Benefits of a Remote Start System for your Vehicle & Local Regulations You May Want to Consider
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Heidi Mertlich
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Heidi works with top-rated insurance carriers to bring her clients the highest quality protection at the most competitive prices. She founded NoPhysicalTermLife.com, specializing in life insurance that doesn’t require a medical exam. Heidi is a regular contributor to several insurance websites, including FinanceBuzz.com, Insurist.com, and Forbes. As a parent herself, she understands the need ...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: May 15, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
UPDATED: May 15, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
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Gone are the days when you need to be physically inside the car to start the engine.
With the advent of modern technology, there are lots of digital discoveries, most especially in the automobile industry.
Car remote start systems are now available to enable you to start your vehicle and run for some time.
Apart from this major advantage, there are tons of other benefits that you can gain when installing a remote start system for your car.
In this post, you’ll learn the benefits of installing a remote car starter for your vehicle
First, let me go into the Pros & Cons of remote start systems briefly.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Turn on your car from inside the house. Leave on the heat it is warm in the winter. Leave on the air conditioner it is cool in the summer. | Added cost and an extra fob on your key ring. |
If you remembered to lock your car at night, it will remain locked and secure even though it appears to be running unattended in your driveway. | Installation taps into wiring that might otherwise be left alone. |
2-way communicator will confirm that the car is running. Otherwise, the car may have stalled, which will cause a potential list of problems. | Can be difficult to buy though some cost as little as $40. Added features can drive up the cost. |
An important item to consider.
You may want to check your local laws to make sure you can leave your vehicle unattended while running.
For example, in Colorado, there is a bill in response for drivers who have a remote security system with adequate security measures.
There are more details below.
Cool or Warm your Car Interior for a Comfortable Ride
A remote start system enables you to pre-cool or pre-warm your car interior.
Many people think that a remote start system is only beneficial during the winter season.
Depending your vehicle make and model, the cost of installing a remote starter professionally can run from $250 to over $500.
While remote start systems are more popular in colder climates, installing one even if you have tropical or hot weather in most times of the year is proven beneficial.
By doing so, you keep your kids happy because children are generally more sensitive to extreme temperatures than adults.
Warming the Interior
On cold winter mornings, you can leave the heater ‘on’ and push the start button to start warming the inside of your car before getting out of bed in the morning.
It’s now possible to melt the ice and snow off your vehicle by running your defroster, and you can do this remotely using your remote starter.
In that way, you don’t have to keep scraping your windows or a peephole in your windshield every time.
Most of all, you don’t need to wait for your car to warm up inside a cold car.
Note: Remote start systems are on the rise in many states. Particularly in colder regions of the country. Since remote systems are cheaper and easier to install they are more common. On the flip side, many drivers do not realize many states have regulations for idling a vehicle while unattended.
Cooling the Interior
After the sun has heated down your leather seats all day, you might get skin burn.
It’s not a problem if you have a garage, but there are times when the parking areas are under direct sunlight and without shade.
You’re probably used to cranking the air conditioning system of your car, so it’s cool and nice before you enter inside during hot summer days.
But, you don’t need to do this step anymore.
It’s a good thing that remote starters are now available.
Here are the reasons why:
- During the summer season or hot days, you can leave the air conditioning ‘on’, and you can start your car using the remote control with only one push of a button, and get inside a cool vehicle using a remote starter.
- Before you even enter your car, you are assured that the interior is cooled down, controlling your remote start system via the remote or your phone.
- Also, it means you’ll never need to pat the steering wheel to see if it’s still too hot to touch.
As with benefits there can be repercussions. Many remote start systems have been known to mess with the electrical system of vehicles.
Good for Your Vehicle’s Engine
It’s crucial to warm your car’s engine before driving, most especially when it is cold outdoors.
By installing a remote start system, you can start your car on cold mornings and drive without shivering.
Just push a button on your remote starter or use your smartphone that is connected with it to start your vehicle and warm the engine remotely.
Your car engine is warmed up along with the oil, to provide better lubrication for least expensive car repair and maintenance.
Note: Many remote smart systems for your vehicle can be controlled through use of an app on your smartphone. This can make it convenient and easy to use. There are added benefits such as email and text alerts when your vehicle sounds the alarm.
Ensure Safety & Promote Higher Security
A major advantage of using a remote start system is security because you can start your car without leaving your keys in it.
It is safer and more secure than not having one, most especially against theft.
Here are some ways on how a remote starter keeps you and your vehicle safe and secure:
- Set the defrost setting beforehand in cold winter days and start your car using the remote starter to melt the ice and snow, so you don’t have to scrape off and expose yourself to harsh elements.
- You don’t need to get out of the car to scrape off the snow which might also put your security at risk because of the bad guys, most especially if you’re out of town.
- It helps increase your visibility when driving because the snow or ice melts on its own without you having to deal with it.
