Remote Car Starter

[PJC]

I'm sure someone in this forum has one or has used one. I was thinking about it as an idea for my wife. Are they worth it? Does anyone recommend a specific brand/model? I would have my local mechanic install it.

Basically any info you could give me would be great. I really don't know anything about them other than what they are supposed to do.

Thanks,
Pete

[Thom2]

The one I installed for the wife several years ago was awesome. I know they've come a long way since then and installation won't take anywhere near the 9 hours when I did it. I haven't researched what's available lately, but be sure you look into the installation procedures and accessories that are needed if you have power locks/keyless entry, or theft deterrent. The more options you have on the vehicle, the more complicated the installation gets.

Once you have one tho', you'll love it, if it's for your wife tho', BE SURE TO INSTRUCT HER not to walk out to the running vehicle, unlock the doors and then set her purse (with keys in it) on the seat, then close the door and walk back in the house. Most of the systems automatically lock the doors both at the beginning and end of the timed run cycle. Fortunately, my wife only ever did this one time, but it's a VERY easy thing to do if you're not aware of it.

[cabinetman]

I just send my wife out - does that count?



"I'M NEVER WRONG - BUT I'M NOT ALWAYS RIGHT"

[25]

I have a one that came with my alarm. The alarm brand is Viper. I got it about 5-6 years ago. I love it, I know it doesn't get that cold down here but it is still really nice.

It's also nice to mess with people .

[PJC]

It's also nice to mess with people .

LOL. I've had people mess with me that way.

cabinetman: problem is, my wife sends ME out!!!

[jessrice]

I bought one for the wife, and one for my boss 3 years ago ( got a big money savings award so i was sharing the wealth), from a local car electronics dealer. It was cheaper at bestbuy, but the 16 year old installer didnt impress me, so i spent an additional 30.00 for the expeinced installer.

I want to say hers is a Bulldog brand. I was going to do it myself, but it was december and cold. Plus they both had the full power packages with doors, and trunks.

Two things i want to point out are, if you have a newer car with the new keys with the "chip" in them to prevent theft, they actually install an additonal compenent that constantly brodcasts that signal, so that the car can start without the key. If you have one of the more popular stolen cars, or park in a high crime area, this may be a cosideration. On the other hand, if you are prone to losing keys or dont want to pay the high dealer cost for extras, you cant get simple copies made at the hardware store, just like the old days.

Secondly, in our area, eastern Washington, and probably state wide, it is against the law to let your vehvile run unattended, including your driveway. I believe there are 2 real reasons for this, one to cut done on theft of vehicles when poeple are letting them warm up on cold mornings. We have probably 4-5 a day stolen in our area of 150,000 people. The other from letting kids sit alone in a running car while mom or dad run into the store, and little billy accidently bumps the gear selector.

I am the Network Admin for the Police Department, I do know that they are writing tickets this time of year for having it run unattended, mainly as a deterant to auto theft. To add inslut to injury, a lot of the owners that have their cars stolen whle warming up are also getting a ticket. This is something that the insurance industry proably pushed through long ago, so that some blame can be assigned!

Now, why they can still sell them, and your not allowed to use them, i have no clue!! The did a news exposes several yeara ago on the subject, but i cant recall the outcome.

At least when it comes to your car being stolen, it is diffrent with a remote starter cause the doors stayed locked, and thier isnt a key left in the ignition. And on my wifes, if you try to put it into gear, without a key, the cars turns off. Some officers will not ticket based on this but YMMV!

Dont let me stop you from getting one, just passing on some info! I dont stop my wife from using hers, and i dont think i could, she would pay a ticket for the convience!

The only other things, she forgets to leave the heater or defrost turned on when she gets out the night before, then the windows are still froze and the cars cold, and she seems to go through more gas from the 10 minutes of idling every moring and evening!

Jesse

[25]

...

The only other things, she forgets to leave the heater or defrost turned on when she gets out the night before, then the windows are still froze and the cars cold, and she seems to go through more gas from the 10 minutes of idling every moring and evening!

Jesse

I forgot to mention that. I have noticed that when using it often my gas milage drops. It's still worth it for me though.

[SHADOWFOX]

Got one installed on my Honda Pilot by the dealership and so far it's been working like a charm. Been useful lately specially when the temperature outside is less than 10 degrees.

[LCHIEN]

The only other things, she forgets to leave the heater or defrost turned on when she gets out the night before, then the windows are still froze and the cars cold, and she seems to go through more gas from the 10 minutes of idling every moring and evening!

Jesse

I started this thread a while back.
http://www.bt3central.com/showthread...as+consumption

If you have a small car it might use .1 gal/hour idling, a large V8 SUV might use a .5 gal per hour.

Ten minutes twice per day is 140 minute per week, 560 minutes per month
or about 9.5 hours. So she may use 1 to 4.5 gals per month doing this.
that's $2.50 to $11.50 per month - $30 to $135 per year.
If she drives 1000 miles per month and gets 20 mpg (not idling a lot) then you've used 50 gals so remote starter has decreased your mileage
2 to 10% depending upon the size of your motor.

P.S. I'm sure most of you are not worried about the cost of gas to keep your wife and kids warm, but it was interesting. Also, I imagine the laws against empty idling cars, no one has mentioned that it might be a safety issue w/regards to carbon monoxide build up- it could leak into a closed car thru leaky exhaust system or even if you started the car in an somewhat enclosed space.

[PJC]

Thanks for the input guys and thanks for the breakdown/link Loring.

It would only be used on really cold mornings and not in the afternoon (I know because my wife and I work/commute together). It's been unseasonable warm here in NJ (~60 degrees today), so I may wind up not using one too much anyway.

[greencat]

I have put in 3 of these and they ranged from pain in the a#@ to very easy and it depended on how easy it was to work under the driver column. I don't mind buring the gas to keep my wife happy and warm.

[Thom2]

It's been unseasonable warm here in NJ (~60 degrees today), so I may wind up not using one too much anyway.

It's ONLY December ..... the "good times" () are yet to come