Do I Need to Restart the Engine After Remote Start?
3 Answers
Yes, you need to restart the engine after remote start. Remote start only activates the car's engine while keeping the doors locked and turning on electronic devices like the air conditioning. A complete restart is required. The reasons why the one-touch start may fail include: 1. Key demagnetization: Frequently placing the car key near electronic devices like phones, computers, or TVs can interfere with the low-intensity radio waves in the key. Strong radio waves from nearby sources such as TV towers, airports, or power plants can also cause the one-touch start to "malfunction." 2. Dead key battery: If the remote control distance shortens or the key becomes less responsive, it's a sign that the battery is running low. The one-touch start won't function properly with a dead battery, so replace it as soon as possible. 3. Car malfunction: In extreme cases like fuel system issues, dead battery, or short circuits in electronic components, contact your 4S store staff immediately.
Remote engine start is a pretty cool feature. As an experienced driver, I've used it quite a few times and find it really convenient. Generally speaking, when you remotely start your car via smartphone or key fob and the engine is running, the system will automatically detect your smart key once you're seated in the driver's seat. At this point, you don't need to restart the engine; simply press the ignition button or shift button to drive away smoothly, just like a normal startup. However, the specifics may vary by model. Some vehicle systems might shut off the engine or require additional operation if they don't detect the key inside the cabin. I recommend checking your owner's manual or consulting your dealership, especially since it's quite practical for warming up your car in winter. Safety first – avoid using remote start in enclosed spaces to prevent emission issues. Overall, this feature is designed to eliminate redundant steps and deliver a smoother experience, saving you the hassle of additional ignition operations.
I drive frequently and often take my kids out on weekends, having used remote start on various cars. From experience, most of the time after remotely starting the engine, once you sit in the car and the system recognizes the key, you can directly operate the dashboard to drive off. There's no need to press the start button again to ignite the engine. I've driven some SUVs where you can just shift gears and go, which is quite convenient. However, this depends on the vehicle's security settings; if the key isn't placed correctly or the car is an older model, it might shut down automatically. Once, I tested my neighbor's car and forgot the key inside when I got out, causing it to stop automatically. So, I recommend developing the habit of ensuring the key is on you when getting in and checking that the engine is running properly. This is not only safer but also saves time, especially on cold days when preheating the car makes it very comfortable inside.
