Hi
Was wondering if anyone has had a remote car starter installed in their car?
If so what year and model 93 or 95? Has it caused any problem? Would you recommend it?
Mark
Could be difficult on a manual. The car locks in reverse.
But it's not really necessary these days as modern oils can handle cold weather without increasing friction so much.
If you just want to get things warm before you drive off, why not fit an engine heater?
It would be nice, when you don't have a garage or you're at work, to be able to warm up the car before leaving. Have the drivers seat heater and defrost come on!
Both my cars are automatics, so that's not an issue.
My main concern is any possible trouble with the electrical / wiring connection.
Not sure how you would do this without bypassing the immobiliser unit (CIM on a 9-3 and TWICE on a 9-5) as the key needs to be in the ignition for the car to start. Maybe you can get a kit that has a 'magic box, that will plug in and bypass it?
In my opinion that would not be wise as it would leave your car vulnerable.
This sounds a great idea from the angle of having a nice warm car to drive off in, but there has been a school of thought over the years that it is not a good idea to warm up an engine other than by driving off. Granted, one also has to avoid high revs when the engine is cold; easy for me to comment as both my commute journeys are made in such a way that the engine has the opportunity to warm up before I launch into .85 leptons on the motorways.
Interesting topic though.
Unless you have a radiator blind, driving off in very cold weather is not a great idea as you are now exposing the radiator to wind-chill, and your engine will not necessarily warm up any quicker.
I have always allowed the engine a certain amount 'warming' with the recirc' fan on to de-mist/frost the windows. As soon as they are cleared then I'll go, moving off gently because you need to remember that although the engine may be warming up you are still moving off with a cold transmission and other components that also need to be warmed from actual useage.
I'm well aware that a cold engine emits a far higher percentage of unburned hydrocarbons than a warm engine but that is not the issue for me. If I was that concerned I would get some sort of engine block heating device.
I have thought that for defrosting purposes, a heater such as a ceramic fan type left in the car with the electric lead trailing to the house might be a good way of defrosting the cabin and allow for the heat developed by the engine to not be used up so quickly clearing the windows etc. Switch it on and by the time I'm ready to go out to the car the windows are all clear ;)
Some good points you made there Trenchfoot. I am obviously lucky, as during last winter (I bought the car in Apr last year) I was OK driving through our village before getting up round the Oxford ring road; by the time I am on the A40 (heading for LHR) the car is well warmed up. The heater works well even soon after exiting the village. Same thing coming home, the few miles before the M25 and everything is working well. I have thought previously about getting an engine heater - that was when my previous car, a Rover 45 TDi, took ages to warm up, even after I had installed a winter 'stat.
Saab tell you to just start it and drive it immediately, I go with what they say. It's worth pointing out that some of the Saab accessories were what seemed to be fan heaters with a time switch to put in the cabin in winter along with all the other heating options (electric and fuel operated)
Quote from: quinophex on 30 September 2011, 07:34:46 PM
Saab tell you to just start it and drive it immediately, I go with what they say. It's worth pointing out that some of the Saab accessories were what seemed to be fan heaters with a time switch to put in the cabin in winter along with all the other heating options (electric and fuel operated)
Yeah - I did read about all that somewhere early last year before buying the car; knowing my luck I would wake up to the sound of fire engine bells, having left valuables in the car for good measure :-[ :-[
LOL - that's the main reason I have only ever thought about doing it - though the intention was to switch it on, have breakfast and by the time Im off to work the car is warm and defrosted. I then just have to warm the engine up a bit and go
On cold mornings I start the car then do a window scrape. That allows just enough heat to get into the system to give useful clearing of the windscreen.
That's my routine as well. Though I'm somewhat paranoid about ending up with the car keys in the ignition with the car running and the doors locking ??? - as happened to a colleague of mine with her Nissan
Quote from: Trenchfoot on 01 October 2011, 12:47:34 PM
That's my routine as well. Though I'm somewhat paranoid about ending up with the car keys in the ignition with the car running and the doors locking ??? - as happened to a colleague of mine with her Nissan
My old man had the same issue, Nissan Almera, engine running, scraping the windows and the doors locked themselves for no reason, never had or happen to me with my Nissans but to bs 100% sure, I always have one window open when I de ice the car
The door locking time can be set by Tech@ at a dealer. My local dealer says that he turns off the "lock after ..... secs" unless the customer specifically wants it left on. They have had too many people complaining of being locked out.
It used to be set at 20 secs or 30 secs at the factory!! Is it still?
Quote from: sgould on 02 October 2011, 12:26:36 AM
The door locking time can be set by Tech@ at a dealer. My local dealer says that he turns off the "lock after ..... secs" unless the customer specifically wants it left on. They have had too many people complaining of being locked out.
It used to be set at 20 secs or 30 secs at the factory!! Is it still?
I think mine must have been turned off, as accidentally one night my OH forgot to lock the car and I got up the next morning to find the car (happily) still present outside the house but unlocked.
Day-to-day, the auto locking is usually not a problem. Apparently the most common time to find yourself locked out is when the car is moved a bit so that the boot and all four doors can be used to load the car to go in holiday. Not a popular time to have it happen.
Quote from: sgould on 02 October 2011, 03:44:11 PM
Day-to-day, the auto locking is usually not a problem. Apparently the most common time to find yourself locked out is when the car is moved a bit so that the boot and all four doors can be used to load the car to go in holiday. Not a popular time to have it happen.
I take it you mean that after completely filling the car up to the brim, and shutting the last aperture - eg - tailgate - clunk! Locked. Not good.
BTW the Parrot is functioning great, even in voice-call at .85 leptons and radio going. Delighted.
Glad the Parrot is working well! :)
No, the locking scenario is more like. Start car, move it clear of wall etc. so you have access all round. Leave key in ignition and open all doors. Family bring down the stuff. You pack the car and shut the doors. Go inside to make sure everyone is ready and nothing is left behind. Come out and car is locked with the keys inside.
Quote from: sgould on 02 October 2011, 04:42:08 PM
Glad the Parrot is working well! :)
No, the locking scenario is more like. Start car, move it clear of wall etc. so you have access all round. Leave key in ignition and open all doors. Family bring down the stuff. You pack the car and shut the doors. Go inside to make sure everyone is ready and nothing is left behind. Come out and car is locked with the keys inside.
I know I shouldn't, in case it happens to me one day but..... ;D