The Art of the Pre-Start – Why I Always Remote Start “Old Smokey”

Most people think of remote start as a luxury reserved for those sub-zero January mornings or the sweltering heat of July. When I first got my Ford SuperDuty—affectionately known as Old Smokey—I figured the remote start on my key fob would be a “sometimes” tool, something I’d pull out for camping trips or during a cold snap. But lately, I’ve noticed a shift in my routine. Whether it’s a mild spring afternoon or a quick stop at the hardware store, I find myself hitting that button twice before I even reach the door handle.

It might seem like a small thing, but the more I do it, the more it makes sense. My ritual is simple: as I’m walking back to the truck, I click the remote start. By the time I’ve covered those last few yards, I hit the unlock button, climb in, and slide the key into the ignition. It’s almost no extra effort compared to starting it manually, but those few seconds—or a minute or two if I’m taking my time—make a world of difference for a heavy-duty machine like this.

The primary reason is purely mechanical. A SuperDuty isn’t a compact car; it’s a powerhouse. By starting Old Smokey before I’ve even touched the door, I’m giving the engine a head start on getting the oil flowing through the system. It gives the alternator a chance to start spinning and the grease a moment to loosen up before I ask the truck to shift into gear and move its own weight.

There’s also the electrical side of things to consider. When you unlock the doors, the dome lights kick on, the onboard computers wake up, and various sensors start drawing power. If I start the truck first, the alternator is already providing that juice. I’m not loading down the starting batteries with all those peripheral electronics before the engine has even turned over. Plus, getting the heater or the AC moving just a minute early adds a layer of comfort that’s hard to give up once you’re used to it.

I know there are critics out there. Some folks argue that remote starting is a waste of fuel or that “excessive idling” wears out an engine prematurely. While I wouldn’t leave Old Smokey running in the driveway for twenty minutes for no reason, I have my doubts that a commercial-grade engine is going to suffer from a sixty-second warm-up. In the grand scheme of things, I might burn an extra gallon or two of fuel per year. To me, that’s a tiny price to pay for reducing the wear and tear on my battery and engine components.

At the end of the day, it’s about longevity. Even if the engine is still warm from a previous trip, that extra minute of circulation ensures everything is fully stabilized before I pull out of the parking spot. It’s become as natural to me as using power door locks. It might seem silly to some, but for me and Old Smokey, it’s just the right way to start the journey.