Over 40 Years of Experience in Automotive Electronics!
Electronics
Give your car an upgrade!
At CarSmart! we believe in using best-of-class products as well as providing a quality installation on all of our services. If a wiring connection is not plug and play, we solder all connections. Wire connectors of any sort are not allowed! Our technicians are trained, certified and extremely experienced. No one is "learning" on your vehicle!
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Alarms & Remote Starts
All of our remote start systems come with a Lifetime Warranty on the unit we install, and the labor*
Remote Start 1-button system
Remote Start with Keyless Entry
Remote Start with 2-way LED confirmation
Remote Start using CarLink Phone App
Keyless Entry w/ Alarm and Shock Sensor
VOXX Electronics : Home
*remotes carry 1 year limited warranty for manufacturer defects
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Audio and Sound Upgrades
Radio Upgrades & Replacements, Navigation w/ Garmin Mapping, Sirius XM/Satellite Radio, & Bluetooth
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Compatibility
KENWOOD USA
Retrosound® Radios for Classic Cars and Trucks
RetroSound® Radio's for Classic Cars and Trucks – Retro Manufacturing
Speaker Upgrades/Amplifiers & Subwoofers
Hertz car audio systems | The Sound Experience (hertz-audio.com)
iDevice Connectivity
Connecting Every Phone & Every Car - iSimple
CD Players - late model vehicles no longer come with them!
We also do custom audio and video upgrades! Give us a call to set up an appointment for a free in-person consultation!
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Safety
Thinkware Dash Cam | Official Site (thinkwarestore.com)
Thunderbolt Anti-Theft Deadbolt Locks (thunderboltlocks.com)
Back-Up Cameras, Sensors and Alarms - MITO Corporation
Blind Spot Detection - MITO Corporation
Upgraded Rear View Mirrors - MITO Corporation
Radar Detectors
We can install your radar detector cleanly with power at ignition.
Best Radar Detector & Laser Jammer: No More Tickets (k40.com)
Power Door Locks, Power Windows & Cargo/Door Locks
If your vehicle didn’t come with them, we can add them!
Lighting Upgrades
Strobe Lights and LED Strobe Light Bars
Federal Signal: Innovative public safety products and systems (fedsig.com)
Home - ECCO (eccoesg.com)
Headlight and Fog Light Upgrades
ARC LED Lighting - Innovative Automotive LED Lighting
Flood Lighting
Rigid Industries - LED Lighting | Rigid Industries
We are also a Directed Electronics Inc. Dealer!
Directed - Car Alarms | Remote Starters | SmartStart | Vehicle Telematics
Remote Start Buying Tips
Whether you buy from us or not, we will answer all of your questions and give you valuable vehicle-specific information that you need to know when shopping for installation of a remote starter.
The comments below are in no particular order but are all very important:
1. Warnings and Red Flags
What is the right price for a remote starter? There is a lot of misinformation when it comes to pricing out a remote start installation and the following examples will tell the story:
If the shop you call does not ask you the year, make, and model of your vehicle, it is probably the wrong price.
If the shop you call does not ask if your ignition starts by turning a key or pushing a button, it is probably the wrong price.
If the shop you call does not mention soldered connections (see #3) or cannot tell you that they solder their connections, it is probably the wrong price.
If the shop you call asks you to bring in both of your keys for programming purposes, it is probably the wrong price.
What does the "wrong" price mean? The above questions are essential to giving you an accurate quote for a remote starter as well as proving to you, the customer and end user, that the shop is reputable and knows what they are doing when it comes to working on your vehicle.
Big box retailers are notorious for selling people on the idea that because they have a national presence, that they are providing a quality product and installation, but the unfortunate truth is that they are a training ground for the industry. Everyone has to learn somewhere, but you have to ask yourself, do you want them learning on your car?
2. Quality of Product
When it comes to remote starters, you want a best of class brand. We use the Prestige by Voxx Electronics. Voxx is the largest manufacturer of this type of equipment in the world. We have been primarily using Prestige for the last 25+ years. We honor Voxx's manufacturer warranty of lifetime on parts and back it up with our own lifetime warranty on the labor to install their product.
