I just picked up my 5AT/Navi with dealer installed remote starter and I wanted to let you guys know how awesome this feature is.

I've read that in the NY area, Curry also installs remote starters for $500. Rallye won't - they say it screws up the electronics. I figure if a dealer does it and the electronics get screwey, they'll cover the repairs under warranty. I got mine through Island Acura and they told me they sell their unit for $400-$500.

My remote starter is a DEI unit. I don't know if they put a OEM immobilizer bypass in or put a coded key behind the dash but it works perfectly.

I press the lock button twice on my Acura keyfob and after 2-3 seconds, the car starts and the parking lights come on with the doors locked. You CANNOT unlock the doors or open the trunk with the keyfob after the car has been started like this. This is a safety feature so that no one can get into your started car unless they have the key.

You need to unlock the door with the key because the keyfob is now disabled. Kinda annoying but I understand this necessary evil. If anyone steps on the brake without the key in the ignition, the engine dies. You need to put the key into the ignition and turn it to the "On" position and step on the brake to deactivate the unit and everything works as it should.

I haven't tried, but I don't know if you can accidently turn the starter motor by mistake with the engine on already if you turn the key too far. An ideal remote starter system wouldn't allow this but I'm not willing to test this and screw up my starter motor.

My only problem was that when they installed the remote starter, they broke the plastic clips on my steering column and the two clamshell halves won't stay completely shut. They have a replacement on order.

 

your sig says you put down a deposit for an 05... did you take your deposit back and just buy an 04?

 

Yup. See my post on getting my 5AT/Navi under invoice. I'm changing my sig now.

 

Try to post more about your remote system when you can and let us know. The brand name, model, etc. IMO, they put the copy key behind and bypass the system. Pretty interesting stuff. Thanks.

 

Definitely post more info about the model. I'd love to be able to add remote starting to my factory keyfob using an aftermarket system. Sounds REALLY cool.

 

I do not get remote starters - the best thing for the engine is to start it, let it idle for perhaps 15 seconds to ensure adequate oil pressure is achieved, and drive off. Otherwise, the oil will become fuel diluted much faster.

What is the attraction of remote start, may I ask?

 

i dunno, but if i had it and it was 106 out... If there was no shade to park in, I would park whever in the heat of the sun, have my AC on Auto. 3 Hours later, i see the car, do the chin think to bring the windows down a bit, remote start the car for the 10-20 seconds it takes to get to my car... get in the car, i have a decently cooled off car.

cold weather might be the same except heat instead of AC (unless you cant have enough of that cold air)

I wish i had it, but then again i watched a neighbors friend run down my street trying to catch the neighbors car which had an illegal remote start, and didnt know that it was in 1st without the ebrake... im happy with the old fasioned way for now.

 

I do not get remote starters - the best thing for the engine is to start it, let it idle for perhaps 15 seconds to ensure adequate oil pressure is achieved, and drive off. Otherwise, the oil will become fuel diluted much faster.

What is the attraction of remote start, may I ask?

 

Did you mean to post this twice?

Remote start is good if you are fooling around with someone's wife and you are afraid he will put a bomb in your car.

Also good in really cold climates to start warming up the car and get the heater and defroster going. Although this is admittedly hard on the car, it is sometimes a necessary evil.

 

You've never lived in a cold climate, have you? Spend a winter here in Cleveland and you will instantly understand why remote start is useful. It's nice to have a warm car before you step in it.

 

ROTFL

Spoken like a man with some experience (or watching too much CSI).

 

to possible TL, your mailbox is full and I can't reply to your PM.

I have more details on the remote starter:

DEI model 561T
I confirmed with the dealer that the valet key is behind the dash somewhere because I questioned why I only got 2 black keys.
I must stress again that I would only have this done by a dealer or a VERY reputable shop because if the electronics get screwed up, they would be responsible for it. I've heard too many horror stories. Also, I don't think installing a remote starter on a 6MT would be a smart idea. Too dangerous.

After reading the manual, I found out some interesting things...

There is a feature to start the car for 12, 24, or 60 minutes at a time, once every 3 hrs for a total of 6 cycles. The manual suggests that this may be used during severe cold weather to make sure the car starts in the morning. Personally, I think this is murder on the engine and I would rather recommend engine block heaters for people who encounter this situation.

