What is Bell Connected Car and how do I use it?
Bell offers both Plug-in and Built-in Connected Car services.
Bell Connected Car Plug-in connectivity
Bell Connected Car Plug-in is a small device that can be plugged into a vehicle’s on-board diagnostics (OBD-II) port, for the benefit of monitoring driving activity, obtaining car performance alerts, and enjoying in-car Wi-Fi for up to five devices. Bell Connected Car Plug-in has an associated app, which can be used to track these diagnostics, as well as your car’s location and your driving habits. It also provides engine diagnostics so you can track the health of your vehicle.
Bell Connected Car Plug-in requires three components:
- The plug-in device (OBD-II device), which plugs directly into your car
- The Bell Connected Car Plug-in app (powered by Mojio)
- A monthly Bell Connected Car Plug-in rate plan
Learn more about Bell Connected Car Plug-in and see if your car is compatible
View the Bell Connected Car Plug-in terms of service
Bell Connected Car Built-in connectivity
Bell Connected Car Built-in turns compatible vehicles into a Wi-Fi hotspot. A Bell data plan is required to activate the hotspot. Once activated, your vehicle’s Wi-Fi hotspot allows you to connect up to 10 mobile devices so that you can browse, stream, share and more.
Learn more about Bell Connected Car Built-in and see if your car is compatible
How does Connected Car Built-in connectivity differ from Connected Car Plug-in connectivity?
Connected Car Built-in connectivity operates through a SIM card that is already built into select vehicles by the vehicle manufacturer. Connected Car Plug-in connectivity operates through a separate device that is plugged into a vehicle’s on-board diagnostics (OBD-II) port by the customer.
Will Bell Connected Car Plug-in work with my car?
Bell Connected Car Plug-in works with most gasoline- and diesel-engine cars manufactured for use since 1996. It is not compatible with most electric and plug-in hybrid cars. Some diesel cars may not provide complete and accurate fuel efficiency data.
To see if your car is compatible, visit bell.ca/checkmycar.
How do I purchase and install the Bell Connected Car Plug-in device?
- Visit a Bell store. You will need to purchase an OBD-II device and subscribe to a Bell Connected Car Plug-in plan.
- Insert the Bell SIM card into the OBD-II device (if your sales rep has not already done so).
- Download the Bell Connected Car app and then follow our detailed Quick Start Guide to complete setup. The Quick Start Guide is also included in the device box. Make sure your car is turned off completely when plugging in or removing the OBD-II device. You are responsible for ensuring that the device is installed securely and properly.
Online
You can purchase and activate Bell Connected Car Plug-in online. Build your plan now.
In store
Reminder: before you purchase Bell Connected Car Plug-in, please make sure your car is compatible. To check compatibility, visit bell.ca/checkmycar. Do not install the device if your car is not compatible.
Note: You do not have to be an existing Bell Mobility customer to activate Bell Connected Car Plug-in.
What is an OBD-II port and where do I find it?
The on-board diagnostics (OBD-II) port is a socket that the OBD-II device plugs into. You can usually find it beneath the driver’s side dashboard near the steering wheel. Check your car’s user manual if you have trouble finding it. It’s the same port that mechanics use to diagnose car trouble and engine problems.
Tip: our compatibility checker tool at bell.ca/checkmycar can also help you locate the OBD-II port in your car.
How will Bell Connected Car Plug-in affect my car battery?
If plugged in, the OBD-II device goes into sleep mode when your car is not being used. When the device is in sleep mode, it does not draw power from your car battery. If you access the app on your phone when your car is turned off, the OBD-II device will wake up to access information about your car; this draws some power from your car battery.
If you park your car for a long period of time (e.g., several weeks), you should unplug the device to conserve battery power. Make sure your car is turned off completely when removing the OBD-II device.
Can I roam with Bell Connected Car Plug-in?
Yes, you are able to roam in the U.S. while using Bell Connected Car Plug-in. The U.S. data roaming feature is built into your Connected Car plan.
Note: you will only be charged for a maximum of 20 days roaming per Connected Car device within the same billing period.
How do I turn off roaming for Bell Connected Car Plug-in?
If you don’t want to incur Connected Car roaming charges while travelling, you need to unplug the device from your OBD-II port. Make sure your car is turned off completely when removing the OBD-II device. You can also block roaming on your account by calling 1 800 667-0123 (or call *611 from any Bell mobile phone).
