I searched the forums for this but found only discussions of Toyota remote starters. I can't afford them. About a week after I got my new 2009LE I had an ExCalibur model RS-310-EDP installed. It seems to be working OK so far, but it's warm weather now. Cost me $250 and has remote door locks too. (If you start car remotely, your Toyota keyless entry won't work, have to use the ExCalibur gizmo to unlock doors, or use your key, and that's only on drivers side). The installer did not put a hood interlock on this one (I had one on my 2000 Corolla too). But this Valet Mode is easier to get in and out of, at least. The remote on my 2000 Corolla would only work to about 0 degrees F. Lower than that it WOULD start but the engine was turning too slowly for the gizmo to detect that the engine had started. It would try 3 times and quit. Hope this one works better. My early morning drives are about 2 miles, not enough time for engine to warm - THAT'S why I think remote starter is important for me. I usually only use in once a day. So... anyone else have any opinions on this?
2009 Corolla remote starter
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according to some auto magazine. You don't have to warm your car to optimal temperature before you take off. Just warm your car for about one and a half minute (to let all the fluid and oil going), then drive slowly, don't rev the engine up. this is the most efficient way too, coz it doesn't waste lots of gas to warm up the car. I lived in edmonton, we have about 9 months of winter and it is freezing cold all the time...I follow this method, nothing goes wrong (I do plug in my block heater all the time during winter & use fully synethic oil)
I wasted a ton of money replacing a head gasket on a 91 Sable (should have traded it RIGHT then, cause I didn't get anything for it anyway!). I put it down to all those short trips when weather was frigid. Your block heater is probably better, but I have no garage and connecting one wouldn't be convenient. I remember putting a block heater (in radiator lower hose) on a 79 Horizon for those -30 degree ski mornings. Then I don't think I ever used the damned thing even once (no plug when I wanted it!). If you have a garage though, a block heater is the way to go.
It IS kind of decadent to step into the car with the frost on windows all defrosted and car toasty warm, but my main reason for installing remote starter is to warm engine thoroughly by the time I get to my stop 2 miles away. This 2009 seems to warm FASTER than the 2000, the heat gauge is well off the peg at destination even without the remote start.
does your remote start allow you to lengthen the amount of time needed for the car to start?
i spent a little bit more and bought a viper. i can still use my factory key/keyfob.
but yea with my viper, i can adjust the amount of time it uses to crank to engine and if the car starts up before that time, the anti-grind technology will make sure i don't kill anything.
i spent a little bit more and bought a viper. i can still use my factory key/keyfob.
but yea with my viper, i can adjust the amount of time it uses to crank to engine and if the car starts up before that time, the anti-grind technology will make sure i don't kill anything.
I'm pretty sure mine doesn't have a feature like that, but it DOES have a BUNCH of programming options that didn't look useful. I'm afraid of them anyway. The big bugaboo of using a remote starter (I'm told) is getting the car's starter hung up on the fly wheel and damaging it. I guess that's what you are calling 'anti-grind'? That said, I used one for 10 years on my 2000 Corolla and didn't have a problem (except the one I listed above).
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