remote start

i am thinking of adding a remote start to my 05 sel.i would like any opinions.

I put one in my '98 SHO. It was quite easy to install since the car has the keyless entry and all the security wires were located in one place. I bought a $20 T-harness for the remove start that plugs in series with the factory starter wiring. The system I installed also was prepared for the PATS system so keeping the factory anti-theft functionality was relatively easy as well.

Of course now I have a heated and air conditioned garage, and the walk from work through the parking lot to my car is not long enough for the remote start to really have much effect. I pretty much just use the remote start when we go out to dinner, etc. with your young daughter to get the temperature in the car to a comfortable point before putting her in her car seat. If I had paid someone to do the install, I'd probably be a bit upset with myself for the expense.

Are you planning to install one yourself, or are you asking opinions on the usefulness of a remote start system? What benefits do you expect to get from it?

-Rod

I put one in my '98 SHO. It was quite easy to install since the car has the keyless entry and all the security wires were located in one place. I bought a $20 T-harness for the remove start that plugs in series with the factory starter wiring. The system I installed also was prepared for the PATS system so keeping the factory anti-theft functionality was relatively easy as well.

Of course now I have a heated and air conditioned garage, and the walk from work through the parking lot to my car is not long enough for the remote start to really have much effect. I pretty much just use the remote start when we go out to dinner, etc. with your young daughter to get the temperature in the car to a comfortable point before putting her in her car seat. If I had paid someone to do the install, I'd probably be a bit upset with myself for the expense.

Are you planning to install one yourself, or are you asking opinions on the usefulness of a remote start system? What benefits do you expect to get from it?

-Rod
my wife wants it warm when see gets out of work.
thanks for your help.

Well, you/she should probably check the features of the system you plan to get. What she probably wants is one that either has a temperature sensor and will start the car when the interior temp gets below a set point and keeps it running for a programmed length of time, or one that will start the engine at programmed intervals and keeps it running for programmed intervals.

Either method will keep the coolant in the engine warmer than ambient once you get the set point tweaked so that, if the car isn't warm when she gets to it, it at least will be blowing warm air within a few minutes.

The AutoPage [edit - RS-850] that I put in my SHO came with a temp sensor. The Crimestopper in my Stealth twin turbo did not, but can be programmed to start the car periodically.

Another pointer you'll want to be sure to mention to your wife is to make sure she turns off the exterior accessories if you get snow in your area. The concern here is if you get a heavy snow during the day, your wipers might get frozen to the windshield or there might be a thick layer of snow on the car. When the remote starter starts the car, the wipers will attempt to make a pass. If they are stuck, you could burn out the wiper motor, etc.

-Rod

rod,
thanks for your help,very informative.