, the one from BYD is available for both iOS and Android smartphones. 

FordPass

The FordPass was launched in the Philippines during the Blue Oval’s 25th anniversary in the local market back in 2022. 

Like other apps on this list, the FordPass can monitor vehicle condition and parameters, which is useful for maintaining one’s ride. It also has remote functionality for engine starting and stopping, door locking and unlocking, interior pre-cooling (remote air-conditioning control), as well as a vehicle locator. 

Additionally, the FordPass app allows its users to set up trips for their periodic maintenance service (PMS) at their preferred Ford dealership. 

To note, the FordPass app is only accessible to models equipped with an eSIM. Otherwise, the app is available for download from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store (Android). 

Honda Connect

Honda Cars Philippines has made owning a Honda-made vehicle easier with the Honda Connect. 

Introduced for the local market back in 2023, it uses smart telematics technology, which the brand says enables a seamless connection between a car owner’s smartphone and their vehicle. 

For its safety-oriented features, Honda Connect provides an automatic collision detection feature, which knows when you’ve been in an accident and can automatically call for help. It also features a security alarm that is triggered by trespassers and a speed alert that warns the driver when they are exceeding the speed limit. 

Additional security from the Honda Connect is done via its car locator and emergency calling features. 

Honda Connect also comes with the Geofencing Alert, which allows the user to create a preset zone where the car should be traveling. If the car goes beyond the said zone, an alert will be activated. The aforementioned is useful for car rental services, company vehicles, and even for concerned parents. 

Similar to the other apps on this list, the Honda Connect also has remote car locking and unlocking, remote air-conditioning control, and remote light control. Additionally, the app also provides reminders to its users when the vehicle is due for its PMS. 

The Honda Connect app is available for both iOS and Android Phones, though its telematics-related features are limited to the Civic RS e:HEV and CR-V. 

Honda RoadSync

On the motorcycle side, Honda Philippines likewise provides an app specifically for the CB1000R, X-ADV, and the all-new PCX160. 

According to the brand, the app has built-in navigation, as well as means to manage calls, messages, and music from one’s linked (via Bluetooth) smartphone. It likewise allows for voice commands, and it can provide information about the weather as well. 

Honda RoadSync is available for both iOS and Android smartphones.

myToyota

Another car-related smartphone app available in the Philippines is the myToyota app, which is available for both iOS and Android devices. 

While the myToyota app doesn’t offer remote control features like the others listed above, it provides powerful tools designed to make owning a Toyota vehicle a more pleasant and convenient experience. 

For example, the myToyota app is capable of tracking multiple vehicles, which is useful for car fleet owners or those who simply have more than one Toyota vehicle in their fleet. Through the app, each car’s insurance policy and PMS schedules are tracked. 

Users are likewise reminded by the app if their policy needs renewing or when they need to visit a dealership for their PMS. Additionally, the app can connect to the nearest Toyota dealership whenever you need roadside emergency assistance. 

The myToyota app is also capable of logging trips, checking your driving behavior via a scoring system, and a Geofencing feature. 

Toyota owners who enjoy accessorizing can also browse the car brand’s extensive catalog of genuine parts, as well as the specifications and prices of its latest vehicle offerings. 

People who are just about to buy a Toyota can also take advantage of the app’s ability to keep track of the latest car launches and active car promos. 

Y-Connect

In the local market, Yamaha Motor Philippines also provides the Y-Connect - a handy app available on both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. 

For its features, the Y-Connect can track one’s fuel usage and keep a log of historical fuel economy data. Via the aforementioned, one can plot out routes for better fuel efficiency. 

Relatedly, the app can also stay on top of your motorcycle’s mechanical parameters. Specifically, it can log how many revolutions per minute your ride’s engine was reaching, its intake manifold and radiator temperatures, and how hard you were accelerating. 

Other noteworthy features of the Y-Connect include a malfunction notification system, a map that can provide parking locations, and a PMS schedule reminder. 

To note, the app can only work on Yamaha nameplates that are equipped with a communication control unit. Examples of the aforementioned include the latest iteration of the N-Max, the Aerox 155, and many others. 

Final thoughts

So, there you have it, folks, some of the locally available vehicle companion apps from major car and motorcycle brands. Which one’s your favorite, or which one are you using actively? 

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