What to Consider when Purchasing a Remote Start
It is so convenient to have a remote start system in your car. For example, you can start your vehicle to warm itself up after being in the cold for the night so that it is ready to go when you are, or you can turn it on to start the air-conditioning system when the weather is harsh. However, not all remote start systems are made the same, and neither do they perform the same way. Here are some things you need to keep in mind while selecting the correct remote start setting up for your car, but before that, look at how the modern remote works in harmony with the car’s OEM security features.
Bypass Module Integration
Since 2000 almost every new car has come equipped with an immobilizer. The immobilizer system works with the help of a transponder. The transponder is built into the key or the keyring and a receiver in the car. The car won’t start as long as the transponder is not inside the vehicle. While this is a crucial security feature and prevents car lifting, this becomes a problem when installing a remote start.
The only solution to this was either placing one of your vehicle’s keys in the car forever or disconnecting the security features from the factory. Thus, bypass modules were created to make remote starts integrate with your vehicle security system. These mimic the electromagnetic signature of the car’s immobilizer transponder. It allows you to get keyless entry and remote start in your vehicle without any alteration to the OEM security equipment installed in the car.
- Type of Remote
The first thing you need to consider before selecting a remote start system for your car is the remote that comes with the system. There are two broad categories of remotes: one-way and two-way remotes. The one-way remotes can only send a signal to the car. Still, you cannot be sure whether or not the vehicle has executed the command you have given. On the other hand, two-way remotes provide feedback from the car so that you can be sure that the car has started up or has turned on its air-conditioning in response to your command.
- Cellphone Integration
Many remote start systems today come with a cellphone integration option. So instead of carrying a separate key fob for your vehicle, you can install an app on your smartphone to control the whole system. If you want to make the entire thing more convenient and efficient, you can select a system that offers cellphone integration. If you want to go old school and still carry the key fob, you don’t need to spend extra on a system that provides cellphone integration options.
- Alarm
Alarms are an essential component of any car security or remote start system. For example, when you park your car in an unsafe place, you can arm the alarm, and if an intruder tries to make their way into the vehicle or tries to tamper with it in any way, the alarm will go off to alert you or anyone nearby. Therefore, an alarm is an important security feature; you need to get a system with the necessary alarm to make your car safe.
- Cost
Last but not least, you need to consider the cost of the system you will install into your car. You can find remote start units that cost under a hundred dollars to those that cost north of a grand or even more. While it is not always the wisest choice to go with the most costly one, it is also not the best approach to select the one that costs the least. Analyze the nature of use you will put the system to and choose one with the features you want from the system.
Conclusion
Remote start systems are a great source of ease and convenience and can change how you operate and interact with your car. Therefore, selecting an optimal system in terms of functionality, cost, and reliability is paramount. If you need any more advice/consultation on the topic, you can always talk to our experts.