Dealer add Remote Start

[DJStanley]

I am at the doorstep of buying a new 2014 Ram 3500. It does not have remote start and I would like to add it. The sales person is telling me that his shop does not think highly of the Ram brand dealer added remote start due to range and is suggesting "Astro Start" brand. Does anyone have any experience with the dealer added remote starts?

 

[bedroc]

We added the factory remote start to our MY 2010. The dealer is right about the range on the remotes. It only works from several blocks away if the remote is in my pocket and I lean on it when I don't want the truck to start. Otherwise it has a range of around 100' with clear line of sight. The factory remote start runs of about 15 min and you can remote start it twice, after that it makes you start with the key before it will remote start again.

With the after market cool start remote start I had in MY 06 you could set the run timer out to 30 min and it had unlimited remote starts. The cool start would also let you with the truck running press the fob remote start button then remove the key and the truck would stay running until the timer ran down or you could put the key back and drive on. That was real handy when stopping for coffee. The range on cool start was 250' and it worked ever time, unlike the factory one. I bought the cool start off of ebay from mypushcart, i didn't see a listing for MY 2014.

On these newer trucks though I would worry about an electrical after market anything since the trucks are more sensitive to electrical ad-ons, its not just 12 volts positive/negative anymore.

 

[sag2]

Just go with the OEM remote start. They work, and the vehicle warranty covers it.

 

[cerberusiam]

Better yet, just forget about the remote start and security system all together. A bigger source of electrical issues and problems has never been invented. These trucks don't warm up well at an idle anyway. A more useful application of funds and energy is a garage.

If you really want the bling go with the factory unit for warranty.

 

[Bob4x4]

Anything that ties into the hi tech new trucks adds risk.There is enough going on in these trucks already with out throwing in some "astro magic"

 

[TCDiesel]

Bob4x4 and Sag2 are right on, aftermarket remote starts at times will create havoc with the system....Some of the hack butcher installs I've seen..:--) that being said doesn't always apply, if you go aftermarket make it very clear that if the systems has any hiccups or detrimental effects you want the vehicle return to factory without NO visual signs of any tampering, in other words plug and play install only....

 

[DJStanley]

Thanks for everyone's input, I live in MN and am fortunate enough to start the day from a heated garage. But in my middle age I would also like the comfort of a warm vehicle for when I leave my other stops for the day, it is going to help me cope with living in the north. I am concerned with using a non-Mopar remote start even if installed by the dealer. I am buying from a dealer that is 200 miles away in order to find the Rambox on an HD and thus my local dealer may not support the aftermarket installed remote.

 

[Bill Stockard]

I suspect the salesman's recommendation isn't completely unbiased. I'd bet the after market unit has a higher profit margin to the dealer which in turn increases the salesman's commission on the sale.

Bill

 

[mfurrh55]

Make them throw it in to seal the deal for free, maybe that's why he wants you to go aftermarket, so he don't have to throw it in,

 

[Bob V]

I added the Factory remote start to my 2011. No problems and it woks well and the (4th gen) truck DOES worm up idling. I like the fact that it ties in with the wait to start and turns on the heater/AC and the heated seats and steering wheel. With the way the new trucks use buss communication for EVERYTHING I would not add an AFTERMARKET remote start, you are asking for problems

 

[TimothyLong]

If range is an issue with the factory remote, a free Uconnect app is available for iPhones and Android phones which allows you to remote start the truck, lock or unlock the doors, or sound the horn (like pushing the panic button on the remote). This allows you to remote start your truck from anywhere you have a cell phone signal. One thing to be aware of with this is that it takes several minutes for the request to get to your truck (doesn't matter what function your are requesting). However, you do get a notification on the app that your truck successfully received the request. I believe that this feature is only available for for MY 2013+ trucks. I know this works with the factory installed remote start so you would think that it should work with a dealer installed MOPAR remote start as well.

 

[crabjoe]

I have a feeling the salesman is pushing the aftermarket unit because he's been told, from his service guys, that the factory remote start isn't available....

Here's what I've heard... Don't know how true it is or not....

Factory remote start can not be added by a dealer because the parts aren't available for '13+ MY..
Even if factory remote start can be added, it can not be activated with the Witech, because Chrysler has to add the option to the VIN 1st. You have to find someone at Chrysler willing to add the option, to the VIN, so the Witech can activate it on the truck, after it's installed....

Basically, it's a huge hassle, for a dealer, to added the option after it's fact the plant..... Where most dealers can't do it because the parts not available and/or, it's near impossible to activate after it's installed...

 

[Little John]

Before you buy a remote start, why don't you check items like "Webasco" They are wired into your vehicle and fuel system. They burn the fuel you have in your tank, and are plumbed to heat your cooling system.

 

[sag2]

Remote start is available and stocked by a couple of my local dealers. See attached page from catalog. And adding it to the VIN takes a minute or two on DealerConnect. Adding it and turning it on is all part of the install with any OEM accessory that requires adding to vehicle vehicle configuration.View attachment 2013 Truck Remote Start.pdfView attachment 2013 Truck Remote Start.pdf

 

[Little John]

Sorry, its Webasto, here's a link to the website: http://www.webasto.com/us/markets-products/light-duty-vehicles/heating-systems/