Stew4HD

I am not all that impressed with the range of the RS but it probably reaches 200'. Mine will work inside my building, sometimes.

denniss516

Well, it is cold now, I still have no remote start. First car in many, many years. I'm not happy about the negatives. Also, I was in that business for 30 years and I am afraid of the slob installers out there. My best guy is retired and driving a limo now. He won't come out of retirement for me. We called him vitamin because he did one a day. Slow and neat. I installed an Escort 9500 myself, but I can't get into those positions anymore. I guess my biggest concern is the shut off and restart. I don't think I would go for the factory system because of the remote size when I finally do it.

slick316

Sorry for not replying.

To those who were wondering about the Directed Smart Start, I finally got it installed in my car.

Unfortunately, it does shut down the car. Basically, after you remote start the TL, when you get to the door to unlock it, the car dies.

My friend thinks he might have a work around for this. I need to find more time to work with him on it, but he is hopeful that he can make the car not die when the drivers door unlocks. He thinks its an issue with the keyless module.

While I have remote start without the extra key fob, I am disappointed with the way it works. However, it gets the job done and so I am happy right now.

azngster

There a cheaper way to get add on remote start to your car and still keep and use the factory key fob for only $395 from an audio shop. all you have to do is push unlock 3X and it start..

slick316

Depending on where you buy a smart start and who installs it, this might be true. However, using the factory remote means you have the same range as the factory remote is capable of now. You also get no confirmation that your vehicle has started.
My Accord had an aftermarket alarm/remote start that gave you a confirmation that the vehicle started. It was the nicest feature because if I was out of range, the remote would let me know. Its pretty crappy to think you started your car and it didn't, lol.

slick316

Question for those that have an aftermarket remote start on there smart key equipped TL, has your car ever thrown a diagnostic code telling you that there is a keyless start malfunction or something along those lines?
Mine is doing that only after I remote start the car. I think its another issue with the Xpresskit DB All module.

lightnight

I got this problem as well, it's really irritating. I talked to the installer and he said it wouldn't be anything wrong with the keyless start. So if you find out any issues with it, please update the information. Thanks

sockpuppet

With respect, it seems clear that you live in one of the more temperate climates, so you could be excused for not seeing the use of a functioning RS. It's not simply about people who wish to cool their cars, but also those who need to warm them. Last week it was -33C where I live (I'm guessing that you'd understand that better as -28F). At that temperature, one doesn't simply turn on the ignition and pull away. It's more than a question of comfort (though that's a big part of it). If the car has not warmed up for at least several minutes (and this is not restricted to simply Acura's), the effects of the cold can be felt in how the car performs and reacts to the simplest controls. Case in point, several mornings, I've gotten 50 feet from my house, and had to pull over, as the windows were fogged.

The Acura RS has its warts...I don't like needing the extra fob, and I wish the cutoff was on the brake, as opposed to the door opening, but it's a pretty solid RS nonetheless. Having it automatically turn on rear defrost is a fantastic feature, and the range does what I need. I've had other RS systems with greater range, but often the build quality in the remote isn't there.

The existence of the RS in the '09 TL I bought recently was a bit of a surprise...it wasn't an advertised feature. But I'm sure glad it's there. It's okay if it's not your cup of tea.

sockpuppet

I'm not telling you you're wrong, though I suspect you are. My RS system is an Acura system...my fob looks like the one in the video attached to 007acura's post above. Only my fob has a lock / unlock symbol in place of the start / stop buttons. I'm betting the function is the same...the buttons have just been printed differently. I'm certain someone with a fob like the one in the video could confirm that the "stop" button will unlock the doors.

slick316

There is another thread in the Audio section that I updated with information on this.

Its an issue with the module, a known issue that is being worked on. Until the firmware for the module is fixed, the only way to not have this issue occur is to either let the remote start timer run out, or remotely shut down the car before you get to it. For some reason, when the car is running and you unlock and open the door (shutting the car down), and then restart the car and drive off, you get this error. As long as the car is shut off on its own or by remote shutting down, you will not see this error.

BartmanEH

I'm getting the factory RS option in my forthcoming TL SH-AWD Tech. I'm going in heads up knowing it will shut down every I get into the car after a remote start and I'll have to re-start the car. I think this sucks due to "unnecessary" wear and tear on the starter/engine etc.

