I'm curious about remote starters. Are they a good idea or bad? If they are good, then should it be a factory installed one or aftermarket? If aftermarket, can someone install it on their own or not? Does anyone have any answers? I currently have one on my 2002 F250. I got the truck from my dad who bought it new and had the dealership install the remote starter. I can't remember how it works. He hasn't used it in over a year also, so he doesn't know ether. I know how to start it and all of that. My question is, along with the others is, when the truck starts the parking lights flash to let me know that it received the signal. Once it's running the parking lights continue to flash on and off until I put the key in and touch the break. Does anybody have any ideas?
Trav

 

Well my opinion is that they are very good. I live in Canada and would enjoy my Truck being a bit warm when I get in it. It also helps warm up the windows in order for me to scrape off the ice from the windshield.

As for Factory or aftermarket, I don't know. My last one was aftermarket with an alarm/autostart combo. It also beeped to tell me when it actually started and would beep continuously if my alarm was going off. Not to mention I could actually start it from close to a helf a mile away under certain conditions. By time I walked to the far away parking lot, it was warm and toasty. And the timer would shut it off in 10 minutes if I didn't get there on time.

The pager part was also an extra bit of added protection when I was on the 5th floor of a Construction site and knew when to look out the window if something was going on with my truck.

NOW, my NEW 2011 that I just ordered comes with factory alarm and autostart. I wont know if it is good or bad until I test it.

I might be fine with it or I might wait for one of the higher quality aftermarket alarm companys to come up with a good system for the 2011. Then I may consider having them disable the factory stuff and activate thier own. But I'm not sure if it would void factory warrenty or not.

I'll give it 6 months to test the factory setup then decide

So, for your question. Yes, Autostart is well worth having.

Remember, you can use it to warm your car on a freezing day AND you can use it to cool that hot leather on a super hot day. But only if you remember to turn the unit on before leaving the vehicle.

 

I agree, warm truck is nice. Do you remember if yours flashed your lights until you got in it?

 

I can't find one bad thing about a remote start, had one on all my cars for 10+ years.

As for the sequence of events, my '11 responds the same way my aftermarket remote start did on my 2000:

Use keyfob sequence to start truck
Trucks lights flash
Truck starts
Lights either stay on or flash (differences between my '00 and '11)
Unlock truck
Sit in seat, enjoy heat/ac for a second
Insert key, rotate to position just before where you'd start it
Depress brake, drive off.

Pressing the brake before entering the key kills the engine (security feature).

 

Great!!! That is the same thing mine does. I thought I was going nuts when the truck started up and the lights would flash after it was running. I guess that's to let you know that it's running when your sitting inside your home watching your truck warm up when it's zero outside and your nice and warm.
Thank you!!!!!

 

Not to steal your thread here but you mention a factory remote start, what year was that available for? I have an 07 psd.

 

The only thing I can think of that could be bad is that you burn a lot more gas just sitting. But other then that it is a good idea to warm the engine before driving. And it does feel good when you get in.
I am looking at the Viper Smart Start. It allows you to do everything from your smart phone. You can start, unlock, and view the alarm status on your smart phone from any where in the country you have cell service. It is pricey but comes with peace of mind. When the alarm goes off you get a text message, no matter where you are or how far away you are from the car. It runs about $700 installed., but that is the alarm, door lock, starter, and key fob override.

 

Read the reviews on that Viper unit before you buy...you may change your mind.

 

Trophy-23
That was installed brand new in 2002.

 

I recently bought a CompuStar remote start for my 2003 F250 7.3 and it works awesome. I dont have a real long range but I can set it to start for a certain time, it runs for 8min every 3hrs to keep the block warm during the winter so I dont have to plug it in. I have the alarm option, knock sensor if i get locked out, starts if battery voltage drops too low, and a list of other options. Not to mention it is compatible with all diesels so if you get a new vehicle have a dealer remove it and install it into the new vehicle. Mine was pricey at about 750 bucks but I look at it as it will always go in no matter what vehicle I purchase. Very much worth the money

 

Yeah, mine is also the CompuStar also, I have all the same features but I have pretty good range.

It's on my 2001 F150 but I'm just going to sell the truck with the alarm intact and if I think the new trucks Factory alarm/autostart is deficient I'll have another high quality aftermarket system installed.

 

Has anybody ever put one in themselves? I'm thinking about putting one in my wife's minivan. Sorry, it's not a Ford.
Firefighter15, what city do you work in?

 

They are pretty cheap just for a starter, at least around here in MI. I have seen them for $99 installed. I think that is something I would have a pro do.

 

My truck has a 6.4 diesel and it won't warm up very fast when at idle. Also I here it is bad for it to idle because of wet-stacking. This is why I have not considered remote start. I think it would be great for gas motors in cold climates.

 

If you can read instructions and don't mind contorting your body up under your dashboard, I would do it myself. Ordered mine off ebay for 60bucks. Told the seller the model of vehicle(2002 7.3 f250), and he sent me a vehicle specific wiring diagram. Done in an hour. You can also find the wiring schematics for free at many stereo oriented forum sites.