GM Remote Start Accessory

ECG · March 2, 2006

Have any of the dealer technicians installed one of the GM Remtoe Start Accessories yet?

What is involved? Is there an installation guide available yet?

blue2kzr2 · March 3, 2006

The vehicle needs a specific RPO code to accept the system. Adding the RVS accessory from that point is a change of remotes and re-program in the BCM.

AP8 is the required code. This code is for extended range RKE (my Grand Prix goes out 500 feet, compared to 60 with the standard-range) and has only been offered in limited models to this point. RVS was first available in 2005 (on the Grand Prix, other models are similar I think) but was only factory-installed that year, 2006 is the first year for the GM accessory and the "RVS-prep" package (also called "Extended range RKE" on the Buick line).

I'm not sure what would be involved in adding this to a vehicle not equipped with it, it may be as simple as adding the extended-range RKE module and remotes. Then you need to convince GM to release programming for your vehicle to activate RVS, which will be tough if it wasn't factory-equipped with the options needed, not to mention that you need RVS-capable modules from a similar truck.

FYI, I only need to "flick" my key to start my car, no need to hold it till the car is running. This may be another "requirement", but I'm not certain.

GM-Tech · March 3, 2006

blue2kzr2 hit it pretty much on the head. There are only a select few vehicles that have the capability of having remote start turned on. The "key flick" thing to start is not a good guideline since most, if not all, GM vehicles start this way now.

pm26 · March 3, 2006

Why would anybody want to install a remote start feature on their vehicle anyway? Just because somebody came up with the idea? Is it that practical ? If it was, a lot more vehicles would have these factory installed by now.

The only practical applicaiton I can think of woudl be preheating your vehicle in extreme cold, so you could remove the snow and ice from it while the engine is running and warm.

blue2kzr2 · March 3, 2006

Why would anybody want to install a remote start feature on their vehicle anyway? Just because somebody came up with the idea? Is it that practical ? If it was, a lot more vehicles would have these factory installed by now.

The only practical applicaiton I can think of woudl be preheating your vehicle in extreme cold, so you could remove the snow and ice from it while the engine is running and warm.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You must not live in a cold area of the US. I actually use it to get the car going shortly before I get in. I start it just long enough before I get in that the idle has dropped to 1K RPM and I can just go. I don't do this EVERY time I go to use the car. I also use it for warm-up in the winter, both to get the snow/ice off the windows and to get the inside warmed up a little.

pm26 · March 3, 2006

Why would anybody want to install a remote start feature on their vehicle anyway? Just because somebody came up with the idea? Is it that practical ? If it was, a lot more vehicles would have these factory installed by now.

The only practical applicaiton I can think of woudl be preheating your vehicle in extreme cold, so you could remove the snow and ice from it while the engine is running and warm.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You must not live in a cold area of the US. I actually use it to get the car going shortly before I get in. I start it just long enough before I get in that the idle has dropped to 1K RPM and I can just go. I don't do this EVERY time I go to use the car. I also use it for warm-up in the winter, both to get the snow/ice off the windows and to get the inside warmed up a little.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I live in Florida now, but I lived in cold areas of the country before and I got by without remote start (they probably did not have it back then). I remember the winter in Connecticut in January 1994. It was about 15 below zero one morning, so I ran to my car, started it up, and ran back inside and waited until it warmed up. I can see how it would be advantageous to have a remote start system under extreme cold conditions. But there is always a workaround.

GMCStepSide · March 3, 2006

That may have been back in the days when you could trust leaving your keys in the car while it was running....now days, they see one running and you can kiss it goodbye if the keys are in the ignition. I too have remote start for here in Alaska and wouldn't live without one as it not only saves you from a stolen vehicle, but allows the engine a little time to warm up.

GM-Tech · March 3, 2006

Why would anybody want to install a remote start feature on their vehicle anyway?

The convenience of a pre-heated or pre-cooled vehicle. It's probably more useful up north, but if you've ever climbed into a locked up car on a 90 degree day in South Florida with the sun beating down relentlessly, it's just as bad as jumping into a car that is -20 degrees.

Could you wait a bit... sure. But you could also roll down your windows with a crank instead of a button, or steer the vehicle with manual steering, but do you want to?

JimG · March 3, 2006

I installed a system on my old truck (1995 GMC Sonoma) ... probably one of the most useful modifications I ever did. Living in NJ, it's especially helpful during the cold winter mornings. That truck didn't have A/C so there was no advantage in the summer. But nothing beats walking by the window, hitting the button and watching the truck start up while I got ready for work on a 15 degF day.

pm26 · March 4, 2006

Why would anybody want to install a remote start feature on their vehicle anyway?

The convenience of a pre-heated or pre-cooled vehicle. It's probably more useful up north, but if you've ever climbed into a locked up car on a 90 degree day in South Florida with the sun beating down relentlessly, it's just as bad as jumping into a car that is -20 degrees.

Could you wait a bit... sure. But you could also roll down your windows with a crank instead of a button, or steer the vehicle with manual steering, but do you want to?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I always use a sun shield when parking my car in the sun in the summer and slightly crack the windows open. This reduces the interior heat build- up very considerably, to the point where it is not that bad to enter a car after it has been sitting in the sun all day. Remote start device cannot be installed on cars with manual transmissions, which my everyday driver car is. Also, if you have a remote start and do not use the sun shield (and many do not), you start the car from 20 feet away and then wait in the hot sun 5 minutes for it to cool off with the A/C running? Quite frankly, as hot as it gets in Florida, using the sun screen with partially open windows work, and getting into a car, I just roll two windows down, turn the A/C on and let the hot air escape while the A/C does its work. Works for me.

blue2kzr2 · March 4, 2006

I can start mine from 500 feet away. Many aftermarket systems will offer a range even better than that. No need to stand in the hot sun, I can start the car from the hallway at work.

dewfpo · March 5, 2006

I too always put the sunshade up and crack all the windows. Makes all the difference in the world as far as the inside temp when you get back in the car. I learned that in my days of living in Houston with a car with no A/C and a black interior.

Sunshades are cheap and help save your dashboard and seats as well.

DEWFPO

pm26 · March 5, 2006

I too always put the sunshade up and crack all the windows. Makes all the difference in the world as far as the inside temp when you get back in the car. I learned that in my days of living in Houston with a car with no A/C and a black interior.

Sunshades are cheap and help save your dashboard and seats as well.

DEWFPO

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Absolutely, plus all my car and truck windows are dark tinted, which helps even more.

hoorders · March 10, 2006

The only practical applicaiton I can think of woudl be preheating your vehicle in extreme cold, so you could remove the snow and ice from it while the engine is running and warm.

I have an 'Ungo' by Clarion remote starter in my 2000 Z71..............I use it all the time.......especially in the winter to warm the truck up...........I also use it when its not so cold to let the truck warm a up a bit anyways.

randynoguts · March 16, 2006

i too have this option on my '00 2500. although here in my area, its illegal to use. in that you cannot have a vehicle running without some one in it. cops drive around on cold mornings to give tickets. say its aanti crime reason.