3. Quality of Installation
We have been installing automotive electronics since 1971. We have been installing remote starters for over 35 years, not long after their inception in 1985. We give you a lifetime warranty on the labor to install any remote starter or alarm product we sell you.
Soldered connections are the single most important element to a remote start installation. Soldering is like "welding" the wires together to create a permanent bond. It is a connection that will not break apart or loosen up over time.
Many of our competitors are still using butt connectors or twisting wires together to hold their connections. Vibrations in the vehicle from everyday driving will cause poorly bonded or unsecure connections to rattle loose or break altogether. Because remote starters are electrically tied into your vehicle's ignition system, if bad connections break, your vehicle may not start (even with the key!) and could cause you to incur not only the inconvenience of having your car towed but expensive repair costs for something that should NEVER happen.
You can take a bad product, and install it correctly with soldered connections, and it will likely outlive a good product installed poorly without soldered connections. Soldered connections are THAT important. Butt connectors are not allowed in our shop. All connections are always soldered.
Our team is made up of veteran installers with 20+ years of experience. No one is learning on your vehicle.
4. Technological Aspects
All modern vehicles come equipped with factory security devices that must be bypassed or interfaced with in order to allow a remote starter to function.
Virtually every vehicle made in the last 20 years has a transponder or "chip" embedded in the factory key. This is why replacement keys from the dealer tend to be costly. Even more reason as to why you shouldn't be installing a remote starter where you lose a key (see #5).
Push Start ignition systems: We can install remote starters on vehicles equipped with push-to-start ignition systems, but there are some limitations. Many of them shut off after opening a door and require you to start the vehicle normally. Most shops will not inform you of this.
Hazards flashing during remote start: Certain Mazda, Nissan, Hyundai and other manufacturers have vehicle models where the remote starter will turn on the hazards while the car is running. The only way to bypass this is to turn off the confirmation feature entirely, meaning that you will not know the vehicle is running unless you are standing next to it.
5. Installation: Old School versus New School
Old School (the way some shops are still installing)
This is the method of installation where you take one of the keys for your vehicle and insert it into an electronic box that goes under the dash and replicates the signal of you starting the vehicle normally. You typically pay a premium for this type of installation as it is both difficult and unreliable. In some cases (most European vehicles) this is still unavoidable required.
New School (the way CarSmart! installs)
This is the latest and most advanced technology available. This installation requires a data module that learns the identity of your vehicle's security and ignition process. You do not lose a key during this installation. The module and any additional parts are placed under the dashboard and directly communicates with your vehicle's computer to allow it to start.
The data module install is more stable and more secure, and you don't lose one of your factory keys in the process.
6. The Right Remote
Many keys today are "all-in-one" where the lock, unlock, and any other additional features are all on one singular key. This is most common with push start ignitions but can be on key start vehicles as well. The alternative, which is more common on older vehicles, is a key for starting the vehicle and a separate remote for keyless entry.
Most shops give you the same remote regardless of your key. This causes confusion and redundant functionality, and in some cases, can cause your factory alarm to go off if the aftermarket remote and factory remote do not communicate.
At CarSmart!, if you have an all-in-one key, we give you a small remote with a single button so there is no miscommunication between the vehicle and the remote starter.
If you have a key with a separate remote, we give you a new remote that works not only the remote starter, but your keyless entry as well. Some shops charge extra for this feature. CarSmart! does not.
7. History of the Company
We have been in business in this industry as a family since 1964.
Any shop that does not have an experienced team or a reputable history is questionable. (see #8)
We have competitors come and go every year. Be careful.
Buyer Beware: Good shops are busy shops. An established shop is going to be booked up during the colder months. If they're not, you may want to reconsider.
8. Warranty
Lifetime Warranty only matters if the company that does the work is still around in the future.
We give you a lifetime warranty on all Voxx remote start units and all of the labor. Everything except the remotes comes with a lifetime warranty. Remotes carry a 1 year warranty and are not covered if damaged by moisture or abuse.
Be careful when other shops give you a "lifetime warranty". Don't assume it covers everything. Most of our competitors only give you a lifetime warranty on the parts and in the fine print there is no warranty on the labor to fix anything that goes wrong. You need a lifetime warranty on parts AND labor or you will potentially be paying to fix a bad or faulty install in the future.
