remote start

[milind]

It's ridiculous to have to pay a service fee to remote start the car. They have a smart system built in already. I should be able to remote start the car through wifi direct. Why the heck do I need to go through BlueLink.

 

[EdP]

I should be able to remote start the car through wifi direct. Why the heck do I need to go through BlueLink.

So they have an income stream? The new models come with 3 years of service for "free". A good remote aftermarket can be installed for $200 to $300 and they are easier to use.

Not sure how well wifi would work away from home. I often park in places with no wifi available.

 

[Mcc]

You would think that if they want a revenue stream that they wouldn’t price the product out of the market. I am thinking they just don’t want to sell it, maybe no margin. You don’t price razor blades at more than the cost of a new shaver.

 

[EdP]

You would think that if they want a revenue stream that they wouldn’t price the product out of the market. I am thinking they just don’t want to sell it, maybe no margin. You don’t price razor blades at more than the cost of a new shaver.

GM seems to be including the OnStar service with new cars. Pre 2016, depending on the plan, is $200 to $350. My guess is they include in the the car price because people are not renewing at those prices. I see little value aside from remote staritng

 

[Mcc]

Actually I use remote locking and checking the lock status more than starting. But cooling the car down in the summer is also pretty useful.
Btw, I think the OnStar is only free for 5 year and is their basic service.

 

[EdP]

Actually I use remote locking and checking the lock status more than starting. But cooling the car down in the summer is also pretty useful.

Only time I lock my car i when I want to use remote start. Locking a car is inviting damage. Three times my car have been opened and my total loss is a can of oil. Cars parked near me had broken windows, slashed convertible top, pried door.

On previous cars with aftermarket remotes, it locked the doors when starting.

 

[milind]

So they have an income stream? The new models come with 3 years of service for "free". A good remote aftermarket can be installed for $200 to $300 and they are easier to use.

Not sure how well wifi would work away from home. I often park in places with no wifi available.

Well, i just hope that what Google did with Navigation, they will do with more Android Auto integration and I will be able to control remote heating and cooling through AA.

I understand all the dangers of hacking into the car system which could literally kill you. But I hope they figure it out.

I used to use this on my leaf (remote access was free) and since it was an electric car, I could start the car while in the garage. With an ICE, I guess we have to remember to open garage doors before heating/cooling the car while in a garage.

 

[EdP]

I used to use this on my leaf (remote access was free) and since it was an electric car, I could start the car while in the garage. With an ICE, I guess we have to remember to open garage doors before heating/cooling the car while in a garage.

How do you "start" an electric car? Do you mean you can turn on the heat of AC? I've wondered how well they work on electric cars and what does it do to the range. When the temperature is below zero, it takes a lot of energy to get the cabin to even the 60s.

 

[milind]

How do you "start" an electric car? Do you mean you can turn on the heat of AC? I've wondered how well they work on electric cars and what does it do to the range. When the temperature is below zero, it takes a lot of energy to get the cabin to even the 60s.

The leaf really was a lovely car in all respects except for the distance covered per charge. On paper the range was 130 or so miles. In actuality, I never dared to go beyond 100 miles. The car started just like, I expect, the Genesis with a button. Because the charger was plugged in, while the car heated (never used it to cool), the battery kept getting charged. It was net negative, but another 15 minutes of charging would top it up. I would start the car from inside the house and get it nicely heated up and by the time I was ready to leave, the car was fully charged and nice and toasty.

I imagine that the Genesis works the same way. The Genesis app seems more sophisticated than the Leaf. But the Leaf got the job done. And again because it's fully electric, no exhaust fumes. I'm presuming that those of you who live up North and have the Genesis parked in the garage have to first open the Garage door and then start the car and heat it up. Right?

 

[TbonePdx]

I can't really comment if things are better now, but at least for my car the Bluelink remote start was a joke. Only worked about 50% of the time. I'm not paying one cent for that feature. Just give me a dedicated remote start for god's sake. :-(

Tony

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[Mcc]

I can't really comment if things are better now, but at least for my car the Bluelink remote start was a joke. Only worked about 50% of the time. I'm not paying one cent for that feature. Just give me a dedicated remote start for god's sake. :-(

Tony

Seems to work fine for me in the 2017 version. Glad to see that they have improved it.

 

[EdP]

I can't really comment if things are better now, but at least for my car the Bluelink remote start was a joke. Only worked about 50% of the time. I'm not paying one cent for that feature. Just give me a dedicated remote start for god's sake. :-(

Tony

My 2013 Sonata was the same. My 2015 Genesis was about 90%. My 2018 Genesis has been 100%. The app and the system has been greatly improved.

 

[CSULA21]

So, I too am interested in an Aftermarket Remote Start system? Aside from Python, anyone else use one? I think it would be helpful to create a list of options and details about the system (Extra Fob? App? Etc.)

TIA

 

[Milano]

So, I too am interested in an Aftermarket Remote Start system? Aside from Python, anyone else use one? I think it would be helpful to create a list of options and details about the system (Extra Fob? App? Etc.)

TIA

Dealer mentioned to me that aftermarket systems might void the warranty... He suggested just using blue Link because if they installed the official remote start for me it would be stupid expensive.

