Are you thinking of having a remote starter installed on your Volkswagen vehicle? Excellent idea! Here is all you need to know about remote car starters, how they work and the different available types of starters!
A remote car starter: how does it work?
A remote car starter, as its name indicates, allows you to start your car engine without having to actually board the car physically. Thanks to a remote and radio signals, this electronic system allows you to start your car from a certain distance, depending on model.
Some remote starters can also be controlled from your smartphone, thanks to an app.
You could choose between a unidirectional or bidirectional remote starter; while the first only sends a signal one way to your vehicle to start the engine, the second can also receive information from your vehicle like about interior temperature, if the doors are locked or not, or information regarding the battery or shock sensors, amongst other things.
Take note: a remote car starter can be installed both on a manual and an automatic vehicle. For a manual model, you will have to put your car on neutral and have the hand brake on, then follow the instructions manual to learn how to activate your remote starter.
2023 VW Jetta GLI
The advantages of a remote starter
There are so many! The most obvious is, without a doubt, the ability to get the heating system or the air-conditioning system started before you board your vehicle; this way, you can enter a cool environment on a hot summer day or avoid having to go out at -25 degrees to start your car. If you are afraid of letting the engine run for too long and by doing so wasting fuel, then you should know that most remote starter technologies come with a limited engine running time, along with a limited amount of consecutive times you can start your car remotely. You can also consider getting one of the most fuel efficient vehicles available!
Can we use a remote car starter on an electric VW model?
Do you own an electric vehicle? Using a remote car starter is absolutely possible and, as an added bonus, will have no environmental impact since your vehicle does not run on fuel. Moreover, if your electric car is still plugged in, this will even allow you to limit the battery use.
How to get a remote car starter?
You can choose to have a remote starter installed on your vehicle, if it is not already standard equipped with one.
In our Volkswagen parts and accessories catalog, you will find remote starter kits that are adapted to each of our VW models.
VW models that come standard equipped with remote starters
Several Volkswagen models have a remote starter as standard offered equipment:
Take note that only some of the trims on these vehicles include a standard offered remote starter, via the Car-Net app.
2023 VW Jetta GLI Performance Edition
Installing a remote starter on a vehicle
The installation of a remote starter can be done in an independent garage, or at your Volkswagen dealership.
The Car-Net App
What is the Volkswagen Car-Net app? It is an application that allows you to access several features on your car like door lock/unlock, the vehicle’s state (next maintenance appointment, mileage, etc.) or your remote starter from your phone.
Amongst the other advantages Car-Net offers, you will find:
- Locate your vehicle
- Search for parking spots
- Driver surveillance
- Emergency assistance in case of an accident
- And so much more.
Advice and quick fixes to common problems
My remote starter isn’t working: what should I do? Firstly, you must identify the source of the problem. You may simply be too far from your vehicle, or maybe the batteries on the remote are too weak, and you’ll need new ones. You will also want to check if the Valet mode is deactivated.
Should the problem persist, visit to your dealership for further assistance.
Would you like to program your remote starter? No matter if it is to modify the amount of consecutive starts or for any other reason, you can program your starter yourself by referring to the manual that came with it, or go directly to your dealership, where they will help you make the desired adjustments.
Conclusion
Your Volkswagen dealership in Boisbriand is here to answer all of your questions related to your VW remote starter system. We also have the necessary Volkswagen parts to proceed to a remote starter installation on your vehicle.
To find out more about our products and services, come and visit us at VW Lauzon Boisbriand today!