Can I use the device in more than one car?
Yes, if your family owns multiple compatible cars, you can use the same device in more than one car. If you move the device from one car to another, it will only be able to track information about the car to which it’s connected. To track two cars simultaneously, you will need two separate OBD-II devices.
Note: make sure your car is turned off completely when plugging in or removing the OBD-II device. You are responsible for ensuring that the device is installed securely and properly.
How does the Wi-Fi hotspot work?
Your car’s Wi-Fi hotspot works just like your home’s Wi-Fi network. It has a default network name and password that you can find on the device and the glovebox card (included in the device box). Only people who know the password will be able to connect.
You can change the Wi-Fi network name and password from the Bell Connected Car app. To change the Wi-Fi settings, the vehicle’s engine must be turned on. If you change the network name and/or password, your connected devices will need to reconnect using the new settings.
Your Wi-Fi hotspot uses data from your rate plan. You can connect up to five Wi-Fi-capable devices to the hotspot, such as smartphones, tablets and laptops.
How does Connected Car Built-in connectivity differ from Connected Car Plug-in connectivity?
Connected Car Built-in connectivity operates through a SIM card that is already built into select vehicles by the vehicle manufacturer. Connected Car Plug-in connectivity operates through a separate device that is plugged into a vehicle’s on-board diagnostics (OBD-II) port by the customer.
How does the built-in Wi-Fi hotspot work?
Your vehicle’s Wi-Fi hotspot works just like your home’s Wi-Fi network. It has a default network name and password. Only people who know the password will be able to connect.
A Bell data plan is required to activate the hotspot. Once activated, you can connect to your Wi-Fi hotspot on Canada’s best national network.
How do I activate Bell Connected Car Built-in connectivity?
First, you will need to sign up for the free trial, which will give you up to 3 GB of complimentary data for use within 3 months of activation. Once the trial is over, you will need to subscribe to a Bell Connected Car Built-in data plan to continue using your vehicle’s Wi-Fi hotspot.
How do I sign up for the free trial?
Visit bell.ca/connectedcarbuiltin and select your vehicle to confirm compatibility. If compatible, click on Start your free trial and complete the registration steps. You can also sign up at a Bell store.
How do I continue using Connected Car Built-in connectivity after finishing my free trial?
Log in to MyVehicle to sign up for a Bell Connected Car plan.
What plans are available for Built-in connectivity?
See the plans available for Bell Connected Car Built-in.
Do I have to be a Bell Mobility customer to activate Connected Car Built-in connectivity?
No, you do not have to be an existing Bell Mobility customer to activate Connected Car Built-in connectivity. If you are a new customer, go to the MyVehicle portal and follow the prompts to purchase more data and sign-up for a Bell Connected Car Built-in prepaid plan.
How do I top up my Prepaid data plan if it’s been fully consumed?
Data top-ups are available through MyBell. Log in to MyBell, select your Bell Connected Car service, and click on Top up now under My prepaid account.
How do I change my vehicle’s Wi-Fi password?
Please see your car manufacturer’s website for details on how to change your vehicle’s Wi-Fi network name and password.
Can I use the Built-in connectivity Wi-Fi hotspot when travelling outside of Canada?
U.S. roaming is available with the Connect Everything plan and the Flex plan. See the rate plans and roaming fees.
Roaming is not available with Prepaid plans; however, you can use your data across Canada.
Note: you will only be charged for a maximum of 20 days roaming per Bell Connected Car within the same billing period.
How much will I be charged for roaming if I have a Bell Connected Car plan that shares data with my smartphone?
You will be charged $13/day* for roaming with Bell Connected Car Built-in. If your smartphone is connected to your vehicle’s Wi-Fi hotspot, your smartphone will not be charged for roaming separately.
If you wish to call or text using your smartphone while roaming, we recommend that you sign up for Roam Better.
* Valid each day until 11:59 p.m. ET.
How do I turn off roaming for Bell Connected Car Built-in?
You can block roaming on your account by calling 1 800 667-0123 (or call *611 from any Bell mobile phone).
How do I speak to someone about my current service and rate plan options?
Call 1 800 667-0123 (or call *611 from any Bell mobile phone).
