I'm not loving the range of the factory remote start on my 2018 RLX SH. Very happy with the car otherwise. I need to be able to start the
car at work and even standing at the window looking at the car it is "out of range". I guess the only solution is to install an aftermarket
version with a longer range like I've had before. Any suggestions?

 

The only easy and obvious solution I can think of is to put a new battery in your remote. If the car is a couple of years old, the battery may be due for a change and may be compromising your range. Something worth trying before spending a lot of time/money on a new remote start system. Other than that, I will defer to others with a factory remote starter to comment.
Good luck

P.S. Glad you are happy with your new Sport Hybrid after the "trouble" you went through getting it.

 

How far are you from car? If you're standing at window with direct line of sight of your car with no obstructions, you should be able to start without issues. For comparison, I've use remote start on our MDX (which I assume uses exact same remote start system as RLX) while sitting in back of Church, car is parked at least 1000ft away. Church have thick walls and some trees are obstructing view of parking lot. It starts every single time without issues. If it fail to start, sticking remote under your chin to use your head as an antennae helps too. Definitely try with fresh remote battery, that was one of the first thing I did when I bought home my RLX. It's only 9 months ago, but who knows how old the batteries are. Are you pressing lock button first then remote start button? Look for green confirmation light.

 

I already had to change out the battery in my 18 RLX remote back in April because they were getting weak. I'll bet new a new battery might the remote start range help.

 

This was my laugh for the day! I can just see someone standing in a window looking out at their car, with their remote control under their chin. This my friend is hilarious. But if you say it works, it might be worth a try!

 

Guarantee it works. Only issue is you can't see the green confirmation light with remote under your chin. I use my daughter's chin for this purpose sometimes , it always works. Works with regular alarm system too.
The New York Times asked a Silicon Valley radio engineer, Tim Pozar, for his take on how the trick turns your head into a DIY antenna.
Mr. Pozar explains, “You are capacitively coupling the fob to your head. With all the fluids in your head it ends up being a nice conductor. Not a great one, but it works.” Using your head can extend the key’s wireless range by a few car lengths.

 

put the key fob under your chin and click the button. somehow the range gets extended this way

 

While purely anecdotal, I used to use the "head antenna technique" with my garage door opener back in the days before Homelink and found that it did improve range. Again, hardly scientific, but it did work for me.

 

It works because your brain is full of conductive fluids. Sounds crazy but it's not a myth. A bag of water works just the same.

 

It depends on the glass or whats between you and the car. It should work from a few hundred yards away. Sometimes it doesn't go thru walls and windows well. Try replacing the battery, and opening a window, etc. You want to be in direct line of sight, not around the corner or something.

 

I will definitely change the battery and see if that helps. Luckily the car does warm up quickly!

 

If your windows at your work location are tinted to block UV from penetrating building it may be the cause of lack of remote start range. Many of the commercial window tints uses a metallic layer and can block various RF signals......... Try the remote start function in an open area parking lot by walking a few feet away from your car before it "won't start" and you'll knw what the maximum range is.
GOod Luck with solving the issue and yes, I am an engineer. Demosan