A good use for remote start if you have a pet.

[BReeves]

Maybe I'm the only one in the world that just figured this out. I often run into town to grab lunch or pick up a part and usually take my dog. She loves to go and it's really hard not to take her. As we all know Oklahoma summers are tough and I really can't leave the dog in the van without the AC on for more than a few seconds.

Got a spare door key with the idea of being able to leave the van running, lock the doors and have a key to get back in. This worked great on my 94 and 05 but the 13 won't let me lock the doors with it running.

I finally figured out, I can shut the van off, remove the key, close the door then start it with the remote start. It will run long enough for me to do my business, the dog stays comfortable in a locked running van with AC. Problem solved...

 

[DanB]

Did this just the other day. my dog stayed nice and cool in the truck. He was still a bit upset that he didn't get to come in with me.

 

[Apogee]

I really like the feature of not locking the doors with a key in the ignition. Has saved me doing something stupid many times.

 

[tRidiot]

Both my truck and car (well, hell, I guess all four of our vehicles, now that I think about it?) I have had my alarm/stereo/tint guy install a 2-way paging alarm with remote start. It has a "pit stop" feature. For just situations like this - running into QT or somewhere for a few minutes, you just hit the button, pull the keys and off you go. Alarm will set with the remote like normal, but the car is running and locked. Come back, unlock, hop in, keys in, off you go. If you do this very many times, it saves some wear and tear from constantly killing and restarting the engine, plus gas use - I've heard it takes a good bit to get it started.

So yeah, same deal, just without even having to turn it off - plus not only is it locked, alarm is on, as well. I love it.

<Edit> Anyone in the T-town area, my install guy is a member here, though not really active. He's too busy with his business, but he does great work and is a super guy. Name here is ConditionOne. Eric Grode, 12VoltAutoSpecialists at 6333 S. Peoria... tell him I sent you. Helluva guy, also a gun nut like the rest of us. He does mobile work, too, so he can come to you if need be.

 

[NightShade]

It's great but the bad thing is that it is illegal in many states to leaving a running vehicle unoccupied, and that includes a remote start feature.

http://www.wnd.com/2014/01/cold-shock-warming-up-your-car-illegal/

This article relates to the winter months but it's nearly the same for summer months and the heat.

 

[BReeves]

It's great but the bad thing is that it is illegal in many states to leaving a running vehicle unoccupied, and that includes a remote start feature.

http://www.wnd.com/2014/01/cold-shock-warming-up-your-car-illegal/

This article relates to the winter months but it's nearly the same for summer months and the heat.

Ya, which smiley is the one that says "I don't give a hoot about some stupid law that exists because of idiots".

 

[Fyrtwuck]

I've carry a second set of keys so that my dog can sit in the air conditioning while I go inside places for a quick visit. I'm also guilty of starting my truck and letting it warm up in the winter. Again locked with a second set of keys inside my house.

There have been numerous times that I've gone into the local convenience store and seen an empty car parked in front with the windows down, keys in the ignition and running. If it were mine, it would have been gone before the store door closed behind me.

 

[BReeves]

When I hit the remote start on my van it locks the doors and even if you could get in, without the key you can't get the shift lever out of park. On top of all that if you hit the break pedal without the key it quits. I believe it's a pretty safe bet it wouldn't get stolen.

 

[doctorjj]

On my truck, if you try to close the driver's door with it locked, it will unlock itself. However, I found I can close it, with the back driver's side door open, reach forward and lock it, then close the rear door with it locked. Then I use my keypad to get back in.

 

[ronny]

Most of those laws make it illegal to leave the car running "with the keys in the ignition". That's not the case with remote start.