Remote starters for manual trans - are there any?

[NHTundra]

Since my boat lives in the garage and my Tundra lives outside, it would be nice to be able to warm it up on those 0 degree days we get in "sunny" NH (like today).
I know most of the remote starters are for automatic transmissions, but I have the V6 5spd. Are there any for manual transmissions and does anyone have experience with them?
TIA.

[KGElster]

You have to install a standard remote starter yourself. (No shop will do it due to the risk.) Then just be damn sure it's neutral or rig up some kind of defeat for it which shouldn't be too hard.

[calitundra]

My friend, who is an awesome installer, hooked one up to his v6 toyota. He put a switch on the E brake so that the truck would not start unless it was engaged. All was working fine until one day he started it and was standing in front of the truck. It lurched forward pinning him between his 300zx and the truck. Needless to say he took the feature out. It would be very risky to use this feature and I am not sure how happy your insurance would be to find out if you had an accident because of it. If you could rig a switch that would not engage unless the truck is in neutral is the only safe way. But finding a switch like that is another story.

[Hover]

Here is a link to the Compustar alarm systems manual where it talks about manual transmission vehicles. The part you are interested begins on page 8 of the pdf file. [Link]

Here is an excerpt from that page for those of you who don't have the Acrobat reader:

Reservation Mode (manual transmission only)
In order to auto-start your manual transmission car, you must first set the CompuStar system to Reservation Mode before leaving your vehicle. The purpose of Reservation Mode is to leave the transmission gear in the neutral position when you leave your vehicle. Reservation mode is intended for use in MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS ONLY and NOT FOR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. Reservation Mode must be engaged each and every time you leave your manual transmission car in order to auto-start the vehicle.

Activating Reservation Mode (MANUAL TRANSMISSION ONLY)
Step 1: After arriving at your destination, and BEFORE TURNING YOUR ENGINE OFF, place the transmission in the Neutral position.
Step 2: Remove your foot from the foot brake.
Step 3: Activate the parking brake.
Step 4: Remove the key from the ignition. The engine will remain running.
Step 5: Exit the vehicle and close the door within two minutes after activating the parking break. The engine will shut off and reservation mode for the remote
starter is now complete.


It does seem like a lot of steps but it is one option for you manual transmission guys...

-Hover

[KGElster]

If you're not technically profeccient, I think Hover's found a good solution, but if you are, I would definitely see about installing a switch so that it only starts in neutral. The actual wiring would not be difficult, the real trick is simply installing the switch. Without something to look at, I can't offer any suggestions. Does the ECM have any reason to know what gear the manual trans is in? 'cause if it does, it means your switch is already there, you need only find the wire. Someone with a manual, can you answer us?

[KLS]

When I lived in an area with freezing temperatures, I always parked in gear and never used the parking brake...I've had it freeze on a couple of times where I almost didn't get it broken loose. So...it wouldn't work to have the truck in neutral and use the remote starter if your parking brake freezes.

Why not install an engine block heater? You'll have your truck's heater putting out warm air very soon, and you'll have less wear on your engine from those really cold starts--better gas mileage, too, from the quicker warm-up.


Ken

[akauth]

Originally posted by NHTundra
Since my boat lives in the garage and my Tundra lives outside, it would be nice to be able to warm it up on those 0 degree days we get in "sunny" NH (like today).
I know most of the remote starters are for automatic transmissions, but I have the V6 5spd. Are there any for manual transmissions and does anyone have experience with them?
TIA.

I've thought about putting an electric aux heater feed into the heater recirc inlet to speed up the internal heating process when it's cold . Either that or supplement the initial heating with an electric heater. (Doesn't depend on engine heat for warmth.)

Actually, running the car to heat it up is a great way to warm up the car but is a pretty lousy way to warm up the engine. Not to mention it wastes gas.

I wouldn't try it on a manual transmission. Sooner or later you'll kill yourself (or someone else).

Alan