Remote start on your car?

[Farmer17]

I was thinking about getting a remote start added to my wife's car for Christmas, she had it on her last car, a 2008 Buick Lacrosse and mentioned she would love to have it on her current 2017 Infinity QX50 SUV. I had one 20 years ago on a Ford Taurus and one day when I was checking the oil and had my hand in the engine compartment, the key fob in my front pocket pressed against the grille and the engine started! I was a little freaked out to say the least. I'm sure they make them better now but I don't know anything about the current remote start units, anyone have any experience or recommendations?

 

[joeb1]

I have a factory remote start in my 2011 Dodge Charger. LOVE IT. Great when it's 115° in July/August in Phoenix. It will not start with the Hood, Trunk or any doors are open. If you get the aftermarket one, ask if there are any safety features. Mine also locks the doors. Without the key fob, if you get in while it's remote started, step on the gas and it stalls out. It will automatically shut down after 15 minutes of idling.

 

[bgrone]

Remote start

Remote start is a nice feature, but be sure to use an installer who specializes in electronic accessories. When I was in insurance claims we had many claims due to less than expert work.

 

[CalmerThanYou]

My car came with an phone app. that is a bit of a pain, plus I usually leave my phone in the car which renders it useless.

 

[Breakaway500]

I have at least one car/truck towed to me every month for a engine replacement/repairs due to remote start devices. If a mouse gets into the engine bay and destroys the serpentine belt (or derails it with their body) the vehicle runs till it overheats or worse. I've also seen it happen to timing belts,coolant hoses...etc. I've seen oil pans/oil lines/transmission lines/power steering lines rot out and lose all their oil overnight.The car/truck runs till it doesn't, or it destroys a component because of lack of lubricant.Yes it happens.

If your car is running,you should be in it as all those lights and warning bells going off do no good if nobody is home to do anything about it. Two weeks ago a fairly new car in town burnt to the ground because mice had chewed through the fuel return line and gas was spraying everywhere for about 5 minues till it finally was engulfed in flames and burnt..taking most of the garage with it. Not a pretty sight.

I won't install the systems and I warn people about them as well. I'm sure I have saved numerous cats lives. They like to snuggle under hoods and if nobody comes out...opens the door..closes the door..then starts the motor..they have no time to escape. I'll say it again..If your vehicle is running..you should be in it.Helluva price to pay for nothing more than a personal convenience. Just my humble experience as a professional mechanic for over 45 years..

 

[chief38]

All our vehicles have a Remote Start & my Yukon can also be started from my Cell Phone. We only use the feature once in a while because with the exception of one, our vehicles are garaged. When we travel, stay over night in extremely cold or hot weather, we will start the car and let it either heat up or cool of for a few minutes and it is nice.

I know they do sell after-market Remote Starters but since I've never had one of those I truly don't know if they are equal to the Factory units. If the Dealer you bought the vehicle from can install a Factory unit at a reasonable price, that might be the way to go. If enough people who have the after-market units tell you they are good - then you could probably save lots of money and get one of those installed.

 

[paplinker]

I love my remote start and always will have one on my truck.

I would advise you towards getting your vehicles dealer to install it since her car is so new.

Some dealerships will not honor your warranty or work on your car if outside electrical modification has been done on your car. They made me remove mine before they looked at it when I had some steering column issues.

Turned out it was not remote starter related but they said it may cause issues when it was on there diagnostic machine.

Also having mine installed factory it was included into my remaining three year factory warranty.

Some new cars that do not have remote starters in them (my GMC truck) still have the wiring harness and only need the actual starter so its a quick and is not an invasive install.

 

[yaktamer]

I have at least one car/truck towed to me every month for a engine replacement/repairs due to remote start devices. If a mouse gets into the engine bay and destroys the serpentine belt (or derails it with their body) the vehicle runs till it overheats or worse. I've also seen it happen to timing belts,coolant hoses...etc. I've seen oil pans/oil lines/transmission lines/power steering lines rot out and lose all their oil overnight.The car/truck runs till it doesn't, or it destroys a component because of lack of lubricant.Yes it happens.

If your car is running,you should be in it as all those lights and warning bells going off do no good if nobody is home to do anything about it. Two weeks ago a fairly new car in town burnt to the ground because mice had chewed through the fuel return line and gas was spraying everywhere for about 5 minues till it finally was engulfed in flames and burnt..taking most of the garage with it. Not a pretty sight.

I won't install the systems and I warn people about them as well. I'm sure I have saved numerous cats lives. They like to snuggle under hoods and if nobody comes out...opens the door..closes the door..then starts the motor..they have no time to escape. I'll say it again..If your vehicle is running..you should be in it.Helluva price to pay for nothing more than a personal convenience. Just my humble experience as a professional mechanic for over 45 years..

