How to tell if your vehicle is equipped with remote start?
If your vehicle has a remote start feature, you'll be able to start your car from a distance using a key fob or smartphone app. This can be a convenient way to warm up your car on a cold day or cool it down on a hot one. Here's how to determine if your vehicle has remote start capabilities.
Check Your Key Fob
The easiest way to tell if your vehicle has remote start is to look at your key fob. If your key fob has a button with a circular arrow icon, that's likely the remote start button. Try pressing it and see if your car's engine turns on from a distance.
Consult Your Owner's Manual
Your vehicle's owner's manual will provide the most definitive information on whether remote start is a feature. The manual will explain how to use the remote start function and any limitations or requirements. It may also indicate if remote start was an optional add-on that came with your specific model and trim level.
Check for Remote Start Indicators
- Look for a small antenna or sensor on the dashboard or near the rearview mirror. This is often a sign that remote start capabilities are built-in.
- See if your car has a "Remote Start" or "Remote Engine Start" button on the dashboard or center console. This dedicated button makes it easy to activate the remote start feature.
- Check if your vehicle has a smartphone app that allows you to remotely start the engine. Many automakers offer this feature as part of their connected car services.
If you're still unsure, contact your local dealership or the automaker directly. They can confirm whether your specific make, model, and year includes remote start as a standard or optional feature.
Does every car come with a remote start?
No, not every vehicle has remote start, as it is a feature that is more common in newer and higher-end models. Many basic models, older cars, and vehicles with a manual transmission do not have it as a standard feature. However, it can often be added to a vehicle with an aftermarket system if it's compatible.
This video shows how to check if your car has a remote start feature: 1mSteven WelchYouTube · Nov 23, 2024
How to tell if your vehicle has remote start
- Check the key fob: Look for a dedicated remote start button on the key fob. Some manufacturers may require a specific sequence of button presses, like a double or triple press of the lock button, to activate it.
- Check the dashboard or iDrive system: Some manufacturers require you to check the vehicle's infotainment system or owner's manual to see if the feature is available and needs to be enabled.
- Look for aftermarket systems: If you don't have the feature, you can often have an aftermarket remote start system installed. This is especially true for older cars that may not have had the feature when they were built.
What year did cars have remote start?
The remote keyless systems using a handheld transmitter first appeared on the French made Renault Fuego in 1982, and as an option on several American Motors vehicles in 1983, including the Renault Alliance. The feature gained its first widespread availability in the U.S. on several General Motors vehicles in 1989.
How do I know if my car has a remote start?
You can tell if your car has a remote start by checking the key fob for a dedicated remote start button, often shaped like a circular arrow. If you don't see one, check the vehicle's owner's manual, look for a VIN lookup at a dealership, or try a specific sequence of button presses on the fob (like lock, lock, then hold the lock button). You can also look for aftermarket fobs or modules under the dashboard.
This video shows how to identify a remote start button on different car key fobs: 55sSteven WelchYouTube · Jun 19, 2021
Check your key fob
- Look for the button: The most common indicator is a specific button on your key fob, often with a symbol of a curved or circular arrow, as shown in this YouTube video.
- Try specific button sequences: Some cars, like many Toyotas and Lexuses, start the engine with a different sequence. Lock the doors, then immediately press the lock button two or three more times and hold the last press.
- Look for an extra fob: If your car has an aftermarket remote start system, it may have come with a separate fob for that function.
Check the car
- Look for an app: Check if your car is compatible with a remote start app, as many newer vehicles have this option.
- Inspect under the hood: Look for a small wire harness connected to the hood latch or a spring-loaded switch that is pressed when the hood is closed. This is a safety feature to ensure the hood is shut before the car can be started remotely, as shown in this Quora video.
- Inspect under the dashboard: If aftermarket remote start was installed, there will be an added module and extra wiring under the dashboard.
This video demonstrates how to check for the safety feature under the hood: 50sToyotaJeff ReviewsYouTube · Jun 9, 2021
Consult the experts
- Check the owner's manual: The owner's manual is the best place to find out for sure and to learn the correct sequence for your specific vehicle.
- Contact a dealership: Ask the dealership to check your car's VIN to see if remote start was a factory-installed feature.
What is the circle arrow on my key fob Chevy?
The circle arrow on a Chevy key fob is the remote start button. To use it, press the lock button once, then press and hold the remote start button until the engine starts and the vehicle's lights flash. This feature allows you to start the car from a distance to warm it up or cool it down before getting in.
This video demonstrates how to use the remote start feature on a Chevy key fob: 40sHawk Chevrolet Of JolietYouTube · Mar 6, 2019
How to use the remote start button
- Press the lock button: Press the lock button on your key fob once to signal that you want to start the vehicle.
- Press and hold the remote start button: Immediately after pressing the lock button, press and hold the button with the circular arrow for at least four seconds until the vehicle's lights flash and the engine turns on.
- Cancel the remote start: To turn the car off remotely, press and hold the remote start button again until the engine stops.
You can also watch this video to learn how to use remote start on a Chevy key fob: 50sPYR Automotive YouTube · Mar 21, 2024
Important tips
- The vehicle will remain on for a set amount of time (usually 10 or 15 minutes) before automatically shutting off.
- Ensure all doors and the hood are completely closed before attempting to remote start.
- Remote start may not activate if the fuel light is on or the fuel level is low.
