VW's Curfew, Valet Alerts Keep You From Getting Ferris Bueller'd

If it was a Volkswagen Ferris Bueller “borrowed” in 2018 instead of Cameron’s dad’s Ferrari in 1986, he would’ve never gotten away with it. And those shady, joyriding parking-garage attendants? They would’ve been out of luck, too. VW just announced that its Car-Net Security & Service mobile app will add a couple of new features starting today. Curfew Alert and Valet Alert will notify owners if their vehicles are driven without permission.

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With Curfew Alert, owners can get a notification when their vehicle is driven after a specific time. It can be turned on and off in the Car-Net app, and when activated, owners will get an email or text alert if the vehicle moves.

“This feature can provide added peace of mind — parents, for example, can rest easier knowing if their teenage drivers take the car without their permission, they’ll be notified,” VW said in a statement.

Similarly, once Valet Alert is activated, owners will be notified by email or text if the car goes more than 0.2 mile from the last parked location.

Want to skip the valet all together? The third new feature unveiled with the app update, Parking Information, helps owners easily locate a parking garage. To engage it, users click the “P” icon on the Navigate tab to show available parking locations. Once a specific location is selected, the app will display the address, hours of operation and pricing. Users can also send the location to their car’s navigation system, if so equipped, by clicking the “Send to My VW” button.

Car-Net currently offers features like remote door lock and unlock, fuel-level checks, diagnostic and maintenance information, scheduled service notifications, navigation services, and speed and boundary alerts. Upgraded services under the Car-Net Security & Service umbrella include automatic crash notification, emergency calls, roadside assistance and stolen-vehicle location assistance.

Customers purchasing a new Volkswagen equipped with the system will receive a free six-month trial subscription. After the trial, one year of service is $199, two years is $378 and three years costs $540; month-to-month plans start at $17.99.

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