But... the fact that the factory RS runs the auto-climate in the right mode based on temperature is a great feature.

I also plan to leave the RS remote at home and leave the other one at work - the two places I'll need to RS. Why bother taking the RS fob with you? That's my plan, no 2nd fob to cart around.

tapht

I had it installed on my 2009 TL in 2009 when I bought the car. It is the same as questioned above.
I too don't like a separate FOB but love the ability to start the car in the garage from inside on cold days.

tapht

The auto shutdown is for safety and security. I have been told by Acura that the wear and tear on the car will be
negligible. Because we have no physical key the car will shutdown so that a kid/theif can't jimmy the door, get in the car and drive away.

tapht

My 2009 TL brochure advertised the RS. Guess the Canadian brochures got a bigger budget...if your windows are fogging in your TL you may need to take it in for an insopection. I live in temperature ranges from -40 to +40 degrees centigrade (sorry Faranheit people) and have never had the windows fog from cold start or RS start. That's how well my TL responds to my environment.

BartmanEH

Acura's design is positively ludicrous. They should've designed it in conjunction with the keyless start system. The keyless start system knows when a legit fob is near a door or the trunk and also knows when a fob is inside the vehicle. This status should've been used by the RS system to keep the vehicle running after remote starting. It's that simple. No fob detected when door handle touched? Shut down. Fob detected + door touched = good to go.

3rdGenHybrid

From experience aftermarket remote starts suck ass, sure when their new and everything works ... Awesome... 5 years down the road when the butt connectors get loose and the brain for the alarm/starter craps out and your car doesn't start then what? I see it all too often at work where customers get towed in for dead batteries due to parasitic draw from AM alarms and starters, or burned out multiplex cause best buy had a crappy butt connector. Honda/Acura is all plug and play, no splicing, no butt connectors. Comes with the factory warranty, and the second gen remote starter has lock/unlock options on the key fob. And aftermarket rs can't automatically set the temperature depending on ambient temperature, or turn your front/rear defrost on, and aftermarket rs usually need to keep a key in the unit to by pass the immobilizer. Ya I trust that....
Either u like the starter or don't, I recommend it for those who don't want the hassle of aftermarket bs, these units were designed for your car... Not some universal crap u have to splice into your dash harness.

And keep this in mind, u bring your car to the dealer and they see an aftermarket rs installed... They'll charge you to take it out if u ever have a parasitic draw issue or any electrical issue pertaining to the circuits that the rs taps into.

slick316

No offense, but it sounds like whoever installed your previous remote start unit(s) didn't know what the heck they were doing.
My friend does this for a living and has installed one in my TL and my last two cars, and he has NEVER used butt connectors on an alarm, never. Always solder for the best results. The Clifford alarm in my previous car, Accord, worked flawlessly for the 4 years it was installed in it. And a lot of aftermarket units have auxiliary channels that can be output for all kinds of different actions. For instance, in my Accord, the Clifford unit had a built in temperature sensor. When it was below 45 degrees outside, a remote start would trigger the rear defroster. In the summer, we had it set to vent the windows to get that hot air out (I had window visors so my car wouldn't get flooded if it was raining ).
Also, for most cars made in the last 10 years, a transponder bypass module basically does the job of a key for you, so no need to store a key in the car.
As long as the installer knows what he is doing, an aftermarket alarm/remote start can be really cool.

Edward'TLS

^^^^^ Agree.

True professional installers will always solder all electrical connections if possible, then shrink-tube over the soldered joints.

Butt and blade connections are never 100% reliable due to potential corrosions and/or movements.

3rdGenHybrid

Well from what i have seen come through the dealer, there are a lot more hack jobs than there are professional installed a/m starters. Sure if you know someone who does it for a living, and he's your friend, and your having him install it in your car, he might take his sweet time and do things right, but if your the everyday Joe, going out and just buying one...most installers will just rush your car in and out and send you on your way, IMO, there's no Correct way to splice into a factory harness, if your tapping into a wire, you just butchered up your harness, that's why the honda/acura system is nice, plug and play, and if you wanted to take it out, you dont have to worry about having electrical tape covering up bare wires, or that spray on wire, or shrink tubes. Even having the alarm with a remote start is a joke. People hear car alarms go off all the time and dont do anything... To each his own i guess...

