I read somewhere that one of the worst thing you can do to any car is run it cold thats why i'm really interested in getting an alarm system w/ a remote start feature so that i can let my car run for a few min so that it can warm up ...... i still try to do this as much as possible especially when it's cold but sometimes i just don't have the few minutes to spare... so any of you guys who got this installed pls help me out...so far i think clifford g5 is on the top of my list....

 

i was thinking about doing that until my dad told me that it's pointless. he said that cars warm up better when you drive them right after starting them. plus, you live in cali, it doesn't get cold here.

 

From my understanding, since the TL has the immobilizer built into the key, you will have to take one of your extra keys and have it placed in the steering column (somewhere inside and underneath) so the car will start without an actual key in the ignition. This will 1. Take away a key for use and 2. Make the immobilizer system pointless because anyone could jack your car the usual way.

I may be wrong, but I know my friend had to do this with a car last week because I was asking him about the same thing.

 

It doesn't hurt the car but it sure wastes gas! Bdowells point is also true I dont think you could adapt the system to the TL.

 

I have the Clifford Matrix RSX3.5..2 way alarm with remote start, works perfectly fine..i got the alarm for $205 and got it installed for $100...i had to give them my valet key ( it was just sitting in the closest) so it really didnt matter to me.

 

My understanding is that the current thinking is that it is better to drive a car to get it warmed up. During this time it should be driven gingerly (i.e., no quick starts, high revs, etc.). Part of the reason is that you want to get everything warmed up (engine, transmission, etc.). If all you do is let the car idle, the only thing that warms up is the engine. I believe part of this is also concern for wasting gas. I personally drive all my cars to warm them up but I don't "push" them for 5-10 minutes until they are completely at normal operating temperatures.

 

how much gas are u wasting by just letting it idle for a few minutes? the number is minimal

 

a few minutes every day adds up. compared to the winter, i use way more gas then in the summer. i refuel more often in the winter compared to the summer.

 

I usually let my warm up for 10-15 mins in the winter(when it's REALLY cold). However, I'm sure there's no harm done in driving it gingerly the first couple of miles(i usually keep it under 3 or so, if i have to quickly drive to the store or whatever)


re: remote starter

I'm also curious as to how it works w/o the chip in the key. But didn't somebody put one in already?

 

its called a U55chip, what they do is take one of your keys flaten down the key bumps and put it in the u55chip. this way when you use the remote starter to start your car the cars computer turns on the car b/c the chip is next to the car. what i dont like about thatis, like some one mentioned before is that anyone can then stick in a fake key and start the engine, which makes the the whole key chip encoding thing pointless. so its realy up to you.

 

Not worth the money, like mentioned a couple of times already it makes the imobilizer useless and then your are just drivig a civic that can be popped and started in a few seconds. Take the extra time to warm up your car. I usally dont. It's up to you.

 

It doesn't get cold enough in Cerritos to matter. I had my scan tool hooked up to my car when I started it when it was about 40F, typical low for SoCal winter and it was at 122F within 30 seconds, full operating temp within 2 minutes. I wouldn't worry about it. If you are (like if you frequent Big Bear or something) you're better off getting the OEM block heater. As for driving vs. non-driving warm up...so long as you let it idle long enough to get the fluids to the top end and the trans fluid "moving" it doesn't matter. It's using 20W and will flow very well with cold.

As far as gasoline, it will use WAY more gas when cold as it's in open loop running full rich. Fuel doesn't atomize well when it's cold thus takes a lot more fuel to keep a cold motor running.

 

what he said...

