New car owners often ask the staff at Ralph’s Radio in Vancouver and Victoria if an aftermarket remote starter is as good as a factory starter. The answer is an unequivocal yes, but deserves a much more detailed explanation. Read on to find out everything you should know about a remote starter for your vehicle.
The Three Remote Starter Options
When you buy a new vehicle, there are three options for a remote starter. The first option is a real factory-installed remote starter. A true factory-installed starter is integrated into the vehicle electronics during the design stage. The car, truck or SUV rolls off the assembly line with the system in place.
The second option is a dealer-installed remote starter. In a nutshell, you want to avoid this option like the plague if you can’t find out exactly what type of system it is, and who will be installing it. While some manufacturers have genuine factory-built, dealer-installable solutions, most use a third-party supplier and installer to put the aftermarket system into your vehicle. In many cases, the systems are chosen by the dealership based on price rather than performance. The people installing them are typically paid by the unit, not by the hour. You end up with an inexpensive system and the potential for a questionable installation.
Option three is an aftermarket remote starter from a respected mobile enhancement retailer like Ralph’s Radio. We use only the highest-quality remote starter systems on the market, and we use industry reference procedures on every installation. We plan each component mounting location and execute every electrical connection a way that ensures maximum performance and reliability.
The Importance of Remote Starter Range
In terms of vehicle integration, the factory remote start option sounds like the way to go, doesn’t it? But what kind of range does it provide? Most factory remotes only work from up to about 300 to 400 feet from the vehicle. Will you be able to start your vehicle if you are in a restaurant, movie theatre, office building or an apartment? Our Compustar remote starter solutions have remotes with range capabilities beyond four kilometers. You can start your vehicle long before you can see it to make sure it will be warm when you arrive. After all, isn’t that the most important feature of a remote car starter?
The Importance of a Quality Installation
We mentioned the concern of knowing who will be working on your vehicle. When someone is under the hood or dash of your brand new car or truck, understanding how to integrate electronics with factory systems and wiring properly is crucial. Most dealership technicians replace components and modules; they are not concerned with how the different electronic systems work. If they follow the diagnostic process, they can usually complete their task. On the other hand, our technicians have decades of experience working on every type of vehicle imaginable. We are concerned with giving you better performance than the dealer could imagine!
Find out More About Aftermarket Remote Starters at Ralph’s Radio
If you are considering purchasing a new vehicle and are interested in a remote starter, drop by Ralph’s Radio in Vancouver or Victoria and speak with a member of our sales team first. We can let you know what options are available. For more information, give our store nearest to you a call or send us an e-mail using our contact form.