How do I know if my Ford has a remote start?

Sometimes we just want to step into a vehicle and zoom off. For regular cars, it is just not possible. If you use a manual vehicle, the process of starting is extra cumbersome. You have to ensure the hand brake is on, the gearstick is on neutral, your left hand is on the steering wheel, and the clutch is down before turning the key.

Even automatic vehicles require some preparation (the brake should be down) before turning the key.

In hot weather, you can imagine the stress of waiting until the car is a bit cool after opening the windows yourself. The wait is even longer in the winter when you must wait for the ice and snow to melt before driving off.

The remote start comes in handy in all these scenarios. And very few drivers even know about the remote start option in their vehicles. So, you might be asking, “how do you know if my Ford has a remote start option?” Read on to find the answer

How do remote starters work?

A remote starter is a car feature that allows you to start your vehicle from a distance using your key fob. The key fob mimics the engine starting sequence, which the vehicle’s key usually triggers.

Remote starters use a control module connected to a car’s ignition switch and starter mechanism. The control module for most cars is like a box. When you press the button shaped like a curved arrow on the key fob, this box gets a signal activating the system and starting the engine.

When the driver gets to the spot, the car has the right temperature, is fired up, and is ready to move.

The great thing about remote starters is the distance they cover. The simplest ones can cover up to one thousand feet. Also, the vehicle can remain on for at least ten minutes before it turns off on its own if the driver is late.

What year Fords have a remote start?

All Ford models from 2021 upwards come with remote start key fobs. Remote starters in vehicles date back to 2003, and their humble beginnings kept things simple: opening and locking the vehicle’s doors. Now, you can start the car, the air conditioner, the radio, and even adjust humidity from a thousand feet away.

Ford keeps with the times. As such, when the key fobs evolved, including remote starters, Ford joined in.

In 2015, Ford also had the phone-remote start. Then, it was free for five years before becoming a charged feature, and now, it is entirely free.

How do I know if I have a remote start?

The easiest way to know if your car has a remote start feature is by checking your key fob. A button on the key fob with a shape like a curved arrow indicates that the vehicle has the remote starter feature. Some models show the feature with a symbol of ‘2X’ with an arrow in a circle.

However, many drivers confuse this with the basic remote controls that let you open and lock your car doors from a distance. The difference between the two is that one can start the car while the other cannot. If the controls on your key fob only let you open and lock the doors, your vehicle does not have a remote starter.

How do I turn on my Ford remote start?

Drivers of Ford vehicles with a remote start function often wonder about how to unlock the car door without a key. Using the remote starter is quite straightforward. Here are steps to turn on the Ford remote start:

• Use the key fob to lock the doors.

• Press the button shaped like an arrow or the ‘2X’ symbol.

• Your vehicle’s headlights will flash twice, followed by the sound of its horn indicating it is on and ready to go.

You can also use the remote starter feature to switch off the car while outside. Unlike the starting feature, you press the 2X button once to turn it off. In response, the headlights should turn off with the engine.

How do I use Ford remote start on my mobile phone?

Asides from using the key fob, Ford offers a feature that lets you use remote starter features via your android or iPhone. If you have the FordPass Connect feature in your car, you can easily use your phone to start the vehicle remotely. Below are steps for using this application:

• Download the FordPass app on a compatible phone.

• Log in to the app

• Add your vehicle to the app. If you have more than one Ford vehicle, you can add all of them using the car’s VIN (vehicle identification number).

• Activate the FordPass Connect from your phone. You can do this by pressing the ‘Activate Vehicle’ button in your application.

As a response to this last step, your vehicle should fire up and give a reply as described in the segment above.

While using the key fob, it is essential to note the colors the feedback indicators emit. The colors green and red indicate successful start and end, respectively; a blinking red infers a failed stop, and a flashing green means the status update is pending.

What if my Ford does not have the remote starter feature?

You can have it installed if your Ford does not come with the remote starter feature. You can take it to the factory or a good auto mechanic who can carry out the operation.

The price of this operation depends mainly on the year and model. It costs between $499 to $699 to get and install the feature on a Ford.

The importance of getting trained personnel to handle the entire enterprise is vital. If done wrongly, many other features can undergo damage. As a result, we recommend installations at Ford dealerships.

Drivers of Ford models produced from 2021 upwards need not worry about this. The remote starter feature, since 2021, has been a standard feature for all Ford vehicles. When the keyless remote battery is low, it’s possible to simply replace the battery and keep using the feature.

Why should I use the Ford remote starter?

Here are the advantages of using the Ford remote starter:

• The biggest reason most drivers use the remote starter is security. If you have doubts about the safety of your car, you can switch it on from your location. Should anyone attempt to steal your vehicle, the doors will not bulge.

• Ford remote starters offer convenience and comfort. Instead of managing a heated or very cold vehicle when in a hurry, you can use the remote starter to start the engine and warm or cool things up, as the case may be.

The remote starter works both ways. While your vehicle is on, the indicator on the key fob or in your app will glow up. So, if you are running late, you will notice when your car has gone off and restart it.

Cons of Ford remote starter

The Ford remote starter feature does not come without its demerits. They include:

High cost of installation

If your version of Ford does not have the remote starter feature, the cost of getting one by a trained professional is enough to have you rethink. In many cases, it is not worth it as the experience cannot be the same as factory installation.

Extra weight

If your remote starter is not an original feature of your vehicle, you will have a separate key fob for remote starting. Not everyone can simultaneously keep track of car keys and a separate key fob. In most cases, the remote key fob suffers neglect, defeating its purpose entirely.

It does not help the fuel economy of the car

Warming the engine and letting it sit for ten minutes may not look challenging. Subsequently, the effect reveals itself in fuel usage.

Using the remote starter feature often consumes fuel. It may not be a big deal to some people, but it is a waste of money to others.

They can shorten the engine’s lifespan

Regular heating and cooling of the car put an extra strain on the engine, resulting in a shortened engine lifespan. When using the feature often, it would be best to keep this in mind.

Our take

Ford’s remote starter feature is a standard feature available in all Ford vehicles produced from 2021 onwards. You can easily tell if you have it or not by checking your key fob for the right buttons.

You can have it installed if your car does not have the feature. In this case, it is your place to determine if you need it or a new Ford.