Myths About Car Remote Starters

Over the past few years, the popularity of remote starters has skyrocketed. As individuals seek ways to enhance their driving experience with changing weather conditions, the demand for remote starters has grown significantly. The comfort of stepping into a comfortable car, free from weather, has contributed to the widespread adoption of these devices. Additionally, technological advancements have made remote starters more accessible and user-friendly, further fueling their popularity.

Remote starters are automotive devices designed to ignite a vehicle’s engine from a distance, typically using a handheld remote control. This technology allows drivers to start their cars remotely, often from the comfort of their homes or offices, ensuring a pre-warmed or pre-cooled interior before entering the vehicle. Despite their growing popularity, remote starters are constantly surrounded by misconceptions that may discourage individuals from considering this technology. By addressing these myths, we aim to understand better remote starters’ benefits, functionality, and practical aspects.

Remote Starters Are Only for Cold Weather

One of the main misconceptions when people think of a remote starter is that it is only used to warm a vehicle in the winter months. These devices are not limited to warming up cars and offer versatile functionality across various weather scenarios. 

In warmer weather, remote starters can efficiently cool the vehicle’s interior by activating the air conditioning system, ensuring a comfortable and temperate cabin environment upon entry. This enhances comfort and safeguards the vehicle’s interior components from extreme heat, contributing to the overall well-being of the car. 

Remote Starters Are Complicated to Install

Remote start installation was a complicated process; however, it’s not the case now. With advancements in technology, companies have significantly simplified the installation process. 

Modern remote starter systems are designed with user-friendly features that mitigate the complexity associated with installation. These systems often come with streamlined interfaces, complete instructions, and intuitive components, allowing professionals and enthusiasts to install them relatively quickly. Besides, manufacturers have made concerted efforts to enhance the accessibility of these systems, ensuring they are more straightforward for users who may not have extensive technical expertise.

Remote Starters Drain Car Batteries Quickly

Using a remote starter consumes battery power, but the impact is generally minimal, within the normal range of a healthy car battery. What’s not true is the notion that remote starters significantly contribute to rapid battery depletion. 

Moreover, modern remote starters are equipped with energy-efficient features that mitigate concerns about battery drainage. To ensure the power consumption during remote start-up is optimized, manufacturers have implemented advanced technologies in these devices. Many systems have built-in timers to automatically shut off the engine after a specified duration, preventing unnecessary power usage. 

Remote Starters Are Expensive and Luxurious

Remote starters are an excellent upgrade for any vehicle, but how much does a remote starter cost, and are they costly? While it is true that some luxury cars may come equipped with remote starters, this system is available across a wide range of price points. From basic models with essential features to more advanced techniques offering additional functionalities, there is a remote starter for every need and financial consideration. Therefore, it’s not true that remote starters are expensive and luxurious. 

Remote Starters Pose Security Risks

Remote starters are designed with robust security features. It is a misconception that needs to be revisited that these devices pose inherent risks to vehicle security. However, if the remote starter is not properly installed or if the car is not locked before the engine is started, then it makes your car easier to steal. 

Therefore, it is important to make sure that your remote starter is installed by a professional and that you use the locking feature on your car when you start the engine remotely. Moreover, the better idea is to be aware of your surroundings when using a remote car starter and never leave your car running and unattended.

Remote Starters Void Car Warranties

It is one of the most misunderstood myths about remote starters. The simple answer is that having a remote starter will not void your car warranties. According to the Consumer Protection Act, you are allowed to install devices like remote starters without nullifying a vehicle’s warranty. 

The best method is to select a reputable remote start system manufacturer and have it installed by a professional authorized dealer for that product. It is worth noting that many dealers will use the same products, and many even enlist specialists, like our team, to install remote starters in vehicles, especially when they weren’t originally factory-installed at the time of purchase. 

Remote Starters Waste Fuel

We’re not sure where this one came from, and it is a serious misunderstanding that a remote starter is going to cause your fuel consumption to increase massively. 

The primary purpose of a remote starter is to run the engine for approximately 5 to 10 minutes in extremely hot or cold conditions, allowing you to enter a vehicle comfortably. However, the remote starter does not actually increase fuel consumption and just intimates the vehicle ignition sequence with the key and consumes the same amount of gas as if started manually.

Remote Starters are Only for High-End Cars

Today, this convenient technology is accessible to a wide range of cars, irrespective of their make or model. It’s true that some high-end vehicles come equipped with built-in remote start features. Still, aftermarket remote starters have become increasingly popular for their ability to upgrade virtually any car.

No matter you drive a compact car, a midsize sedan, or an SUV, remote starters offer the luxury of starting your engine with a button. Aftermarket professionals can install affordable and efficient remote starters to provide the same convenience in high-end automobiles.

Remote Starters Only Work at Short Distances

One common misconception about remote starters is that they only function at short distances. In reality, the range of remote starters varies, and many models offer impressive distances extending beyond a few feet.

Don’t be misled by the notion that remote starters are limited by proximity. Modern remote starters are designed to provide convenience over considerable distances. It allows you to start your vehicle from the comfort of your home, office, or another location. With advancements in technology, some remote starters offer ranges of several hundred feet, ensuring that you can warm up or cool down your car from a significant distance.

Remote Starters Only Work on Automatic Transmissions

A common misconception surrounding remote starters is the belief that they exclusively work with automatic transmissions. While it’s true that early remote starter models were primarily designed for automatic cars, technological advancements have expanded compatibility to include both automatic and manual transmissions.

Modern remote starters have refined technology with manual transmission vehicles for safe and effective use. However, it’s crucial to note that the installation and configuration for manual transmissions are more complicated than automatic ones. Professional installation by experienced technicians is highly recommended to ensure the system operates seamlessly and safely.

Is a Remote Starter Bad For Your Car?

There are two schools of thought regarding remote starters- one that vouches for it and the other against it. The people in strong support are primarily because of the convenience and comfort it gives the vehicle owner. Whatever the weather conditions- cold, snowy, or rainy- you can warm up or cool down your car from the comfort of your home, easing stress. Another attractive feature is locking /unlocking the car with just one click of the remote starter. The third reason people opt for remote starters is that the car stays running even though it’s locked. Although it won’t move from its parked spot because there isn’t a key in the ignition, the air conditioner can be left on hot days or when you have your pet in the car. 

The reason that makes people second guess remote starters is cost and fuel consumption. It might be a hefty investment, depending on the starter model and installation cost. Also, if one’s familiar with cars and wires, a professional installer must get the job done right. The second reason is that preheating the car in winter might strain the engine, impacting its lifespan. Although remote starter might have some drawbacks, it makes the vehicle owner’s life convenient, adding to the security and making commuting a pleasant experience. 

Conclusion

These are some myths about remote starters. When considering a remote starter, it is crucial to seek a high-quality product and professionals to install it. Also, you need to prioritize reliability and functionality to ensure that the chosen remote starter meets your expectations for performance. By investing in both a quality remote starter and professional installation, you not only enhance the overall reliability of the system but also mitigate the risk of encountering unnecessary hassles or expenses down the road.