Using the remote start feature may cause a lot of questions. And one of the most common ones - will it turn on heat? It's quite natural for you to want to get into a heated car in winter and not spend time trying to make yourself comfortable for several minutes after you get into the vehicle. And fortunately, modern technologies do offer this opportunity.
Remote start can turn on heat in your car, but for this, you will need to correctly preset all the needed settings in your vehicle before you leave it in the evening. This will help you make sure that when you press that remote start button, the vehicle will not only start the engine but also turn on the interior heater and other functions to offer you more comfort.
Let's see what exactly you will need to preset!
Remote start - how it works?
Let's quickly outline the features and limitations of the technology. So, if you have the remote start feature in your vehicle, you will be able to start the engine just by pressing the remote start button. This will work in the range or reach for the key fob, for most vehicles.
Also, this will start the engine in that case only if everything is working well. If your engine cranks too long, there are issues with spark plugs, 12V battery, or starter motor, the remote start will just try once and then turn off the car.
The remote start is beneficial for cold climate. You will not need to sit in the cold car waiting for the engine to warm up enough for you to drive. Also, warming up the engine before you drive is a cool thing doe the durability of the engine.
How to turn on heat with the remote start?
When the remote start feature turns on your engine, it also turns on all the features that were active before you turned the vehicle off the last time. So, if yesterday you turned off your vehicle with the AC on, the AC will be on now again. If the climate control is set to a warm temperature, the heater will turn on.
So, to turn on heat in your car with the remote start, you will need to do the following:
- when you are parking your vehicle, turn on the climate control and set the warm temperature;
- alternatively, you may turn on the heater (depending on the climate system of your vehicle);
- leave it active when you are turning off the engine - don't worry, the climate control will turn off immediately;
- next time when you start the car, the climate control feature will be automatically activated.
Of course, you shouldn't expect that the vehicle will immediately heat the interior. If you just give it a minute or two, you will likely feel no serious changes in the temperature. The heater works from the engine coolant and it needs some time to start changing the temperature inside your car. On average, the heater will be efficiently working after 4-5 minutes when you start the engine.
Another simple trick you will adore with the remote start
While your heater relies on the coolant which is cold when you just start the car, your heated seats are electric and they may become a game-changer, in this case.
Just do the following:
- before you turn off the engine when parking your car, locate the heated seat switches;
- switch them on to minimal capacity;
- choose only the driver's seat if you are usually driving alone in the morning;
- choose both if your spouse or kid is going with you;
- the heated seats will be activated automatically when you remote-start the car.
This is really easy to do and it can change your driving experience. The next day, once you start the engine, the heated seats will be activated and up until you get into the vehicle, they will be warm.
There are few things that are more pleasant than getting into a warm car with warm leather seats when it's dreadfully cold outside.
What should you remember?
If you have a manual car, don't forget to leave it in neutral and apply the parking brake. Without this, the vehicle won't start. Also, make sure your car is in good condition and can be started easily. Otherwise, it doesn't make sense to even use the technology of the remote start and get upset when you come to your car only to find that it didn't start.
If something is not working properly with your remote start feature, you may want to dig into the driver's manual and see what the manufacturer tells you about setting the needed functions.
About the authors
The CarAraC research team is composed of seasoned auto mechanics and automotive industry professionals, including individuals with advanced degrees and certifications in their field. Our team members boast prestigious credentials, reflecting their extensive knowledge and skills. These qualifications include: IMI: Institute of the Motor Industry, ASE-Certified Master Automobile Technicians; Coventry University, Graduate of MA in Automotive Journalism; Politecnico di Torino, Italy, MS Automotive Engineering; Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Mechanical University in Skopje; TOC Automotive College; DHA Suffa University, Department of Mechanical Engineering
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