A remote car starter lets you use a control button on your key fob to start the engine while you’re not in the driver’s seat. In fact, you don’t even need to be outside. The idea is to leave the heat on (in the winter) or the air conditioner on (in the summer) when you park. Then when you start up remotely, the interior temperature has plenty of time to adjust to your liking before you go out, get in, and start to drive.

The nice thing about these devices is that they let you thaw the ice off your windshield if you’ve parked outside. And if you’ve parked in the sun on a hundred-degree day, you won’t burn your hands when you grip the steering wheel, or other parts of your anatomy when you sit down on the upholstery.

There are plenty of safety features. A good sytem will leave your vehicle locked when you hit the remote button, so nobody will steal it. Before you can actually drive, you have to turn the key in the ignition. And you can turn off the engine with the key fob, as well as turn it on.

Basic features found on most systems include remote engine starting, programmable starting to set how long the vehicle will run before automatically shutting off, a visual indicator that you’ve started the car like flashing the parking lights, power door locks, and power trunk lid operation.

Advanced features in addition to remote car start usually involve a combination car alarm remote with full a full vehicle security system. You’ll find items like an outside air temp sensor that will automatically start the engine at a certain temperature, an LCD display panel, long-distance transmission features so you can start your vehicle through cement walls and from up to one mile away, and a rolling code feature so thieves can’t copy the starter signal and steal your vehicle with it.

The price of a basic car remote can be as low as $40. High end car alarm remotes can cost up to $400. Don’t forget to add on the cost of installation, unless you plan to install the system yourself. Some vehicle models will require an adapter that bypasses your factory installed ignition lockout or car alarm system, and these can add another $50 to $100 to the price tag.

If you drive a manual transmission, be sure the remote starter system you buy is compatible with a stick shift. Also, some systems only work with fuel injected engines. Again, check the system’s specs for compatibility.