9. Standard versus Optional
Is it included, or is it extra? At CarSmart! we believe that you should get all of the things that you want and need for your remote starter without paying extra.
We give you the right remote for the vehicle. As mentioned above, most shops give you the same remote regardless of your type of key. (see #6)
We give you 2 remotes with every system. Most shops give you 1 remote and charge you extra for an additional remote.
We give you a best of class brand in Prestige by Voxx Electronics. Some shops use obscure brands that are cheap and typically have quality issues. (see #2)
We give you a lifetime warranty on parts and labor. As mentioned above, lifetime warranty only matters if you are not paying to fix a bad installation, and if the company that does the work is still around to warranty the job!
(see #7 and #8)
CarSmart! gives you a total price that is "out the door". Most shops have hidden costs. Some use one of your keys without telling you specifically that they are doing so, and hit you with charges for modules, keyless entry and taxes when you go to pay your bill. We will ALWAYS give you an "out the door", tax-included price on a remote starter.
10. Final Thoughts and Important Considerations
Smart Phone apps that allow you to start your car from your phone are available, but you need a remote starter unit installed in order to use them.
There is an annual fee for using the phone apps. It is nominal but understand that none of these systems are free to use.
If you think you may want a phone app in the future, just be sure that the remote starter that you are having installed is compatible with one. Some systems are not.
If you think you may want an alarm, do them at the same time.
You will save money doing it all at once, and often times a remote starter or alarm cannot be installed after one of the two is already present or it will cause functionality issues with both of them.
A remote starter can set off an alarm that was installed previously (which means the alarm is doing its job!)
An alarm can prevent a remote starter from starting the vehicle (which means the alarm is doing its job!)
Can a remote starter work from my factory key?
The short answer is yes, but the honest answer is that it comes with very limited functionality and range.
Some shops install a remote starter on your car with no remotes and tell you that it works from your factory key.
Some don't tell you that until after you have had the work done, and now they will have to charge you extra for the remotes (see #9).
Factory remotes offer very limited range, often less than 50 feet. Our remotes offer a minimum 1500 feet of range. Our two-way system offers up to a mile, and our phone apps offer unlimited range so long as you have cell service.
Factory remote starts are also problematic. They offer limited range as mentioned above, and they are very often tied into your vehicle's manufacturer warranty - so once they stop working (and they almost always do!) you will be on the hook for repairing it or replacing it with an aftermarket system.
Any company advertising remote starts for less than $300 are simply not being truthful.
Once you get all of the right products, the right installer, the right warranty, and the right acclimation to your vehicle's technology, you are going to end up somewhere between $400 and $500 depending on your vehicle. If you are adding an alarm onto the remote starter, expect to pay more than that. Two-way systems and phone apps increase the price as well.
If a company is selling you a remote starter for $300 or less, you are either getting a cheap product that is likely going to fail, or you are going to get a halfway decent product with a very poor installation that was either rushed or not done properly. Either way, you are going to spend much more than $300 getting that system fixed or removed later on. It is always worth it to pay a little more money and get a far better product and install.
European vehicles are always more expensive than other imports as their ignition systems are far more complicated and delicate. For this reason, you can expect to pay upwards of $900+ for some of these vehicles, and you will likely lose a key in this process. It is not uncommon to be unable to install a remote starter in some of these cars as well.
The comments below are in no particular order but are all very important:
1. Warnings and Red Flags
What is the right price for a remote starter? There is a lot of misinformation when it comes to pricing out a remote start installation and the following examples will tell the story:
If the shop you call does not ask you the year, make, and model of your vehicle, it is probably the wrong price.
If the shop you call does not ask if your ignition starts by turning a key or pushing a button, it is probably the wrong price.
If the shop you call does not mention soldered connections (see #3) or cannot tell you that they solder their connections, it is probably the wrong price.
If the shop you call asks you to bring in both of your keys for programming purposes, it is probably the wrong price.
