If you're shopping for remote start in Northeast Ohio, you'll quickly run into two options: get it through your dealership (OEM), or have an aftermarket system professionally installed. Both will start your car from a distance, but they differ significantly in cost, flexibility, and features.

Here's an honest breakdown.

What Is OEM Remote Start?

OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) remote start is factory-installed or dealer-added remote start that comes directly from your vehicle's manufacturer. It's designed specifically for your make and model and integrates natively with your existing key fob or infotainment system.

What Is Aftermarket Remote Start?

Aftermarket remote start is a system installed by a third-party professional, like D&S Automotive in Mentor, Ohio. These systems are designed to work across a wide range of vehicles and offer flexible feature tiers, from basic fob-based start to full smartphone control.

Cost: OEM vs. Aftermarket

OEM remote start, when available, is typically added at the dealership either as a factory option or a dealer-installed upgrade. Dealer pricing for this can run anywhere from $300 to $800 or more, and many manufacturers now tie remote start functionality to a connected services subscription, meaning you pay annually just to use a feature on your own car.

Aftermarket systems offer a range of price points starting around $350 to fit different budgets, with no mandatory subscription required for basic operation. Smartphone-enabled systems like Viper SmartStart are available as an upgrade rather than a recurring requirement.

Vehicle Compatibility: A Key Difference

OEM remote start is only available for select models and trim levels — and only if your vehicle was built to support it. If your car didn't come with it from the factory, a dealer retrofit may not be possible at all.

Aftermarket systems are compatible with a much broader range of vehicles, including older models and vehicles that were never offered with factory remote start. For most drivers, the aftermarket opens the door when OEM simply can't.

Features: Which Gives You More?

Both systems can start your engine and pre-condition your interior. Where they diverge is in flexibility and upgradability.

OEM systems are typically tied to your existing key fob range, which may only reach 100–300 feet, and features are locked to whatever the manufacturer offers.

Aftermarket systems can include:

• Extended range fobs (up to a mile or more)
• Smartphone app control from anywhere
• Two-way confirmation that your car actually started
• Security system integration
• GPS tracking on select systems

Installation: Dealer vs. Specialty Shop

Dealer installations are convenient if you're buying a new vehicle, but retrofitting remote start at a dealership after purchase can involve long wait times and higher labor costs.

At D&S Automotive, most aftermarket remote start installations are completed in 3–5 hours, with drop-off or on-site waiting available. Installations are handled by experienced technicians who integrate the system cleanly with your vehicle's electronics.

Will Aftermarket Remote Start Void My Warranty?

A common concern — and largely a myth. Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a dealer cannot void your vehicle warranty simply because an aftermarket accessory was added. They would need to prove the accessory directly caused the issue in question. Professional installation significantly reduces any risk of complications.

So Which Should You Get?

OEM remote start makes sense if your vehicle already has it from the factory or it was included at purchase. But if you're adding remote start after the fact — or your vehicle wasn't offered with it — aftermarket is almost always the more practical, feature-rich, and cost-effective choice.

For Northeast Ohio drivers dealing with real winters and real summers, having the right remote start system matters. D&S Automotive offers multiple aftermarket system options to fit your vehicle, your lifestyle, and your budget.

FAQs: OEM vs. Aftermarket Remote Start