If your Kia Seltos has a remote start, then you may want to be using it more often these days, especially on cold mornings. But you might not know how the remote function of your Kia Seltos works. Not to worry, because this article has laid out how to use your remote start.
Follow these simple tips to remote start your Kia Seltos:
- First, using the key fob, press the lock button.
- Immediately after, press and hold the remote start button found on the back of the key fob.
- Finally, hold the remote start button until the vehicle starts.
- The Kia Seltos will run for 10 minutes before turning itself off.
Having a remote start is a great feature, especially during the winter. That's why in this article, we will discuss how a remote start works and how to use it on your Kia Seltos. In addition, we will answer other frequently asked questions about remote starters, so read on!
How To Remote Start Kia Seltos
In general, a remote is a small device that can communicate with a car via radio waves and allow you to start the car from a relatively shorter distance than the key-fob starter. It also allows you to lock and unlock the car's doors via controls on the remote control itself.
To start your Kia Seltos with a remote, you first need to press the button on the key-fob of your vehicle. Then, you will need to press and hold the "Remote Start" button found on the back of the key-fob. Hold this button until your Kia Seltos starts, which should take less than a minute. The vehicle will run for 10 minutes before shutting off automatically.
The Kia Seltos remote start has a strong distance radius. The smart technology can start the vehicle up to 500 feet away.
A remote starter uses a series of relays activated by the signals from the remote control unit to energize various systems in the vehicle. Finally, the main relay is activated, which powers the starter to turn over the engine.
Once it fires up and you can hear it running in your car, that same relay then sends an electrical pulse through a status wire in the vehicle's ignition harness to tell the powertrain control module [PCM]that all of this was activated from a remote starter.
Benefits of remote start for your Kia Seltos
There are many benefits of having a remote car starter, like convenience. It allows you to start your car even if you're several meters away from it. Plus, it lets you leave your vehicle running in cold weather but not waste fuel while doing so because the engine is turned off when idle.
The other nice thing about having a remote start is that you don't have the risk of your vehicle being stolen while it runs. Due to the key fob not being inside the car. Therefore, someone can't drive off with your car without the key fob present.
Using a remote start is also beneficial to the health of your Kia Seltos. Using a remote start in colder months allows the engine to warm up to operating temperatures. In addition, this allows the oil to run freely throughout the engine, lubricating it from the inside, so you have less wear and tear on your vehicle in the long run.
Driving your Kia Seltos before it is warmed up can damage the engine and harm other components in your vehicle, such as the transmission. In addition, when an engine is cold, its parts cannot move freely and will cause more friction than usual.
Lastly, a remote start can also be beneficial during the hot summer months. You can preset your air conditioning so it will turn on when you remote start your Kia Seltos. This is a great thing to do if your children are getting into your vehicle or if you have pets.
Is remote start standard on Kia Seltos?
The remote start comes standard in almost every Kia Seltos trim. It isn't available in the base LX trim. That means you can enjoy the remote start feature in the S, EX, S Turbo, and SX Turbo.
Nonetheless, you can add a remote start to the LX trim if you choose to do so. However, this will be a cost that will have to come out of your pocket.
Is a keyless start the same as a remote start?
No, a keyless start and a remote start are not the same. They are both very different from one another. the keyless start means you will have a push-to-start button to start the vehicle once you are in the driver's seat.
To use the keyless start, put your foot on the brake and press the push-to-start button. Again, remember that the key fob must be inside the vehicle to start.
A keyless entry only lets you lock and unlock the door without needing a physical key to do so. The key-fob needs to be within proximity of the door to give you access to the vehicle and lock the vehicle without using the physical key.
A remote starter is a system that allows you to start your Kia Seltos, which is already parked, while you are outside of it.
This is the most common mistake that people make when figuring out what system they have. Having a keyless entry does not mean you have a remote start and vice versa.
How much does Kia remote start cost?
Installing Kia remote start will vary depending on the Kia model. However, you can expect to pay anywhere from $150 to $500 for the remote start and the installation. The prices also vary depending on the type of remote start you get.
For example, remote starts have different distance ranges. Some provide an 80-foot radius, but others can reach up to 500 feet away.
Kia also offers the wifi-enabled remote start that pairs with your smartphone via Bluetooth.
The more features you want on your Kia Seltos remote starter, the higher the price will be.
Is a remote start worth it?
A remote starter is worth it if you live in an area where the temperatures tend to drop below freezing. This is because your vehicle will need to warm up before taking on long road trips, which can damage certain parts of your vehicle.
On the other hand, if you live in an area with hot summers, a remote start can also be worth it. You can preset your air conditioning before you leave the house on a hot summer day so that AC will turn on when you get into your vehicle.
It also depends on how often you use your vehicle during the hot and cold seasons. For example, if you work from home or don't usually drive, purchasing a remote start may not be worth the added costs.
You will have to determine how often you will use the feature, so you can decide if it is worth it for your life.
Kia Seltos remote start isn't working - What could be wrong?
If your remote start isn't working, it could be something simple, or there could be a bigger problem with your vehicle. Let's take a look at the possible culprits below:
Dead Key Fob Battery
One of the most common reasons your remote start isn't working is a dead key fob battery. You can have the key fob battery replaced at your Kia dealer or an automotive store like Autozone or O'Reilly's.
Dead Car Battery
Another reason the remote starter isn't working is because of a dead car battery. If you have another key fob for your vehicle, try starting it using that one. This way, you can determine if the problem was with the battery or not.
If your vehicle still doesn't start, then try jumpstarting the vehicle. If you can get it started, take your Kia Seltos to a Kia dealer or automotive store to test the battery.
Loose Battery Cables
Before you jumpstart your Kia, make sure that your battery cables are tight and clean the terminals. If you see any corrosion on the battery cables or terminals, clean them using baking soda and a wire brush.
If there is still corrosion present after you've cleaned it off, replace the corroded cable and repeat until all of the corrosion is gone.
Check Engine Light is On
If your check engine light is on, it will disengage the remote start feature. Therefore, you should have the code checked to determine what is wrong with your Kia Seltos and get it repaired.
Final Thoughts
Having a remote start is a great feature during the winter and summer months. However, it may not be worth the additional cost to everyone. You will need to determine how often you will use the feature to determine if it is right for you.
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