What does the "wrong" price mean? The above questions are essential to giving you an accurate quote for a remote starter as well as proving to you, the customer and end user, that the shop is reputable and knows what they are doing when it comes to working on your vehicle.
Big box retailers are notorious for selling people on the idea that because they have a national presence, that they are providing a quality product and installation, but the unfortunate truth is that they are a training ground for the industry. Everyone has to learn somewhere, but you have to ask yourself, do you want them learning on your car?
2. Quality of Product
When it comes to remote starters, you want a best of class brand. We use the Prestige by Voxx Electronics. Voxx is the largest manufacturer of this type of equipment in the world. We have been primarily using Prestige for the last 25+ years. We honor Voxx's manufacturer warranty of lifetime on parts and back it up with our own lifetime warranty on the labor to install their product.
3. Quality of Installation
We have been installing automotive electronics since 1971. We have been installing remote starters for over 35 years, not long after their inception in 1985. We give you a lifetime warranty on the labor to install any remote starter or alarm product we sell you.
Soldered connections are the single most important element to a remote start installation. Soldering is like "welding" the wires together to create a permanent bond. It is a connection that will not break apart or loosen up over time.
Many of our competitors are still using butt connectors or twisting wires together to hold their connections. Vibrations in the vehicle from everyday driving will cause poorly bonded or unsecure connections to rattle loose or break altogether. Because remote starters are electrically tied into your vehicle's ignition system, if bad connections break, your vehicle may not start (even with the key!) and could cause you to incur not only the inconvenience of having your car towed but expensive repair costs for something that should NEVER happen.
You can take a bad product, and install it correctly with soldered connections, and it will likely outlive a good product installed poorly without soldered connections. Soldered connections are THAT important. Butt connectors are not allowed in our shop. All connections are always soldered.
Our team is made up of veteran installers with 20+ years of experience. No one is learning on your vehicle.
4. Technological Aspects
All modern vehicles come equipped with factory security devices that must be bypassed or interfaced with in order to allow a remote starter to function.
Virtually every vehicle made in the last 20 years has a transponder or "chip" embedded in the factory key. This is why replacement keys from the dealer tend to be costly. Even more reason as to why you shouldn't be installing a remote starter where you lose a key (see #5).
Push Start ignition systems: We can install remote starters on vehicles equipped with push-to-start ignition systems, but there are some limitations. Many of them shut off after opening a door and require you to start the vehicle normally. Most shops will not inform you of this.
Hazards flashing during remote start: Certain Mazda, Nissan, Hyundai and other manufacturers have vehicle models where the remote starter will turn on the hazards while the car is running. The only way to bypass this is to turn off the confirmation feature entirely, meaning that you will not know the vehicle is running unless you are standing next to it.
5. Installation: Old School versus New School
Old School (the way some shops are still installing)
This is the method of installation where you take one of the keys for your vehicle and insert it into an electronic box that goes under the dash and replicates the signal of you starting the vehicle normally. You typically pay a premium for this type of installation as it is both difficult and unreliable. In some cases (most European vehicles) this is still unavoidable required.
New School (the way CarSmart! installs)
This is the latest and most advanced technology available. This installation requires a data module that learns the identity of your vehicle's security and ignition process. You do not lose a key during this installation. The module and any additional parts are placed under the dashboard and directly communicates with your vehicle's computer to allow it to start.
The data module install is more stable and more secure, and you don't lose one of your factory keys in the process.
6. The Right Remote
Many keys today are "all-in-one" where the lock, unlock, and any other additional features are all on one singular key. This is most common with push start ignitions but can be on key start vehicles as well. The alternative, which is more common on older vehicles, is a key for starting the vehicle and a separate remote for keyless entry.
Most shops give you the same remote regardless of your key. This causes confusion and redundant functionality, and in some cases, can cause your factory alarm to go off if the aftermarket remote and factory remote do not communicate.
At CarSmart!, if you have an all-in-one key, we give you a small remote with a single button so there is no miscommunication between the vehicle and the remote starter.
If you have a key with a separate remote, we give you a new remote that works not only the remote starter, but your keyless entry as well. Some shops charge extra for this feature. CarSmart! does not.
7. History of the Company
We have been in business in this industry as a family since 1964.
