Remote Start and Car Security Systems

The range is the distance that your remote can communicate with your vehicle. At home, a limited range is likely perfectly fine. At work, you might want a longer range so you can start your car to let it heat up or cool down while you exit your office, take the elevator, and proceed to your car in the parking lot or parking garage. You might also desire a longer range if you’re a frequent shopper, so you can start your car as you’re on line to pay for your purchases.

The most basic remote start systems have a limited range. Deciding how long of a range you need will help you narrow your search for the right system for you.

A two-way remote start system allows your vehicle to communicate with you. A simple, one-way remote starter works like your standard keyless entry: you press a button on the remote, and the remote sends a command to your car.

With a two-way system, your car receives the command from your remote, and also sends a message to the remote to let you know that it carried out the command. With this feature, you can be certain that your vehicle has been started and is getting to a comfortable interior temperature, even if your vehicle isn’t within your vision.

Everyone has a smartphone, so you might as well use it in as many ways as you can. One of those ways is with a remote starter system that links to your phone via a free app. You can then use your cell phone in place of a separate remote on your key ring.

For it to work, your system and your cell phone must have Internet access, either through a Wi-Fi connection or data plan. A system with internet connectivity gives you unlimited range for starting your car remotely from your iPhone or Android. A nominal monthly subscription fee keeps your remote start running.