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HondaLink

39K views 90 replies 47 participants last post by  jdjones  
#1 ·
Am I the only one that thinks HondaLInk is useless?
 
#4 · (Edited)
HondaLink is Honda's software app on your smart phone and RL trims with the touch screen

HomeLink is the 3 buttons on overhead console (on RL trims that have them) you can program to open garage doors

OP is asking about HondaLink. You're replying about HomeLink. OK to discuss both sound alikes I suppose (even I had them mixed early on)
 
#9 ·
Honda Link (Telematics): I haven't needed it, but I'm glad it is there. The more rural you are, I imagine the better you will like to have it enabled. It will contact 911 on a collision.

Home Link: I haven't programmed it, yet, so no opinion. Although, some metro area news has reported that thieves are utilizing in-vehicle garage door openers to break into houses. I would hope they are referring to the FOB type that are not integrated into the car. With that said (and not knowing, yet). I hope Honda at least has that disabled when the car is "off" just for this reason.
 
#10 ·
I've found HondaLink OK, if somewhat slow. My iPhone app just updated recently and it is better. When at home, getting ready to go somewhere out of town, I like being able to search for the place, then send it to car. Unfortunately, it takes a while to get to the vehicle. With my wife's AcuraLink on her RDX, you find the location, send to car, then about 10 seconds after you start the vehicle (including system initial boot), the location pops up on the screen and asks if you want to set this as your location in the NAV. You click OK and you are done. On the RL, it is sometimes 5-10 minutes or so, then the system chimes at you, allowing you to swipe the icon down and get the location. Still works; however, by that time you are on the road...it does, however, allow you to touch the location and set it, even while driving.

If it was as quick at the Acura system, I'd like it better. The update just done in November, however, did seem to speed it up from when I first bought the truck and downloaded the app (it always does work now, which wasn't the case before). Hopefully, they will continue to work on it. In the Acura app, you get notified of TSB's, recalls, etc; however, I haven't had one show up, yet (thankfully). Honda app doesn't do that, yet....so obviously a work in progress.
 
#11 ·
Hondalink is decent...A little less 'feature rich' than systems like UConnect (FCA) but they made you pay $149 a year after year one.

The feature of sending destinations to your vehicle's nav system is one I really like (I used it all the time for work trips when I had the RAM). I have the address but why have to voice or type it in the actual nav when you can pre-send it. I like the simple, clean look of the Hondalink app on mobile devices.

The fact it is included without additional cost is the best feature...
 
#18 ·
Is anyone using the Hondalink IOS app with a RTL-E or BE currently getting more than just the basic location information?

In 2016, when I first got my 2017 RTL-E, I got range, Odometer, and the other info that is listed on the Hondalink site for the E. It stopped within a few months and I am only getting location.

I have deleted the app from both an IPhone 7 and IPhone X, reinstalled, deleted the BT pairings from both the Ridgeline and the phones and re-paired. Both phones are current IOS. I still only get location.

By the way, the exact same thing is occurring with my wife’s 2018 CR-V Touring. I am wondering if my Honda ID is messed up somehow.

Honda support has not been helpful.

Thanks for any information in advance.?
 
#19 ·
HondaLink has been a mess on my Ridgeline, Civic, and Accord. Like you, it always starts out functional then it gradually becomes less functional and either updates sporadically or not at all.

Honda will admit they provide limited support for these free, non-subscription HondaLink services. They'll tell you to do the following:

1. Delete your phone from the vehicle and your vehicle from the phone then re-pair the Bluetooth connection.
2. Sign out of the HondaLink app and back in.
3. Deleted then re-add your vehicle to the HondaLink app.
4. Delete the HondaLink app and reinstall.
5. Perform a "factory data reset" on the Display Audio system.
6. Take it to your dealer, who will do steps 1-5.
7. Dealer calls Honda Tech Line who will tell them to do steps 1-5.
8. If it still doesn't work, they'll say it must be your phone.

Currently, my Ridgeline shows fuel range and odometer, but it's not consistent. Sometimes the data is current as of the last drive. Other times uselessly outdated.
 
#20 ·
Thanks for the info. I have done everything but the factory reset and having the dealer waste time by doing the same things I have already done.

Two different phones and two different Hondas. Same issue.

I have two open incidents with Honda on this, one for each vehicle. It will be interesting to see if they ever get back to me.
 
#21 ·
Yeah, I really don't use those features, but I expect them to work since they are included with the vehicle. I had a similar experience - two different phones, but with three different Hondas over a two-year period.