Any shop that does not have an experienced team or a reputable history is questionable. (see #8)
We have competitors come and go every year. Be careful.
Buyer Beware: Good shops are busy shops. An established shop is going to be booked up during the colder months. If they're not, you may want to reconsider.
8. Warranty
Lifetime Warranty only matters if the company that does the work is still around in the future.
We give you a lifetime warranty on all Voxx remote start units and all of the labor. Everything except the remotes comes with a lifetime warranty. Remotes carry a 1 year warranty and are not covered if damaged by moisture or abuse.
Be careful when other shops give you a "lifetime warranty". Don't assume it covers everything. Most of our competitors only give you a lifetime warranty on the parts and in the fine print there is no warranty on the labor to fix anything that goes wrong. You need a lifetime warranty on parts AND labor or you will potentially be paying to fix a bad or faulty install in the future.
9. Standard versus Optional
Is it included, or is it extra? At CarSmart! we believe that you should get all of the things that you want and need for your remote starter without paying extra.
We give you the right remote for the vehicle. As mentioned above, most shops give you the same remote regardless of your type of key. (see #6)
We give you 2 remotes with every system. Most shops give you 1 remote and charge you extra for an additional remote.
We give you a best of class brand in Prestige by Voxx Electronics. Some shops use obscure brands that are cheap and typically have quality issues. (see #2)
We give you a lifetime warranty on parts and labor. As mentioned above, lifetime warranty only matters if you are not paying to fix a bad installation, and if the company that does the work is still around to warranty the job!
(see #7 and #8)
CarSmart! gives you a total price that is "out the door". Most shops have hidden costs. Some use one of your keys without telling you specifically that they are doing so, and hit you with charges for modules, keyless entry and taxes when you go to pay your bill. We will ALWAYS give you an "out the door", tax-included price on a remote starter.
10. Final Thoughts and Important Considerations
Smart Phone apps that allow you to start your car from your phone are available, but you need a remote starter unit installed in order to use them.
There is an annual fee for using the phone apps. It is nominal but understand that none of these systems are free to use.
If you think you may want a phone app in the future, just be sure that the remote starter that you are having installed is compatible with one. Some systems are not.
If you think you may want an alarm, do them at the same time.
You will save money doing it all at once, and often times a remote starter or alarm cannot be installed after one of the two is already present or it will cause functionality issues with both of them.
A remote starter can set off an alarm that was installed previously (which means the alarm is doing its job!)
An alarm can prevent a remote starter from starting the vehicle (which means the alarm is doing its job!)
Can a remote starter work from my factory key?
The short answer is yes, but the honest answer is that it comes with very limited functionality and range.
Some shops install a remote starter on your car with no remotes and tell you that it works from your factory key.
Some don't tell you that until after you have had the work done, and now they will have to charge you extra for the remotes (see #9).
Factory remotes offer very limited range, often less than 50 feet. Our remotes offer a minimum 1500 feet of range. Our two-way system offers up to a mile, and our phone apps offer unlimited range so long as you have cell service.
Factory remote starts are also problematic. They offer limited range as mentioned above, and they are very often tied into your vehicle's manufacturer warranty - so once they stop working (and they almost always do!) you will be on the hook for repairing it or replacing it with an aftermarket system.
Any company advertising remote starts for less than $300 are simply not being truthful.
Once you get all of the right products, the right installer, the right warranty, and the right acclimation to your vehicle's technology, you are going to end up somewhere between $400 and $500 depending on your vehicle. If you are adding an alarm onto the remote starter, expect to pay more than that. Two-way systems and phone apps increase the price as well.
If a company is selling you a remote starter for $300 or less, you are either getting a cheap product that is likely going to fail, or you are going to get a halfway decent product with a very poor installation that was either rushed or not done properly. Either way, you are going to spend much more than $300 getting that system fixed or removed later on. It is always worth it to pay a little more money and get a far better product and install.
European vehicles are always more expensive than other imports as their ignition systems are far more complicated and delicate. For this reason, you can expect to pay upwards of $900+ for some of these vehicles, and you will likely lose a key in this process. It is not uncommon to be unable to install a remote starter in some of these cars as well.