Skip to main content

FordPass now lets you reserve a parking spot with a few taps of your smartphone

Driving can be a lot of fun, but parking usually isn’t. In urban areas, spaces are as valuable as all other real estate, and no one likes driving around looking for one.

To make parking a little less painful, Ford is adding a booking service to the FordPass platform it unveiled at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show in January. It allows users to book and pay for parking in more than 160 U.S. cities from their smartphones. The service operates in partnership with ParkWhiz, and is only available with applicable garage spaces. Those searching for on-street parking still need to feed the meter.

Recommended Videos

Drivers can snag spaces by entering a destination into FordPass before setting off. Parking availability is updated in real time, and users can bookmark their favorite spots for future trips. Pre-payment is through Ford’s own digital payment platform, FordPay. FordPass has been active since April, and users can add the parking functions by downloading an update. It’s free to use whether you own a Ford or not.

Ford believes the parking service will save drivers a considerable amount of time. On average, drivers commuting to work or school spend 14 minutes a day looking for parking, while drivers running errands lose 12 minutes to space hunting, according to a recent Harris Poll cited by the carmaker. All of that driving also consumes more fuel, and leads to increased traffic congestion.

Parking isn’t the only thing FordPass can do. Ford is partnering with companies like Spotify, BP, McDonald’s, and 7-Eleven for a rewards program that gives users redeemable points. The carmaker also plans to add other mobility-related services, including carsharing and ridesharing. Ford owners can also use the app to schedule service visits at dealers, and check their financing with Ford Credit.

An app may seem like a stretch for a company whose business is supposed to be making cars, but it’s all part of Ford’s plan to diversify. The Blue Oval now considers itself a “mobility company” rather than just a car company, and it’s experimenting with different services and products to create sources of revenue beyond car sales.

Stephen Edelstein
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
8 key things you need to know from Apple’s WWDC 2025 event
From a fresh look and updated names, to new features, more intelligence and live translation
iOS 26, iPadOS 26 and macOS 26 shown on devices.

The WWDC 2025 keynote ran for just over an hour and a half. For those of you who don't fancy sitting through the whole presentation, we've pulled out the key things you need to know from the latest Apple event.

1. Welcome to the 26 club

Read more
Tesla’s robotaxi service is almost here, but it’s not the car you want to see
Silver Tesla Model Y Juniper side

Tesla chief Elon Musk has said that the automaker is aiming to launch its robotaxi service on June 22, in Austin, Texas.

“Tentatively, June 22,” Musk said in a post on X on Tuesday, adding: “We are being super paranoid about safety, so the date could shift.”

Read more
I tried an e-bike for the first time and now I’m hooked
It’s not about being a 'bike person', it’s about finding small upgrades to everyday life
A woman sitting on the Aventon Pace 4

Before this year, I’d never even touched an e-bike before, and the thought of riding one was never on my radar. With life already in constant motion thanks to two toddlers, biking wasn’t something I ever considered adding to the mix.

I’d always assumed e-bikes were for hardcore commuters or serious cyclists, not someone like me. I wasn’t looking for a big lifestyle change. I just wanted a quicker way to get to the park so we’d have more time to play before dinner.

Read more