Remote Start For Smart Cars???

[frogger100]

Hi there. With winter well on its way I can't help but wonder if the Smart Car is capable of remote start being installed. Does anyone know anything about this? I have heard that it voids the warranty, but is it possible???

[jefferios]

I haven't heard of anyone having this. I have been told it will void the warranty when I was looking for a possible aftermarket alarm.

If you want to break the warranty you can potentially find something that works though.

[JD10367]

There have been comments about this in other threads, I think. The general consensus is that you probably can't "void" the warranty, but what it WILL do is give your dealer a crack in the armor to try to talk their way out of doing a repair, if the problem involves something you modded. The remote starters IIRC don't actually connect to your starter, just your electrical system, but if you then suffer an electrical system problem--even if it's nowhere NEAR the remote starter--they can say, "Well, lookee here, you added a starter and modified your electrical system, so we're no longer responsible."

Technologically, it shouldn't be a problem. I have a manual transmission that I had a starter put on in 2003. I have to go through a convoluted process to make it work, LOL, but it works. (I have to press one button while the car is still running, then turn off the ignition and remove the key but the car is still running, then get out and shut the doors, then press a second button to turn off the car. And I can't re-open a door or it ruins the whole process. Then I have to press one button to remote-start, then press a second button to de-arm the doors so I can get in.)

[Karl Roth]

Belive the technical hurdle is the immobilizer function in the key. There are heating systems for smarts but if you are looking to run the car with AC I don't know of anyone that has it working.
karl

[BigWarpGuy]

I read that the remote start would be for vehicles with an automatic transmission since a manual might accidentally go into gear. Since the Fortwo has an automated manual transmission, it might have the same result.

[oldbike]

The SMART is still a manual transmission that has a positive lock (P) position to insure that it starts only with the transmission in the neutral position.

Please understand I am assuming that the electronics of the SMART operate like most other modern cars. I believe that the main problem with installing a remote starter is going to be getting the SAM to accept a remote command to allow the starting procedure. Like most new cars, I am sure a key will be needed to be located in a secure hidden location, usually a box on the remote starter module itself, so it can be "sensed".

To figure this all out, a good understanding of the starting procedure and a clear wiring diagram will be required. I am not sure either is yet available.

[JD10367]

Originally Posted by BigWarpGuy

I read that the remote start would be for vehicles with an automatic transmission since a manual might accidentally go into gear.

As I said a long time ago (two posts up, LOL), they've been making starters for manual transmissions for years now.

[Jordon]

You would need a second key. Most, if not all now, new cars have a chip in the key that the car must recognize for it to start. The tranny makes no difference, the clutch needing to be engaged is why it is hard to find and istall them in true manual vehicles. The remote start kit will have the other key installed in it so that it can start the vehicle. It is really not that hard to install these systems, maybe a little harder due to the size of these cars and the location of all the electronics in the center and not next to the steering wheel.

[Poleposition]

I have a remote start installed by the dealer and it is FANTASTIC. I guess I dont have to worry about the warranty being void. The remote is a tiny little thing that says Pursuit on it. It works awesome and I am very happy with it. My car is warm in the morning when I get in and it will be cool in the summer as well. They did have to order a third key for the car and take it apart. The chip is hidden somewhere in the car.

[Karl Roth]

Originally Posted by Poleposition

I have a remote start installed by the dealer and it is FANTASTIC. I guess I dont have to worry about the warranty being void. The remote is a tiny little thing that says Pursuit on it. It works awesome and I am very happy with it. My car is warm in the morning when I get in and it will be cool in the summer as well. They did have to order a third key for the car and take it apart. The chip is hidden somewhere in the car.

To replace a lost key the local dealer had to get a pair of key blanks and the original key no longer started the car after the new coding from smart got installed. Do you now have a spare key as well?
karl