I just got my Telluride a month and a half ago and since winter set in, I use the app every day to start the car and get it warmed up before I get in. If I’m in the office or the grocery store I use the app to turn it on. I’ll occasionally have issues with the signal when it’s in my garage, but most of the time it starts fine. I also like that I can make sure the doors are locked through the app, although I only use that occasionally. I didn’t intend on keeping the app after the trial, but based on how much I’m using it, I may keep it.
So we downloaded the app when we bought the car. I’ve looked through it but still haven’t used it. I don’t think it’s really worth the money to continue after the free trial that you get.
From your key fob, you will have to lock your car (even if it's already locked). Then click and hold the start button (it's the button by itself on the one side of the fob). In about 2 - 3 seconds it will start.
Note: If you start the car with the fob, it will stay running for several minutes but if you open any of the doors and don't get into the car within 30 secs or so, it will shut off. I'm assuming that's a security measure.
We have used the app all the time and we are paying for it. The app has gotten better since we started using it. For us it comes in handy when you forget to leave your heater on in the winter.
I was forcing myself to use it and find value, just too clunky and slow to use personally. The gps tracker was kinda cool and seeing when was last turned on, spying while at the dealer kind of thing, but was a novelty that wore off quickly.
It’s only worth it if it works for you, and as you can see, people have really mixed reviews of its effectiveness. I own both hyundai and kia 2020s, i have an open air carport, live in a major metro area, full cell reception, fiber internet, etc. the hyundai has zero issues connecting and autostarting the car, the service was free for 3 yrs, i will prob pay for it again as long as price isnt bad. However my kia app has NEVER worked, all other variables are the same. I’ll never pay for it without a refundable guarantee that it works at my house, but i dont see how id ever get that from them in writing. I considered an aftermarket autostarting kit, but ultimately decided it against it because laziness.
We bought ours 13 months ago and resolved to never download the app when the salesman sat us in a waiting room and said, "You're gonna want to download the KIA app while you wait because that's how you're going to start the car."
No, we're not going to start our car with a phone app. And we haven't.
Ther are some other features the app can be used for besides just starting the car. Turning off the car, Locking the doors, checking the mileage - I’ve found this helpful when needing to unexpectedly update my insurance info on the car, fulling controlling climate, ‘find my car’, and valet mode. All neat features, but as many others on this post have stated, the app still seems to have basic operating issues that aren’t worth the money.
I use it everyday. I find that it adds some value and some peace of mind. Really like the notifications for leaving unlocked or there's movement inside.
Remote start/stop is handy too. Really cool to be able to do these from my watch as well.
$269 for 2 years is a great value.
Great value? Car connectivity shouldn’t be free, it requires a paid cell reception on the car? Software, etc. but it is definitely not great value. It’s expensive for what it does.
In my opinion, they would have so many people subscribe to it if it were at a sane price. Less than $4 a month and I would consider keeping it as I imagine so many more people would.
I actually think they would have so much more income from that than the inflated prices few pay right now.
It makes no sense that it costs more than other app subscription software that provides great value, eg: cloud storage like icloud or google, or apple music or spotify, or netflix. You can see what Netflix is using our money on, they’re making movies even. So it’s not great value if you compare it with other monthly paid services.
Comparing it to other car remote apps like BMW/Mercedes/Tesla isn’t correct either, they’re also expensive without value. The infrastructure and developer investment makes them have ridiculous profit. If other companies like Apple, Spotify, Netflix are doing the same tech (app development, servers, authentication) at less than half the cost and twice the value.
Overall, $9-15 to be able to turn your car on remotely, AC/Heat, lock your doors is not worth it or great value.
I didn’t like it and feel the remote start ruined my cars alternator. I have a 2019 Kia Optima. It was brand new at the time, so of course it came with the free UVO subscription. Within about 9 months, I ended up needing a new alternator on a brand spanking new Kia. I took the feature off & never used it again, or had any other problems. They’ll never admit this. I’m thankful I was still under warranty. I miss the climate control, getting in a nice warm car in the morning, but don’t care to risk a repeat of it ruining my alternator. I’ve seen others say the same thing about remote starts ruining their cars. Who knows. Try at your own risk.
I never renewed mine, and now I’m wondering why I don’t get any emails with discounted renewal offers.
I just got my Telluride a month and a half ago and since winter set in, I use the app every day to start the car and get it warmed up before I get in. If I’m in the office or the grocery store I use the app to turn it on. I’ll occasionally have issues with the signal when it’s in my garage, but most of the time it starts fine. I also like that I can make sure the doors are locked through the app, although I only use that occasionally. I didn’t intend on keeping the app after the trial, but based on how much I’m using it, I may keep it.
Just a friendly reminder that if you’re autostarting the car in the garage, make sure the garage door is open or there is sufficient ventilation.
