Nearly 60% of EV owners call cabin preconditioning their most-wanted remote feature—yet most have no idea their subscription status could be blocking access to the very comfort they’re paying for. The MyChevrolet app promises to defrost your windows, fine-tune climate control, and prep your cabin 20 minutes before you even grab your keys. But here’s what dealerships won’t tell you upfront: your OnStar connectivity tier quietly determines whether you’ll step into arctic temperatures or heated luxury. The difference between a frigid commute and push-button comfort comes down to details buried in your vehicle settings.
Download and Enable Remote Start in 3 Steps
Getting your Equinox EV connected to remote start takes just three straightforward steps—download, create an account, and add your vehicle—all of which you’ll complete in a matter of minutes.
Getting your Equinox EV connected to remote start takes just three straightforward steps completed in minutes.
First, grab the MyChevrolet app from your phone’s App Store or Google Play Store. Search “MyChevrolet” directly, then download.
You’re looking at a few minutes of setup time before you’re ready to move forward.
Next, open the app and tap “Create an Account” (or “Sign In” if you’re already registered). Enter the phone number or email matching your dealer registration, then verify via one-time passcode.
Select your Equinox EV from the vehicle list. Note that the MyChevrolet app uses Google Built-in for voice control and vehicle functions integration.
Finally, tap “Add Vehicle” and confirm your details match your dealer records. Press “Connect” with your key fob nearby, then hit the lock button within 30 seconds.
Once you see the confirmation message, you’re connected. Verify your OnStar plan includes remote commands, and you’re ready to start your vehicle remotely.
How Remote Start Works on Your Chevrolet
When you tap and hold the remote start button for two to three seconds, your command travels through OnStar’s cellular connection to your Equinox EV, which then fires up even though you’re nowhere near the ignition—pretty handy for warming a frozen cabin on January mornings. The app simultaneously activates your climate control preferences, meaning your cabin temperature adjusts to your preset settings while the vehicle starts, so you’re not waiting in a cold car wondering if anything’s actually happening.
You’ll receive a confirmation notification once the system processes your command (give it several seconds), and real-time status indicators show you fuel level, tire pressure, and oil life, confirming that everything’s working as intended. Remote commands require proper vehicle equipment to function successfully with your smartphone.
Activating Engine From Distance
How’d you like to start your Chevrolet’s engine without ever touching the key fob? Open the myChevrolet app and locate the Remote Start button on your dashboard.
Tap and hold it for 2–5 seconds—that hold duration prevents accidental starts—then release. You’ll see “sending” status display while your command travels through OnStar’s connected services infrastructure to your vehicle.
Within seconds, a confirmation notification confirms your engine’s started and ready. Some app versions let you single-tap instead, though the hold-method remains standard for safety reasons. Active OnStar subscription is required to enable this remote start feature on your vehicle.
This capability eliminates traditional key fob range limitations entirely, letting you warm up your Equinox EV from your office, home, or anywhere with smartphone connectivity. Your vehicle’s safety interlocks (hood open, etc.) still block activation, ensuring responsible remote operation.
Climate Control During Start
Preheating your Equinox EV before you even step outside turns remote start from a convenient party trick into genuine wintertime practicality—and the myChevrolet app bundles climate control directly into that single activation command.
When you press and hold the remote start icon for approximately two seconds, your vehicle’s HVAC system fires up simultaneously with engine activation, automatically adjusting to your saved temperature preferences. That means defrosted windows and a comfortable cabin await you without requiring separate commands.
Your programmed settings persist across sessions, so seasonal adjustments (prioritizing heat in January, cooling in July) happen automatically. The climate control runs throughout your entire remote start window, converting those brutal morning commutes into something genuinely manageable—provided your vehicle’s remote access services are properly activated through app setup. Up to eight family members can share these remote commands, allowing multiple household users to benefit from the same climate control and remote start capabilities.
Confirmation Signals And Indicators
Your Equinox EV’s remote start command only matters if you can actually confirm it worked—and that’s where the app and key fob’s visual feedback systems come in.
