There is a specific feature I recommend to everyone looking for a car: get a remote car starter. Your "winter perception" will change, even more, if you live in Canada. For some parts of the northern U.S., it may come handy too, but here in Canada, it is a must, no matter where you live.
Temperature Control on Vehicles
Either if you park it all night underground or on heated parking, when you go out and park outside, in less than 20 minutes, your car can get as cold/hot as the exterior ambient temperature. It is very simple: temperature isolation on vehicles is not a priority over safety, stability, structure, and comfort. These are designed to be completely weather-independent (except Arctic exploration vehicles, airplanes, and submarines) and are expected to be "managed" or controlled only when people are inside the car.
Remember vehicle cabins are 30% glass and lots of metal frames. Any isolation attempt will be useless without adding a high-end glass material that would increase manufacturing costs and be almost meaningless. All we just need is the cabin temperature to be good when we are inside, and 99% of times when we are inside of a vehicle, is because we are driving it, so the engine heater and the A/C are all good enough. The only problem is the winter morning jumpstart: you need a remote car starter :)
Remote Car Starter: Custom Installation
The first experience I had with a custom remote starter was a few years ago: One of the first vehicles I had was a Mazda3. It was pretty nice, and I have to say it was a "rust survivor," even after having more than 11 years on the road, the body was holding on like any other vehicle out there.
Well, the thing is that each time I jumped in during the morning with my kids, we were all freezing off during the first 3 - 5 minutes. It was a struggle to jump start every -20 morning sitting in our freezer with wheels. The day I decided to install a remote car starter, then everything changed. From that day on, I would never again (so far as we could afford it) own a vehicle in Canada without this feature. At least during winter.
So, installing the remote starter wasn't that big of a deal. Most mechanic workshops offer this service, including the device, installation, and warranty. On average, it is about 500 to 700 CAD for the whole thing, but the installation cost may vary, depending on the province.
Custom Installation Pros
- It can be installed on almost any Automatic/CVT vehicle: Manual transmission vehicles may be harder because the clutch can be connected at any gear when the engine is turned off. Mechanically, the remote car starter actually turns on the engine, so just imagine what would happen if the engine starts and the car is on direct. This system is widely controlled on Automatic transmission vehicles.
- It may be cheaper than getting higher-trim vehicles: Yes, you could actually install it on any model, not just on the most exclusive ones that come with it.
- You could have more than two starters: This may not be a big deal for families, but for business/work vehicles that are available for multiple people, you can set up new devices to start the same vehicle. For manufacturer installed starters, it can be way expensive to have more key/starter sets available for a single car.
- Available at multiple places: Amazon, Walmart, Canadian Tire and most workshops.
Custom Installation Cons
- Vehicle manufacturer Warranty for Electrical Components could be Void: As you (the mechanic, workshop...) are literally altering the electrical circuit of the vehicle for adding a new component, you could be voiding the warranty. If anything goes wrong, the vehicle maker is not responsible for it.
- Some specific features could not be integrated: The seat heating circuit, the heated steering wheel and any other additional component of the cabin intended to help with the temperature may not be integrated to the installation of the remote starter device.
- Although the engine will heat, the cabin may not: If your vehicle has manual temperature control and you turn it off initially with everything set to "cold," the interior of the vehicle will not be "ready" when you jump in. Of course, doing the manual switch with the heated engine will take just seconds before the hot airflow begins, but it is not the ideal scenario.
- Bigger keychain: Your car keys will be probably double the size. You will have your car ones plus the remote car starting keyfob.
Remote Car Starter: Factory Installed
I drive now a VW Atlas. It is a vehicle that I love and has lots of comfort features for my family. When I was looking for it, I had in mind that having a remote car starter was a must, so I went after a trim that at least, had this feature as default.
So, this time I can certainly compare it with the Mazda I had a few years ago. Back then, it was installed by a workshop, and now, this one came from the Volkswagen manufacturing plant in Mexico itself.
Volkswagen Atlas keyless ignition & remote car starter.
Factory Installed Pros
- Warranty is a whole: Like any other piece of your vehicle, it will be part of the comprehensive vehicle warranty.
- Integration with the vehicle features: This is one of the main differences. You will start your car, and the heated seats will start too, the temperature (depending on the vehicle) will be automatically switched to a mid-term level, the steering wheel will begin heating too... Basically, your "heating" components will all jump into action and will boost the experience compared to only starting the engine.
- Smaller Keyfob: It is basically the same.
Factory Installed Cons
- Not available on all trims = more expensive: You may end up paying a few thousands more, just to fall into the trim that has the remote starter. In my case, it was a coincidence it came with the model I was looking for, but this is not an ordinary case.
- Duplication: As it comes integrated with the car key, you may have to spend a few hundred dollars if you want a third one.
Overall, my biggest recommendation is to go with the manufacturer one or whenever possible just get a dealer installed one.
Either way, get a remote car starter. Canada isn't a place for not having one.
