Factory remote range
I am Batman
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 637
Likes: 1
From: Whitby Ontario
I have a single remote for my aftermarket one, I can start, stop, lock, unlock.... and it's 2-way so if I can't see the truck, I'll know if it is locked, unlocked, running, etc... It has around 1,000ft range, sometimes more if conditions are right. I start it from inside my office at work when it's cold and/or snowing and then walk out 5-10 minutes later and walk quite a ways to it.
This is great info thanks.. Did the dealer install it for you? I'm going to order my first f150 in the coming months and I am trying to gather as much info as possible. I guess I wont put the check mark beside the factory remote start then ??
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7,877
Likes: 368
From: North Dakota
Yea, I wouldnt go for the factory. I would get an aftermarket one installed by your dealer so it doesnt mess up the warranty. Astro Start is a good brand my dealer uses and its remote will lock/unlock/start from 2500+ feet away depending on whats inbetween. throw your stock key fob in a drawer and forget about it. It is also a two way system that will tell you if it started or not or if its locked or not. My dealer charged me around 360$ installed, well worth the extra money over the cheaper crappier options ive seen available. There are quite a few good aftermarket brands out there, just make sure you get a long range one with the feature that lets you know if it worked or not, you will be way happier in the long run, trust me.
"Hold My $tone$"
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 11
From: Dank$ville, near Bud$burg, U$A (It $tink$!)
Just a thought.
If that doesn't help, go back to the dealer cuz somethings not right. My crappy OE works from at least a 300 ft distance and the signal travels thru a couple of walls. Never had a problem with OE but plenty with aftermarket.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 422
Likes: 1
From: Florida
what's wrong with that? my old truck had a range of about 30 feet. I'm loving life with anything over 100 feet.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7,877
Likes: 368
From: North Dakota
maybe they are all using dead batteries! I dont have factory remote start but my factory lock/unlock fob is fricking worthless unless you are 10 feet away, though I guess thats ok if you dont have remote start, I would hope their remote start range would be better than the just the lock/unlock fob. At any rate I have had 4 different vehicles with aftermarket remote starts installed and Ive never once had a problem with any of them, however I make sure I get a good kind thats recommended by others and is professionally installed. You usually get what you pay for and if you buy a cheap remote start, youre gonna have problems!
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 545
Likes: 24
From: Pittsburgh, PA
the 2011 system is brand new so we don't know much about it. True the factory keyless entry remote range is not very good. But the factory/dealer installed rmst systems have decent/good enough range, at least the 2010 and earlier systems since they have a separate antenna that mounts on the windshield. Looking at the 2011 system parts, it appears it has a separate antenna module as well so I would thought it would have good range that should at least be greater than the regular keyless entry fob range.
"Hold My $tone$"
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 11
From: Dank$ville, near Bud$burg, U$A (It $tink$!)
the 2011 system is brand new so we don't know much about it. True the factory keyless entry remote range is not very good. But the factory/dealer installed rmst systems have decent/good enough range, at least the 2010 and earlier systems since they have a separate antenna that mounts on the windshield. Looking at the 2011 system parts, it appears it has a separate antenna module as well so I would thought it would have good range that should at least be greater than the regular keyless entry fob range.
I've got 4 FOBS and two keys. 2 FOBS too many.
Had the door push pad not been included with my truck, I wouldn't have ordered it. Now, if I had a quarter for every time I use it, I'd have at least $20. Beats running inside to fetch my keys all the time.
Last edited by Bottom Dollah; Jan 2, 2011 at 09:15 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: Barrie, Ontario
Originally Posted by SteveVFX4
the 2011 system is brand new so we don't know much about it. True the factory keyless entry remote range is not very good. But the factory/dealer installed rmst systems have decent/good enough range, at least the 2010 and earlier systems since they have a separate antenna that mounts on the windshield. Looking at the 2011 system parts, it appears it has a separate antenna module as well so I would thought it would have good range that should at least be greater than the regular keyless entry fob range.
"Hold My $tone$"
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 11
From: Dank$ville, near Bud$burg, U$A (It $tink$!)
It's the little 'My Favorite Martian' antenna things hooked on my '10 XLT's rear view mirror. Can't miss them.