When you initiate remote start, your vehicle responds with a coordinated light show: headlights and parking lights flash repeatedly, while turn signals activate to verify the start sequence completed successfully.
The app displays “Sent” confirmation, and exterior lights pulse during the command transmission.
If you need additional verification, you can manually trigger the flash lights icon or activate the horn via the sound alarm icon for auditory confirmation. The hold requirement of approximately two seconds prevents accidental activation of these remote commands.
This redundant signaling guarantees you’re never left guessing whether your Equinox EV actually fired up from across the parking lot.
Activate Remote Start From the App
Starting your Equinox EV’s engine from your smartphone sounds like science fiction, but it’s a straightforward feature built into the MyChevrolet app—one that’ll warm up your cabin on frigid mornings or cool it down before you step outside.
Starting your Equinox EV from your smartphone sounds like science fiction, but it’s a straightforward MyChevrolet app feature.
Here’s how you actually do it.
Tap and hold the Remote Start button for two seconds. You’ll see an engine start icon appear in your Key Fob portal.
The app’ll prompt you to confirm with your PIN—that security layer prevents accidental activations. Once confirmed, you’ll get a green check mark, and your vehicle’s lights’ll flash to signal the engine’s running.
Your Equinox EV runs for two 10-minute cycles per activation, giving you a 20-minute window. Remote commands like this are available on Home screen if your vehicle supports them.
The only catch: your vehicle must be locked, and you need active data connectivity.
Works globally, too, so you’re covered whether you’re inside or miles away.
Set Your Climate Before You Arrive
You can activate your vehicle’s climate system through the myChevrolet app before you leave home, ensuring the interior reaches your preferred temperature by the time you arrive—whether that’s a toasty 72°F on a winter morning or a cool 68°F after a scorching afternoon.
The app stores your comfort settings, so you’re not constantly reconfiguring temperatures; just set it once during remote start activation and let the system handle the conditioning.
This pre-arrival approach eliminates that uncomfortable few minutes of sitting in an ice-cold or sweltering cabin while the HVAC system catches up to your needs.
Pre-Arrival Temperature Control
Before you step out of your house on a frigid morning or trudge back to your Equinox EV after work on a scorching afternoon, the myChevrolet app’s Pre-Arrival Temperature Control feature‘s already conditioning your cabin to your exact specifications.
You simply set your desired temperature through the Controls tab, and the system automatically activates when remote start engages, using your last programmed climate settings.
Think of it like your home thermostat—it maintains consistent comfort without manual adjustment.
The app syncs these settings to your vehicle on the next ignition cycle, provided you’re running an eligible OnStar plan and have authenticated through your vehicle’s center display.
Result: you’re stepping into perfectly tempered comfort before you’ve even buckled up.
Climate Preferences During Remote Start
Once your cabin’s warming up or cooling down courtesy of Pre-Arrival Temperature Control, you’ll want to know exactly how to command those climate settings from your phone—and here’s where remote start’s climate integration gets practical.
Your Equinox EV automatically activates the climate system using your last-set preferences, engaging AUTO mode to intelligently adjust fan speed, airflow, and temperature for efficiency.
If your vehicle has dual or triple-zone climate control, you can customize each zone separately through the MyChevrolet app’s Vehicle Settings, or sync all zones to your driver settings for unified comfort.
The cabin temperature displays above the remote start button, updating every three minutes so you monitor real-time progress. A/C engages automatically when needed, eliminating manual adjustments before arrival.
Comfort Settings Before Departure
How’d you like to dial in your cabin’s comfort level before you even leave your driveway? The MyChevrolet app lets you customize heated and cooled seats, setting your exact preferences through remote start.
You’ll access these options in the Controls tab, toggling seat warmth on or off depending on the season. Auto Rear Defog activates automatically when needed, clearing moisture without draining your battery.
Air Quality Sensors monitor cabin conditions during preconditioning, ensuring fresh air circulates before arrival. These settings sync to your vehicle at the next ignition cycle, so your Equinox EV remembers your preferences.
