You don't have to leave the HVAC set or on at all. When you start the car remotely, the system comes on automatically depending on the internal temp. AC, heat, including the ventilated seats. Whatever is needed. Presetting does nothing.

Remote start does not turn on the infotainment system. When you get in, you still have to press the start button.

 

Didn’t know that. However, I do leave those things in auto, so I thought it meant something.

 

That's nice to know if I decide to keep AcuraLink instead of installing a remote start. I originally thought the remote starter would be very expensive, however my local dealer says it would be $530, installed, with 2 fobs. Since I plan to keep the car for 8-10 years, I may just go that route.

Can anyone with the remote start confirm if you need to have both the original fob and the remote starter fob with you? Or does the remote starter fob replace the original one? That would end up giving you 4 fobs you can use to drive the vehicle. Actually, now that I think about it, if that were the case, the cost of the remote start is very reasonable if you gain 2 extra fobs.

 

I assume the old fobs will still work just fine. Just no remote.

That's a good price for installation and programming the fobs. The best I've gotten around here is $700. And they have to tear apart half the interior. I don't like that. The remote app works perfectly for me. YMMV.

 

for me I have 4 different fobs that work perfectly.

 

‘You do get two extra remotes and all of them work. I use the old fobs when I don’t need the remote start, as they are slightly smaller.

as for the app, it is a very nice feature to have, and being able to start the car with it is handy. I’ve used the app in my F150 to start the truck from inside a restaurant so it’s toasty when I leave. I would not want to use the app all the time, probably because I don’t live by my phone like some do.

as for price...it does bug me a bit that Acura charges $110 per year that my F150 comes with completely free. And, the Ford app seems to work a lot more reliably than the Acura app.

 

When I use remote start, the AC doesn’t start with engine and it’s freaking cold inside, anyone know how to fix it?

 

Do you mean the heat? Why would the AC come on if it's cold?

I always turn off the HVAC when I leave the car. When I start the car using the app on a hot day, the AC and ventilated seats come on. So, it doesn't matter how I left the HVAC.

I haven't tried it on a cold day but I assume the same thing happens. It's chilly here now so maybe I'll try it later today.

 

I refuse to pay a penny for any kind of subscription for a car. I got enough monthly subscriptions: netflix, hulu, iCloud storage.... now I need to add car subscription to the list? No, thank you!

 

I understand your sentiment. I don’t subscribe to any of the above, but if I want something, I buy it. I have the good fortune to be in a position to get what I want, although it has taken me decades to get here. For example, I drink no scotch less that 12 years old, but the cost difference between 12 and 18 is not worth it to me. For me, remote services are worth it. I understand that they are not for some others.

 

yeah, I can easily afford it, but some things piss me off that out of principle I refuse to pay for them.

 

I certainly get that.

But what the heck are you doing in Jersey? I thought registered Russians have to live in Brighton Beach Brooklyn.

 

Putin likes to put us in NJ now

 

 

Hey guys, back in an Acura after 2 years in a Lexus NX (Had another Acura before that, though). Question regarding Acura Link and remote start capability - If you have the remote subscription active, are you able to remote start the car through the app and with the remote in range of the vehicle? Reason I'm asking, is on the Lexus, once subscribed to their remote app, it enabled the ability to start the car through the app (which generally took a minute or so before the system successfully sent the signal to the car) OR by tapping lock on the remote 3 times, but on the third tap, holding the lock button down for 3-5 seconds, the car would start that way. Anyone know?

Other than that, haven't driven it much as of yet, so can't offer much feedback on my thoughts other than the Tech in the car definitely takes a little getting used to!

 

The key fobs provided with the vehicle have no remote start capability, whether or not AcuraLink is enabled. There is an accessory package that adds fob based remote start capability. It requires installation of a receiver above the headliner in the back of the vehicle, as well as new key fobs.

 

I tried it yesterday and the heat did not come on. But the car had been in the garage and the temperature wasn't that cold. Outside temp was in the 50s nd the interior temp in the car was probably in the low 60s.

 

Wouldn’t the coolant have to warm up sufficiently for there to actually be heat to come on at all?

When I have remote started the car when it was very hot out, the A/C was on when I got there. I never tested it in the cold.


From the manual:

 

I tried it again yesterday - started the car about 10 minutes before I left work. When I got in the car, the defroster was blowing like crazy but the car wasn't very warm. The temp gauge was still on the floor. So yeah, until the engine coolant warms up, there won't be much heat and just sitting there idling, it takes longer. This morning, I got into the car, stone cold, and about 10 degrees colder than yesterday. Started the car, turned on the heated seats and steering wheel and backed out of the driveway. Within a couple blocks of going slow, temp gauge started to rise and I turned on the heat. It was in the low 20s F (-5 C) here this AM.