 

[Alfer]

I am now the owner of a 2015 3.8 AWD with Sig and was really looking forward to having the ability to do remote start. That was until I called in and found out how much they wanted per year just to turn my car on remotely. $200 a year!? Seriously, why must I have "Connect" plan just to have the privilege of BUYING a remote plan to add to it? $200 a year is outrageous IMO.

I hope they reconfigure these plans and offer up a much more budget friendly plan that offers just remote etc. It's crazy.

 

[Milano]

I am now the owner of a 2015 3.8 AWD with Sig and was really looking forward to having the ability to do remote start. That was until I called in and found out how much they wanted per year just to turn my car on remotely. $200 a year!? Seriously, why must I have "Connect" plan just to have the privilege of BUYING a remote plan to add to it? $200 a year is outrageous IMO.

I hope they reconfigure these plans and offer up a much more budget friendly plan that offers just remote etc. It's crazy.

agreed. I'm going to find out about getting a dealer installed true remote start system. I posted in here that they said it's too expensive to bother... but so is $200/year.

 

[Mr. Incredible]

I just got BlueLink up and running -

- Starting via mobile app is slow. Sometimes, I'll make it to the car before it receives the signal (usually takes more than 30 seconds and more like 1 minute)

- Annoying flashing lights. People were just staring at my car when I walked out to it

- Mobile app loads slowly

- Not a fan of having to enter a 4 digit pin after I've logged in and then requested remote start

- At least it doesn't turn off automatically when I open the door like my 2018 Toyota Highlander Limited does... dumbest thing ever!

Thanks, rant is over...

1. it's sending the signal via the web, i.e. your data connection on your phone, so depending on service coverage it can take from a few seconds to a few minutes or fail all together if there is a weak or no signal to the 4g in the car, or your cell coverage is spotty.

in my driveway via my Wi-Fi (both car and phone connected to my house Wi-Fi) it takes 3-5 seconds. at my office both using 4g it takes upwards of 1 minute, luckily I am one of only a handful that have assigned parking, so the signal where I park is decent, I know of others in my department that get spotty signal for their remote start on Hyundai, Toyota/Lexus, and Dodge products, and may times it fails and reports back it is unable to reach the car.

2. In some countries like Korea, China, Japan, New Zealand, and maybe now Australia (as up until 2015 remote start was illegal) this is a requirement of any vehicle that is running and not occupied, the hazards must flash, be it remote start or you starting the car and exiting for a moment to close your garage or gate or whatever. I suspect that it is just common programming for all countries instead of special programming for the US.

3. this is completely dependent on your mobile device, I have no issue with load times on iPhone 8plus or my Apple Watch Series 3.

4. Mine never asks for this if I leave the app open, it only asks the first time I open the app (and I use fingerprint not PIN), as long as the app is left in standby (at least on an iPhone) and not closed, it will not ask for the PIN/Fingerprint again. if you swipe up and close the app, then yes you are reestablishing a session and the 2-factor verification requires both sign in and pin to perform any remote function (lock/unlock/remote/panic)

5. 100% agree on this, I hated that on my Lexus, as such I never used the remote start feature of that car and refused to pay for the Enform Remote App ($160 a year) because it was the stupidest remote start system ever.

 

[Mr. Incredible]

most car manufacturers have gone to this type of subscription service, the point is revenue, and no other reason,

MBZBMW
Lexus/Toyota
Infinity/Nissan
Acura/Honda
Genesis/Hyundai
Dodge/Chrysler/Fiat/Alpha
GM
Tesla
etc.


all of them have an app, all of them offer the app for few for a set time, and all of them charge a subscription fee after the free trial, they get you hooked and then force you to buy the service.

This is the way of the world now, pay to play games, subscription service fee for things that used to be a one time purchase, etc. Companies need a revenue stream that is continuous because there is no more customer loyalty. What better way to maintain a stream of income then to charge exuberant fees for a service that most people will sparsely use. Kind of like cable TV or Streaming services. you can pay $100 a month for 500 channels of crap you don't ever watch, or pay multiple companies ~$10 a month for streaming services to get specific programming and then realize you seldom if ever use it, or end up watching the same shows over and over.

Also and aftermarket system will not void your warranty, unless they can prove that it caused the problem, an remote start system isn't going to cause suspension to fail, or a transmission to leak, or a brake to drag. While an improper install could effectively cause an electric issue, or even an issue with the car's network, the likely hood of such a thing happening is slim to none, all of the big player systems, Viper, Crimestopper, Python, Compustar, Code Alarm, all have dedicated modules designed to properly interface with your make/models car network. Use a reputable shop that knows what they are doing and it won't ever be an issue.

 

[TbonePdx]

I used the free trial and didn't renew. The app was a joke. About half the time the car wouldn't start. Just give me a key fob with a start button please. Seriously.

Tony

 

[EdP]

I used the free trial and didn't renew. The app was a joke. About half the time the car wouldn't start. Just give me a key fob with a start button please. Seriously.

Tony

My success rate is very good the past couple of years. Used to be terrible though. I still would rather have a fob button too. Now you get 3 years of service included but if I keep the car I'll be getting an aftermarket starter. Payback is pretty fast.