Connecting Vehicles with Smartcar
Smartcar is a cloud-based vehicle API that lets Levy Fleets communicate with connected cars — no hardware installation required. If a vehicle has a built-in telematics system (most 2016+ models), Smartcar can read its location, fuel level, odometer, lock status, and more, all through the manufacturer's existing connected car platform.
What Is Smartcar?
Smartcar provides a single API that connects to 30+ vehicle brands. Instead of installing GPS trackers or OBD-II devices, the vehicle owner authorizes access through their manufacturer's connected car account (e.g., Toyota Connected Services, FordPass, myChevrolet). Levy Fleets then receives real-time data and can send commands like lock and unlock.
Hardware IoT vs. Smartcar
Smartcar is ideal for cars with built-in telematics. For vehicles without connected car capabilities — or for scooters, e-bikes, and other micromobility — you'll continue using hardware IoT devices (OKAI, Segway, ZIMO, etc.). Both connection types work side by side in the same fleet.
Supported Vehicle Brands
Smartcar supports most major manufacturers with connected car platforms. Vehicles must be model year 2016 or newer and have an active connected services account with the manufacturer.
Common supported brands include:
| Brand | Connected Platform |
|---|---|
| BMW | BMW Connected Drive |
| Chevrolet | myChevrolet |
| Ford | FordPass |
| Honda | HondaLink |
| Hyundai | Bluelink |
| Kia | Kia Connect |
| Mercedes-Benz | Mercedes me connect |
| Nissan | NissanConnect |
| Tesla | Tesla app |
| Toyota | Toyota Connected Services |
| Volkswagen | Car-Net |
For the complete and current list, visit Smartcar's compatibility page.
Connecting a Vehicle
Navigate to the Vehicle
Open the vehicle's detail page in the dashboard, or click Add Vehicle to create a new vehicle record.
Click Connect Car
In the vehicle detail panel, click Connect Car (or Connect via Smartcar). This opens the Smartcar authorization window.
Select the Vehicle Brand
The Smartcar Connect flow presents a list of supported brands. Select the manufacturer of the vehicle you're connecting.
Log In to the Manufacturer Account
Enter the credentials for the vehicle's connected car account (e.g., FordPass username and password). This authenticates directly with the manufacturer — Levy Fleets never sees these credentials.
Grant Permissions
Smartcar displays the specific permissions being requested. Review and approve them. See the permissions table below for details on each scope.
Confirm Connection
After authorization, you're returned to the Levy Fleets dashboard. The vehicle's Smartcar panel will show a status of Active, and telemetry data will begin flowing automatically.
Permissions Requested
When connecting a vehicle, Smartcar requests the following permissions (scopes):
| Permission | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Read Vehicle Info | Retrieves make, model, year, and VIN |
| Read VIN | Reads the Vehicle Identification Number |
| Read Location | Gets the vehicle's current GPS coordinates |
| Read Odometer | Reads the current mileage/odometer value |
| Read Battery | Gets battery or charge level (for EVs and hybrids) |
| Read Fuel | Gets the current fuel level percentage |
| Read Security | Checks lock status and door status |
| Control Security | Allows locking and unlocking the vehicle remotely |
All Permissions Required
All scopes must be granted for car sharing to function properly. If a vehicle owner declines any permission, features like remote lock/unlock or fuel tracking may not work, which can block the rental session flow.
What Data Is Collected
Once connected, Levy Fleets automatically collects and updates the following data from each vehicle:
- Location — GPS coordinates, updated periodically via the telemetry cron
- Fuel / charge level — Current percentage for fuel (gas) or battery (EV)
- Odometer — Total mileage in kilometers
- Lock status — Whether the vehicle is currently locked or unlocked
- Door status — Open/closed state of doors
- Tire pressure — Current PSI for each tire (when available)
- Engine oil level — Oil life percentage (when available)
This data appears in the vehicle detail panel in the dashboard and is used for rental session tracking, surcharge calculations, and fleet monitoring.
Confirming a Successful Connection
After connecting, verify the following in the vehicle's dashboard panel:
- Connection status shows Active
- Vehicle info displays the correct make, model, and year
- Location shows the vehicle's current position on the map
- Fuel/battery level displays a percentage
- The Smartcar badge appears on the vehicle card in list views
First Data Sync
It may take a few minutes for the first full data sync to complete after connecting. If data fields appear empty, wait for the next telemetry update cycle and refresh the page.
Next Steps
Once your vehicles are connected, learn how to manage connections day-to-day in Managing Smartcar Connections, or jump straight to understanding the Rental Session Flow.