ketchenany Posted January 22, 2012 Report Posted January 22, 2012 Starting Monday I have to park outside. I'm looking at a Remote car starter for the winter, I can get one really cheap/with saved card money plus sale price at CT. Any opinions problems/installation and draw backs would be appreciated.
irishfield Posted January 22, 2012 Report Posted January 22, 2012 Be sure you stick your ear out the door to hear it's actually starting. I remember well someone pointing his remote out the camp window at his diesel truck (-32c)... and it did exactly that die!
DRIFTER_016 Posted January 22, 2012 Report Posted January 22, 2012 First thing you need to know is that most new vehicles have ignition disabling devices built in now. You need to know how to get around them in the installation of the unit. If you are not proficient in automotive electrical get someone who is to install it. I spent 20 years in the industry and it's not as simple as throwing it in and hooking it up. Second is I would get a two way unit. ie it tells you via the remote that the vehicle has started. Also if you parking in very cold temps with no plug in available you will want one you can program to come on at a preprogrammed interval so your vehicle starts for you in the morning. The better ones can be programmed to say start up for 15 minutes every few hours.
Terry Posted January 22, 2012 Report Posted January 22, 2012 some bugger up alarm systems some you need your remote unlock/key/fob to be left in the vehicle to be able to start them it voids some new vehicle warranties.. some insurance if you have to leave fob in car so it will remote start.. but I love them....the one I had on my new 2000 dakota worked great for 9.5 years before dieing
mercman Posted January 22, 2012 Report Posted January 22, 2012 They are cheap at CT, but they send your car out to get it installed, and that costs a bundle. Better off going to Apple auto glass, or some place specializing in them and get a good one installed and garanteed.
Rod Caster Posted January 22, 2012 Report Posted January 22, 2012 Ketch, I've seen them at Canadian Tire for around $50, but it's costs nearly or over $200 to install the system, unless you "know a guy" or can do it yourself. We looked at them when they were on sale but I ran laughing when they quoted around $280 for everything. It's not worth it.... just pretend it's AC in the summer.
Rattletrap2 Posted January 22, 2012 Report Posted January 22, 2012 I had one installed in my Wife's 2004 Pontiac Vibe. It was bought and installed at Future Shop. It works great and She loves it! I wouldn't call the installers exactly skilled tradesmen, but it does work!
DRIFTER_016 Posted January 22, 2012 Report Posted January 22, 2012 It was bought and installed at Future Shop. I wouldn't call the installers exactly skilled tradesmen, but it does work! Yeah, you aren't going to find the cream of the crop installing at big box stores.
danbouck Posted January 22, 2012 Report Posted January 22, 2012 I had my old one done at futureshop, it was a good price and worked perfectly everytime
ketchenany Posted January 22, 2012 Author Report Posted January 22, 2012 Thanks Irish as CT may just 'donate' it for a small fee, I may just put it on a shelf for later/ kids.
danc Posted January 22, 2012 Report Posted January 22, 2012 Yeah, you aren't going to find the cream of the crop installing at big box stores. I've had 3 Future shop installs done over the years. Press the button, and the vehicle starts. Not exactly rocket science.
irishfield Posted January 22, 2012 Report Posted January 22, 2012 I've had 3 Future shop installs done over the years. Press the button, and the vehicle starts. Not exactly rocket science. yah... but Nita does great work Bud!!
danc Posted January 22, 2012 Report Posted January 22, 2012 yah... but Nita does great work Bud!! And for a very cheap price to boot. Specially with her magic card.
Tybo Posted January 22, 2012 Report Posted January 22, 2012 Be sure you stick your ear out the door to hear it's actually starting. I remember well someone pointing his remote out the camp window at his diesel truck (-32c)... and it did exactly that die! Two new batteries as soon as I got home.
Billy Bob Posted January 22, 2012 Report Posted January 22, 2012 Depending on how far you have to drive to work....you may use more gas warming it up then driving to work......and with gas pushing $5 per US gallon up there I would think twice... I had one on my GMC Safari Van when I worked on the RR.....but I would get called in at all times of the night in the worst weather.... but now with the high gas prices, no way... BTW after about 5 years it started to give the electrical circuits problems....you couldn't turn off the heater fan (even with the key removed)...the 4 ways would come on by themselves....weird stuff...
Jer Posted January 22, 2012 Report Posted January 22, 2012 I don't know much about the aftermarket systems, but I used to have a factory remote-start on my '05 Chevy Malibu and it was great, I miss it immensely on those frosty mornings. Didn't waste alot of that precious fuel either, it would shut itself off after 10 minutes if the key wasn't inserted within that time, just enough to de-frost the windows and get a little heat. I probably waste more now at times with the Civic by going out and starting it and going back in the house, getting caught up in something (usually OFC) and the car runs on for half an hour or more in the driveway.
Tybo Posted January 22, 2012 Report Posted January 22, 2012 My auto start also shuts the truck down after ten minutes and it's after market. It's the anti theft system on the truck that shuts it down.
pics Posted January 22, 2012 Report Posted January 22, 2012 Rather than waste gas you could install an electric car heater. Just plug the extension cord into the heater and when you get up, plug the extension cord into the wall or have it on a timer..... The anti idling people will leave you alone as well.....
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