Remote car starters are devices that allow you to start and run vehicles without physically being in them. They are great for cold weather climates. With a remote car starter, you can start up your car and have the interior nice and warm when the weather is cold.
If you want one of these devices, you have a couple options. First, you can have your dealer install one for you, or second, you can have a third-party installer install one. Either method is fine but it makes sense to do a little research and make sure you are getting the right unit. Here’s a list of 4 things to consider.
- Not Buying a Remote Car Starter with Enough Range
Manufacturers will state “500-foot range” or “2,500-foot range” on their packaging but it is important to keep in mind that these are absolute perfect numbers. In other words, this may be the case in a perfect situation –no walls, no windows and no buildings. Bottom line: don’t shortchange yourself with insufficient transmitter range (power). You will be using your starter in more places than at your home or at work. You will want to use it at the mall, sporting events, parking garages, etc.
- Not Having Your Remote Car Starter Professionally Installed
Professional installation is important. Do not trust your vehicle to someone that offers a rock bottom price. Remote starters make for complicated installs in today’s vehicles, so it is important that the installation be done properly.
- Buying a Cheap One
You can buy a remote car starter at the local auto parts store for $69.99 and the packaging says you can install it yourself. Well, that might be but be careful. This sort of remote starter is usually of lower quality than the units that you would buy at a specialty retailer.
- Not Getting a Remote Car Starter with the Proper Feature Set
Remote car starters offer a lot of features. Be sure to ask the right questions when buying your starter. Some models are simply what they sound like: a remote car starter. They start and stop the vehicle from a distance. That’s it. Others have multiple functions, ranging from keyless entry and trunk release to heated seat activation and rear window defrost.
A common mistake when considering options includes assuming that certain things might “just work” with the starter. For example, the rear window defroster will not just come on if you left it on. It is on a latched output that resets when the power is shut off. This feature needs to be specifically added to almost all installs.
Conclusion
A remote starter is an awesome addition to any vehicle.
It’s not that difficult a decision when you are armed with the right information. Spend a few hours researching them on the web first. Good luck!
Article Courtesy: York Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
