Remote Engine Starter for Prius Prime

After having my Prime (Premium trim) over last winter, I am seriously considering installing remote engine start on mine. The reason, Prime's remote AC works off of traction battery and only use heat pump. As it turned out, the heat pump is not effective under sever cold (under 14F), and since the remote AC can not turn on ICE, no front defroster will be engaged.

I just talked to Toyota dealer about remote starter installation on Prius Prime. They gave me a quote for an after market unit for $733 installed. Now, that's a lot of money, but with local installer for Compustar unit, I got quote as low as $300 installed that use OEM fob as starter. 2 way remote with longer range and smart phone app upgrade will cost more but around $500 installed.

Looking at Amazon, several different brands (Compustar, Viper, Avital, Python, Crimestopper) units with various remote and some with additional security features sells for $50 to $400 range. However, I am not sure which one is compatible with PRIME and how difficult installation is if done DIY.

Have anyone successfully installed remote starter on PRIME? Which brand/model and cost? One caveat is that PRIME will not allow ICE to come on while plugged in. Did any implementation of remote starter successfully bypassed this safety feature, or this can not be accomplished? Since I charge my car every night outside, if I have to walk out of house in cold morning to unplug before remote starter can be used, it totally defeat the purpose. Any thought?

 

Yeah, if I can't remote start engine without unplugging first, then it won't be useful, unless I first install "remote plug remover". lol

Block heater may help ICE longevity, and may make the heating cabin faster, but it won't help defrosting iced up windshield. I checked with a dealer on block heater too, they gave me ~$300 installed Toyota OEM block heater. One problem is the circuit not being big enough to be able to handle both EVSE and block heater at the same time, so I have to stagger the schedule.

 

Really? So, if the wall power is shut off by a smart socket, even with the EVSE cord still plugged into the car and charge port lid open, the car let you start the engine? If true, that maybe my solution if there is no harm done to car by doing this repeatedly.

 

I just went out and checked my car. With wall power off, and L1 EVSE still plugged in, I tried turn on the car. The car will go into "ignition ON" mode with open charging port lid warning displayed on MID. At least without some mod, the car does not go into Ready mode, so ICE can not be started. Question is with remote start modification, can ICE be started with EVSE still plugged in but no power at wall. That IDK.

 

IDK, EU version different from US version on this? I did not test mine with different AC settings or defroster on. AC did come on, but at my setting 70F AUTO, it did not turn on ICE. With "ignition ON" mode, running AC high and defroster too long will likely to drain 12V battery quick. Last thing I want is dead battery to deal with right before going to work in cold morning.

Hummm, that might work. Worth a try, but I don't want to make any mod that might void my warranty, so I have to be careful.

 

So, the only way for a remote ICE engine starter to work is to have no EVSE, which is often erroneously referred to as "charger", unplugged from the vehicle and the charge port door closed?

 

Was installation done at a dealer? I got quoted ~$300 for the least expensive one way remote Compustar system, but the tech I was communicating with had no knowledge of PRIME (or hybrid car in general). I am hesitant to trust him tinkering with the electronics in my car.