What are the benefits of a remote starter in winter, and how does it impact the battery?
Northern winters can be harsh! Temperatures can plummet, leading to intense cold followed by heavy snowfall. These extreme conditions can make you reluctant to drive to work or run errands. In this blog post, your OCTO Auto Service Plus family mechanic explains how a remote starter can be your best friend during the cold season.
Key benefits
As the name suggests, a remote starter allows you to start your car from outside the vehicle. This lets the engine warm up before you set off, making your driving experience much more comfortable. Some advanced remote starters also let you activate the window defroster or control the heating system, ensuring your vehicle is toasty warm and ready to go before you step outside.
The latest technological advances now allow smartphones to function as remote starters. Using an easy-to-install app, you can start your car using cellular data from virtually anywhere.
Impact on the battery
It’s important to remember that every electronic component in your vehicle draws power from the battery. Even when the car is turned off, the remote starter continues to draw a small amount of energy to remain ready to respond to an ignition command.
If your remote starter consumes a lot of energy, you may end up with a dead battery. Regardless of your vehicle’s age, your battery might not be designed to power devices beyond those originally installed by the vehicle manufacturer. It’s also important to note that a battery’s performance can quickly decline during the cold winter months.
Thinking about buying a remote starter? It’s a good idea to schedule an appointment with a repair shop to assess the condition of your battery. If necessary, a mechanic may recommend replacing your current battery with a similar model or upgrading to a higher-performance option.
Pro tip: avoid leaving your engine running remotely to charge your battery. When the engine operates at low revolutions per minute (RPM), it only provides a minimal charge. The alternator effectively recharges the battery when the engine runs at a minimum of 2,000 RPM, which occurs while you’re driving.
Trust OCTO to stay warm!
Need advice on buying or installing a remote starter? Request an appointment today at your nearest OCTO Auto Service Plus to stay warm on the road this winter.