Remote Start

Finally got a new car two days ago after a long search. Super happy with my new 2015 Tacoma! I have never had a car so new, and something funny happened last night at Home Depot when I went to get a second key made. THAT SHIT WAS $80 BUCKS!!... Apparently I have a "chipped key"

At that price I am wondering what is stopping me from spending $200 and just getting remote start installed. Will this work or will I still need the chipped key to start every time?

Also I am still protected under the Toyota 36,000mi/3year bumper to bumper warranty. Will a mod like this void that warranty? Can I just get the dealer to do it?

I am going to email the dealership I got it from and ask, but they are an hours drive from me so Id like to get it done somewhere closer if I could. Is it hard to do myself? Any advise appreciated.

Hope this is the right forum for this question. Its my only post that isnt on new members, go easy on me.

 

First and foremost, congrats on ur new taco! Second, I have a 2014 TACO DCLB SR5 PRE and Ive been curious about getting a remote start. Do you get a separate clicker or does it get programmed into your keys? Im hoping someone will answer this thread with some answers.

 

Sub'd

 

I asked for a remote start for xmas, we'll see if I get it.

 

I stopped by a random audio place that advertised remote start install on a whim as i was driving by it today. Guy said $199 installed with two remotes $299 with alarm also. Probably not where i am going to go but just a start.

I called my Taco salesman and texted him about this and questions about the warranty. He hasnt gotten back to me in a day and a half. He is going to get a stern email tomorrow. People on reddit were saying get it done at the dealer, but i have yet to price that.

A very nice car audio shop person sent me a bunch of info via email:

The brand(s) I would recommend would either be CompuStar or AutoStart (see links below).


CompuStar, you will probably end up paying a bit more for it, but it would be the best option for reliability and by how user-friendly they are. They have two series that I would recommend. Pro and Prime. Pro series has a better remote warranty and usually better range, and as to be expected will come with a bit more of a price tag. The Prime series will offer a bit more of an economical option while still going with the CompuStar reliability.


AutoStart is one of the oldest names in the game. There is not a lot to it, therefore not much can go wrong. They have quite a few different options you can go with, all of which will work well.


Remote starts as most of us know them have changed drastically in the last 10 years. Vehicles require data interface modules to allow full proper and safe function of the remote start system. Again, there are a few companies that make these and it will boil down to what the installing shop prefers to use. We prefer the brand iDatastart for the bypass modules. A couple of the other big names are Fortin and Xpresskit, neither of which I would recommend. They have a very poor build quality, don’t last very long without issues, and are more of a universal application. iDatastart have a great build, lifespan, and tech support team if anything was to ever go south.


In regards to installation, a lot of shops will offer warranty if the product is installed by them. If you were to buy it over the counter and attempt the install yourself, 9 times out of 10 they will tell you to deal with any future problems yourself. They will also have access to dealer tech support resources that are not available to the public. Make sure whatever shop you choose twists and solders their connections instead of using t-taps or other crappy hack-and-slash methods.



TL;DR


CompuStar is the best, followed closely by AutoStart coupled with an iDatastart bypass module (Blade series for Compu, ADS series for Autostart).Have it installed by someone who knows what they are doing.


http://www.compustar.com/


http://www.directed.com/Brands/AutoStart/ (click “Launch Autostart Website” button in bottom lower left corner)

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I asked if i should just give it a shot:

What you will save wont necessarily be money, but will be your sanity. As I had said, its not so much a simple matter of matching wire colors any more like it was 15 years ago, haha. A lot of it is data controlled in the newer vehicles. The bypass module I had talked about needs to be loaded up or “flashed” with software files for that exact vehicle before it can be installed. The bypass that the CompuStar systems need are a little easier to install being that they actually slide directly into the remote start’s brain box. However, you still have to be a registered dealer to be able to load these files onto the bypass. Do your research on which of your local shops is the best and go for them. The way I see it, pay a little more once and it will work well, or possibly pay a little less but possibly pay a few times to get it working right. Check google+ reviews and facebook for how people felt the service was. This is essentially performing neurosurgery on your vehicle. Would you go to a discount brain surgeon? Haha.​

Anyway, thats what I have figured out so far.

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Wow JT, good research. Thats a good start. I will ask my taco dealer up here and ask what they have to offer. Ill go around town and see what audio dealers are offering. Hopefully I can have something comparable to your info.

Oh, and go easy on your taco salesman. He could have been closing a deal. But if he shrugs you off, give him hell.

 

holy crap. go on groupon, they are giving these things away.

 

I didn't find anything. pics or direct link?

 

So today I went to the toyota dealer. They didn't offer a remote start. But I did go to the audio guy. Well known and trustworthy. Showed me a few options. The best brand by far was Viper. it had a lot of options. The 2 way remote with a 1 mile distance and security feature meaning I would get a new fob with this feature. But my old fob will start work to lock and unlock. The new fob is pretty sick in my option. There were other fancy models with LCD screen and the such but the one i chose was a small LED light on the fob that would tell me that my remote start is on. oh and the cost was $299 plus $79 for a module that it needed. Its mandatory for the system to work. So not bad really. I'll save up at least half of the money before purchasing it. As you know the holidays already drained me.