Remote Start with no cell service
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Newbie
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GLE
Remote Start with no cell service
I live in a remote area (Adirondacks in northern New York), and I have no cell service. I do have wi-fi over which I can use my wifi enabled cell phone. The car - on the other hand - does not, so my MercedesMe app remote start is inoperable. Unlike every other car I have ever had, there is no remote start using the keyfob. Has anyone figured a workaround for this issue - perhaps using the car's onboard wi-fi? Not having a remote start during an Adirondack winter is quite an inconvenience.
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 324
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From: Chicago
2013 SL550, 2016 GLE350, 2016 GLC300
Hi Joe,
Our aftermarket remote starter solution is quite popular and super reliable, and does have the capability to start the vehicle with your factory key fob and extended range RF remote kits (in addition to Drone Mobile smartphone control, which you mentioned is of no use to you where you are located). We're proudly the best option out there.
ALL OUR COVERAGES ARE LISTED HERE.
Please feel free to call us with any questions you may have, we'd be happy to help you.
Our aftermarket remote starter solution is quite popular and super reliable, and does have the capability to start the vehicle with your factory key fob and extended range RF remote kits (in addition to Drone Mobile smartphone control, which you mentioned is of no use to you where you are located). We're proudly the best option out there.
ALL OUR COVERAGES ARE LISTED HERE.
Please feel free to call us with any questions you may have, we'd be happy to help you.
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 4
Likes: 2
2013 G63
I live in a remote area (Adirondacks in northern New York), and I have no cell service. I do have wi-fi over which I can use my wifi enabled cell phone. The car - on the other hand - does not, so my MercedesMe app remote start is inoperable. Unlike every other car I have ever had, there is no remote start using the keyfob. Has anyone figured a workaround for this issue - perhaps using the car's onboard wi-fi? Not having a remote start during an Adirondack winter is quite an inconvenience.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2025
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland, OH
GLE 350
Remote start blues continues.....
Just saw an aftermarket solution for GLE cars https://www.access1alarm.com/vehicle...-start-systems but at $1,200 its far too expensive; particularly when their system does not offer more that a regular upper shelf remote engine starter. Mid City Engineering was a maybe at $700, but with the experience of shpanky they are definitively off the list.
With the ownership of a 7 year old Mercedes, I have noticed a strong predatory attitude from aftermarket firms offering run-of-the-mill accessories for excessive prices, believing that for a Mercedes owner money is not an issue and want to squeeze as hard as possible. I believe, that part of the problem is the fact that Mercedes had remote start integrated in their cars, being part of MBrace and owners would pay for using the app because it wasn't a huge cost.
I rather spend a week in a short vacation (or ski trip to Angel Fire of Holiday Mountain) than in an app just for starting my car.
Time to reverse engineer a solution to share...
Money has value and I have learned to respect it. All my other vehicles have remote start, that I own and not subject to subscription price hikes.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 33,224
Likes: 6,597
I once asked why here in Canada, they explained it is because Europe don't allow remote starts, I told them MB has it and same goes bmw and we are talking about North America which the latter has it on the key fob as well. They told me well we are "Porsche" so I guess they imply Porsche is step above those two brands aforementioned hence why they can do things they want or because they have less features.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,712
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From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
I once asked why here in Canada, they explained it is because Europe don't allow remote starts, I told them MB has it and same goes bmw and we are talking about North America which the latter has it on the key fob as well. They told me well we are "Porsche" so I guess they imply Porsche is step above those two brands aforementioned hence why they can do things they want or because they have less features.
Europeans are are more emissions conscious than in NA and idling after remote start is seen as objectionable.
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MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
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Yup, so they use that as an excuse, being an European car to not have remote start so I listed other German examples that have it, then they went ahead and say well, we are Porsche.
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Junior Member
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 20
Likes: 2
2021 GLC300
I don't mind paying the subscription fee to enable remote start, although it was free in my Cadillac and Lincoln, what bothers me is that it doesn't turn on my seat and steering wheel heaters. Is there a workaround?
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 33,224
Likes: 6,597
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 33,224
Likes: 6,597
Oh you mean the other two brands had remote start on the keyfob so free for life right? bmw for example has the same thing and yes you can activate the two heaters. not quite sure why MB doesn't let you though.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 20
Likes: 2
2021 GLC300
I just got the GLC so I'm not looking to switch. Guess I'll just plan to remote start the car and let it run for a bit it to warm up next winter.
Although, I would think it would be possible to turn on the wheel and seat heaters programmatically since Hey Mercedes can also do that for you.
Although, I would think it would be possible to turn on the wheel and seat heaters programmatically since Hey Mercedes can also do that for you.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 33,224
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I just got the GLC so I'm not looking to switch. Guess I'll just plan to remote start the car and let it run for a bit it to warm up next winter.
Although, I would think it would be possible to turn on the wheel and seat heaters programmatically since Hey Mercedes can also do that for you.
Although, I would think it would be possible to turn on the wheel and seat heaters programmatically since Hey Mercedes can also do that for you.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2018
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From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
https://www.audiusa.com/en/inside-au.../audi-connect/
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,639
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From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
I live in a remote area (Adirondacks in northern New York), and I have no cell service. I do have wi-fi over which I can use my wifi enabled cell phone. The car - on the other hand - does not, so my MercedesMe app remote start is inoperable. Unlike every other car I have ever had, there is no remote start using the keyfob. Has anyone figured a workaround for this issue - perhaps using the car's onboard wi-fi? Not having a remote start during an Adirondack winter is quite an inconvenience.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
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Likes: 6,597
That was VAG as a whole. Porsche being part of VAG shares much of the electronics with all the other VAG brands, although they did deviate with their Infotainment system at some point because they got frustrated about the slow progress VAG made. Interestingly, Audi now has Remote Start. They were also a hold out for a long time, but eventually added it. Even more it's part of the Audi connect CARE plan, which comes standard with every Audi and is free for 10 years. They have additional paid plans that give access to more online features.
https://www.audiusa.com/en/inside-au.../audi-connect/
https://www.audiusa.com/en/inside-au.../audi-connect/
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
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The latest MB models with MBUX 2 and up have Wi-Fi and BT tethering option. I played with it in a loaner which didn't have Mercedes me connect activated, I was able to use some of the online features in my garage. It can use Wi-Fi to install OTA updates and such, and I'm guessing the Mercedes me service will work over the Wi-Fi connection as well. The older Infotainment systems technically have tethering capabilities as well, but it's disabled whenever the HERMES module is present. The HERMES module is the communication module that provides the LTE connection to the car, so in the GLE you are out of luck for now until the next generation comes out with the latest MBUX, or more likely the new MB.OS system, but I don't know if they kept the tethering capabilities in MB.OS.
MBWorld God!
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10 years sounds generous, what is the catch? I mean, being a hold out for so long and suddenly go full swing ahead is quite a change. Since there are server costs after all. bmw also offer both physical remote start and the app.
Out Of Control!!
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From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
https://shop.mbusa.com/en-us/connect/
MBWorld God!
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They've had a free tier for the basic services for a while. Mercedes me connect has a free tier as well. Several of the services such as Vehicle Status, Emergency call, Accident Recovery etc. are standard and free of charge. They are listed at the bottom of the Store page. Why Audi finally decided to offer Remote Start in North America and make it free above all, that I don't know. It's definitely been an often discussed missing feature on the Audi forums that many complained about. Perhaps they started to feel the pressure with customers leaving for BMW and Mercedes.
https://shop.mbusa.com/en-us/connect/
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...04e6e4567d.png
https://shop.mbusa.com/en-us/connect/
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...04e6e4567d.png
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