Our phone rings at our store outside Erie, PA. The caller asks, “I want a remote car start, what’s your price?” So then we ask, “do you want a cheap remote car start or a good one?” After that, it’s usually dead silence. So, we go on to further explain. Our remote car starters are DEPENDABLE, RELIABLE, SAFE, and they actually start your car when the weather gets really cold. So then, most callers will say, “I want a good one!”. It’s a question we have to ask. Because, some people think that all remote starts and their installations are the same. So they think, the only thing different is… the price! Right? WRONG!
Cheap Remote Car Starts Can Be a Big Mistake
A remote car start installation has to interface, communicate, and relay information with your vehicle’s complex electrical system. More than likely, your car was designed to NOT be started without the actual key or fob. So, if you try to start a car some other way, the car may think it’s being stolen. That means, you’re not going to work and the tow truck will be delivering your vehicle to a shop like ours! Of course, that’s a worse case scenario. But, it does happen! There are lots and lots of other things that happen with a cheap remote car start and installation and we will try cover as many as we can without boring you to death!
What can happen to my car?
- NOT ALLOW you to start the car at all, because the car thinks you are a thief! (Yes, that means you are calling for a tow truck!)
- Ruin a vehicle’s PCM or BCM. (On board Computers are expensive)
- May try to restart your car after it is already running!
- Cause a check engine/security/anti theft light to come on. (Dealers “love it” when that happens.)
- Try to start and then fail to start your car. Sometimes repeating this over and over! (Usually happens when it’s cold)
- Set off the car’s security system when you start the car by remote. (Very embarrassing and annoying)
- Wait days, weeks, or months before doing the above things. Your car dealer WILL NOT be sympathetic.
First, we have to find a remote start product that we believe in.
First of all, a brand isn’t always an indication of quality. As an example, we use to carry Astrostart. They were all made in North America and they were great for many years! But, the company was sold. After that, they decided to change how and where they were manufactured. Because of that, quality went down hill. As an example, some remotes were barely lasting 1 year. So, we replaced our customers remotes constantly under warranty. Then, to make matters worse, AstroStart started to refuse our defective returns! These remotes were horribly engineered. Not only that, but there were many other issues. We said our goodbyes. This can happen in a heartbeat with any other manufacturer. That’s why we don’t believe in promoting a brand. However, we do believe in carrying parts to serve our customers from years past. So, quality remote start hardware is #1.
Get High Quality Remote Car Start Technicians
Well, at ENORMIS Mobile Specialties here in Erie, PA we take a car’s electrical system very seriously. Most mechanics and garages do NOT understand your car’s complex electrical system. But, all of our technicians are MECP certified. Being MECP certified is not required by any agency. It’s also not a guarantee of a good install. But, chances are, if a shop is going to go thru the motions of being MECP certified, they are more qualified than most other shops. ENORMIS techs are MECP certified.
Remote Start Installations can be different
At ENORMIS, we do not believe in cutting wires. In fact, we will use a vehicle specific wire harness whenever possible. These harnesses are not cheap. Also, they are a pain to inventory because we need so many. But, that means a seamless installation with your car’s electrical system. Not only that, but it allows the engine to stay running AFTER the driver door is open on many cars! Using a universal remote start and wiring will NOT allow the engine to stay running on many Push to Start vehicles. (Regardless, Toyota and a few others will shut the engine off after a door is opened. No matter what we do) If, There is no “vehicle specific” remote start available for your vehicle, we still do not cut your wires. The only exception is, we will cut a wire only if it’s absolutely necessary for the install.
Remote Start Safety
We like to say that we install to a “standard” not a “price”. If you install a remote start to meet a certain price point, you will cut corners to meet that lower price. Here is a a perfect example. Remote Starts are designed so that the car can not be started if the hood is open. In fact, most manufacturers include a inexpensive hood switch. Many shops refuse to install a safety switch and they bypass it. That’s because it saves a lot of time! But, we install a safety switch. Not only that, but we actually purchase Tilt Switches separately. These switches mount on the hood itself and are less evasive than the cheaper switches. As a result, our remote starts detect if the hood is open and that’s safer. It’s just another difference between a “good” remote car start and a “cheap” remote car start.
If you would like a high quality expert installed remote start, contact the electrical experts at ENORMIS. We are located just east of Erie, Pa in Harborcreek and are approximately 5 mins north of I-90.