No offense, but the last place I'd heard of with this kind of a rodent problem was here:
The Killer Shrews - Wikipedia

 

[ColbyBruce]

No offense, but the last place I'd heard of with this kind of a rodent problem was here:
The Killer Shrews - Wikipedia

My wife had a Ford Windstar that got invaded by chipmunks. They got inside by chewing through a rubber grommet in the firewall. They chewed through the shoulder harnesses and seat belts, pulled stuffing out of the rear bench seat, chewed through wiring, shorted out the rear A/C unit.

Our State Farm agent told us this was quite common.

 

[yaktamer]

My wife had a Ford Windstar that got invaded by chipmunks. They got inside by chewing through a rubber grommet in the firewall. They chewed through the shoulder harnesses and seat belts, pulled stuffing out of the rear bench seat, chewed through wiring, shorted out the rear A/C unit.

Our State Farm agent told us this was quite common.

Aaaaaalviiiiin!!!!!!!!!

 

[llowry61]

I have had one on my Toyota Tacoma for about 5 years. My wife surprised me with it for my birthday. We have a 2 car garage and you know what that means. All my man toys take up my side and she has the other side, so anyway, I flipped out since the truck was only a year old when she had it installed. I was concerned because I knew it would void any warranty issues I might encounter over the next 2 years. Well, I was completely wrong. It has been great. We live in Ohio, and a little preheat in the winter is really nice. I never considered the issues mentioned above about oil leaks etc. Personally, I have been very satisfied and have had no problems. She chose a qualified electronics company that specializes in installation of audio equipment etc. Choose a qualified installer and go for it. In the future, all my new cars will have one. I can tell you this much, it is nice to hop into a nice warm truck after walking out of the woods from a freezing tree stand or duck blind. As stated above, it runs for 15 min then shuts off and automatically locks the doors. I have never tried to start it with hood or doors open, but will just to see what it does. BTW what are they charging to install them in your area.

 

[Bekeart]

In the future Remote Start could be a deal breaker ...

In the future Remote Start could be a deal breaker ...

Some year ago I was looking at used cars. Found what appeared a good deal.
But, it had a after market Remote Start with NO documentation. I walked away.

Any after market modifications are suspect in my book.
Were they done by Buba under his shade tree ??

Bekeart

 

[Rustyt1953]

Ruthie has used a car starter for 35 years.

 

[nachogrande]

ONE OF THOSE...

Hopefully you won't do that more than once. Does your wife work under the hood much? Up NAWTH starting it remotely & letting the car do the ice scraping for you, PRICELESS. In the Mafia? You won't need to make the wife start YOUR car everyday.

 

[Walkingwolf]

I have had remote start for years, even before factory units. It was a simple procedure, hand keys to spouse, tell her to start vehicle.

 

[jeffrefrig]

All my cars have it!

All of the past new cars I've bought or leased have factory remotes. All Chevy & GMC, just because. Living in Pittsburgh weather all my life they are better than sliced bread, in the winter. I did buy a used Yukon, loaded and an aftermarket remote start. It ended up screwing up the "passive" anti-theft system and the garage had to remove it, but all the rest are factory remotes. No ice (okay, not as much ice) in the Jan. & Feb. months at 6:25 AM. Love it, but if you're getting aftermarket non-factory, make sure it's guaranteed for a long time. Good luck!

 

[GaryS]

Use a quality aftermarket installer and you won't have any issue. The dealers around here sub out their remote start installs since the products aren't OEM, they are aftermarket.

I've had remotes in my last several vehicles and have never had a problem with them.

They are great when it's 0 degrees outside. Start the car and it will be nice and toasty when I go outside.

My son had one when he lived in southern Alabama and he did the same in reverse.

I love my remote start and always will have one on my truck.

I would advise you towards getting your vehicles dealer to install it since her car is so new.

Some dealerships will not honor your warranty or work on your car if outside electrical modification has been done on your car. They made me remove mine before they looked at it when I had some steering column issues.

Turned out it was not remote starter related but they said it may cause issues when it was on there diagnostic machine.

Also having mine installed factory it was included into my remaining three year factory warranty.

Some new cars that do not have remote starters in them (my GMC truck) still have the wiring harness and only need the actual starter so its a quick and is not an invasive install.

 

[sar4937]

As a retired auto technician/shop owner, we had to clean out the remains of dead cats around 3 times a year. Honk the horn, and wait a second before hitting the button. I have one, and make sure the wipers are off and the defroster is on (blower on high).

 

[nachogrande]

OH WELL.

As a retired auto technician/shop owner, we had to clean out the remains of dead cats around 3 times a year. Honk the horn, and wait a second before hitting the button. I have one, and make sure the wipers are off and the defroster is on (blower on high).

Wouldn't the cats keep away the chipPUNKS.?
You say that like it's a bad thing.

 

[sar4937]

If you have to clean up the mess. I do like cats though.