How Do I Use My Remote Starter?

Owning a remote starter is one of the simple joys in life, and Perfectionist Auto Sound & Security in Anchorage, Alaska, is known to deliver the best-performing, most-reliable systems available. What we have realized over the years of selling remote starts is that operating a remote is second nature to us, but it is not that easy for many people. Follow along as we guide you through the simple but important process of remote starter operation.

What To Do Before You Turn Off Your Vehicle

The first thing you want to do is prepare your vehicle before you get out of it. This may sound a little weird, but here’s why that matters. If you own a vehicle with manual heater controls, we suggest turning the fan speed to high and setting the temperature control to hot – that is, turn them both all the way up. Now, set your selector – the control that determines where the heat will come out – and set it to blow the air at your feet and set the defrost in a “mix” pattern. You are doing this in case there is some frost, sleet or ice when you go to remote-start your vehicle, so it will defrost your windshield and front windows.

If you own a vehicle with automatic heater controls, we suggest cranking the fan speed up to the maximum setting. This way, the fan will do a better job of heating and defrosting your vehicle. The only variable here is when you think there is going to be lots of snow, sleet, freezing rain, ice, etc., while you are away from your vehicle. If you think that is going to happen, we suggest setting the controls to defrost to maximize the heat blown into the front glass, which will defrost the windows more quickly. Once you get into a rhythm of doing this before you exit the vehicle, it will become second nature and only take you a few seconds every time.

Summertime Comfort Routine

One more thing. In the summertime, if it gets hot outside, simply do the opposite of your winter routine. Make sure the A/C is turned on and set it to max cold. Now your remote starter will cool down the vehicle for you when you activate it, making your vehicle nice and comfortable on a hot day.

Comfort Starts With The Push Of A Button

OK, now it is time to remote-start your vehicle. On our Compustar systems, you will hold down the remote-start button for 3 seconds. If you own a Drone smartphone-based system, you launch the app and touch the start/stop button. That is it. In about 5 seconds, your vehicle will remote-start and you will be on your way to a warm vehicle. If you own a diesel-powered vehicle, there may be a slight delay since we set the glow plugs to warm up before starting the engine.

Our Experts Can Consult With You On Running Times

How long you let your vehicle run depends greatly on the temperature outside and whether there was any precipitation. Anyone at Perfectionist Auto Sound & Security will be glad to give you ideas for to how long to allow for your particular vehicle. We have done tens of thousands of remote car starters, so ask away. We are here to help.

Vehicle Entry Will Vary By Make, But It Will Always Be The Same

When you go out to your vehicle, you will simply unlock the doors and get inside. On some vehicles, you will need to use your Compustar system to unlock the doors; on some vehicles, you can still use your factory remote. If your vehicle uses a key, you will insert it in the ignition and turn it two clicks to the on, or run, position. If you own a vehicle with a push-to-start button, there are three different ways that these vehicles work – click HERE for an article on push-to-start vehicles.

At this point, you simply drive away. When you press the brake pedal to take the vehicle out of park, the remote starter will disengage, and the vehicle will simply keep running as long as you have the key in the on position.