Remote start. Key FOB vs Dedicated Remote

Living in CT (and my garage being to tight to comfortably fit the truck), I want a remote start before winter. I'm very tempted by the 12voltsolutions plug and play option because I really like the idea of no wires being cut. Where I'm struggling is the choice between using the existing key fob (advantage not having to carry around anything extra), or a dedicated remote (advantage longer range).

Any advice? I'm having a hard time deciding.


https://www.12volt.solutions/products/2016-2017-tacom-pts-100-plug-and-play-remote-start-kit

 

Can't compare it to having its own remote but I can let you know that I just bought and installed the plug and play from 12v solutions and it works great. Only problem I had is that the auto lights switch was reversed. Great customer support. I guess I got a batch that the switch was reversed. Not a big deal, just had to open dash back up and flip the switch.

 

FYI: the 12volt solutions uses the same underlying box (DEI

$60 DBALL2 Databus All Combo Bypass Module

DBALL2 or DB3) as my $55 DIY writeup and @KB Voodoo's kit. 12v added pigtails/connectors so you don't have to get into the wiring, and is charging accordingly. They'll all work the same, using the OEM fob.

Last winter I had no trouble starting my outdoors parked truck from inside the house, I would tend to walk towards the end of the house nearest the truck though. Still, that didn't help when leaving work or when out with my wife and wanting to warm up the truck before we walked out to it. I wanted more range.

Rather than adding a long-range remote and having yet something else to keep up with, I instead with with the SmartStart add-on from DEI. I retain the OEM fob remote start ability, but can also remote start the truck from my cell phone. I can also remote lock or remote unlock from anywhere. Ever travel for business, and wonder if you remembered to lock your truck just as you were boarding the plane? Easily fixed with SmartStart.

 

Interesting option I hadn't thought of. From my house the fob would be fine but from work, it would have to start my car from about a quarter mile away with a train bridge in the way. Thanks

 

I just installed the 12volt.solutions (super easy for someone who has never attempted anything behind the panels). So far the range I've gotten is about an 8-iron shot (150-ish yards), and that's putting the remote up against my chin ....Nothing close to your 1/4-mile!

 

I would buy this in a heart beat if it didn't shut off when the door was touched or open. Not sure if there is a work around or another product that has what I am looking for.

 

As I recently wrote:

You have a choice:

With remote start, on a cold January morning you can walk outside and get into a WARM truck and press the Start button as you put on your seatbelt.
Without remote start, on a cold January morning you can walk outside and get into a COLD truck and press the Start button as you put on your seatbelt.

I know which one *I* picked.

Let me put it in a different frame of reference: Which one would your wife or girlfriend (or both) pick?

 

Look into the Compustar system. The range is great, I can start the truck and it locks the doors. If you hit the brake without the key in the on position then the truck shuts off but if you put the key in then the truck remains running. It replaces the factory fob. I got mine installed for $250 I think. That is the one with the digital screen. I could not be happier with mine.

This is on a 2nd gen so the 3rd gen push to start will shut off when you open the door but the range being about 10X what the factory fob offered is worth looking into an aftermarket setup in my opinion.

 

We're talking about push-to-start 3rd gen Tacomas.

The keyed-ignition trucks (3rd or prior generation) are a different animal and don't shut off when you open the door.

 

Understood gpb. Wife would love the heat, that is for sure.

Thanks for the great info

 

Happy wife, happy life.

 

Did we (TW) finally determine if the remote starts (12v , voodoo etc...) void warranty? I have read 50/50 that it voids. My Toyota dealer said "yes" it would void. When I asked what exactly gets voided and why they didn't have a response.

 

Vehicle warranties aren't monolithic things that exist only as valid or void. Read up on Magnuson-Moss.

In short: If you have a problem and a dealer has (valid) reason to believe your third-party modification caused the problem, they can deny warranty service on that problem.

So yes, if you go in and install one of these and then the truck won't start and throws a ton of errors, yeah they might blame the remote start and tell you to pull it out before doing anything else. Even with the soldered wire connections, the module comes out of the system with two connectors leaving the wiring behind. Loom those wires and install it well and chances are many techs would never know you'd been in there unless you told them you had. Or spend the extra $200 on the PnP version if you prefer. Or wait until the main warranty's up before installing one.

Other sorts of issues shouldn't present any issues. I'd get a good laugh listening to a SA try to link a remote start to a problem with a differential.

Sure, you can run into an azzhat dealer who causes a bunch of problems, so if that's your only possible choice for a dealer you might want to be a little cautious. Otherwise there shouldn't be any problems unless you get unlucky.

 

I thought that too and then said fuk it and got one. Jump into a nice
warm defrosted truck and push the button. Sure beats the hell out of
going out there in the snow, cleaning it, getting in and starting it and then
going back inside again.

 

Eggzachary!!

It's so easy to just push the button again. It's totally a non-issue.

 

Is there anything out there for us non-smart key guys that is close to the kits you guys are describing? I don't want to have some stupid looking extra remote on my keychain, and would love to be able to use my cell phone to remote lock.
Thanks in advance.

 

Do you have someplace at work that you can leave the dedicated remote?

 

Where is the 7 pin SLP connection for the 12V solutions plug and play??? Trying to install now and I don't see the 7 pin anywhere...My 2016 Tacoma doesn't look like the one in the video and this is frustrating!!

 

This should point you in the right direction.