Edward'TLS

Most of the time it's the car owners' faults. The golden phrase "you get what you paid for" always holds true.

You can negotiate down the price of the hardware, but never for the installation work.

If the installer asks for a 3-hr/$150 charge, and you talk it down to 2-hr/$100; then an $100 worth of half-ass installation work is exactly what you're gonna get, nothing more.

slick316

My friend that owns a mobile electronics store became my friend because I was impressed with his work and kept going back to get other things done. They don't cherry pick on which jobs they will do right and which jobs they will skimp on.
A reputable shop will have a guarantee on the installation, my friend does lifetime. Basically, if the issue is due to poor installation, they will fix it free. Think about it, installing car alarms/remote starters is the worst, being hunched up underneath the dash of a car for hours is awful. Who would want to do that over and over again for free? Typically, the only time my friend ends up having to work on an alarm is because the brain of the unit quit working.
But I totally agree, if the work isn't done right, you will end up with issues that are just not worth the hassle.

3rdGenHybrid

if you get what you pay for....then the installer does pick and choose. just like your technician, if you pay for a half ass job....your gonna get a half ass job. Maybe i only see all the crap hack jobs that come into the dealer because....well they were half ass jobs, like i said before im sure there are installers who install quality legit jobs, but like you said, even if they did install it correctly, you still have to deal with a 3rd party (the alarm/remote start company) which mostly are made in china, and if they were "made in america" they were out sourced to china....

My main point is, the honda/acura unit is Plug and play, and Honda spent enough $$$ in R/D to know that the product will last, and back it up with their warranty. Which is better than any 1 year mfg warranty you get from these AM companies. Sure you can warranty the labor.....who cant?? labor is easy to internal...the most a remote start company can pay the CHEAPEST installer is $10 per hour...times that by the 1 hour it took to install....and it cost them...$10's to fix your problem....

if everyone on this forum who had an aftermarket alarm/rs took a look under their dash and posted a picture...im sure you wont see solder and shrink tube...

krut00

I just had to throw in my 3 cents worth after I read: "Honda spent enough $$$ in R/D..." Really? And then build a thing that shuts down the engine - its main reason for existence - when the driver opens the door? Oh, wait - the driver seldom opens the door, he teleports himself into his Acura, the door is just there for looks... next version will have no door. So sorry to burst your bubble - this was an after thought, an add on that came to be despite an engineering effort to push it aside.
The chaps at Honda that did that, are lucky they have an idiot for a boss or they would be looking for another job right now.

scottn3

So, is there any RS out there that works from the factory fob? Can someone bullet out the options and the quick pros/cons?

carbonTSEX

Acura switched it up on my wife's 2016 RDX advance. The remote start is built into the factory "driver 1" remote and you lock the doors and hold the remote start button. It stays on for 10 minutes before shutting off. However, you can open the door and all you do is step on the brake and push the engine start button and it stays on. They finally got it right. It's nice that the doors are locked and the lights stay off until you start it up (auto lights).

It would be a lot more beneficial to us 4G owners if it was the same but it's not. My buddy is the manager at Car Toys and tried selling me an aftermarket alarm with remote start but don't think it'll work the same with the keyless entry. So no bueno.

Teddybear

I'm about to pull the trigger on a Compustar T11 system. Doubt that new tech will trickle down that soon, if ever, to my 2010...

DVS

I just bought a 2012 TL SH-AWD, and was starting to look for a remote starter because we live in the northeast. However, a few days ago, I was trying to lock the car, but couldn't hear the beep. So when I went outside, the car was on, at first i thought i might have actually left the car on and that is why I didn't hear the beeps when trying to lock the car. I turned the car off, and tried to lock it, and once again I couldn't hear the beeps, i go outside and the car was on again. Turns out the car has a remote starter that works with the factory fob, no second fob needed. While the range is not the best, I can live with it, didn't need to pay for it and it works with one fob, couldn't be happier.

littlelee17

Thats great! There is always a couple of people that have this, yet no one can tell us how.

I figure ill have to wait for my next car to have remote start. I don't like carrying around a sack full of key fobs.

TheMuffinMan

iTrader: (1)

????

It's an aftermarket remote start. Not magic.

Rigo Calderon

LostProphet

You also need to install the attachment harness and antenna. After installation programming is necessary and only Acura HDS system can do it.
Check out this link