Mobile phones have been equipped with functions such as unlocking car doors and starting engines, but one major step will be marched soon. In the near future, drivers will be able to use NFC-enabled phones to check the pressure and mileage, to receive maintenance alerts, as well as tracking down the car’s location, said the article.

Automakers would insert an NFC reader module into the vehicle and the key embedded with a passive RFID tag that allows the driver to exchange information between his car and web-enabled phone. NFC peripheral is already available for iPhone and version for Google Android is expected to be released soon.

Source: RFIDJournal, RFID to link phones and cars (6 May 2010)