Subaru Forester Remote Start: The Full Rundown
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Subaru is consistently one of the most popular consumer vehicle manufacturers in the U.S. It’s no wonder some of their most popular models, like the Forester, are so common on the roads. But, like any manufacturer these days, Subaru is always looking for ways to help their vehicles stand out from the crowd.
When it comes to the Forester, that includes the recent addition of a standard Subaru Forester remote start system.
Of course, older models of the Forester have had after-market remote start options for a while now, so it’s not a surprise that Subaru has added them to the standard kit.
Here’s what you need to know about Subaru Forester remote start systems, how they work, and whether they’re worth using.
Are Subaru Forester Remote Starts Included?
Right now, you can only count on getting a remote start system in the latest Foresters, starting in 2020. Subaru, like a lot of vehicle manufacturers, decided that was the year to make the system standard across a lot of their vehicles, including the Forester, which is great news for consumers who had been relying on the aftermarket remote starters before then.
Currently, it’s a standard feature across all versions of the Forester. However, that doesn’t mean that will always be true, especially since remote starters can lower the eco-friendliness of a vehicle and are much less common outside the U.S.
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How To Use Your Subaru Remote Start
There are two different ways to use your remote start system (if you’re using the Subaru branded version and not an aftermarket addition to your vehicle.) an app or the fob that came with your Forester’s keys. Both options work about equally well, but different users will have different preferences.
The fob works by pressing your remote start button twice within 10 seconds. That’s a decent interval, so don’t feel like you have to rush too much.
The fob will flash and beep to indicate that the Forester was in range and is turning on. Your Forester’s lights will also flash, and it will honk once to tell you that it’s turned on.
There are several other codes between your fob and the Forester to tell you if something has gone wrong, but most of the time, you’ll only need the successful (flash and beep) code and the out-of-range (two flashes no beep) codes.
If you’re using the mobile app, it’s a little different. You’ll open the app, navigate to the remote start, and trigger it there. The app requires a pin code to let you use the remote start feature, which helps protect you in case your phone is stolen. The app will give a notification whether the Forester was in range and started or not.
Why Use An App?
Subaru’s remote start app is a bit of a new feature and fairly different from other vehicle manufacturers overall. So why would they go to the trouble to make a whole new app when most people are used to using a fob anyway?
There are a few reasons. For one thing, Subaru having an app gives users more options and is more accessible to people who have a hard time keeping track of a fob but can keep track of their phone more easily.
The app also has some additional functionality that a fob can’t have. For instance, the app lets you adjust climate control settings. The fob can’t adjust climate control settings; it just turns the Forester on to whatever climate control setting you were using when you turned the vehicle off.
The other reason to have an additional app is that it makes it easier for people to have a backup system if they’ve lost their fob or it’s stopped working, and they can’t get a replacement right away.
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Getting Into Your Vehicle After Using A Remote Start
Interestingly enough, getting into your vehicle after using a remote start system can be a little more challenging. The main difference is for folks who don’t have a keyless entry system; if you have one, you don’t have to worry as long as you have the fob on you.
The engine won’t shut off with keyless entry, which is perfect because then you don’t need to worry about battery drain or excess stress on your engine from stopping and starting every time you get in the car.
However, if your vehicle doesn’t have a keyless entry system, or you don’t have the fob on you, the engine will shut off as soon as you open any door on the vehicle, including the trunk.
You’ll need to restart the engine to start driving, but usually, that isn’t too much of a big deal.
Pros And Cons To Subaru Forester Remote Start
Like any system, there are some pros and cons to using a Subaru Forester remote start system.
Let’s talk a little about the pros and cons and what they mean for you as a driver.
Pros of a Remote Start System
There are two main pros to having a remote start system. They can keep you more comfortable in the vehicle, and they’re better for your engine in cold weather since it gives the vehicle some time to get up to operating temperature before it’s got to actually do the work of driving.
Both are good things, but those are the primary two advantages. The good news is that remote start systems are typically easy to use, and other than occasionally replacing the Subaru fob, they’re also low maintenance.
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Cons of a Remote Start System
There are a few more cons to having a remote start system, but they tend to be less impactful for most drivers.
The primary cons are:
- Cost of fob replacement
- Less environmentally friendly
- Longer running time can be hard on your engine, especially during the summer
- More use of fuel and oil for longer run times
- Repeated engine starts can be hard on your vehicle’s battery
Now, that might look like a long list, but remember, each of these problems is very small in the grand scheme of how your vehicle operates. The fuel use is usually minimal in the time between when you start the car and when you get going, which also minimizes some environmental concerns, and your engine typically won’t show signs of extra wear and tear for years and years of driving.
Fuel costs and extra oil use are bigger concerns, but even then, the extra cost is usually minimal.
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