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Remote starter - can you install in a Prius?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by wardco, May 8, 2009.

  1. wardco

    wardco New Member

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    The dealer said you cannot use a remote starter on a Prius because of the CVT. Does anyone know if that's true?
     
    #1 wardco, May 8, 2009
  2. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    Not true for the 2010, it is an accessory now. $529 installed but slightly higher if done afterward at a dealer

    [​IMG]
     
    #2 Paradox, May 8, 2009
  3. RobH

    RobH Senior Member

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    #3 RobH, May 8, 2009
  4. ucsmfu

    ucsmfu Senior Member

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    has anyone installed a remote starter ?

    how is the oem one compared to the aftermarket ones ?
     
    #4 ucsmfu, Oct 19, 2011
  5. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    It works as advertised, it starts the car lol. What I don't like it does is it starts the car but when you open the door to get in the car it shuts the car off. Then once inside you must restart the car again. I don't know about aftermarket ones, I thought for those you had to store a key in the car to send the sks signal etc. I think for something like this OEM is the way to go if you really want remote start.
     
    #5 Paradox, Oct 19, 2011
  6. ucsmfu

    ucsmfu Senior Member

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    when you open the door to get in the car it shuts the car off. Then once inside you must restart the car again.

    Are you serious ? what's the point of it than, it allows you to warm up the car ?

    that's kind of lame !!!!!
     
    #6 ucsmfu, Oct 19, 2011
  7. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    Honda's OEM remote starter works that way too. It's there as a theft prevention measure, but they should have made it work the way aftermarket ones worked 15 years ago. You remote start the car, then once inside if you placed your foot on the brake without putting the key in the car it would turn off. There is no physical key with the Prius but they could have just made sure the car recognized that the proper SKS key fob was in the car and had it act the same way...
     
    #7 Paradox, Oct 19, 2011
  8. fulltank

    fulltank New Member

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    Silly question, but is the primary reason for remote start to help with ice and snow covered windshields? Suppose you could use it to cool off car in summer but seems like a waste on energy? I'm coming from my tanker-sized Suburban where it took for ever to cool or heat. The Pri can't take that long, can it?
     
    #8 fulltank, Oct 19, 2011
  9. wick1ert

    wick1ert Senior Member

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    It is good for preheating and/or precooling a vehicle. It's also nice to get a head start in winter when you have ice or snow covered windows. I know some people that use them to do the heating/cooling because they have toddlers/infants. I don't know, my parents didn't do this when I was growing up and for the most part I turned out just fine lol. I just bundle up now, and if I have a longer drive I'll turn the heater on once I know the car is at least partially warmed up. It's a great way to burn extra fuel while the car sits there running.
     
    #9 wick1ert, Oct 19, 2011
  10. chrisj428

    chrisj428 Active Member

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    I didn't install a remote start, but I had a shop install one for me: ABT. It was the Viper Smart Start. After some Viper-related teething problems (nothing to do with the installer or the Prius itself), I'm very happy with the results.
     
    #10 chrisj428, Oct 28, 2011
  11. piper5ul

    piper5ul New Member

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    I am looking at installing this on the 2008 model. Which model of the Viper SmartStart did you install - 3000 or 5000? Also, did they have to put in a bypass module ? Please let me know.
     
    #11 piper5ul, Nov 20, 2011
  12. samsprius1

    samsprius1 Active Member

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    I work nights it's 3 am and 21below zero snow and wind, Hit the auto start for 10 minutes that's the set run time, by the time I get to my car it's starting to warm up! It is kind of a waste but I don't use it all the time. What ever you do have a pro do it. Like the Viper!Get the 2way so you know it's running.

    Viper - Car Alarms | Remote Starters | SmartStart | Window Tint | Window Film | Vehicle Security | Keyless Entry | Interface Modules | Accessories | Transmitters | Remote Start | Find Your Next Car Alarm or Remote Starter
     
    #12 samsprius1, Nov 20, 2011
  13. boro2011

    boro2011 New Member

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    ebookbrowse.com/pt398-47091-pdf-d231033162

    here are the instructions you will just need the dealer to finish the install for you with their fancy laptops.
     
    #13 boro2011, Dec 13, 2011
  14. markderail

    markderail I do 45 mins @ 3200 PSI

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    I had one installed in my G2 2006 Prius.
    I have one installed in my G3 2010 Prius.

    Costs 800$
     
    #14 markderail, Dec 14, 2011
  15. seether166

    seether166 New Member

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    We have a 2011 Subaru Outback and its remote starter works the same darn way too. It's infuriating. Moreover, the remote starter is a separate key fob! At that rate, I might as well get an aftermarket one with twice the range that doesn't shut the car off when I open the door!

    The Subaru's remote starter was the reason I didn't get a factory remote starter in the Prius. I'm glad you validated my decision by indicating that it is equally stupid. Sigh.
     
    #15 seether166, Dec 19, 2011
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