How do I activate KeyPass?

[Jerware]

Any other Bolt owners out there know how to activate KeyPass? I turned it on in the Bolt's infotainment menus. The manual (page 45) says to put the car in park, then open the My Chevrolet app and choose "Search for New Vehicles." I don't see that option, so I can't go to the next step of scanning a QR code on the screen.

I did register my car with the Chevy web site & OnStar, so I do see the standard three remote functions in the app (door locks, pre-condition, and horn/lights), but the manual indicates KeyPass offers much more functionality. Am I missing something?

 

[SeanNelson]

Not a Bolt owner here, so take my advice with a grain of salt. But I wonder if you have to Bluetooth pair the phone with the Bolt's infotainment center before you can do this?

 

[Jerware]

Not a Bolt owner here, so take my advice with a grain of salt. But I wonder if you have to Bluetooth pair the phone with the Bolt's infotainment center before you can do this?

Perfectly good suggestion, but I have already done that. I wonder if the feature simply isn't available yet. Odd.

 

[EldRick]

I'd be curious to read a description of what Keypass is/does. The manual is opaque on that...

 

[SeanNelson]

I'd be curious to read a description of what Keypass is/does. The manual is opaque on that...

I assumed it was the capability to use your smart phone as a key fob - in other words, it becomes the "key" to your vehicle and you don't need to carry a separate fob with you.

 

[EldRick]

Here's the only reference I could find to it: "In the center console are USB ports with CarPlay and Andriod Auto that you can connect to along with a low energy Bluetooth system called Key Pass. This Bluetooth system will allow you to pair your mobile device with the car from a certain distance thus cutting down the wait time between getting into the car and establishing the connection."
From http://www.chevybolt.org/forum/129-safety-features-technology/3250-2017-chevrolet-bolt-s-interior-bells-whistles.html

 

[Schnort]

This link: https://my.chevrolet.com/content/dam/gmownercenter/gmna/dynamic/manuals/2017/Chevrolet/BOLT%20EV/Owner's%20Manual.pdf (page 44) says:

If equipped, this feature allows a smartphone to be connected to the vehicle and remote vehicle functions to be requested. Features vary depending on availability. Features include:
. Remote commands – Use to lock/unlock the vehicle, remote start for the cabin climate, or sound or cancel the horn and flash the lights.
. Vehicle status – View the vehicle’s range and battery level, charging status, and tire pressure.
. Welcome lighting – Request light when approaching the vehicle.
. Location services – Save the parked location or start navigation at the vehicle’s GPS coordinates.
Setup Function
. KeyPass Setup
‐ Managing Priority Setting
‐ Modifying Priority Setting
. Revocation
Active Remote Function
. Door Lock/Unlock
. Remote Start/Stop
. Panic Alarm Activation/Termination
. Remote Charge Termination
. High Voltage Charge Functions
‐ Temporary Charging Override
Update
‐ Change the Charging Mode Permanently
‐ Update Departure Time Schedule
‐ High Voltage Priority Charging Activate and De-activate
‐ Select Charge Level/Limit
Preference Screen
. Vehicle Locator
. Routing w/Available Mileage
Passive Function
. Approach Detection/Welcome Lighting
Visual Display for Vehicle Information
. Low Battery Indication
. Tire Pressure
. Remote Engine Start Status
. Odometer Reading
. Rear Closure Ajar Switch Status
. Electric Parking Brake Status
. Hood Status
. High Voltage Battery State of Charge Status
. GPS Signal for End of Trip
. Charge Mode Status
‐ Available Mileage
‐ Charge Start and End Times
Status
‐ Full Week of Time Based Delayed Charging Status
‐ Disable Rate Based and Delayed Charging Status
‐ High Voltage Charging System Fault (Unable to Charge)
‐ High Voltage Charger Power Level
‐ High Voltage Battery Charge Cord Connected Indication
‐ Charge Complete
‐ Usable State of Charge
‐ High Voltage Depletion Mode Range
‐ High Voltage Battery State of Charge Status

 

[Jerware]

From the manual (page 44):

KeyPass

If equipped, this feature allows a smartphone to be connected to the vehicle and remote vehicle functions to be requested. Features vary depending on availability.

Features include:

• Remote commands – Use to lock/unlock the vehicle, remote start for the cabin climate, or sound or cancel the horn and flash the lights.
• Vehicle status – View the vehicle’s range and battery level, charging status, and tire pressure.
• Welcome lighting – Request light when approaching the vehicle.
• Location services – Save the parked location or start navigation at the vehicle’s GPS coordinates.