There is a feature where after the car has been started and driven around, you can activate the unit so the key can be removed but the engine will stay on. The manual suggests this is useful when you want to leave the vehicle on but unattended for a brief period (like running into the bank, deli, etc).

 

Calling my dealership now to see if they can add remote start to my keyfob. I would have them make it to be able to unlock though, I would not want to use my key and make key marks all over the hole.

ok.. dealership has no clue. Calling circuit city .

 

I have a AudioVox unit install by the dealer... I am able to unlock and lock the doors with the car started with the remote starter... no problem..

If I get in the car, without the key .. and press the break . the car will turn off... This is a security feature.. once i put the key in and put it in position II then I can Break and shift..

 

I went to college in New Hampshire, and spent a winter in Montreal. I know cold.

I just know what happens to a car, and flesh can heal. Hey, if you are leasing, who cares? But if you are l;ooking to own your car a long while, pre-heating is a very bad idea. Do it for a while, say 5000 miles, and send your oil in for analysis.

 

so what IS so bad about warming up your car? I've always thought it was good for the car to warm it up before driving it around.

 

I did it for about 20 thousand miles on my RSX. Who waits for 5000 miles to change their oil? I changed mine every 3k or so. As long as you change it regulary, I doubt you would have a problem. In fact I almost think its better for a car to "warm" up than to jump in it and start driving it.

 

Wow, a key hidden in the dash. Anyone else not comfortable with that?

 

not me...are you sure this is right?

 

I know some remote starters have an option to kill the starter when the car is running. My old one didn't...I hit the starter a few times...oh well it never did any damage and probably wouldn't unless you did it a lot.

 

It's fine, it's about the only thing you can do to bypass the immobilizer... Yes if someone breaks into your car and actually tries to hotwire it they can w/o a key now.. but who the hell is going to jump into a car and bank on the fact that you have a immobilizer bypass. If they are there to steal your car, flat bed is what they will do.

I called my dealership and they wont offer any type of remote start. I want to see what I can do .. winter is coming up very soon.

 

With out a doubt it is better to warm up your car before driving it, summer or winter. I always do and the car gives better overall results. You might have to change the oil sooner since you leave at it idle but a much better result in the long run.

 

Which dealer? I'm in VA too. Radley or Pohanka..

 

It's an uncut key. It cannot start the car. Obviously if a car thief can pick the ignition lock, they can use the uncut, chipped key to confirm the immobilizer, but as mentioned above, it's highly unlikely that a thief will know you have one burried under the dash.

 

I actually think they took my ORIGINAL valet key and hid it behind the dash because I only got 2 black keys. It doesn't matter because how many thieves will spend the time to tear apart the dash to look for a key?

Most educated thieves won't even try to start a TL because they know it has an immobilizer. They'll flatbed it instead. The few uneducated ones will rip apart the steering column or jam a screwdriver in the cylinder.

Bottom line, if you can afford a TL, don't park on the street.

 

i got my remote starter for our 03 Pilot.



i never had a problem with it in my pilot and we've had it for almost a year. it's useful when you live in hot weather like houston so you can cool off the car before you get in. I don't mind having burnt flesh from the heat of the leather but i have a big problem if it's my daughter's skin that gets burnt. safety issue also: i am able to get the car cooled off enough for me to get into the backseat with her while the engine is running, alarm my car again, and buckle her in her car seat. Instead of reaching in to start the car for it to start cooling off, getting inside the car with her, struggling to lock the doors while in the back seat, and then buckling her in.

i wnat to get the same thing for my TL....any one done this already and what kind of problems did you have in terms of the bluetooth, navi, electrical stuff.

i like the responder and wouldn't get anything else because it actually alerts you to your door being opened, anyone trying to break your windows, or in my case, a runaway grocery cart hitting the car (yeah it didn't leave a mark but the cart boy got an earful from me for making me waddle my pregnant butt to the car for his wrecklessness.)

 

If it were me, I would have cut off the key section and left the chipped section for the immobilizer. Yeah I'm anal, but it would very easy for a thief to scope out your vehicle for a day and realize you have remote start. A few minutes under the dash and bye-bye car.

 

I had a remote start on my Prelude that was stick. Most of you guys know, installing remote start on manual is illegal is some states. But I had them installed anyways at a local shop. One day, I forgot that I had my car in gear and I remote-started the car. The car jumped forward and smashed my brand new $600 washing machine.

