Does Ford have a different definition of remote "start"?

[revelated]

Either that, or I'm doing something wrong. Because it's not remote "starting". At least, not that I'm accustomed to. 2013 Fusion Hybrid Titanium.

 

As quoted by the dealer: "press lock, then press this 2x circle twice to remote start".

 

I do that, the car goes into "start" mode, otherwise known as accessory mode, where you can access anything electrical. But the car does not "start" - meaning, I can't just shift and drive off once I get inside. I'm still forced to hold brake, press start button.

 

Been searching all over for confirmation that this behavior is expected. All I got was one ambiguous post that indicated that aftermarket remote start is the only way to get true "start", that the factory "start" isn't really.

 

Can anyone verify this is the case? If so I really don't see a benefit over just starting the car up normally.

[murphy]

That is the expected behavior. See page 129 in the Owner's Manual.

The sole purpose of remote start is to bring the cabin to a comfortable temperature before driving off.

 

I am not aware of any car that can simply be driven away after remote starting it.

You need to prove to the car that you are authorized to drive it.

Putting your foot on the brake and pressing Start won't work if the smart key isn't in your possession.

[acdii]

My F150 had remote start, and did not have a PBS, so I had to insert the key and switch it to run before it would go into normal driving mode, so no different than the PBS remote start. My Flex is the same way. It just for warming the engine and warming/cooling the cabin.

[revelated]

That is the expected behavior. See page 129 in the Owner's Manual.

The sole purpose of remote start is to bring the cabin to a comfortable temperature before driving off.

 

I am not aware of any car that can simply be driven away after remote starting it.

You need to prove to the car that you are authorized to drive it.

Putting your foot on the brake and pressing Start won't work if the smart key isn't in your possession.

 

Well, that sounds stupid. Maybe in California or Arizona (extreme heat) or Ohio or Michigan (extreme cold) that makes sense. But in a rapidly fluctuating temperate zone like Washington State, it seems a pointless feature. The only way it would make sense would be to control it via cellphone or something, set an initial temperature, then start it since I can't just say "heat when I get in" - it might have jumped 20 degrees from the last time I did it.

 

Python aftermarkets can actually turn the engine over, COMPLETE start. It still has the kill switch where it'll kill the engine if you try to drive off without the key. To me that's a better system than the factory. But whatever.

 

Thanks for the confirmation.

[acdii]

So how is that any different than the factory start? The engine starts, warms up, AC kicks on or heat kicks on depending out the outside temp, and when you unlock the door and get in, you step on the brake and push the button, put it in gear and drive off.

[keithsm2]

The HITY has a thermostat for the cabin temperature.....so. no matter what the outside temperature...when you remote start it....it should bring the cabin to your last set temperature.....which shouldnt be that far off.....no matter if its 30 degress or 100 degress outside.

[revelated]

So how is that any different than the factory start? The engine starts, warms up, AC kicks on or heat kicks on depending out the outside temp, and when you unlock the door and get in, you step on the brake and push the button, put it in gear and drive off.

 

THAT is how it's different. Plus the waiting for the car to be "Ready to Drive". But whatever.

[acdii]

You still have to insert the key and turn it to the run position, so no different. Wow so complicated!

[Guardian_Bob]

 

THAT is how it's different. Plus the waiting for the car to be "Ready to Drive". But whatever.

 

Do you have a delay between starting and having it say ready to drive?

[B25Nut]

Relelated, as Murphy said, "The sole purpose of remote start is to bring the cabin to a comfortable temperature before driving off."

When you "start" the FFH by turning the key or pushing the button, the ICE will only start if the HVB is very low.

[CombsAuthor]

It's a different type of system from traditional cars in that even when it is "running" at a stop light, the ICE is normally automatically turned off. Since the air conditioner compressor is electric, then it doesn't need the engine to turn a belt in order for it to operate properly. The remote start is just the same function and for the sake of overall gasoline consumption, I wouldn't want it to be doing anything but getting the car ready to drive (which primarily is simply heating or cooling the cabin.)

 

I love the remote start feature but also think that it is weird that i have to start it again once inside. But hey, if it will keep it from being stolen by some weirdo who is hanging around the car when it starts remotely, I'll gladly live with the hassle factor. We have already tested ours and it can be driven away without the key in the car once it had been started, so this is actually a great safety feature that is worth the extra push of a button.

[acdii]

It's a different type of system from traditional cars in that even when it is "running" at a stop light, the ICE is normally automatically turned off. Since the air conditioner compressor is electric, then it doesn't need the engine to turn a belt in order for it to operate properly. The remote start is just the same function and for the sake of overall gasoline consumption, I wouldn't want it to be doing anything but getting the car ready to drive (which primarily is simply heating or cooling the cabin.)

 

I love the remote start feature but also think that it is weird that i have to start it again once inside. But hey, if it will keep it from being stolen by some weirdo who is hanging around the car when it starts remotely, I'll gladly live with the hassle factor. We have already tested ours and it can be driven away without the key in the car once it had been started, so this is actually a great safety feature that is worth the extra push of a button.

My Flex is the same way. So was the F150, except I had to insert the key and turn it to the run position before it would switch to normal mode. At least in the Flex, that one extra step of pressing the button is nothing, you still have to step on the brake to put it in gear.

[Tutone56]

I'm still a little confused by all this. Just picked up my 2014 FFH today with remote start. When I used the remote the ICE did not start. I assumed the ICE would start, turning on the heat, but that didn't happen. Am I doing something wrong?

[srogers]

I'm still a little confused by all this. Just picked up my 2014 FFH today with remote start. When I used the remote the ICE did not start. I assumed the ICE would start, turning on the heat, but that didn't happen. Am I doing something wrong?

Make sure to press the lock button on the remote and then press the remote start button twice. The light on the remote will turn green and the engine will start about 10 seconds later.

[Tutone56]

I'll give it a shot, thanks.

[SteveB_TX]

If the HVB is low, the ICE will start. If you have a full HVB, the ICE may or may not start. It also depends on your settings -- whether or not you have A/C or Heat enabled, again, the ICE may or may not start. :) You have to remember this is a HYBRID, not a normal vehicle, in which the ICE would start every time with Remote Start. :)

Edited November 8, 2014 by SteveB_TX

[Tutone56]

If the HVB is low, the ICE will start. If you have a full HVB, the ICE may or may not start. It also depends on your settings -- whether or not you have A/C or Heat enabled, again, the ICE may or may not start. :) You have to remember this is a HYBRID, not a normal vehicle, in which the ICE would start every time with Remote Start. :)

So my remote start works fine. I've come to the conclusion that my salesman needs to brush up on Hybrids, along with some other options the car was equipped with. Thanks SteveB.