How To Remote Start Honda Civic (Step-by-step Guide)

One of the best features in your Honda Civic is the remote start function. Imagine being able to start your car remotely in cold weather to warm up the engine for a cozy driving experience when you’re ready to go? Unfortunately, if you haven’t used this feature before, you may be struggling to use it. But worry not. This guide will teach you how to remote start your Civic.

To remote start Honda Civic:

• Aim your remote key toward your vehicle
• Press the LOCK button.
• Press and hold the remote START button for approx. 3 to 5 seconds.
• Your car lights will flash to confirm a successful remote start. The engine will start shortly after.

This article will discuss a complete beginner-friendly step-by-step guide for starting your Honda Civic factory remote starter. We’ll also discuss what to do if your remote starter won’t work, how to use an aftermarket remote starter and other helpful information.

Step-by-step guide on how to remote start Honda Civic:

Using your Honda Civic remote starter is as easy as pressing a combination of buttons. However, you’ll need to make sure you follow the correct sequence or your vehicle will not start.

Follow these general steps to remote start your Honda Civic:

Step 1. Lock your car

The first step is to ensure you have locked all your vehicle doors as well as the trunk. Then, aim your key fob at your car while standing within the recommended operation range of your Civic remote starter (i.e., within 100ft).

Press and release the LOCK button on the key fob. This enables you to lock the doors of your vehicle. Even if you believe your doors are already locked, you should still press this button, otherwise, your remote starter won’t work.

Step 2. Engage the remote starter

With your door locked, you should now be ready to remote start your car. Immediately after pressing the lock button, press and hold the remote START button on your key fob.

This button usually has a loop icon or curved line with an arrow.

Press and hold this button for approx. 3 to 5 seconds until you see your Honda lights flash to confirm a successful remote start. Your engine will then start shortly.

Step 3.  Engine run time

Assuming you remotely started your vehicle without the intention to drive it right away, you’ll need to keep in mind that the engine will only run for 10 minutes and then shut off automatically.

If you wish, you can extend the engine run time for another 10 minutes only by repeating the steps we’ve discussed above.

Once your car starts running, it will adjust the heated seat temperature, fan speed, and defroster according to your preferences or as per the outside temperature.

Step 4. Entering your car

If you wish to enter your car after remote starting it, simply press the Unlock button on your key fob.

Once you get inside, you’ll need to insert the key in the ignition and then turn it to the ON position without starting your engine.

Using the key is necessary for you to drive your car even after using the remote starter function.

Step 5. Driving your Honda Civic

To drive your Civic, ensure the key is in the ON position, and then press the brake pedal and push the engine start/stop button (if present). Alternatively, you can put your key in the Start position to turn on the engine and begin driving as you normally would.

Step 6. Canceling the remote start

If after successfully remote starting your car you decide not to drive, you can easily cancel the remote start and turn off your engine by pressing and holding the remote start button for approx. 2 seconds.

The lights will flash once and then you may hear a beep sound to confirm the successful cancellation and stopping of your car.

This video from Honda shows you the exact steps to follow to start your Honda Civic remotely:

Video:

Additional tips for using your Honda Civic remote starter:

Here are additional tips to keep in mind when using your Honda Civic remote start to ensure a successful start:

• Double-check that your Civic model is indeed equipped with a remote starter function
• Before using the auto starter, make sure your Civic is parked in a well-ventilated area, e.g. outdoors. This helps prevent the risk of hazardous carbon monoxide accumulation.
• Don’t start your vehicle when it’s near flammable materials, e.g. dry grass, grease, oil, etc. Transfer it to a safe place before you start it.
• Ensure there’s no other remote fob inside your vehicle as it may cause your remote starter to malfunction.

Why your Honda Civic remote start is not working

If you have followed the correct procedure outlined above and your Honda Civic won’t work, you’ll need to check the following potential issues:

• Ensure you’re standing within the recommended range of 100 ft. to ensure effective key fob-to-vehicle communication.
• Ensure there are no obstacles that could block the signals from reaching your car.
• Eliminate or move away from any electronic devices that could be interfering with the signal from your key fob.
• Follow the correct activation sequence. If you skip any of the steps we’ve discussed above when remote starting your vehicle, the engine won’t turn on.
• Ensure there’s no other key fob left inside the vehicle. Your remote starter is configured to stop working if it detects a key fob registered to your car inside the vehicle.
• Check if your key fob batteries are weak or dead. If the batteries are bad, your remote key won’t be able to send a signal to the vehicle and it won’t start. Weak batteries may also affect the operation range.
• The shift gear is not in park mode. In this case, the remote starter won’t start your vehicle to prevent unintended moving of your vehicle and potential accidents.
• Security system is triggered. In this case, the auto starter will be disabled to prevent unauthorized access and theft of your vehicle. Disarm the security system and then retry the remote starter.
• Your Civic won’t start remotely if the hood and doors are open to prevent unauthorized access to your vehicle as well as prevent unsafe driving conditions.
• Incorrect programming or loss of programming in your Honda remote starter may also stop it from functioning correctly
• If you have tried remote starting your vehicle more than 2 times, it will also be disabled. You’ll need to start it manually to reset the function.
• The remote start system could also be faulty which could lead to malfunction. Have it examined by your dealership or certified Honda technician and repaired or replaced as necessary.
• Other causes include hazards and check engine lights on, valet mode, or ignition key has been inserted in the ignition switch.

