Volvo On Call (VOC)
 

Awaiting delivery of the finest specced car I will have ever owned does leave me pondering if I really need some of these things. Actually I know I dont NEED VOC and I must confess I originally thought it would allow pre-heating and cooling but now realise you need to dig a little deeper than just watching Volvo promotional videos'.

I would like to ask those that have VOC if they would purchase again and indeed keep it going after the 2 (or3) year initial period is up.

Do they find it useful and what will I need when I collect my car - A data sim?

I'd rather not get into the debate about value for money with options from those that dont have VOC and let the voice of those owners who have it or have had it in the past air their views

I also hoped it would make the car more "future proof" for upgrades etc but again fear this may be fairly limited.

I am interested in the upgrade for a true Tracking device which I saw somewhere on the volvo accessories site if anyone knows how much this is and if it is then recognised by insurance companies.

As always genuine feedback is truly appreciated and will provide others looking at this option with informed info and choice... Thank You.

This is an option I seriously considered, but ultimately left it out.

You can't miss what you've never had as they say..... But I do wish I could use the "send to car" function from my mobile.

It is available using the Volvo On Call app, and it is certainly something I would use on a regular basis if I had the subscription.

Appreciate you want to hear from people who have it, but coming from someone who doesn't, I would get it for the above feature alone :)

That, and I just plain like gadgety stuff :)

Thanks Nick, I did think that Send to Car was a Sensus thing..so you need VOC for that?

You can do it from a computer (using here.com).

But I have yet to find out how to do it from a mobile device (as here.com on a mobile will only send you to the mobile site, and not give you the option to change back to "desktop view".)

Who doesn't love having an app hey.... and the VOC app looks pretty decent.

An easy to navigate app..... with an easy way to input postcodes and send to car would be ideal for me.

Unfortunately I have to plan ahead and remember to add them to here.com when I'm on the website..... Third world issues hey!

We have VOC - and purchased it on our 2013 XC60 for the added safety. The car belongs to (soon to be) Mrs S60chris and she drives a lot on her own - so if she falls off the road and lands upside-down in a ditch, I want to know that even if she isn't able to herself, the car will call 999 and give the operator exact details of location and what type of collision she has been involved in.

Other benefits are the iPhone app - she's forever forgetting to lock her car, so after half an hour of it being left unlocked, a little push message comes up on the lock screen of both of our iPhones and it can be locked via the app.

Tracking comes as standard - if you call VOC they will tell you where the car is. They will give this information to the Police if the car gets pinched too. Most handy.

Any idea how much it costs to extend beyond the included 3 years? £150 a year (based on option cost of£450/3)? Or less?

Just renewed mine after 2 years, it costs £131 for 12 months, think it was about £250 for 2 years. Not cheap but it is a safety item especially when wife driving. Also acts as a tracker device so taking these things into account probably worth the money.

Just noticed your comment saying 3 years, have they changed it mine only came with 2 years access.

http://www.volvocars.com/intl/sales-...s/default.aspx

Don't forget to read the 7 headings below the ON CALL page displayed ..

I had VOC many moons ago on my first XC90.
Beside all the safety and tracking features, the selling point for me was the planned OTA updates, which would save some visits to the dealer.
Sadly, this never became available.
Have never bothered with since.

Did give some thought about it, regarding Sensus Connect, but am now convinced that I should be able to do all that is required with desktop/here.com and a mobile phone.
I can see the Android/iPhone app being handy, if as mentioned, one is prone to leaving the car unlocked.

One other point, when I had VOC, the staff at the other end, were not Volvo trained, they were a call service who were there to pass messages on.
They could tell where you we're, how much fuel you had, if doors and windows were closed and the ambient temperature and that was about all.

Footnote:- Around the time that I had VOC, it was stated that all European car manufacturers would be fitting a similar system, as standard, but this has never happened.

tem.

I have VOC and although I have not used the call feature and hope I don't have to it is nice to know it is there especially when the wife goes out on her own. I have the PHEV so use it constantly for pre conditioning the car. The app also allows you to track your mileage great for company car use and the send to car feature is really handy. The peace of mind for the tracking system is also worthwhile. If you think about it most tracking systems have an annual fee so no difference but with added benefits. I would definitely have it again.

