Aftermarket Remote Start/Auto Start

jeffylube25 · 09-24-2012, 01:17 PM

So I've been thinking about getting an autostart for my baby. I wanna go aftermarket because of the range and well better setup IMO and narrowed it down to two different companies, Compustar and Viper. I am intrigued by both of them offering Apps on your smartphone to track, start, and unlock your car from anywhere in the world but probably not gonna go with it due to the yearly subscription and lack of need.

I have a 5 speed manual and was wondering if any other 2012 Focus homies with a 5spd has gotten either the Compustar or Viper autostart? How has it been so far and if it is troublesome with the manual transmission? If anyone has any preference for either brand and reviews that would be sweeet!

Thanks guys!

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ralck · 09-24-2012, 01:26 PM

At least in my area it is illegal to put a remote start on a manual transmission car. I'm not sure about your area, but I'm also not sure how you would get around the issue of having to push the clutch in to start the car.

satcomtim · 09-24-2012, 03:42 PM

I'm going to install install a Viper 5704 over thanksgiving using an iDatalink interface. Got everything I need, just wont have time to do it until then. Serving Overseas at the moment.

Installing on a manual can be done and I will be doing that on mine. It involves a process to ensure the car has the ebrake set and it's not in gear.

When you get ready to leave
1. Put in Netural
2. Set ebrake
3. Press and release brake pedal
4. Push button on remote start remote within 20 seconds
5. Turn off car and remove key, car stays running
6. Close the door
7. Arm the alarm, car will turn off

Now the car is armed and ready for a remote start command. If any of the above changes (i.e. doors opened), remote start wont work until this process has been done again.

jeffylube25 · 09-25-2012, 12:13 PM

Yeah in Anchorage there are no laws against it and it is possible from what I've heard.

jeffylube25 · 09-25-2012, 12:15 PM

That's cool man, I'm actually serving overseas myself right now and planning on getting it done when I get home. Let me know how it turns out for you. Oh so does that mean you're getting the Viper Smartstart?

dnprall · 09-25-2012, 05:04 PM

I thought I had read in the past that putting in an aftermarket remote starter can disable other features of the the remote key.

For an example: the trunk won't work unless you also buy an adapter (or was it called a bypass) for the particular remote starter.

Any truth to do? I'd hate to install a remote starter but lose the other features.

focusbrad · 09-25-2012, 09:34 PM

Okay, I also looked into this issue with the standard trans and remote start. I don t know about legality, but I learned that most places just flat out will not install remote starts on stick shifts because of liability reasons. There seems to be two reasons:1) the neutral switch (clutch has to be in to start car), and 2) gearing (the shift lever must be left in neutral otherwise the car would move when you started it with the remote). This also means that the car must have a good working e-brake.
So long story short, the installer would have to disable the neutral switch (which would make regular starts dangerous if the car was left in gear and the key was turned with the clutch still out), then install the system, make sure the car has a working e-brake and then try to convince the customer to ALWAYS leave the car in neutral and ALWAYS set the e-brake. Then they would have to tell the customer that they would have to make sure that kids never got a hold of the keys or play in the car or the consequences could be deadly.I can't see any businesser taking on that kind of liability. Unless there is another simple way to do it, seems not worth it to me, but I have kids. I know what the guy above said, maybe that could work. That's what I was told by a few local places that do this kind of work.hope this helps.

focusbrad · 09-25-2012, 09:36 PM

Bye the way tim, thank you for your service!

jeffylube25 · 09-26-2012, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by focusbrad

Okay, I also looked into this issue with the standard trans and remote start. I don t know about legality, but I learned that most places just flat out will not install remote starts on stick shifts because of liability reasons. There seems to be two reasons:1) the neutral switch (clutch has to be in to start car), and 2) gearing (the shift lever must be left in neutral otherwise the car would move when you started it with the remote). This also means that the car must have a good working e-brake.
So long story short, the installer would have to disable the neutral switch (which would make regular starts dangerous if the car was left in gear and the key was turned with the clutch still out), then install the system, make sure the car has a working e-brake and then try to convince the customer to ALWAYS leave the car in neutral and ALWAYS set the e-brake. Then they would have to tell the customer that they would have to make sure that kids never got a hold of the keys or play in the car or the consequences could be deadly.I can't see any businesser taking on that kind of liability. Unless there is another simple way to do it, seems not worth it to me, but I have kids. I know what the guy above said, maybe that could work. That's what I was told by a few local places that do this kind of work.hope this helps.

Yeah I actually called a few places and they told me that they are able to install the remote start on standard cars, even specifically my own. They do charge a little extra though because it is a little different. Yeah there are a few risks but I think it'll be worth it. I'm the only one using my car and handling it so I think it'll be ok.