If you've spent one January morning scraping frost off your windshield in -35°C, you already know why remote car starters are one of the most common add-ons Saskatoon drivers ask about. It's not a luxury item here ,it's closer to a survival tool.

This guide covers what a remote car starter actually costs in Saskatoon, the three flat-rate packages Ovi Motors offers, which brand they're built on, and how to think about it if you're buying a used car and want to add one at the same time.

Why Saskatoon Drivers Add a Remote Car Starter

Saskatoon winters aren't mild-cold; they're the kind that cracks windshield wiper blades and turns door handles into a hazard. A remote starter lets you warm the cabin and defrost the glass from your kitchen window instead of sitting in a freezing car waiting for the heater to catch up.

There's a safety angle too. A pre-warmed engine and a clear windshield mean less time scraping ice in the driveway and less time driving with limited visibility while the defroster works. And if you ever sell the vehicle, a professionally installed remote starter is a small but real selling point for the next owner; it's proof the car was set up for winter, not just parked through it.

The Three Remote Starter Packages at Ovi Motors

Skip the guessing game on pricing. Ovi Motors runs three flat-rate remote starter packages, so you know the number before you book, not after a technician looks at your vehicle.

All three are true 2-way systems (a confirmation signal tells you the engine actually started, no more guessing from your kitchen window), and all three skip the extra bypass module most competitors charge for separately.

Basic,$699 flat rate. 

Built on the iDatastart HC2.5, a 2-way remote starter with up to 3,000 feet of range. Comes with dual multi-button remotes covering lock, unlock, trunk release, and remote start, backed by a 1-year warranty. This is the entry point if you want reliable confirmation without long-range or app control.

Advanced,$899 flat rate. 

Steps up to the full iDatastart system with 1-mile FM range, enough to start your car from well inside a building or across a parking lot. Same dual 2-way remotes, same lock/unlock/trunk/start functions, same 1-year warranty, just with a lot more reach.

Premium,$999 flat rate (most popular) 

The iDatastart and MyCar Telematics bundle. This is the one that adds smartphone control from anywhere with a cellular signal: start, stop, lock, or unlock from your phone, not just a fob. You also get live cabin temperature, battery voltage, and door-lock status in the app, Apple Watch and Wear OS compatibility, up to 4 customizable auxiliary functions (trunk release, motorized hatch), and shared access across unlimited family devices on one account. The MyCar service plan is included for the life of the install, with no ongoing monthly or annual fees.

See full package details and book an install

Does a Remote Starter Void Your Factory Warranty?

No, not when it's installed properly by a qualified technician. This is one of the most common concerns we hear, and it's a fair one. A properly installed remote starter integrates with your vehicle's systems without altering the factory wiring in a way that would void coverage. All three Ovi Motors packages come with their own 1-year installation warranty on top of that.

Which Package Actually Makes Sense for You

If you're mostly starting your car from your own driveway or a nearby parking lot, Basic covers it; 3,000 feet is more range than most people ever use day to day.

If you park somewhere the fob's range might not reach- a large lot at work, an apartment building where your unit's a few floors up and blocks away- Advanced's 1-mile range removes that guesswork.

Premium makes the most sense if you want app control specifically: starting the car from inside a building with no line of sight to it, checking cabin temperature before you walk out, or sharing access with a partner or family member without handing over a second physical fob. It's also the pick if you like knowing there's no recurring subscription cost baked into future winters.

Brands Behind These Systems

iDatastart is the platform Ovi Motors installs across all three packages, and it's a name that comes up often among Saskatoon installers for good reason; its all-in-one design skips the extra bypass module that a lot of competing systems need for push-button-start vehicles, which keeps both the install time and the final cost down. The Premium tier's MyCar telematics layer is the same cellular app framework you'll see recommended elsewhere for Canadian winters, since it's built to handle cold-weather reliability, not just convenience features.

Buying a Used Car? Here's Where Remote Start Fits In

If you're shopping for a used vehicle in Saskatoon, remote start is worth thinking about at the point of purchase, not just after you've driven off the lot. Ask whether it can be added as part of your financing, whether it needs to be arranged separately, and whether the vehicle you're considering already has one installed and documented.

At Ovi Motors, all three remote starter packages are available as an add-on when you're financing a vehicle, worth raising with your finance rep at the same time you're working out the numbers on the vehicle itself, rather than treating it as a separate purchase later.

What to Ask Before You Book an Install

A few questions worth asking any installer, including us:

  • Is the price actually flat-rate, or does it change once they see your vehicle? Ovi Motors' three packages are flat regardless of make or model, which isn't the norm across every local installer.

  • What's the warranty on the installation itself, parts, and labor? All three Ovi Motors packages include a 1-year warranty.

  • What's the turnaround time? Most Saskatoon shops quote 4 to 6 hours and prefer a drop-off appointment rather than a wait-while-you-shop setup.

  • If you're considering the app-connected tier, ask whether there's an ongoing subscription fee. Ovi's Premium package includes the MyCar service plan for the life of the install with no recurring cost, which isn't universal across app-connected systems.

Ready to book? Basic ($699), Advanced ($899), or Premium ($999).

Ready to see what's on the lot, or want to talk through financing a remote starter into your next used vehicle? Browse our current inventory or book an appointment, and we'll walk you through it.

 (306) 717-8105
sales@ovimotors.ca

FAQ

How much does remote starter installation cost in Saskatoon? 

At Ovi Motors, it's a flat rate across three packages: $699 for Basic (3,000-foot range), $899 for Advanced (1-mile range), or $999 for Premium (adds smartphone app control). No hidden bypass-module fee on top, regardless of which one you pick.

How long does a typical remote car starter installation take? 

Most Saskatoon installers quote 4 to 6 hours, and most shops prefer you drop the vehicle off rather than wait on-site.

Will a remote starter drain my battery?

A properly installed system shouldn't cause meaningful battery drain under normal use. Frequent short remote starts in extreme cold can put more strain on an already aging battery, so if your battery is on its last legs, it's worth replacing it around the same time as the install.

Can I use remote start on a manual transmission car? 

Yes, but it requires additional safety interlocks to prevent the vehicle from starting and moving while parked in gear. Confirm this with your installer when you book, since not every system handles it the same way.

Does remote start work from a phone app or just a key fob? 

Both, depending on the package. Basic and Advanced use dual 2-way fobs with confirmation built in. Premium adds full smartphone app control through MyCar, including live cabin temperature and battery status, with no monthly fee.

What are the benefits of a remote car starter for Saskatoon winters? 

A warm cabin and cleared windshield before you get in, less time scraping ice outside, safer visibility on your drive, and with Premium specifically, the ability to check your vehicle's status from your phone before you even head outside.