Requires an eligible OnStar plan and compatible vehicle. Sign in with your app account on the vehicle display to enable full functionality.
Does Your Vehicle Need OnStar to Remote Start?
What’s the deal with remote start and OnStar—are they joined at the hip, or can you go rogue?
Short answer: you can’t. Remote start demands an active OnStar subscription. Your Equinox EV’s factory-installed remote start system won’t function through the MyChevrolet app without paid service syncing your vehicle to the platform.
Here’s what you’re actually getting (and what you’re not):
| Feature | Without Subscription | With Subscription |
|---|---|---|
| Remote Start | Blocked | Active |
| Door Lock/Unlock | Blocked | Active |
| Charge Status View | Blocked | Active |
| Basic App Access | Available | Available |
The subscription activates your vehicle’s remote capabilities by establishing a communication link between your phone and Equinox EV. Think of it as the digital handshake enabling commands. Without it, the infrastructure exists—your car’s hardware is ready—but the software gates remain firmly closed. Contact OnStar at (877) 558-8352 if linking issues plague your setup.
Check Compatibility: Your Chevy’s Year and Model
Before you commit to that OnStar subscription for remote start, you’ll want to confirm your Equinox EV actually supports the MyChevrolet app—because not every Chevrolet on the road can access these digital features.
The compatibility baseline: most 2010 and newer Chevrolets work with MyChevrolet, though full functionality requires 2016 or newer models with compatible hardware.
Your 2011 Equinox technically qualifies for basic app access, but advanced features like remote start demand 2017-and-newer hardware framework.
Check your vehicle’s year against GM’s compatibility list.
If you’re running 2018 or later, you’re covered across all models.
For 2015–2017 vehicles, verify your specific trim level supports the necessary hardware—some configurations lack the required modules.
Your smartphone matters too: Android 9+ or iOS 13.0+ is mandatory.
Contact your Chevrolet dealer to confirm your particular Equinox’s exact specifications before subscribing.
This quick verification saves both money and frustration.
Send Directions Directly to Your Vehicle
Ever found yourself fumbling with your vehicle’s touchscreen while orienting unfamiliar roads? The myChevrolet app eliminates that distraction entirely.
Launch the app, tap the Map feature at the bottom, and search your destination using the search bar. Once you’ve confirmed your selection, those directions transmit directly to your Equinox EV’s built-in route guidance system—no manual input required.
Send directions seamlessly from the myChevrolet app directly to your Equinox EV’s route guidance system with a single tap.
This remote capability demands an active OnStar subscription; basic route guidance functions come standard, but premium direction-sending features depend on maintaining current service status. You’ll verify your subscription tier within app settings before attempting transmission.
The setup process is straightforward: confirm your vehicle has compatible built-in route guidance and enable remote access during initial myChevrolet configuration. Multiple Equinox models can link to a single account, centralizing management across your household fleet.
Pre-route planning before departure reduces cognitive load on unfamiliar highways. Another person with shared account access can even send directions remotely, providing real-time route guidance assistance without occupant distraction.
Why Remote Start and Navigation Work Better Together
When you’re planning a trip in your Equinox EV, combining remote start with route guidance redefines how you actually experience that drive—and it’s not just about convenience.
Here’s what happens when you integrate these features:
- Climate optimization reduces energy drain – Pre-conditioning your cabin before departure means your battery isn’t working overtime maintaining comfort during those critical first miles, directly extending your effective range.
- Route data informs thermal strategy – Guidance systems identify drive duration and conditions, allowing your vehicle to pre-cool or pre-warm appropriately rather than guessing your needs.
- Charge planning aligns with departure – Remote management paired with route optimization lets you identify charging stops beforehand, eliminating mid-journey anxiety about battery levels.
- Hands-free execution minimizes distraction – Voice commands through Google Assistant trigger climate and guidance simultaneously, keeping your focus on the road ahead.
The integration isn’t theoretical—it’s physics meeting practicality.