If you have checked the above issues and your remote system still won’t work, we advise you to take it to a qualified Honda technician or authorized dealership.

They’ll be able to diagnose the issue using specialized equipment and resolve it to ensure proper remote starter functionality.

Honda Civic remote key not working

Sometimes the key fob itself may not be working. In this case, there are several culprits to consider. These include:

• Dead key fob batteries: If your remote key batteries are weak or depleted, your key won’t work. Consider replacing the battery with a new one to see if the problem will be resolved.
• Signal interference: If there are any electronic devices nearby, e.g. radio, laptop, router, smartphone, etc., they might be disrupting the signal transfer from your remote key to the vehicle. Try a different location or move away from nearby electronic devices and try again.
• The key is out-of-sync: The remote key may also have lost its programming, making it malfunction. In this case, you’ll need to resync your key with your car receiver to resolve this issue. Consult your owner’s manual for the correct reprogramming instructions.
• Faulty key fob: A faulty key fob will also fail to properly transmit the signal to the receiver. Inspect the fob for any signs of physical damage and replace it if necessary.
• The receiver is faulty: In this case, it won’t be able to receive the signal from the key fob. Get a professional installer or dealership to diagnose and repair your vehicle
• Car battery issues: A dead car battery also won’t have enough power to receive signals from your key fob. Check your car battery charge and recharge or replace it if necessary.

How do you use an aftermarket Honda remote starter?

If you have an aftermarket remote starter installed in your Honda Civic, the correct procedure for using it involves pressing the lock button first and then pressing the remote start button immediately after.

The process isn’t much different for your factory remote fob. However, we advise you to consult your remote starter manual on the correct procedure for operating that specific remote starter.

Can you remote start Honda Civic from your phone?

Yes, it’s possible to start your Honda Civic from your phone. This is an even more convenient method that allows you to remotely start your car from anywhere and at any time.

However, to start your car with your smartphone, you’ll first need to download and install the HondaLink® app on your mobile phone.

Next, create an account with the correct details of your Honda Civic.

Make sure your vehicle model is equipped with compatible software for this app.

Now you’ll need to pair your smartphone with your Honda Civic via Bluetooth or any other connectivity option available.

Once you have everything set, you can then select the appropriate options on your HondaLink mobile app to start your car engine.

Watch the following video on how to remote start your Honda Civic from your phone

Video:

How do you turn on the remote start on a Honda Civic?

Your Honda Civic remote start could be disabled. In this case, you won’t enjoy this convenient feature. However, you can bring it back on by simply enabling it in your vehicle settings.

Go to your vehicle display screen and look for the Remote start option in the settings menu. Toggle the option to On or Enable. Once you have activated this function, you can now use your key fob or smartphone to enjoy starting your engine remotely.

However, the exact process for turning on this feature may vary between models. Refer to your owner’s manual for the exact steps to follow. Alternatively, you can consult your dealership on how to do it.

After mastering the remote start feature on your Honda Civic, there are other essential functionalities to acquaint yourself with to ensure optimum vehicle maintenance. If you’ve recently changed your car’s oil, our guide on how to reset the oil life on a Honda Civic can prove invaluable, ensuring you keep track of your next scheduled change. Moreover, to enhance your safety and ensure consistent tire performance, understanding how to reset the tire pressure light on a Honda Civic can be crucial, especially after inflation or tire rotation.

Conclusion

Remote starting your Honda Civic is a simple DIY task. You just need to aim the key fob toward your car, press the lock button, and then immediately press the remote start button. Your vehicle lights will flash repeatedly and the engine will start shortly after. If you want, you can also remote start your Civic using your smartphone by installing the HondaLink mobile app.

However, your remote starter may fail to work due to various issues we have described in this article. When this happens, perform basic troubleshooting tips like ensuring you’re within range, eliminating signal interference, properly locking the doors, trunk, and hood, etc. If the problem persists, seek assistance from a qualified Honda technician.