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How can I tell if my car has the original factory-installed remote start?
I just bought a used car and can’t figure out how to start it remotely. The dealer said it can, but I wonder if the OEM part was replaced, or if it even had one in the first place. How can I tell if my car still has the original remote starter?
Shannon Martin · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Learning to use a new car is tricky, let alone one that’s changed hands several times. But don’t worry; if your vehicle has a remote start, we’ll find it.
Here’s where to start looking:
- On the key fob: The key fob should have separate buttons to pop the trunk, lock the doors, unlock the doors, and remotely start the ignition. If you don’t see that last button, your car might not have a remote starter.
- In the owner’s manual: If there’s no user manual in your vehicle’s glovebox, you can usually find one online. Head to the official website for your car’s make and enter the correct model and year to find the right information.
- Check the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): Grab the VIN from the sticker on the bottom corner of the driver’s side windshield and enter it into VIN Decoder or Carfax. The database will provide further details about your car’s model year, recalls, and features.
In the worst-case scenario, you’ll have to ask the dealership to demonstrate the remote start.
View full answer
- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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