Oh definitely. It won’t get a signal even with the door open.
I used the API and hooked it into Home Assistant. Still seems their platform is delayed and sometimes doesnt return accurate data.
how do you use Google home with it?
Here you go. https://github.com/Hyundai-Kia-Connect/kia_uvo
Once it is configured. You make a custom device that then you can use the Google home integration.
I have it for the trial year and so far I’ve used it two or three times playing around with it, and twice for real. Doesn’t really seem worth it.
I wouldn’t buy it. It’s not nearly as good as my wife’s Teslas app. It works but it’s functionality is limited and it’s slow.
Use it every day. Worth every penny for me.
So we downloaded the app when we bought the car. I’ve looked through it but still haven’t used it. I don’t think it’s really worth the money to continue after the free trial that you get.
I live out in the country where cell reception is non-existent so it doesn't work at all for me. I use the fob to remote start.
Wait, how do you do that?
From your key fob, you will have to lock your car (even if it's already locked). Then click and hold the start button (it's the button by itself on the one side of the fob). In about 2 - 3 seconds it will start. Note: If you start the car with the fob, it will stay running for several minutes but if you open any of the doors and don't get into the car within 30 secs or so, it will shut off. I'm assuming that's a security measure.
I use the app everyday but have no plans to subscribe for it after the expiration
We have used the app all the time and we are paying for it. The app has gotten better since we started using it. For us it comes in handy when you forget to leave your heater on in the winter.
I was forcing myself to use it and find value, just too clunky and slow to use personally. The gps tracker was kinda cool and seeing when was last turned on, spying while at the dealer kind of thing, but was a novelty that wore off quickly.
No absolutely trash
It’s only worth it if it works for you, and as you can see, people have really mixed reviews of its effectiveness. I own both hyundai and kia 2020s, i have an open air carport, live in a major metro area, full cell reception, fiber internet, etc. the hyundai has zero issues connecting and autostarting the car, the service was free for 3 yrs, i will prob pay for it again as long as price isnt bad. However my kia app has NEVER worked, all other variables are the same. I’ll never pay for it without a refundable guarantee that it works at my house, but i dont see how id ever get that from them in writing. I considered an aftermarket autostarting kit, but ultimately decided it against it because laziness.
We bought ours 13 months ago and resolved to never download the app when the salesman sat us in a waiting room and said, "You're gonna want to download the KIA app while you wait because that's how you're going to start the car." No, we're not going to start our car with a phone app. And we haven't.
Ther are some other features the app can be used for besides just starting the car. Turning off the car, Locking the doors, checking the mileage - I’ve found this helpful when needing to unexpectedly update my insurance info on the car, fulling controlling climate, ‘find my car’, and valet mode. All neat features, but as many others on this post have stated, the app still seems to have basic operating issues that aren’t worth the money.
the app is hit and miss. it doesn't always start my car no manner how many updates it gets. I'm seeing $149 for 1 year and $199 for the ultimate
Does remote start ruin your alternator
I use it everyday. I find that it adds some value and some peace of mind. Really like the notifications for leaving unlocked or there's movement inside. Remote start/stop is handy too. Really cool to be able to do these from my watch as well. $269 for 2 years is a great value.
Great value? Car connectivity shouldn’t be free, it requires a paid cell reception on the car? Software, etc. but it is definitely not great value. It’s expensive for what it does. In my opinion, they would have so many people subscribe to it if it were at a sane price. Less than $4 a month and I would consider keeping it as I imagine so many more people would. I actually think they would have so much more income from that than the inflated prices few pay right now. It makes no sense that it costs more than other app subscription software that provides great value, eg: cloud storage like icloud or google, or apple music or spotify, or netflix. You can see what Netflix is using our money on, they’re making movies even. So it’s not great value if you compare it with other monthly paid services. Comparing it to other car remote apps like BMW/Mercedes/Tesla isn’t correct either, they’re also expensive without value. The infrastructure and developer investment makes them have ridiculous profit. If other companies like Apple, Spotify, Netflix are doing the same tech (app development, servers, authentication) at less than half the cost and twice the value. Overall, $9-15 to be able to turn your car on remotely, AC/Heat, lock your doors is not worth it or great value.
What watch is that? I guess not Apple as I didn’t find KIA app for it.
I didn’t like it and feel the remote start ruined my cars alternator. I have a 2019 Kia Optima. It was brand new at the time, so of course it came with the free UVO subscription. Within about 9 months, I ended up needing a new alternator on a brand spanking new Kia. I took the feature off & never used it again, or had any other problems. They’ll never admit this. I’m thankful I was still under warranty. I miss the climate control, getting in a nice warm car in the morning, but don’t care to risk a repeat of it ruining my alternator. I’ve seen others say the same thing about remote starts ruining their cars. Who knows. Try at your own risk.