Author Topic: Remote Starters - Any recommended Models And Installers? (Read 3461 times)

Zoo · « **on:** November 27, 2005, 03:14:40 pm »

Hi All,

I am looking to get a remote starter for my wife's 2001 Civic DX-G Sedan. Has anyone had a positive or negative experience to share with either the manufactuer/model or the installers? I am going to shop at Future Shop and some car audio shops. Any other suggestions?

Zoo · « **Reply #1 on:** November 30, 2005, 10:50:26 am »

Bump...

Surely someone here has had one of these units installed. Any positive/negative feedback to share? I am looking forward to the remote locking feature as well (they didn't have this on the DX-G in 2001; but I think they included it starting in 2002).

Snowman · « **Reply #2 on:** November 30, 2005, 11:01:43 am »

I do not like remote starters as it promotes laziness and is a waste of fuel. Modern cars do not require prolonged warm up periods. I have had bad experiences in the past with poor installations. The only reason I purchased one in 1995 was due to the extremely cold -35 deg. C temps we had every morning in Fling Flon. I have not had one since.

mdxtasy · « **Reply #3 on:** November 30, 2005, 11:06:14 am »

Agreed. New cars don't need 10 minutes to warm up....only people who want a toasty car to jump into. Cars warm up quicker when they are in motion. Idling a vehicle takes the car considerable time to warm up and start blowing heat.

If you're going to do it and your vehicle has a security system, make sure the new starter and the alarm are integrated properly.

thang · « **Reply #4 on:** November 30, 2005, 11:07:23 am »

Quote from: Zoo on November 27, 2005, 03:14:40 pm

Hi All,

I am looking to get a remote starter for my wife's 2001 Civic DX-G Sedan. Has anyone had a positive or negative experience to share with either the manufactuer/model or the installers? I am going to shop at Future Shop and some car audio shops. Any other suggestions?

Make sure the unit is Canadian Brands, the U.S Brands may be not good for cold weather especially in the South. It depends on how people define "Code Weather", for us, zero degree celcius is nothing but people in the south zero degree celcius means something

I do not mean the U.S brands are bad but some brands do not test on cold weather but the Canadian brands tested on cold weather because most company make remote starter in Montreal, the 3 Canadian companies are very good is

Autostart
Powerstart
Astrostart

I have my one-way Powerstart 6 years ago on my 93 Cavalier, it's still working now

I have my two-way Autostart from last year on my new car

The two-way starter from Canadian Tire is made by Autostart, it's exactly same as my model

I think, the one in future shop is made by Autostart too, I am not sure, but the remote control looks exactly the same

So, enjoy yourself, be careful with those from China, is it good

footlong58 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 30, 2005, 11:15:15 am »

A lot of Acura customers want remote starters, but the main problem with most models is that they bypass your immobilizer system...

Acura, as well as other manufacturers are introducing genuine factory starter systems, that will work with your car's immobilizer, not bypass it... And also covered under your factory warranty too!

Zoo · « **Reply #6 on:** November 30, 2005, 11:33:57 am »

Hi All,

Thanks for the feedback. Snowman, I personally agree with you. However, this Civic is HORRENDOUS at foging up and my wife and I hope that having it a little warmer before she leaves for work will help clear the windshield better. We literally have to scrape the inside of the windshield to get frost off. It is ridiculous. Our 1993 Jetta had a great HVAC system that cleared the windshield and my last three work vans (2001 Toyota Sienna, 2003 and 2005 Grand Caravans) have cleared their huge windshields with ease. If we had a larger garage perhaps we could store the Civic in there; but we have a single car garage and an expanded driveway. Thus, we put the van and Civic offset so that they both fit on our driveway. I got some good info from another thread to run the re-circ mode and that might help. I've told my wife to try that and see how it goes. Again, I'm not for excessive idling and maintain our vehicles to not only keep them reliable; but to ensure that they are not gross polluters. Actually yesterday I took the 2001 Civic in for its first type "D" service. This car only has just over 34000 kms; but the service came to $475 after tax. However, that was pretty much every check, all filters changed, brake fluid changed etc. Expensive; but we learned the hard way with the Jetta what tow charges cost. I'd rather pay more in P.M. and have the vehicle last.