I have it and would spec again, no question. Mostly a safety thing - I do know of one real-world case where it alerted the emergency services where the driver was unable to. All it needs is a data sim, and I munch through a fair amount using TuneIn, also if on the road and need to fire off a couple of quick emails it's great to have the laptop hook straight up to the in-car wifi. Much better than the usual drag of waiting for a dongle to boot up (my opinion only).

I got a 3 data sim for £25 every 3 months with 3gb of data. Kids also swallow up data when connected on their iPods on long journeys. iMessage galore in the car :)

You might want to consider this:-

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/phones-...28907-pdt.html

If you buy 3 of them you'll still get your 3 months with 3GB, but will cost you less than £9 rather than the £25 you're paying. Just meaning changing them every month. I've just bought 6 to use in my iPad, with luck they will last the year out.

You can get 12gb for £70.49 direct from 3 and it lasts for 12 months, or sooner if you use up the allowance.

tem.

Is it a regular data sim rather than a micro or nano and what happens if it runs out or you dont replace it. Does it mean it cannot then ring for help in an accident?

Regular size SIM, no impact if it runs out - there is a second sim buried in the car somewhere used for calls, it doesn't rely on the data one (so the VOC call for help function can roam).

I went for a 3 month sim initially to see how the 3 network performed. Done well so will go for a longer and cheaper deal next time.

Cheers Andy

So will the On Call app work without a data sim in the car (other than the buried one)
Only reason I'm asking is yes its great to have a WIFI enabled car but if its just me most of the time I have data bundled into my iPhone tarrif and can tether laptops and iPads to my phone.. Music will stream from my iPhone via bluetooth so do I need to put the data sim in..

I believe you need a data sim for the app but not tried it. Buried sim does voice but presumably also some sort of data if the call centre can tell you details from telematics like location, direction you're facing, windows open etc. if I get a chance I'll try taking the sim out and let you know.

You don't need a data sim for VOC. It works via an embedded sim as noted. This works for all the VOC functions and includes the applications on the phone app. If you want to use the car apps then you need to tether via your own phone or you can use a sim in the glovebox holder. Only the glovebox sim will give you car wifi though

Guys which engine is VED/VEP ?
 

http://support.volvocars.com/uk/Page...a801517ab85585

VOC app: Engine Remote Start (ERS)

Engine Remote Start (ERS) allows you to use the VOC app to start the car’s engine to allow it to acclimatise (cool down or warm up) your car before you use it.

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Engine Remote Start (ERS)
ERS allows you to cool down or warm up the car for 1-15 minutes. The car will automatically be switched off when the specified time has passed. Note that it is your responsibility to comply with local environmental regulations and laws. For information on how to use ERS, see VOC app: Manage Engine Remote Start (ERS).

You can use the ERS function even if you have a parking heater (VOC app: Remote heater start). When the weather is cold, the parking heater works to warm up the car. "Great Swedish - English translation"?

It is possible to start the engine with the ERS function in the VOC app twice in succession, then the engine has to be started with the key before you can start via the VOC app again.
Car key with ERS function
If you have a car key with the ERS function, you can use it together with the VOC app. You can, for example, start the car with the key and switch it off with the app.
Availability
Heating via ERS is available for cars equipped with VOC which meet the requirements listed below.

Car model
V70, XC70, S80, S60, V60, XC60
Model year
2015
Gearbox
Automatic transmission
Engine
Si6, I5T, VED/VEP
ERS is available on all VOC markets (Volvo On Call - Languages and countries) except Austria, France and Germany.

Oooh, a safe working remote start warmer upper could tip me over that particular edge!
Would love to know if that were true for MY15 XC's in this country!

Guess I may be one of the first to find out then.. will let you know Mike

http://support.volvocars.com/uk/Page...a801513bb61128


Sounds promising

you tease!
Now then....I have been told my car order status may "lock down" in the next week. Is VOC something that needs fitting at the factory, does anyone know?

Definately ! Needs to be placed at the Heart of your Volvo

hmmm.....not sure that will make it in then.....unless my dealer can confirm whether it really has this mythical power for sure......& probably persuade me it VOC really is worth the expense.....to the satisfaction of SWMBO....
:D

I'm close to being persuaded....but then I don't take much.....& I suspect Mrs W will just crumble and say "just bl**dy get it then" (think she is tired of the wait!!)

