Advice on Adding Remote Start to Your New Ford F-150

Many new F-150 pickups come with remote start, but if yours did not, there are lots of aftermarket options.

If you buy a new Ford F-150 in King Ranch, Platinum or Limited trim, remote start is a standard feature while being optional on Lariat models. Years ago, remote start was reserved for luxury vehicles, but at this point, the vast majority of new Ford vehicles come with the feature, whether you are talking about the Focus, the Mustang or any of the F-Series pickups.

However, there are some new Ford trucks that don’t come with remote start and if you bought one of those pickups, there are plenty of options via the aftermarket. “Uin2it” posted about his dad buying a 2017 F-150 STX without remote start, but he wanted to add the option, so he tapped the community for input on an aftermarket remote start system.

F-150 Remote Start Inquiry

When the OP first posted his question to the forum, he provided some basic background along with a link to the remote start system that he was considering for his dad’s F-150.

My dad just bought a 2017 STX off the lot. It’s beautiful, but he wanted remote start and this didn’t have it. anybody add an aftermarket remote start like the one below?!

https://www.12volt.solutions/product…-plug-and-play

The first member to reply was “KingRanchCody”, who has seen others post about positive experiences with the 12 Volt Solutions setup.

Everything I’ve heard has been great on them. Most people go with this one and love it.

While “Treebs109” showed interest in this kit, having had problems with aftermarket remote start systems in the past.

I just recently purchased a 2015 F-150 XLT and would love to hear any reviews on this product. I’ve been very wary of aftermarket remote starters in the past and have had some unpleasant experiences with them, however those were back in the day before plug-n-play units.

Other Options

While much of the thread focuses on the 12 Volt Solutions kit, “BlacKnBack” shared an eBay link to another popular aftermarket remote start kit for the modern F-150.

This one got high reviews on another forum and it’s a little cheaper:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2015-2017-Fo…3D272532882480

Next, “Garnie” recommended that the OP take the truck to the dealership to have them install the factory remote start system.

Why not buy one from your Ford dealer? They probably have a couple different models. I had them install remote-start for me and it works perfectly. And, as I recently found out, I can start my truck from my factory key fobs – sweet!

But BlacKnBack pointed out the downside to the dealership option.

You’re not going to get one for around $100 bucks from a Ford dealer and you can also use the factory key fob with the 12volt Solutions unit.

First Real Input

Finally, after some other members shared information on other eBay kits, Treebs109 posted that he bought the 12 Volt Solutions kit, got it quickly and installed it without any problem.

Okay, so I just ordered the starter from 12Volt Solutions. You can get a $15 discount if you use the code SocialStalker at checkout.

Ordered the starter on Sunday and received it Wednesday (Oklahoma to NY). Had no issues installing it in about 5 minutes and works as advertised. Pretty impressed so far.

If you have experience with any aftermarket remote start kit for the modern Ford F-150, click here to head into the forum to share your input on this simple, popular upgrade.

Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

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