AVToller · « **Reply #7 on:** November 30, 2005, 11:38:58 am »

"I got some good info from another thread to run the re-circ mode and that might help."

I think you misread. DO NOT run in recirculation mode!!! The problem you describe is typical of what happens if you do. Please check to make certain you are not already in recirculation mode!!

ShadowDog · « **Reply #8 on:** November 30, 2005, 12:29:14 pm »

To help combat the interior frost, I installed a timer to an interior car heater. It's set to start about an hour or two in order to defrost the windows. It does so well, in fact, that the outside frost is also melted away. This way, there is no scraping required; just jump into the car, let it idle for about a minute to circulate the oil, and you're off!

This doesn't work for everybody; however, since using the heater, it's helped to dry up the interior as well so frost no longer forms inside the windows overnight when we aren't using the interior heater...at least, not recently.

This is probably comparable to using resources as if I were idling the car; however, this saves the unecessary wear and tear on the car...especially during the summer, when people use their auto starters to get the air conditioner running before they get into their vehicles.

My wife's boss is notorious for recommending auto starters to people just for this cool-car-interior convenience alone, aside from having a warm car in the winter to jump into after work. The auto starter doesn't pay for itself; meaning, you end up paying more just for burning the extra fuel to let it idle.

mrthompson · « **Reply #9 on:** November 30, 2005, 12:35:43 pm »

In the winter, I park my vehicle at work so it faces south. On sunny days, I open the front windows a small amount. This helps rid the interior of any moisture, thus preventing it from condensing and freezing on the inside of the windshield. The frost build up was common with my Cherokee.

If no precipitation is expected, try leaving the windows open a crack over night. See if this helps.

AVToller · « **Reply #10 on:** November 30, 2005, 12:44:44 pm »

Another little hint. Try to make sure you don't leave wet items in the car overnight, and if there is snow/water in your "all-season" or winter floor mats, empty them before parking the car.

safristi · « **Reply #11 on:** November 30, 2005, 01:43:25 pm »

Oh yeah and HOLD YER BREATH fer the last 5 minutes before YOU PARK.......!!!!!!

..Ooops I forgot you live underwater also known as Vancougher Island....hack hack..!!!! glug ..gloog..glaak...now ya get my drift!!!..
I always hang My Yaris on the LINE.....

Zoo · « **Reply #12 on:** November 30, 2005, 07:23:21 pm »

Thanks for the extra info gang. AVTRoller, I will make sure that my wife is not running the re-circ mode. Shadowdog, what is this interior heater you speak of? Does it hook up to an electrical outlet or do I need to run it from an outlet in the car? Where can I buy one of these things. Seems like a better idea than running the car with no-one in it.

citydude · « **Reply #13 on:** November 30, 2005, 07:39:10 pm »

On a Pontiac G6, the remote starter option is $255. On an Acura CSX, the remote started option is $759.78.

Citydude

AVToller · « **Reply #14 on:** November 30, 2005, 07:45:43 pm »

Geez, people are sure having trouble getting either of my names right these days!

Zoo · « **Reply #15 on:** November 30, 2005, 07:54:59 pm »

Oops sorry 'bout that!

AVToller · « **Reply #16 on:** November 30, 2005, 08:00:42 pm »

S'OK.

safristi · « **Reply #17 on:** November 30, 2005, 08:13:41 pm »

I was remotley STARTELLED ONCE!!!!...damned if I remember WHEN.....?...?

Trainman · « **Reply #18 on:** November 30, 2005, 09:39:26 pm »

So what is this issue about interior moisture, frost on the INSIDE of windows?

HA HA, we have humidity here of 20-40%, have to use humidifier in the house in winter. Np problem for us.

If your car does not have AC and you have a block heater, consider replacing the block heater with a model that circulates the coolant as well. Then leave the heater controls to de-frost and the heat to high, might help with the inside frost problem. No can do with AC though.

inco · « **Reply #19 on:** December 01, 2005, 06:17:58 am »

The interior car heater set to a timer I think is the best solution. A block heater is another good idea.

Car starters, when instaslled at the factory, mean warranty and wiring integrity are intact.

I'd be very hesitant though about having some young kid splicing into my car's wiring and making a mistake. Insurance companies hate claims too.

Author Topic: Remote Starters - Any recommended Models And Installers? (Read 3461 times)

mdxtasy