Third Coast Auto Group Official Blog

Ramifications of Remote Start on the Engine and Environment

Remote start is a trendy amenity among modern drivers. Many individuals get great pleasure from the convenience of the feature, finding it can make a big difference in time and comfort, especially on cold, icy days. Getting into a chilly vehicle is, after all, a grating pain of the sort not often found elsewhere in the modern developed world.

However, some voices of dissent have come to ruin the remote start party by arguing that the feature hurts the vehicle engine and/or the environment. Is there truth to these arguments? Is remote start bad?

While most sources agree that remote start is not detrimental to a car engine, it is at least slightly bad for the environment. As with everything on the internet, there are a multitude of arguments for both sides. The most reasonable, however, seem to arrive at the conclusions stated above.

Impact on the Car Engine

Idling a car engine is not really detrimental to its long-term health. In fact, some argue that pre-heating the engine before driving causes the oil to thicken, resulting in a happier machine once it starts moving and guzzling it. It is, however, important to install the remote start system correctly in order to prevent engine damage. As this is a tricky procedure, it’s best to have it performed by a service shop.

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Environmental Impact

While using remote start will in all likelihood have no negative impact on your engine, idling does burn fuel, and fuel releases harmful emissions into the atmosphere. The longer you tend to leave your remote start idling, the more damage being caused to the environment for the sake of your physical comfort.

While it’s true that you’re likely not going to singlehandedly cause global warming, the accumulation of many drivers using remote start could reasonably be detrimental. At this pivotal moment when we as a race must do everything we can to help save this remarkable planet, it could be a good choice to go without remote start. Some drivers’ insistence on using the feature serves as yet another symbol of humanity prizing their immediate personal comfort and convenience above the long-term existence of the planet and species.

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