Remote Start Not Working? Troubleshooting Guide
Remote start should fire up your Equinox EV with a simple button hold, yet sometimes it just won’t cooperate—and the culprit is rarely the app itself.
Start by confirming your key fob isn’t inside the vehicle; wireless activation won’t engage if it detects the fob’s presence.
Next, verify your Equinox is in Park with the hood firmly closed.
Check that hazard lights aren’t activated, as they automatically disable remote start.
Press the lock button once, then hold the arrow-shaped remote start button for at least 2 seconds while watching for turn signal confirmation flashes.
If nothing happens, you’ve hit a frequency lockout—exit the vehicle with your fob and wait before retrying.
Engine temperature matters too; extremely low coolant temperatures or insufficient oil pressure block activation.
Wait 5–10 minutes if overheating occurred.
Finally, cycle your physical key in the ignition to reset the system if problems persist.
Track Your Chevy’s Location and Fuel Level
Where’s your Equinox parked in that massive shopping center lot?
You’ve got a solution built right into your myChevrolet app—one that’ll save you from wandering around like you’ve misplaced your keys (you haven’t).
Your app pulls real-time vehicle positioning directly onto your smartphone map, letting you locate your Equinox with precision.
You’ll also monitor fuel level remotely through the diagnostics section, tracking your tank status alongside tire pressure and odometer readings.
Here’s what you can access:
- Real-time location mapping with walking directions to your parked vehicle
- Fuel level monitoring integrated with other vehicle health metrics
- Boundary alerts notifying up to 10 family members within a 20-mile radius
- Advanced diagnostics accessible anywhere with an active OnStar subscription
These features require an active OnStar subscription and compatible devices.
Your data connection stays your responsibility—the app handles the rest, providing vehicle intel whenever you need it.
Everything Else the App Can Do
Beyond pinpointing your Equinox’s location and checking your fuel gauge, the myChevrolet app functions as a complete vehicle management hub—handling everything from diagnostic monitoring to family access controls to charging logistics for your EV. You’ll monitor real-time battery status, estimated range, and locate nearby charging stations while paying directly through your phone.
The myChevrolet app transforms your Equinox into a connected hub, managing vehicle diagnostics, EV charging, and family access from your phone.
The app tracks tire pressure, oil life, and airbag system status, alerting you to potential issues before they escalate. You can schedule service appointments, check recalls, and access owner’s manuals without leaving home.
Family sharing lets you add up to eight members with customized permissions—each using their own account for lock/unlock and start functions. Set boundary alerts via text for shared vehicles.
Personalization features save your preferred climate settings, route guidance routes (avoiding unpaved roads or ferries), and audio presets, creating a personalized driving experience that adjusts to your preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Remote Start My Equinox EV in Extremely Cold or Hot Weather Conditions?
You can remote start your Equinox EV in extreme temperatures. The vehicle automatically activates climate control below 50°F or above 59°F, warming or cooling your cabin for 20 minutes using grid power when plugged in.
How Long Does the Engine Stay Running After Remote Start Activation?
Your Equinox EV’s engine runs for 15 minutes after remote start activation, then automatically shuts down. You can extend it another 15 minutes by reactivating within 30 seconds—just like we do, keeping things simple and secure.
Will Remote Start Drain My Equinox Ev’s Battery if Used Frequently?
Yes, frequent remote start usage can drain your Equinox EV’s battery. You’ll want to monitor your battery health regularly through the MyChevrolet app and watch for starting difficulties if you’re using remote start often.
Can Multiple Users Access Remote Start on the Same Vehicle Account?
Yes, you can—up to eight Family Members share remote start access on your Equinox EV. You’re part of a connected community where everyone you trust gets control, though you maintain final authority over who accesses what.
Does Remote Start Work if My Equinox EV Is Parked in a Garage?
Yes, your Equinox EV’s remote start works in a garage. You’ll send commands through the myChevrolet app via cellular connection—GPS signals aren’t needed. Your vehicle receives the command indoors just fine.