Setup Function

• KeyPass Setup
  • Managing Priority Setting
  • Modifying Priority Setting
• Revocation

Active Remote Function

• Door Lock/Unlock
• Remote Start/Stop
• Panic Alarm Activation/Termination
• Remote Charge Termination
• High Voltage Charge Functions
  • Temporary Charging Override Update
  • Change the Charging Mode Permanently
  • Update Departure Time Schedule
  • High Voltage Priority Charging Activate and De-activate
  • Select Charge Level/Limit Preference Screen
• Vehicle Locator
• Routing w/Available Mileage

Passive Function
Approach Detection/Welcome Lighting

Visual Display for Vehicle Information

• Low Battery Indication
• Tire Pressure
• Remote Engine Start Status
• Odometer Reading
• Rear Closure Ajar Switch Status
• Electric Parking Brake Status
• Hood Status
• High Voltage Battery State of Charge Status
• GPS Signal for End of Trip
• Charge Mode Status
  • Available Mileage
  • Charge Start and End Times Status
  • Full Week of Time Based Delayed Charging Status
  • Disable Rate Based and Delayed Charging Status
  • High Voltage Charging System Fault (Unable to Charge)
  • High Voltage Charger Power Level
  • High Voltage Battery Charge Cord Connected Indication
  • Charge Complete
  • Usable State of Charge
  • High Voltage Depletion Mode Range
  • High Voltage Battery State of Charge Status

 

[EldRick]

Thank you. I guess I can do without all of those functions, since they are replicated in the Keyfob and the car itself.

 

[SeanNelson]

I'd be curious to read a description of what Keypass is/does. The manual is opaque on that...

I assumed it was the capability to use your smart phone as a key fob - in other words, it becomes the "key" to your vehicle and you don't need to carry a separate fob with you.

Ah, OK - so it's really about vehicle customization rather than key replacement.

 

[Schnort]

Thank you. I guess I can do without all of those functions, since they are replicated in the Keyfob and the car itself.

No, this is how you check your charging status (if you're sharing an EVSE at work, for example) or enable climate control when you're about to walk to your car after a day at work/shopping.

 

[phil0909]

I'd be curious to read a description of what Keypass is/does. The manual is opaque on that...

I assumed it was the capability to use your smart phone as a key fob - in other words, it becomes the "key" to your vehicle and you don't need to carry a separate fob with you.

Ah, OK - so it's really about vehicle customization rather than key replacement.

Why do you say that, Sean? Based on the listed capabilities, KeyPass can unlock doors and start the car. Doesn't this mean that the KeyPass phone app (mychevrolet?) can replace the key?

My dealer's trained Bolt specialist assured me that keyless operation is not supported, but I would not be surprised if he's mistaken. Does anyone know for sure?

 

[SeanNelson]

Ah, OK - so it's really about vehicle customization rather than key replacement.

Why do you say that, Sean? Based on the listed capabilities, KeyPass can unlock doors and start the car. Doesn't this mean that the KeyPass phone app (mychevrolet?) can replace the key?

Well I really don't have a clue, so don't take your cue from me. But I somehow got the impression that those functions would be via an app that you'd have to bring up and click selections on. IF that's true (and again, I really have no idea) then unlocking your phone and running an app to unlock and drive off is, IMHO, way less convenient than just having a fob in your pocket that does it all automatically.

 

[phil0909]

Sure, except that you would no longer need to carry the key with you.

How were you thinking the phone could act as a key replacement in a more convenient manner? I would think an app is pretty much the only way...

 

[Schnort]

The app for my i3, while it can unlock and "start" the car cabin conditioning, it needs to talk to the central server and can take 30s to a minute to make happen. The car also will not operate unless the keyfob is within the cabin.

Of course, the bolt's setup may be different.

 

[SeanNelson]

Sure, except that you would no longer need to carry the key with you.

How were you thinking the phone could act as a key replacement in a more convenient manner? I would think an app is pretty much the only way...

I don't see a technical reason why a background app on the phone couldn't communicate with the car via an encrypted BlueTooth connection to perform the same functions as a key fob. But the list of capabilities didn't give me the impression that KeyPass was implemented in that way.

 

[scknogas]

FYI. The My Chevrolet app for iPhone and Android has just been released. So, you can now enable KeyPass and try it out.

 

[morbolt]

Keypass was added to the mychevy android app today? I did not know what that meant and am too new to offer any further insight.

 

[devbolt]

Keypass was added to the mychevy android app today? I did not know what that meant and am too new to offer any further insight.

It means that if you update the app on your iPhone, you will get a new menu entry called "Key Fob (Remote Commands). This will let you remotely lock/unlock the car, precondition the car while plugged in (aka remote start, aka turn on the heater or A/C before getting in), or activate the horn/lights if you can't find the car. It will also turn on the car's internal lights as you approach. Some of this functionality you can already do via the key fob, but this allows you to precondition the car while still in your office/home rather than having to be near the car to activate the preconditioning.

 

[morbolt]

Keyfob was already on the android app (prior to todays new version) with the 3 options, so perhaps it was just poor documentation. But regardless, I now know what is being discussed, but have not played around with it.