This is pretty much what I've always done with every car. It warms up the car faster than idling and it also warms up the tires, brakes, tranny fluid, etc., and doesn't overheat the exhaust.

 

Yeah driving around definitely helps the car warm up more quickly. But starting it ahead of time does make it even faster.

I used remote start for the first time last week and it turned on the seat heaters as well. It was lovely sliding into a nice warm seat. The ambient temperature wasn't warm, but it certainly wasn't as cold as it was outside.

 

I remote-started it for 10 mins today too. It got comfortable faster having done so.

 

I tried it again when I left work today. The seat and the wheel was warm, even if the interior wasn't. But it warmed up almost immediately once I got underway. By the time I left the parking lot, the heat was cranking and the temperature gauge rose quickly. I guess the coolant needs to just circulate through the core a little.

 

I used the remote start from the app a couple days ago during that cold snap. I was pleasantly surprised that the seat was warm and even the steering wheel was warm. The seat setting had been left on AUTO and the wheel heat was off. Cool (I mean warm)!

 

It doesn't matter how you left the heat, seats or wheel. When you start the car remotely, they all come on based on the interior temp of the car. In the Summer, the AC and ventilated seats come on automatically.

Note that even if the car is unlocked, no one can just get in and drive. The engine is running but you have to restart it once you get in with the fob to enable the infotainment and drive by wire control. So, don't leave a fob in the car.

 

I'm currently on the 6 month trial Remote AcuraLink as part of the new 2020 RDX. My car is parked around 10-minute walk from the office. The past week with the arctic blast, it was nice to start the car before I leave the office. By the time I got to the car it's already warm enough and ready for the drive. I do have the remote starter via the key fob which I use in the morning at home before head out to the office. May decide to keep the Remote plan after the trial. Wish Acura has 6-month plan vs the whole year. Living in the frigid Midwest winter, I only need 6 months for the winter. But if Acura decides to forego the Basic features after the trial (or later), may make sense to keep the Remote which hopefully also includes the Basic features.

 

A lot of people have had problems with the app. But I think recent updates have made it better. If the remote functions all work reliably from your phone, I think the remote package is worth it.

I was in a shopping mall yesterday with the car on the lower level of a 3 level parking garage. Location and starting worked in about 30 seconds. I can't expect any better than that.

 

Unlike many cars, the RDX 3rd gen does not have "KEY" remote start built into it. Therefore it not just a matter of buying a remote start key for a couple of hundred dollars. They have to take apart the back luggage are to install a transponder of some type costing several hundred of dollars over the typical key.

Therefore the remote start feature app through AcuraLink is the way to go unless you plan to own the car for more than 5-6 years; which is the break even point when compared to the remote key idea & don't mind the dealer dissembling a brand new automobile. Plus with the remote start feature app through AcuraLink you can start, open & close doors from a longer distance than the key.

 

correct!!

i went ahead and did both I negotiated with the dealer to include the remote start. But I hardly use it as I prefer the Acura link for the distance remote start.

 

I just had an issue where the remote app stopped working. Error message indicating that "Remote Command Failed." So I deleted the app on my iphone, redownloaded acuralink app, signed in and it's working fine again. FYI if anyone gets that error message.

 

I agree it is a feature that is great during the hot summer months. Not sure if I will use it much in the winter. It's really cold here in PA and I thought I would use the remote App to start on a regular basis, but have only used it twice. My problem, I keep forgetting I can use it. My RDX is garage kept in a well insulated garage. So in the mornings I'm good to go. Maybe as the winter gets colder I will use it more often.

 

This is what I have found.

when it gets very cold, and the car is not in my garage, even a 10 minute start makes a difference. Say you’re at the mall. As you start to decide tonhead out, remote start it. Even if you don’t get there in 10 minutes, it will have started the warm up process for you.

 

I garage the car too. It's not insulated nor heated but garaging the car makes a big difference on cold winter mornings, as opposed to it being outside all night. The car warms up so much faster, I've never felt the need to warm up, especially with heated seats and steering wheel.

 

we have a 1 car garage, so my wife’s car goes in for the colder 6 months, and the RDX goes in for the warmer. Garaging a car extends its life.

 

I totally agree, if you can garage it, do so. It really helped keep our cars looking new longer.