The prelude was fine, but I had to replace the washing machine. I'm just glad that no one was in between the car and the washing machine.

Other that that, the remote is great! You can start the car in your room, run down stairs, jump in the car and just drive off without having to wait one bit.

One question though. If you start the car by pressing the button twice, can you still open the windows and sunroof by holding down the button?

 

For those of you with the remote starters installed, have you had any known problems with it?
I plan on purchasing an '05 TL, auto, w/ navi and was very interested in getting a remote starter for it, but just a bit hesitant if there was a problem and it voided the electrical warranty, which acura said it would if it's related to the remote starter.
Unfortunatly, not all dealerships install them.
Would anyone recommend/refer to me someone in the northern NJ area who does them and they've had no problems with?
Thanks

 

anyone know if any dealers in houston, tx will install the remote starter???

it gets HOT here in houston!!!

 

I never understood the remote starter thing myself. I have kids and I will admit that sometimes I will let my car warm up for a few minutes in the extreme cold, even though I don't think it's a good idea in general. However, I don't have a problem with the 30 seconds or so it takes to go out and start the car myself. If I did it a lot, maybe, but I just don't think it's worth the electrical problems and extra wear on the engine (not to mention the waste of fuel and other issues). Most people I know with them love them, but also have had electrical problems.

 

this sucks!!

i just called 3 of the aucra dealers in houston, tx and none of them can install the remote starter...

do you guys think a regular stereo shop can do the install and incorporate it into the keyless fob?

 

FOUND THIS LINK FOR THE DEI 561T REMOTE STARTER MODULE

http://www.autopreservers.com/561t.html

 

OK, so the starter, can be acitvated using a (-) trigger. So the question is how to get a trigger, signal from a factory remote? I think that the dealer used som kind of time delay relays to gain input from opening drivers door (first click) and all doors (second click). Then the starter module disables the keyless receiver. Any other ideas?

 

this is what DEI says on factory keyless entry systems

http://www.autopreservers.com/aftermarket.html

and they also have this bypass module for the honda/acura vehicles

http://www.autopreservers.com/555H.html

i called a couple of stereo shops and they just wanted to install a new clifford alarm or whatever i wanted for like 4-600 while another shop wanted 899 installed...way too much..

DEI is selling the 561T for like $80 bucks and i am not sure if we need that bypass module or not but that module is $30

i know labor should not be that much so total should be less than what they quoted me and you still just have one keyfob to use instead of carrying two..

 

For those asking, I have 6k mi + and 5 mos on my car with no electrical problems at all.

Last week the New York area had several days with the highs in the teens and 20's. I'm willing to burn a little more gas and risk more wear on the engine so that my butt doesn't freeze to the seat (kinda like the tongue to the frozen flagpole). There were days that I forgot to remote start and I was shivering the entire 15 minutes it took me to get home.

 

I have the remote start installed by Curry Acura. Other than them needing me to take back my car a few days after delivery to get it installed, it's been no problem. Oh yeah, one small problem--you can't set the MID to unlock all doors because that cancels out the remote start. I didn't know that, so for almost a week it just wasnt working. The first several people i called at Curry didn't know it, but then i finally spoke to the service manager who immediately asked me about that, and told me what to do.

I find it useful. I ive in an apartment building, but it's nice to just get the seat warmers started...i find the hot air doesn't start unless the car is moving...and since there's no steering wheel warmer, the seat heater's the only thing i got. i think it's worth the extra wear and tear on the car.

 

If you leave the car idling long enough, the heater will eventually start. There's a sensor so the heater doesn't start blowing until the engine reaches a certain temp. This way you don't get cold air in your face.

 

I guess technically, they could be bad. I had one on my '93 5.0 Tbird, since the day it was new. I sold the car with 120k miles on it, the engine still ran strong.. (I was young, so I only changed the oil every 10 thousand miles or so)

I used to take the train to work, and could start my car from the train before it came to a stop at the station. In the winter... By the time I got off the train, scraped the windows and got inot my car.. warm air was blowing.

Plus, its definately a show-off item.

 

i have it in my 6 sp. put the valet key in the car but cut off the head. works well. but sometimes it takes a few tries for it to start. fun to have and particle. saves time in the morning.