Imagine starting your Jeep Wrangler from inside your home or office, with the climate inside the vehicle just how you like it. Our article takes you through the steps of remote start, adding a touch of modernity to your driving routine.
The Jeep Wrangler has a remote start feature in model years 2007 and newer. You can determine whether your Jeep Wrangler has that function by looking at your key fob. If there’s an icon that looks like a circular arrow with “2x” inside, then you can remote start your Jeep.
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How to Enable Remote Start Climate Control in Jeep Wrangler
While you can use the remote start feature from the get-go if your car has it installed, you’ll need to enable additional climate controls in your car’s settings. Newer cars have this option through the infotainment system, while older cars might need a professional mechanic or electrician to change the setting in the car’s onboard computer.
Here’s what you’ll need to do:
- Tap on “Settings” in the main menu on your infotainment screen.
- Use the directional keys or touchscreen to scroll down to “Seats & Comfort,” then select it.
- Go to “Auto-On Heated/Ventilated Seat & Steering Wheel” and check either “Remote Start” or “All Starts” to enable the feature.
In cars with automatic climate control, the car’s computer will determine the optimal temperature setting based on the environment. For manual climate control vehicles, the car will use the following:
- Max heat and fresh air intake for outside temperatures at or below 40F
- Last used settings for outside temperatures between 40F and 78F
- Maximum AC strength and air recycling for temperatures above 78F
These should be enough to ensure that the car’s internal climate is more bearable when you step in.
Jeep Wrangler Remote Start via Key Fob
All Jeep Wrangler models that have the remote start option installed will have a key fob with the “Remote Start” button. This button looks like a circle with “2x” printed inside it.
If you do have this kind of key fob, starting the car remotely is pretty straightforward. All you have to do is press the “Remote Start” button twice in quick succession.
The car will then turn on and power the climate control (if the option was turned on previously, see section above). The remote start lasts 15 minutes or until someone unlocks the car and presses on the ignition again.
Jeep Wrangler Remote Start via App
Newer Jeep Wranglers (2020 and newer) can also use Jeep’s uConnect app to streamline remote monitoring and connectivity. The app is available for iOS and Android.
Here’s how you can set it up:
- Go to your phone’s official app store and download the “Jeep” app.
- Open the app and select “Register” or “Create account.”
- Plug in your contact information.
- Pair your Jeep with the app. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process. You will need physical access to the vehicle.
After that, using remote start is pretty simple:
- Open the Jeep app.
- Select your vehicle in “My Garage.”
- Tap on “Start.”
- Confirm your choice with an authentication method set up during car pairing.
You can also use the app to remotely control the AC settings.
Why Does Remote Start Not Work?
Most car systems have safety precautions to prevent misuse and accidents with remote start, and so do Jeeps. Namely, if the system detects low fuel or battery power, or if any windows are opened and the car is unlocked, the car can’t be started remotely.
Additionally, the transmission needs to be set to “Park” for the feature to work. Otherwise, the car might start rolling downhill, which can be a severe hazard.