I already knew what to try and tried everything before calling Honda as a last resort. The representative was courteous, but admitted she didn't have much support information available for the non-subscription version of HondaLink. She said if it was the newer 4G LTE subscription-based version, she had more in-depth troubleshooting information available.

I'm not quite sure what breaks the HondaLink functionality causing it to become intermittent or non-functional other than...time.

I suspect most people don't know about or use this feature and those that do probably don't care much if it stops working.
 
#22 ·
iOS app marginally useless

I've had the app on the phone since I purchased the RL. I was delighted that the app first notified me of a recall. But it was all downhill from there.

I had taken the Rl to the dealer and whatever needed to be repaired regarding the recall was completed. Yet, I could find no way of removing the annoying alert from the app.

Then the date. The date that's located sort of in the center of the screen, instead of being today's date is that for some several months ago and has been so for months.

Then I tried the app's feedback to get some answers. That was useless.

Then I tried calling on two different occasions the number provided. Both times I hung up after being on hold for longer than 10 minutes.

Now that I've described the event timeline, I feel better saying the app in its current form sucks. I deleted the app.

Mark
 
#23 · (Edited)
#24 ·
If you have an Android phone with an older operation system than Android 6, HondaLink no longer works. Starting with HondaLink version 4.0.0 you must have Android 6 or higher.

So you old Android users need to upgrade or replace your phone, or dump the worthless HondaLink app, or get rid of your Honda.
 
#25 ·
So, because I was curious I started to try and use HondaLink with my 2018 RTL-E.

1. I downloaded the app, and made sure it was turned on in the truck.
2. It connected relatively quickly and the local temperature appeared on the Honda Link Display.

So, what other functions does it have?

1. Communicate with Honda on recalls - This isn't used.
2. Send Odometer and Range to Phone - Doesn't Work and repeated attempts with Honda Tech Support could not change that.
3. Share Map with Vehicle - Basically, you could be on Google Maps and Share something to the Truck. This will work roughly 1 out of 10 times and then only have a significant delay. The Honda rep said - Well, that's sent through satellite and it doesn't always get there. To me, the only thing worse than doesn't work...is works once in a while.

That's about it for the feature set - My suggest, there's no real reason to install the app on your phone or ever waste any time with it. I wonder who at Honda thought this was reasonable technology to put in a 2018 vehicle?

...ken
 
#28 ·
If you search this forum for "HondaLink", you'll find dozens of posts on this feature and answers to all of your questions.

I'll comment further on #3: The route is sent from the your smartphone to the vehicle over a Bluetooth connection - not from satellites. The vehicle does not receive any data from GPS satellites other than the time of day. Map data is stored locally, the vehicle position is calculated from time signals received from multiple satellites, and traffic information comes from FM radio stations near large cities.

HondaLink has generally been a frustrating disappointment in each of the six Hondas I've owned that had it. It's operation is intermittent at best.

I no longer even bother installing the HondaLink app on my phone because I was annoyed by it opening itself randomly 50% of the time when I start the vehicle.

There are at least three different versions of HondaLink with different capabilities and different connection methods that are all called "HondaLink". Our Ridgelines have one of the older, less-capable versions. Newer versions display additional information. The newest version operates over 4G LTE which allows additional capability such as remote start (except in the Pilot/Passport), light flash, horn honk, view tire pressures, fuel level, oil life, odometer, door/hook/trunk status, lock/unlock, etc. from anywhere in the world. I expect the 2020 Ridgeline to include this version except without remote start.
 
#30 ·
If you search this forum for "HondaLink", you'll find dozens of posts on this feature and answers to all of your questions.

I'll comment further on #3: The route is sent from the your smartphone to the vehicle over a Bluetooth connection - not from satellites. The vehicle does not receive any data from GPS satellites other than the time of day. Map data is stored locally, the vehicle position is calculated from time signals received from multiple satellites, and traffic information comes from FM radio stations near large cities.

HondaLink has generally been a frustrating disappointment in each of the six Hondas I've owned that had it. It's operation is intermittent at best.

I no longer even bother installing the HondaLink app on my phone because I was annoyed by it opening itself randomly 50% of the time when I start the vehicle.

There are at least three different versions of HondaLink with different capabilities and different connection methods that are all called "HondaLink". Our Ridgelines have one of the older, less-capable versions. Newer versions display additional information. The newest version operates over 4G LTE which allows additional capability such as remote start, light flash, horn honk, view tire pressures, fuel level, oil life, odometer, door/hook/trunk status, lock/unlock, etc. from anywhere in the world. I expect the 2020 Ridgeline to include this version except without remote start.
Here's a few...

HondaLink send location question...

Hondalink app IOS functionality
 
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