 

sorry for the long post but...
that's not how it works.
In today's world there are at least 2 methods of bypassing the immobilizer:

Method 1 - uses a key "reader" (w/one of your keys)
I installed a COMPUSTAR remote starter/alarm in my 00 TL, and what they do is install a device that reads the key (which I asked them to cut-off, in case it was found) - and the alarm system will provide the right voltage to the device and bypass the immobilizer, (it's is hidden away from the column).
and it works with Manual Tranny too. 1 mile away.

http://www.compustar.org


Transponder Key Programmers Link

(I got a new key for only $35 at the dealership, programmed.)
or a clone for $10 - Acura Transponder clone key link

another good Alarm/starter System: Mannix FM Alarm
http://safetytechstore.com/item62.htm
http://www.mannixusa.com/PRODUCT.HTM


Method 2 - (does not require a key)
There is a device for professional installers only, that will bypass the immobilizer system (only by applying current to it), but will still protect the car from being hot-wired. They sell these devices depending on the brand.

Honda/Acura Immobilizer Bypass - $33


Either way, your car is still protected, and cannot be hot-wired
(or it will require so much effort, that it will be not worth it for the thief, they will rather pick another car - easier to steel.)

I've been using since 1998, works like a charm.
I like to enter into a nice cool car when it's 110 degrees outside!

For tracking your car using GPS, install this...!
http://www.trackmyvehicle.com/index.asp

 

As a midwesterner, I am not looking for the engine to warm up with the remote starter so much as for the car to be warming the interior during the winter and the A/C to get going when its hot out (FOR ME). I would be interested in the remote also. Those of you who have one (some have mentioned already) please post your brand, how much, and how its been working. Thanks.

 

I had the computar installed on my previous car. A 2001 Cls. I dont want to install one my Tl because
you will loose the window functions from the current remote.

someone else installed a remote start and now cant start his car with the key, he uses the remote start all the time because there are too many keys being read by the immobilizer. This was posted here in Third gen.

I will eventually get a remote start for this car, it will most likely be a compustar but not till the installers know more about the cars systems

 

How do you say its not worth the money. Here in texas temps get in the high 90's, so with a remote starter ( AC set ON b4 u turn off the engine) you can cool down the car.. its very useful when you have kids. Do you want them to suffocate? i dont think so. So therefore this is a very useful item to have.

 

i agree. its usfull all year round.

 

remote starter is a very useful addition to the car. I am having the viper 791 installed in my car this weekend, with the remote starter. Directed has already diagramed the 04 TL's electrical system so the install will be just tapping wires in the car (actually it is a little more than that..). I was also assured that all the current functionality of the existing remote will be handled by the alarm remote.

 

how can use the alarm remote for everything? how much will it cost?

 

The remote is programmable-- to roll down the windows (incl sunroof), unlock the doors, and open the trunk along with the remote start. The system will cost about 600.00 installed.

 

Although i don't have it on my TL, I installed the remote starter in my '98 Civic Ex. Back then, Korea seemed to make the best remote starter kit in the world, so I had my dad sent it to me.

The installation.. hm.. let's say.. was holy $hit!
The freaken kit came with no direction. Also, I had only installed a in-dash radio back then, thus i had no idea what i was doing. The bottom line is after 10-hour long endeavor, I had it work perfectly.

Unlike most other remote starters in the states, mine came with automatic heat/AC switch which turns them on after 30 seconds i remote start the car. (I don't know about these days...) I know leaving heater/ac on when you turn off your car is bad, because you have to turn them on after you start your car. What a smart system!

Anyway, because i had heat/ac switch on night before, when i start my car in the morning, it actually warms up the whole cabin. (once again, after 30 seconds, so no damage to the vehicle)
I went to college in michigan, so it was NECESSARY for me so that i could just roll out of bed and go to school =P

BTW, i got the Alarm/Remote Starter Kit with FM 1km Range for $100 back in 1998. It still works perfectly fine, and my sister uses it daily.

 

most car have a computer that controls the ac/heat. it only turns on when the cool air is ready and when the heat is ready.

 

Please tell us more about your alarm. How does it work? How was the installation and so on? I live in So. Cal and want to do the same thing.

 

i am guessing that even with the bypass thing the memory seat thing is out the door. will it still recognize my seat/mirror position when i unlock the door with the remote?

 

just wanted to get back with you to get an update of the remote starter? how is it? i think caball was asking about the memory presets. are they still there or because of the remote start that option can't be used anymore? any problems?