Robert Vasquez: How to Choose a Remote Car Starter

When I first found out about remote car starters, I wasn’t sure if this was for me…

Turns out I was wrong actually. I think what put me off so much was the two hundred dollar price tag on the model I looked into. Why spend that much on a product that’s only going to act as a car starter and remote lock for my car?

Turns out that not all devices are created equal though.

What do you need to consider before buying?

Just put on the question: How to Choose a Remote Car Starter in the first place? What do you need to know?

What specs will help you out? I know a little about cars, by no means a skilled mechanic, but I know enough to know you don’t just buy some random product off the streets and slap it in your vehicle, that much was for sure.

Your car

First thing I needed to make sure was that I didn’t have a warranty on the car restricting me from adding anything to it… fortunately the car was bought used, so I can do whatever I want with it, the car is mine, as is the debt behind it. Later, I found out that installing a car starter, alarm kit or a keyless system will not void the warranty. This is thanks to the Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act (you can read more about that here).

Second, I had to make sure that the mechanical aspect wasn’t going to mess with my car, and vice versa. Turns out there is some tricky business behind making sure it’s properly installed, cause if something isn’t connected properly, or a sensor isn’t added, then you won’t get it to start up at all. Don’t let this scare you, the instructions are good — but just take your time, or get help from a friend that knows his or her way around cars.

How fancy do you want it to be?

Finally, I didn’t want anything fancy either, I just wanted a fob that would do two functions—it would start up my car, and it would unlock the doors. It actually did both, but needed a bit of installation.

No big issue, I have a local guy I go to who is certified and always gives me a great deal. Took him the lesser part of an evening to put the whole thing together, and soon it was smooth sailings. The simple single button system makes it that I don’t have accidental starts by having it stuffed in my pocket—I set mine to four, so after four clicks it starts up—and this comes in handy when it’s cold outside. I have the engine blasting already and the heat running, plus with my fob on the key itself, I can just unlock the door when I get to my car. I literally get everything I wanted with less of the fuss.

Don’t skip this product! It’s not like the other fancy jobs. It’s simple designed so there’s so little to screw up, plus if you have someone do it professionally you won’t have to worry anyway!

AVITAL 5303L Security/Remote Start System

Everything but the Kitchen Sink

…and I mean ‘everything’ you would need in a security remote start system. I even asked myself when first researching this. It’s an important question, since not all products are created equal. Turns out I was right all along too. After the first week of having this thing installed I was already tinkering with the settings.

I mean I didn’t even know criminals had technology to steal key fob codes! But this thing already has a built in security system which prevents people from trying to tap into the code. It provides me with distance so I can be all the way in my room still in bed and start the car up. It gives me updates if people are messing with my car, or if something is open, plus it can unlock all the doors, do a remote start, pop the trunk, and detect disturbances with someone trying to disconnect it from the vehicle itself, like in the event of a threat or a theft.

I literally have a watch dog hanging around my car at all times, and it only cost me a couple a hundred bucks, plus the additional cost of having it installed. Never do a job like this alone, and don’t pass up this deal! Security and peace of mind bro, just does everything you could ask for and more.

Directed Electronics Inc Python 4106P 1 Way Supercode Remote Start System

Don’t leave home without it, especially if you need it to unlock your car…

One of our readers, under the handle JamesKeyes wrote this:
The Direct Electronics Inc Python Remote system was just what I needed it to be, and that’s all I could ever ask for. The first thing that drew me into this product was not only that it had an automatic starter attached to it, but also in that it could operate within a range of 2000 feet. That’s a long freaking way!

I mean I already have a key fob but I wanted to buy an extra to have as a spare in the event I locked myself out of my car, and I was right to invest in this thing. It not only starts up my car in case I wanna warm it up, but it unlocks the doors at range, and has an aux function to be programmed to-say-roll all the windows down if I so ask it to do that. And that’s just cool!

It even has a trunk release and virtual tech sensing—don’t know what that means, but it sounds groovy.

The only thing was the price tag, I had to spend a bit of coin on this product but it was totally worth the cost, especially when I can stand in my house and start the engine up from in my bedroom. I have an apartment where I need to park on the street, and sometimes I catch people walking by. I just start the car up automatically and freak them out, cause they don’t see anyone inside.

I’m not doing it to be mean, but it’s cool having some new gadgets in your car, especially one that has all those safety features attached. Apparently people can’t try and tap into the security deal to steal the code that will unlock my doors. Fancy job, which means I made out like a bandit.