Things You Should Know about Your Remote Start
Remote start is a luxury feature on many new automobiles, and we believe that it will soon become a standard offering, just as most cars now come with remote locking and unlocking ability through the key fob. Remote start takes advantage of new technology offered by smart phones and tablets to allow you to start your car without a key and without even being in the car. Many love the convenience of it, as well as the ability to get the car running and warmed up before ever getting inside.
Because remote start is a new technology, there are still a lot of things to learn. Here are a few things you should know about remote start – either before you consider getting it or to help you better understand the technology you already have:
Range
You can’t log into your remote start from Florida and fire up your car parked in North Carolina. That may seem like common sense, but some people still try to start their car from an unrealistic range (albeit not usually that far).
Each system has its own range for where the technology must be in relation to the car to start it. Typically, you have to be within 500 to 5,000 feet of your car. That means you can be nearly a mile away from your car in some instances and still be able to start it, which is pretty impressive.
If you live in a home, you won’t have any problem starting your car remotely, no matter what system you have. However, if you have to park in a garage, you’ll need to make sure the system has enough range to reach your car wherever it may be parked in that garage.
Fuel Economy
There is a myth going around that remote start functionality will increase your gas consumption. This is not entirely true. Yes, you’ll burn up more fuel if you turn your car on and let it run for a half hour or more while you get ready in the morning. But if you are just running your car long enough to get it warmed up before you start driving, you’ll actually improve your fuel efficiency. The reason is that your engine works harder when you drive before it is warmed up, so it consumes more gas.
As with all things, the amount of fuel your car consumes depends in large part on your personal habits. Overuse the remote start and you’ll pay more for gas. Use it appropriately and you could save on gas.
Car Warranty
Car WarrantyA lot of people believe that adding remote start to a vehicle will actually void its warranty. The truth is that if you get remote start professionally installed, your warranty will remain intact and you will have no problems.
Federal law actually prohibits car manufacturers from voiding your warranty because you’ve added an after-market product. The only way to void your warranty is by adding a feature that has been known to cause specific problems or failures for your vehicle, and remote start does not do that.
Transmission and Electrical
In the past, you could not get a remote start system if you drove a car with a manual transmission. Now, the technology is so sophisticated that it can be used on manual or automatic transmissions.
Many people also believe that remote start systems damage the car’s electrical system and other components. Reports have circulated of cars that would no longer run or that experienced electrical issues. The truth is that if you get the system installed by an experienced professional, you will not have any of these problems. It’s not the system that causes the problems, but rather the human error of the person installing the system.
Other Features
A remote start system can do more than just turn your car on from afar. Some systems can also turn on your front or rear defrost or your heated seats. Many systems also included keyless entry (natch).
You’ll need to explore the available options to make sure you are getting everything you want out of your remote start system. These features will need to be programmed when you get the system, so make sure you do your research before you buy.
A remote car start system can be a nice luxury that makes getting going a lot more convenient. You never have to get into a cold car again! Just make sure that do your research to get the right system for your vehicle and that you work with a qualified professional to get the system installed.
If you ever find yourself locked out of your vehicle with a remote start system, getting in can be a bit more complicated. U.S. Key Service in Arizona can help. We are a mobile car locksmith in Gold Canyon that specializes in all types of new key technology, including remote start systems. We can help you get into your car quickly if you are locked out, and we can help repair or replace lost keys and entry technology. Our complete line of services includes Gold Canyon cutting keys, replacing transponder keys in Gold Canyon and fobs, reprogramming keys in Gold Canyon, fixing broken ignitions and door locks in Gold Canyon, and more. Call us today to learn more about our services in Arizona, and keep us on speed dial for when you need a mobile car locksmith.
Published by:
