Kia Telluride Remote Start: The Full Rundown

Published March 18, 2022
in Ownership

If you’ve been looking at getting a new Kia Telluride, you might have noticed something a little different about the most recent models. For the last several years, Kia Telluride remote starts have been a standard feature, which is great news for remote start lovers.

But should this new feature be standardized? Does it offer benefits other than being a more convenient way to start your vehicle, and is it really safe to use a remote start when you’re not in or near your car?

If you haven’t had a remote start before and want to learn more before committing to a Telluride that has one or want to upgrade your Telluride with the new feature, you’re in the right place.

What Are Remote Starts?

First things first. While remote starts are getting common enough these days that most people know what they are, it’s worth taking a moment to explain.

A remote start for your vehicle is a device that lets you press a button (or a combination of buttons) to start your vehicle without having to be inside. They’re usually only compatible with vehicles that already have push-to-start ignitions and have a limited effective range.

That means that, for the most part, a remote start is only going to be an option on relatively new vehicles.

That said, the earliest remote starters didn’t have those restrictions. The earliest models were available as far back as the 1980s and are quite a bit different than the Kia Telluride remote start you’d use today.

The technology really didn’t take off till the 2000s, though, and they’ve been getting progressively more common since about 2010, with more and more vehicle manufacturers making remote starters a standard option by 2020.

So, while it might be a relatively recent feature for the Kia Telluride, remote starts are relatively common and very secure for consumer use. There’s been a lot of work making the technology more effective and safe.

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Do Kia Telluride Come With Remote Starters?

The most recent models of Kia Telluride include remote starters as a standard feature. Kia first started adding remote start to their vehicles in 2020, but there have been compatible options available for a lot longer.

So, if you’re looking at an older Telluride, it might not come with a remote start installed, but it’s relatively likely that you’d be able to install one if you want to.

Pros And Cons Of Kia Telluride Remote Start

Like any feature of a modern vehicle, there are some pros and cons to having a remote start. While most Kia Telluride drivers appreciate the feature, other people rarely use their remote start or don’t want to use it at all.

Here are some of the key pros and cons to having a Kia Telluride remote start:

Pros:

It’s easier on your engine: Having a remote start is a great way to protect your engine’s health, especially in the colder winter months. Giving your vehicle a few minutes to warm up before you’re actually driving helps make sure the engine is fully lubricated and that the metal isn’t contracted with the cold.

It’s more convenient: No one likes getting into a freezing cold vehicle. Having a remote start makes it easier to let your vehicle start warming up, so you’re comfortable the whole drive.

It’s faster: being able to start your vehicle while you’re walking toward it, or even from inside your home, means that you’ll be able to get on the road that much faster. Your vehicle gets the advantage of a slower start, but you get the advantage of getting on the road faster.

Cons:

Maintaining your fob can be expensive: While remote start fobs are designed to last longer and longer these days, they’re still an additional expense that comes with keeping your vehicle in good condition.

You’ll use more fuel and oil: For all the advantages of using a remote start, there’s one big problem, fuel. The truth is that starting your vehicle and leaving it running for a few minutes, while great for your engine, means that you’re going to be burning through fuel you could have used for actively driving. If your Telluride develops an oil leak or starts using oil, you’ll also go through motor oil a little faster as well.

Aftermarket additions can void your warranty: while a properly installed compatible remote start system won’t void your Telluride’s warranty, a bad installation or incompatible device can. Some owners prefer to wait until their warranties expire for exactly this reason.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Kia Telluride Remote Start:

There are still a lot of questions about remote starts, despite how long they’ve been on the market. Newer versions, like the standard Kia Telluride remote start, are getting even more questions, but here are some of the most common ones buyers are asking right now.

Are All Remote Starts Aftermarket Devices?

No, not all remote starts are aftermarket devices or even installed by the dealer. The latest Kia Telluride (and several of Kia’s other vehicles as well) come with a remote start option direct from the manufacturer.

That means you’re a lot safer with options that were designed to work with your Kia Telluride from the get-go rather than as an aftermarket installation.

When Did Kia Start Installing Remote Starters?

Kia started adding remote starters to their vehicles in 2020 as a standard feature. Older Kia’s still had the option, but usually, they were added as an aftermarket device or only available on higher trim levels and for luxury models.

Including the remote starter as a standard feature is a relatively new innovation for Kia, but one that’s been popular so far.

Does Having A Remote Starter Installed Void Your Vehicle’s Warranty?

A lot of people who are thinking about getting a remote starter get worried that having one installed will void the vehicle’s warranty and make it so they’re liable for other problems that may crop up down the line.

Thankfully, a properly installed compatible remote starter won’t void your warranty.

The best thing you can do, if you’re thinking about installing a remote starter in a vehicle that didn’t have one before, is to get a professional installation from a mechanic. That way, you’re protected, and your warranty should stay intact and usable.

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