[zBernie]

I'm curious as to whether you can use voice commands to dial phone entries in an XLT without SYNC3. Shown below are instructions for using voice recognition to make phone calls. It says "This only works when connected via Bluetooth". I've read other articles which seem to suggest that the phone needs to be connected via USB and you have to use Android Auto. After reading this section of the manual, I believe that even without SYNC3 you can make calls with your phone just connected via Bluetooth. Or do you need SYNC3 in the Lariat for this to work?

 

[Truck2]

Would be interested in the answer. Thinking no…for some reason

 

[Westsidetruck]

For some reason, I tend to recall reading that making calls and using your phone is the only thing you can do with voice command without sync. You can’t use voice command to change radio stations, change AC settings, use nav without sync. Of course the car without sync does not have nav to begin with. Honestly, as far as the phone is concerned, voice command is sort of obsolete given that you can directly speak to your phone for various functions.

 

[Truck2]

Maybe this helps

 

[zBernie]

Would be interested in the answer. Thinking no…for some reason

I should have mentioned that this is on page 382 of the (PDF) manual. It's under this section, which seems to indicate that you CAN make phone calls using voice commands with the phone connected to Bluetooth only. Here's the heading of page 382:

Audio System - Vehicles Without: SYNC 3

 

[sdr.speng]

Yes, with your phone plugged into the vehicle and using SIRI.

 

[zBernie]

Yes, with your phone plugged into the vehicle and using SIRI.

All you need is a Bluetooth connection to make hands free phone calls. From the manual:

 

[oldpilot]

I am currently in a 2016 Transit Connect van with SYNC, until my new Lariat builds. It had voice recognition. I use that term loosely. It is almost useless (it was developed by Microsoft). It doesn't function half the time. Often doesn't understand what you're saying, and goes into a long rant about the kinds of things you CAN say. You end up shouting and cussing at it in frustration, as though it were alive. Crack a window and the slight amount of wind noise renders it unusable. My audio failed at year 5. The replacement component through the dealer was almost $3,000. Yes, you read that correctly. A friendly mechanic at the dealership admitted that they commonly failed. I replaced mine with an aftermarket head unit for a third the price (good luck getting all required parts right now). Another SYNC unit is the last thing I want on my truck, but I have no option. Don't expect much.