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How to Pay for a Remote Start System

How to · Auto

How to Pay for a Remote Start System

Avoid the morning chill by planning your install before the first freeze hits.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $450 before anything else
Across the 0% window $30.00/mo 15 months, no interest

How we got that: $450 spread evenly across the 15-month introductory window on the Discover it® Cash Back. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

A remote start system makes those freezing mornings bearable by warming your car before you even leave the house. Most shops drop their prices in early autumn before the winter rush hits, so now is the best time to book your install.

Budgeting about $450 for the hardware and labor is standard. Getting this done now keeps you ahead of the first ice storm and saves you from paying peak seasonal rates later in the year.

The 0% intro APR is not free money; it is a deadline. If you do not pay off the $450 balance before the 15-month intro window ends, the card will start charging you regular interest on whatever you still owe.

The steps

  1. 01

    Call local shops now

    Reach out to independent audio and alarm specialists in your area. Ask for a quote that includes both the hardware and the labor. Shop around to see who can get you on the schedule before the temperature drops.

  2. 02

    Confirm your car's compatibility

    Some vehicles need extra bypass modules to talk to the remote start system. Ask the shop if their quote covers all necessary wiring and modules so you do not get hit with surprise fees on the day of the install.

  3. 03

    Use your 0% intro APR

    You can pay for the $450 install using your Discover it® Cash Back card. It offers a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, which lets you spread the cost into monthly payments of $30.00.

  4. 04

    Check the warranty

    Ask the shop if they guarantee their labor and if the unit has a manufacturer warranty. You want to make sure you are covered if the remote or the wiring has a glitch in the middle of January.

  5. 05

    Test the range

    When you pick up your keys, test the remote from inside the shop and from the parking lot. Make sure the system starts the engine and the defroster settings are working exactly as you discussed.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

    Every figure we publish for the Discover it® Cash Back carries the date a person verified it against Discover and a link to where they checked. Intro windows and APRs change without notice, so confirm the current terms before applying.

    See Discover it® Cash Back terms →

Common questions

Will a remote start void my car warranty?

Usually, no, as long as the system is installed correctly. Federal law prevents dealers from voiding your warranty unless they can prove the aftermarket part caused a specific failure.

Does the remote start work if my car is in a garage?

Never use a remote start inside a closed garage. Carbon monoxide can build up quickly and become deadly, so save this for cars parked in driveways or on the street.

Can I install this myself to save money?

Unless you are very comfortable with automotive electrical wiring, skip the DIY route. One wrong wire can fry your car's computer, which will cost far more than the $450 professional install fee.

Do I need to leave my car at the shop all day?

Most installations take between three and six hours. Plan to drop your car off in the morning and pick it up by the afternoon.