- A remote starter can add or improve security for your vehicle by choosing one with an integrated security or car alarm system for your peace of mind.
States with Idling Laws & Regulations
I have included many benefits for a remote starter for your vehicle.
It would be smart to include a list of states which have idling laws and regulations.
As you can see from the list below, most states have regulations.
Before you go on your remote start journey, you may want to check the laws in your local area.
Below I have included a list of states with recent regulations which is taken from the EPA.gov website.
Included is a search feature.
All you have to do is type in your state to see the list.
State | Regulation | State | Regulation |
---|---|---|---|
Alabama | None | Montana | None |
Alaska | None | Nebraska | None |
Arizona | First penalty is $100 and the second one is $300. | Nevada | Tiered system that goes between $100 and $500. |
Arkansas | None | New Hampshire | No specific fine. |
California | Idling laws for cars are $100, $250 for boats, and $750 for trucks. | New Jersey | Fine of $200 for the first offense, $400 for the second. |
Colorado | Bill hb18-1296 passed as of May 2018. | New Mexico | None |
Connecticut | Idling violations are to be met with fines between $100 and $500. | New York | On the first offense, the fine should be between $375 and $15,000. |
Delaware | Idling violations in Wilmington County | North Carolina | None |
Florida | None | North Dakota | None |
Georgia | Minimum fine of $500.00. | Ohio | $50 per each idling violation. |
Hawaii | No specific fine. | Oklahoma | None |
Idaho | None | Oregon | No specific fine |
Illinois | No specific fine. | Pennsylvania | In Allegheny County there's a warning for the first violation, $100 for the second violation and $300 for the third. In Philadelphia, there's just a $300 fine. |
Indiana | None | Rhode Island | Maximum fine of $50. |
Iowa | None | South Carolina | No specific fine. |
Kansas | None | South Dakota | None |
Kentucky | None | Tennessee | None |
Louisiana | For buses. If a bus is idle for longer than 10 minutes, a $30 fine. Longer than 20 minutes, a $50 fine. | Texas | Fines that vary by area. |
Maine | Time period between May 1 and Columbus Day as when anti-idling laws are in effect. | Utah | Fines that vary by area and rise with how late payment of the fine is, starting at $15 and rising up to $125. |
Maryland | Fine of $500, | Vermont | No specific fine. |
Massachusetts | Not more than $100 for the first offense, nor more than $500 for each succeeding offense. | Virginia | In Arlington County, idling violations cost $50. Fines should not exceed $25,000. |
Michigan | None | Washington | No specific fine. |
Minnesota | Minneapolis idling violations can cost you $200. | West Virginia | Fines between $150 and $300. |
Mississippi | None | Wisconsin | Has fines that vary per area in the state. In Madison, it's $25-$200 for the first violation and for a second violation within 12 months, it's $50-$200. |
Missouri | No specific fine. | Wyoming | Fines of $60. |
Control your Vehicle using your Smartphone
You can synchronize your remote starter system with your smartphone to control your car.
By doing so, you can unlock a wide range of additional features and control your vehicle with your phone’s touchscreen.
Here are the benefits of remote start system and smartphone integration:
- Start your car practically anywhere, like your bedroom, office, or mall.
- Track your car from a crowded area or large parking space to save time and effort.
- Keyless entry or locking and unlocking your doors from your smartphone.
- When the alarm is triggered, you’ll receive an instant push notification or an email alert.
- You’ll receive push alerts whenever you enter or exit an area.
- You can also receive after-hours driving alerts, which is convenient and avoid breaking a city ordinance or the traffic laws.
- For multiple vehicles and drivers, sharing is made easier using their log-ins and setting personal notification preferences.
Boost Your Car’s Resale Value
In any event that you decide to sell your car, a remote start system can increase its value, because many people know the convenience and comfort that a remote starter system can provide.
If you reside in an area having extreme weather conditions, installing a remote starter system is an affordable modification that you can, which also makes a practical and useful selling point.
Final Thoughts
Installing a remote start system on your car is a smart investment that provides you greater security, comfort, and convenience.
You don’t have to suffer from a too warm or too cold car every morning because you can remotely set the appropriate feature for your desired temperature.
Also, say goodbye on trying to locate your vehicle in a crowded area which is confusing and overwhelming, and use a remote starter integrated with your smartphone.
Sources
https://www.consumerreports.org/how-to-add-remote-start-to-your-car/
https://www.epa.gov/State-Idling-Regulations
https://www.popularmechanics.com/is-idling-your-car-to-warm-it-up-actually-illegal/
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Heidi Mertlich
Licensed Insurance Agent
Heidi works with top-rated insurance carriers to bring her clients the highest quality protection at the most competitive prices. She founded NoPhysicalTermLife.com, specializing in life insurance that doesn’t require a medical exam. Heidi is a regular contributor to several insurance websites, including FinanceBuzz.com, Insurist.com, and Forbes. As a parent herself, she understands the need ...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: May 15, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.