Audi A5 Remote Start: The Full Rundown

in Model Info and Features
White Audi A5

Source: Flickr

Imagine a frigid winter morning in Minnesota, where temperatures often plunge below freezing. You’re cozy inside your home, sipping on a warm cup of coffee and looking at your car covered in snow. This is the perfect situation to appreciate the power of a remote start feature on your vehicle.

With just a simple press of a button from the comfort of your warm living room, your car starts up, initiating the defrosting process and warming up the engine. When you’re ready to leave, your vehicle is warm, inviting, and safe to drive with clear windows. Remote start is a game-changer in these cold climates, offering comfort, safety, and convenience to your winter mornings.

If you have questions about the Audi A5 remote start feature, you’ve come to the right place. Does the A5 have a remote start? Which models have this feature? We’ll answer these questions and more.

All About Remote Starts and How It Works

Before we talk about the specifics of the Audi A5 remote start, let’s first have a quick crash course about remote start in general. Remote Start is a feature in modern vehicles that allows you to start your car’s engine remotely, typically using a key fob or a smartphone application. Here’s a breakdown of how it works:

  • Purpose: A remote car starter lets you start your vehicle’s engine without being inside and physically turning the key. It mimics the engine starting sequence wirelessly​​.
  • Control Module: The system includes a control module wired into the vehicle’s starter mechanisms and ignition switch. This module receives signals from the remote device to start the engine​​.

  • Types of Remote Car Starters:

    • One-way Remote Starters: These basic starters allow you to start your car with a push of a button but don’t provide feedback on whether the vehicle has started.
    • Two-way Remote Starters: More advanced, these starters not only start your car but also send a confirmation signal back to the remote to indicate the car has started.

  • Smartphone-controlled Remote Starters: Enable starting your car using a smartphone, adding extra convenience.

  • Systems with Alarm and Keyless Entry: Some starters have additional features like alarms and keyless entry systems​​.

  • Range and Feedback: Remote start systems can have a range from a few hundred feet to several miles, depending on the model. Two-way systems provide feedback to the user, confirming that the car has started, which is a feature not available in one-way systems​​.

  • Security Features: The engine automatically shuts off after a set duration (often 10 minutes) to prevent theft. The system may also integrate with existing alarm systems, locking doors and setting alarms when activated. Additionally, the vehicle won’t drive without the key present; attempting to shift into gear without the key fob nearby will shut down the engine.

BE CERTAIN YOU’RE GETTING THE BEST DEAL

CoPilot searches your area and lets you know if there’s a better deal on a similar vehicle nearby, so you’re always certain you got the best deal possible. The CoPilot app is the smartest way to buy a car. 

Audi A5 Remote Start Availability

Unfortunately, the Audi A5 remote start is unavailable in the traditional sense via a key fob. As such, Audi’s decision not to include a conventional key fob for remote start in their vehicles is likely driven by their commitment to advanced technology and integrated digital solutions.

With that said, The Audi A5 includes a remote start option, though its availability depends on the specific model and year of the car. Generally, this feature is available on the higher-end versions of the A5 or as an add-on. You can use this feature through the Audi Connect services on your smartphone. This handy service lets you start your car from afar, control the climate, lock and unlock doors, and monitor your vehicle. However, remember that this feature’s exact steps and capabilities can change based on the Audi model you have and the Audi Connect system version.

Aftermarket options are available if a specific Audi A5 model does not come with a factory-installed remote start. For instance, plug-and-play kits for Audi A5 models ranging from 2018 to 2022 can add remote start features using hardware and T-Harness for factory-fit installation. These kits often allow you to start the engine by pressing the lock button on the OEM remote three times, and they generally have a 15-minute run time.

Also, while Audi provides the Audi Advanced Key, a variant of remote start with keyless entry and push-button start/stop functionality, it is not a proper remote start. The Audi Advanced Key allows users to start the car, open the doors without searching for keys, and save driver profiles for seat and mirror configurations. However, it does not start the vehicle remotely like the traditional remote start systems.

We highly recommend reading our Audi Remote Start Guide to learn more.

THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE AUDI A5

We walk you through all A5 generations and find the most reliable Audi A5 year and which ones to avoid. Let’s take a look.

How to Use Audi A5 Remote Start Using the App?

This video provides a quick guide on using the Remote Start feature on an Audi vehicle through the myAudi app. This feature is part of the Audi Connect services. Below are the steps:

1. App Requirement: Ensure you have the myAudi app downloaded (iOS, Android) and paired with your vehicle.

2. Initiating Remote Start: You can start the process from the home screen, the all-function screen, or via the shortcut icon in the myAudi app.

3. Vehicle Pre-conditions:

  • The vehicle must be parked with the emergency brake engaged.
  • The ignition should be turned off.
  • Windows must be closed.
  • Doors should be locked.
  • The fuel tank should be sufficiently full (the low fuel light should not be on).

4. Activation Process

  • Select ‘Remote Start’ on the myAudi app.
  • Enter your PIN or Face ID to activate the feature when prompted.
  • The app will show the request status, and a successful activation message appears when the vehicle starts.

5. System Functionality:

  • Once started, the vehicle’s electrical systems (like air conditioning and radio) activate to the last settings used. For example, if the air conditioning was set to 70°F during your previous drive, it will default to the same temperature upon remote starting.

Safety Note: Never use the Remote Start feature inside a garage or when passengers are inside the vehicle.

The Remote Start feature is designed with specific usage limits for efficiency and safety. It allows for two consecutive activations, each letting the vehicle run for 10 minutes before automatically shutting off. If you don’t start driving before the end of the second 10-minute cycle, you’ll need to start your car manually. To reset the Remote Start system for future use, simply drive your vehicle at a speed of at least five mph.

AI-ASSISTED CAR SHOPPING

Never miss out on the best car, never overpay, and never get taken advantage of. Download the CoPilot app to see the magic of AI-assisted car shopping.

Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You

The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.

Only looking for newer models? CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars. Only see cars five years or newer with low mileage — CoPilot Compare is the best way to find off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO cars.

The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.

Share on Pinterest
Share on Reddit
Why Use CoPilot?

Shop and buy your next car with confidence. CoPilot searches every car at every dealer, every day, and ranks them based on what matters to you.

When you shop for a new or used car, CoPilot helps you know more. We search every car at every dealer so you don't have to, we give you data and insights you won't find anywhere else, and we rank every car so it's easy to find the best car at the best price.

When you're ready to buy your next car, CoPilot helps you make sure you never get taken advantage of at the dealership. Would you like to know more than the salesperson? CoPilot helps you avoid any tricks, traps, and scams. Know how and what you can negotiate. With CoPilot, you'll save time, money, and frustration.