Not clear about the data/sim business: is it possible to have a duplicate phone sim from my android and have that put in (in my case, 'cos work provide those!)....
....& if not, then how much is that sim going to cost above the £450 list price?!

thanks, it does look interesting.....not that there isn't a small part of me wondering whether it may accidently unlock the car, etc....

On the roadside assistance - I'm trawling threads without luck: does it include Europe cover, and who provides that (AA/RAC/other)?

Cheers

Mike - read this thread again from the start - dont have to have a seperate data sim

If your car is unlocked and stationary I think it alerts you after so many minutes

Full European assistance - just press the button.

I'm clearly losing the ability to assimilate information: yes, it was clear on only the last page, thx!
So all functions (including the mythical start & warm the car up MY15 onwards) features would be in the 'buried' sim.....nice!

Hmmm....I know it mentioned setting the climate control with that (ie, could warm the car up or cool it down)......wonder if it can turn on the heated screen & heated front (& rear) seats.......okay, http://www.volvocars.com/intl/sales-...n-comfort.aspx confirms the screen....what about seats (& steering wheel).....

ooh, ambassador, you spoil me.....

If it is definitely there I suspect it is a remote start feature only and think i've read you would need to park the car up (ie night before) leaving controls at the desired temp..so yes you are now getting carried away but I suppose the technology is there. They are also asking for ideas for inclusion!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PR00zSk4FHg

With the diesel heater I have you can set the heated seats to come on but not via VOC, they have to be set before hand. Also you do not get to chose the temperature it sets itself at 22 degrees warming or cooling. With mine cooling can only be done for 3 mins due to battery drain but if the engine is running then it might be different as I assume on the normal engine the a/c is not an electric compressor.

It sounds very much like the ERS is *not* for the UK market (despite the website saying it is!). Waiting for final confirmation, but it would seem that VOC really is about the SOS/tracking function & perhaps the ability to lock/unlock the car.
Pity: I could just about mentally justify remotely being able to start my car & watch it warm up...not sure I will for the rest!!

Needed VOC
 

Had a need to phone VOC when the key on a XC90 would not turn they where great came and opened up the lock and got the car started drove to the dealer to get fixed and was met with a hire car for use until car was fixed (3 Days) as the lock has to be programed to the key al free except the cost of lock replacement was excellent service cannot fault it.

The ERS is not dependent on VOC being in the car, and my dealer has quoted me for it so I assume it's available in the UK! You activate it from the keyfob so no dependency on VOC as far as I recall....

I did post a thread about it, so will try and dig it out.

Here is the ERS part number (for V60 but there is one for XC60) which appeared after telling the site I had an Auto RHD D4 V60 - http://accessories.volvocars.com/Acc...ent/VCC-472928

And here is the thread I'd started that includes the pricing (first post on page 2) - http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=201360

Aside from the ERS stuff, the real reason I went looking for this thread was that I have finally got round to connecting the car to the VOC mobile app. Great feature, apart from the nice-to-have of reading dashboard info and so on from the phone, if you switch on journey logging then every drive, no matter how short, is logged and made available with some basic stats including estimated mpg for that journey. So on the brief drive back to the house after dropping off daughter at train station, I managed 27mpg from cold start. Since I usually trip miles according to each full tank, this will be interesting to see what the trip estimate for each inbetween journey is. On board trip seems accurate to within a mpg or two mostly, hoping the app is likewise. One oddity - in the car fuel gauge there are 8 bars, yet in the VOC app there are 10.

Other than that it seems very quick to update and the notifications if I do forget to lock it will be useful. No idea whether the lock/unlock feature would be of any use other than that - can anyone think of a circumstance where you could end up locked out your car with the keys inside? Or is this just intended to allow you access for recovery if you have lost them...?

Yes, when you're lying in bed and just about to turn the light out and you wonder to yourself 'did I lock the car'. You then have to get up and go to the widow and zap the remote.

This can now be done from the comfort of your own bed and it doesn't matter if you left the keys downstairs, in the office or bathroom or anywhere else in the house for that matter.

What a great feature. Now why didn't I..............................

Heh heh heh - yes....or on the other hand.....more things to go wrong!!

Yes, my dealer confirmed that the ERS-with-VOC is *not* for the UK, despite the erroneous website information.

Strange, because mine gave me a price and offered to fit it....