Smart Start Installed (videos)

[No_Dominion]

My friend that owns an auto customization shop here in Indianapolis just finished installing a Python brand Smart Start remote start/security system on my M. I love this thing, being able to control my car from my iPhone is like something out of a James Bond movie, haha.

Linked are a couple of quick videos I took showing it in action. Nothing too thrilling, but still amazing that we got it to work.

And before anyone says it, yes, I know the owner's manual states to start driving the car immediately. I'm not going to be using the remote start feature every time I want to drive; only on the rare occasions when it would be way too hot or cold to climb inside, which isn't often considering our parking garage in my building is below ground. Honestly, I'm just as excited about getting instant notification on my phone if someone messes with my car as much as I am about the remote start function.

Okay, here are some vids:

[dorifto88]

definetly cool. id never do it myself, but kodos

[No_Dominion]

Originally Posted by dorifto88

definetly cool. id never do it myself, but kodos

I know it isn't everyone's cup of tea, but once I got my first one installed on a car years back it became very difficult not to have one. Scraping ice off my windshield in freezing temperatures got old, I suppose.

[Kgolf31]

It's illegal to have in manual cars I hope you're aware.

IMO I think it's stupid, but that's just me.

[No_Dominion]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

It's illegal to have in manual cars I hope you're aware.

IMO I think it's stupid, but that's just me.

You're incredibly misinformed, but that's fairly common. Indiana has no such law on the books; trust me, I'd be the person to know considering what I do for a living.



And the model of remote start I put on has a specific Manual Transmission mode that has a number of safety protocols in place to insure the vehicle will not start if you accidentally leave it in gear. I've had remote start systems on my last 4 vehicles, all of which were manual transmission, never a problem.

Thanks for the positive input, though.

[nadaclue]

Having grown up in North Dakota, remote starts on manual transmissions are very common, even on diesels. And I've never heard of one taking off on the owner, common sense and a good install goes a long way in preventing accidents. And we think people who don't have them are stupid.

Back on topic, I had been looking at the viper version for our Jeep Liberty (winter vehicle in Chicago), but reports of people having issues with it 25-50% of the time prevented me from getting it installed, mostly contacting the servers on the phone app. I wanted this unit since the building I work in isn't close enough to the parking lot for a conventional remote start to work without me actually going outside which sort of defeats the purpose. Hopefully you'll report back after some time to let us know how it really works out.

[dorifto88]

Originally Posted by No_Dominion

I know it isn't everyone's cup of tea, but once I got my first one installed on a car years back it became very difficult not to have one. Scraping ice off my windshield in freezing temperatures got old, I suppose.

yeah if i lived in an extreme (compared to California) environmental id definitely get one installed myself

[No_Dominion]

Originally Posted by nadaclue

Back on topic, I had been looking at the viper version for our Jeep Liberty (winter vehicle in Chicago), but reports of people having issues with it 25-50% of the time prevented me from getting it installed, mostly contacting the servers on the phone app. I wanted this unit since the building I work in isn't close enough to the parking lot for a conventional remote start to work without me actually going outside which sort of defeats the purpose. Hopefully you'll report back after some time to let us know how it really works out.

I had my reservations when the smart start add-on first came out a few years ago, but they seem to have ironed out the issues they had at first. I have backup remotes just in case the phone app ever has an issue, though. I'll be sure to give a report in a few weeks with my impressions.

[psygnosis]

Does it conflict with the stock remote / alarm in anyway?

[Finnegan]

That is pretty darn cool! I'd be in for something like this as well if I didn't live out here near dorifto88.

I really like the security notification component. It's a big plus in my book. (We have the same feature with our home alarm system which is tied into our smart phones as well.) Should the that feature ever notify you, it's going to be some lawbreaker's very unlucky day.

[mfanatic325]

This is pretty cool. I wouldn't mind having it installed if it were cheap. But I'm guessing it's pretty pricey eh?

[Beedub]

so if someone steals your phone/ you loose it...... they can steal your car???? right??

[mfanatic325]

Maybe there's a password feature?

[No_Dominion]

Originally Posted by Finnegan

Should the that feature ever notify you, it's going to be some lawbreaker's very unlucky day.

Hopefully that never happens, but if it does, your assessment is probably accurate, haha. We actually had a rash of car break-ins inside my building's secured garage last year; it took me some time, but I was finally able to catch the guy last fall. Haven't had any problems since, but you never know.

Originally Posted by mfanatic325

This is pretty cool. I wouldn't mind having it installed if it were cheap. But I'm guessing it's pretty pricey eh?

Well, pricey is relative, for me it was worth it, but you can spend a pretty penny on it if you choose to. The route I chose to go with is the base system, Python model 574 (has 2 remotes with 1-mile range) which is around $500, plus the Smart Start/GPS Module (another $250,) plus install is about 5 hours worth of labor, so call that another $300.

But you don't have to spend that much if you don't want to. I just really like the 1 mile range back-up remotes and the GPS capability.

The base model PSS5000 comes with 1 remote (limited range) and the basic Smart Start module (no GPS) for around $250.

Originally Posted by Beedub

so if someone steals your phone/ you loose it...... they can steal your car???? right??

No, remote start systems still require you to place a key in the ignition and turn the ignition to the "run/on" position before you can drive. If someone were to steal my phone and get in my car, all they could succeed in doing is remote starting it and not going anywhere.

Originally Posted by mfanatic325

Maybe there's a password feature?

And yes, there is a passcode feature for the application, so even if they got the phone, they'd have to guess the combination, which using 4 numbers with 10 possible numbers per means they'd have 10,000 combinations to guess from.

[Aries326]

Pretty cool. That'd be even cooler if you can control a soft top from it as well.

[elerner61]

Originally Posted by Aries326

Pretty cool. That'd be even cooler if you can control a soft top from it as well.

Make it start, put the top down, go pick up my hot blond wife and then do a perfect drift to a stop to pick me up in front of the train station at the end of the day and I'm sold! Come to think of it, just forget about the remote start, top down, perfect drift stuff!

Ok, back to work....

[No_Dominion]

Originally Posted by elerner61

Make it start, put the top down, go pick up my hot blond wife and then do a perfect drift to a stop to pick me up in front of the train station at the end of the day and I'm sold! Come to think of it, just forget about the remote start, top down, perfect drift stuff!

Ok, back to work....

Sounds like the car James Bond drove in one of the Brosnan era films.

[No_Dominion]

Well, looks like my alarm feature was worth it, my alarm on my phone went off when I was taking a shower. Threw on some shorts, t-shirt, flip flops and grabbed my badge and gun and ran the 5 flights down to the garage. Sure enough I just missed catching the 2 kids by 60 seconds. When I reviewed the security footage they tried a couple of vehicles and then left right before I got down there. If it wasn't for having been in the shower I would have caught them in the act. At least I know what they look like and that my security system for the car does its job, haha.

Turns out the gate to our garage was malfunctioning and stuck in the open position. This has been a problem for quite a while, the company responsible for replacing it has been dragging their feet. Hopefully this will give them some motivation to finish the job up.