Clifford remote engine start question????

[matt101]

Im having a new alarm fitted to my car next week and have a question about one of its features.

Its a Clifford Concept 300 with a remote engine start system. Apart from starting the car from the keyfob, this feature can also be programmed to auto start the car on a battery low condition and leave the car running for a short time following a drive as with a turbo timer.
I appreciate that my car has no turbo (nice idea though) but do you think that this feature could be beneficial on my car? (chim 4.0lt)
It seems to be common advice to carefully warm up and cool down these engines so maybe this could help?????

Any thoughts??? or will it just wake me up at 4 in the morning every time I have a low battery!!!!

Cheers,


Matt.

[ribol]

I would have thought the last thing you would want is the car sitting there idling and overheating, there is no turbo to slow down?

The more electrical functions you have enabled the more agro you will have in the future!

Ivan

[shpub]

There is some question of the legality of leaving a car with the motor running while unattended...

I wouldn't bother. The car is for driving isn't it.

[craigw]

I had the concept 300x on my Griffith for 2 years and now have it on my 348. The remote engine start is a handy feature for obvious reasons ie, warming car&interior up in morning, giving it a 5min cool down after a hard push.

In terms of safety, leaving the car is fine as if either the handbrake is disengaged or the car is put into gear the engine immediately cuts out.(there may be some legal issues though)

One thing I did have a recurring problem with on the griff was that the alarm went mental quite often ie, wouldn't stop going off at all times, I had 6 new units from clifford but no difference(and yes it was fitted by a "proper" place). The eventual conclusion was that there was something about TVR's that didnt agree with clifford units, possibly the lack of metal proving it difficult to get a good earth.

Since its been on the Ferrari I have had no problems.

All in all a great feature though.

[RCA]

All New Clifford's are G4 which is their latest system, it allows any accessory to be added on and does not false alarm all the time like the old ones!!, I have had mine on my chimaera for over 6 months with no problems what so ever. I also have engine start + low battery check and its great. The low battery check has never needed to start mine up so unless you are leaving it for long periods of time or have a bad battery you should not have a problem!!!. As for legal questions, The engine can be remote started with out disarming the alarm, if the alarm is triggered the engine will cut out and immobilise itself. Also as stated before if it was not alarmed the engine will cut out when a designated amount of revs is hit or the brake is pushed.
cheers

[matt101]

Thanks for your advice all. My main objective here is to have the best alarm I can afford. From what Im told, Clifford seem to fit the bill.

The remote start just appeals to my gadget loving side really but its good to hear that Craigw and RCA have found it quite useful.

Oh, and if any of you ever see a post entitled "problems with Intellistart" or "remotely drove my car into house" , please dont be too harsh!!!

Thanks,

Matt

[schueymcfee]

I just bought the Avantguard G4 for 200 quid on EBAY, RRP is 800 quid, but I will have to fit it myself.

I think there's 3 left if anyones interested

[RCA]

good luck fitting!!!!!!, thats what I have and it did not look nice when the professional fitter did it!!!!!

[schueymcfee]

Maybe so, but I doubt it'll cost 600 quid to fit!

[matt101]

schueymcfee,

Obviously Im now at the point where Im too lazy to even turn the ignition key so actually fitting the damn thing sounds a bit on the hard work side of things for me!!!!. £600 = money well spent I think.

Maybe I should get the Clifford Intelliwashandwax fitted too


Matt
(sponsored by Ginsters)

[RCA]

Intelliwash&wax, now theres an idea if I ever saw one!!!!

[DanH]

If you fit the alarm yourself surely it won't have the relevant insurance certificate?

[david beer]

You can always go along to a fitter and have them check the system works as should and then give you a certificate. I did just that with my last Griff, cost a tenner.

[matt101]

As I understand, my new alarm will be a Cat 1. Not sure if this is true but I have been told that the system needs to be fitted in a workshop by a certified engineer to qualify for cat 1 certification.

If its fitted by an engineer at your home or place of work, this invalidates any cat type approval.

Seems a little strange to me but was told this twice when calling around to get mine sorted.

[RCA]

As long as it is fitted by a qualified fitter it should not matter where it is fitted, Gap security fit alarms where ever you want and you still get the certificate!!!!

[the dodger]

RCA is correct. I have had 3 - no 4 alarm systems fitted all at home or work car park. All came will prper cat1 certificate. Also, as stated below if you fit it yourself and take it to a franchise they will test it and issue certificate.

Cheers.
edited to shay it's late and i've been on the red sherbert tonight so exquse smelling mistooks.

>> Edited by the dodger on Sunday 26th January 23:48

[schueymcfee]

The AVantguard 4 isn't Cat 1 anyway, so it's no big deal about proffesional fitting.