BestCarAudio.com

Showcasing the Best in the Mobile Enhancement Industry

Showcasing the Best in the Mobile Enhancement Industry
  • Articles
    • Bluetooth
    • Car Audio
    • Motorcycle Audio
    • Navigation
    • Remote Starter
    • Satellite Radio
    • Smartphone Integration
    • Vehicle Insights
  • Industry Profiles
    • Installation Profiles
    • Installer Profiles
    • Retailer Profiles
    • Vendor Profiles
  • Products
  • Dealer Locator
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
Arc Audio

How Does a Manual Transmission Remote Car Starter Work?

February 26, 2021 By Dave MacKinnon

Manual Remote Starter

For decades, specialty mobile enhancement retailers have installed remote starters on cars and trucks to make them more comfortable. Whether you’re in the bitter cold of Alaska or Northern Alberta or you’re dealing with sweltering temperatures in Arizona or Nevada, giving your vehicle a few minutes to warm up before you drive can make the first part of your journey much more comfortable. In this article, we’ll look at how remote car starters have evolved to improve their safety when installed on manual transmission vehicles.

Automatic Transmissions Are Easy

When you press the start button on the remote that came with your car starter, it sends a radio-frequency signal to the starter’s control module in the vehicle. If installed correctly, the starter will check the status of the hood pin to ensure that it’s closed. If a mechanic is working on your vehicle and accidentally presses the key fob, bad things could happen. The system will also check to see if it’s in valet mode. Valet mode is a second level of protection for those times when you don’t want the remote start system to be operational. Many modern vehicles have built-in security systems that need to be disarmed before the engine will start. In these cases, the appropriate analog or digital commands will be executed to prepare the car or truck for starting.

Once everything is clear, the control module either emulates the electrical functions of the key cylinder or sends a data command to the engine control module to start the vehicle. Most starters monitor the engine speed using a wire connected to one of the fuel injectors or spark modules. Engine speed may also be available via the data connection to the engine management computer. After the engine has started, the controller re-enables the vehicles security functions and locks the doors to ensure that everything is safe. All the owner has to do is activate the unlock feature on the remote, get in, turn the key to the run position and drive away.

Manual Remote Starter

Vehicle Security Is Important

During the winter, thieves are always looking for opportunities to steal a car that’s been left running in a driveway or outside of a store. If you start your car and leave the key in the vehicle, it’s a prime target for a thief. With a remote starter, the doors remain locked while the engine warms up. On top of the that, the vehicle will stop if someone touches the brake pedal or clutch to put the transmission in gear. Your vehicle is as safe while remote-started as it is sitting quietly overnight.

Manual Transmission Logic Prevent Accidents

Whether you call it a standard, a five-speed transmission or a manual gearbox, the concept is the same: The engine is connected to the transmission through a clutch. Companies that manufacturer remote starters that work with manual transmissions include several features that help ensure that the vehicle won’t start while the transmission is in gear.

One example is Manual Transmission Reservation Mode or Manual Transmission Start Mode, depending on the brand of starter you’ve had installed. The process is very similar across all brands. With the vehicle parked and the engine running, the first step is to put the gear selector in neutral, release the clutch, then set the parking brake. Once you take your foot off the brake pedal, activate the remote starter function on the remote control. The starter will take over running the engine. You can turn the ignition off, exit the vehicle and close the doors. As soon as the last door closes, the remote start controller will shut down the engine and lock the doors. The vehicle is now prepared to be remote started.

Manual Remote Starter

With the remote start having shut down the engine, it’s safe to assume the vehicle was left in neutral. You’ll want to make sure all the windows are rolled up and the convertible top, if you have one, is closed. Some shops won’t install manual transmission remote car starters on convertibles or Jeeps because it’s too easy to access the interior of the vehicle.

The remote starter control module monitors the doors, hood and trunk while waiting for the start command. If any of these are opened, the remote start reservation is cancelled. Likewise, if an alarm built into the starter system is triggered, the system cancels the remote start function. This monitoring helps to ensure that nobody can enter the vehicle and put the transmission in gear.

To start the car or truck, just press the remote start button on the key fob or on a smartphone app such as DroneMobile. When you’re ready to leave, you can unlock the vehicle with the remote, get in, turn the key to the run position and drive away in comfort.

Manual Remote Starter
Once you have set the Manual Transmission Reservation Mode, you can start your vehicle from anywhere using a telematics solution such as Drone.

Bonus Protection

Compustar takes protecting the vehicle one step further with the addition of its DAS and DAS-II sensors for remote starter systems in standard transmission vehicles. The DAS sensors include digital tilt, motion and shock sensing. If during the remote start process the DAS sensor detects that your car or truck is lunging forward, it will immediately shut down the engine. This is an impressive level of protection that protects you from a worst-case scenario.

Start Your Car with Confidence

If you are interested in having a remote car starter installed on a vehicle with a manual transmission, talk to your local specialty mobile enhancement retailer. Be sure to ask them about the zones and sensors that the system monitors and how the reservation mode works with the products they offer. It’s a few extra steps to make it safe to start a manual transmission vehicle, but having a car or truck that’s more comfortable is well worth the few seconds the process requires.

Lead-in Image: Thanks to Taylor Pearson from Phantomwerks Designs in Roanoke, Texas, for the photograph of this ultra-rare yellow 1993 Efini RX-7 Type-R A-Spec and the Compustar PRO T9 remote starter system.

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Email

Related

Filed Under: ARTICLES, Remote Starter, Smartphone Integration Tagged With: Compustar, DAS Sensor, DAS-II Sensor, DroneMobile, Jeep, Manual Transmission

About Dave MacKinnon

Dave has worked in the mobile electronics industry since 1988 in almost every capacity, including roles as a Retail Salesperson, Installer, Sales Representative, Technical Trainer, and Product Development Manager for some of the largest car audio companies in the world. Dave started his writing career in 2000 as the Technical Editor of a Toronto-based car audio magazine and has reviewed more than 450 products. Formally trained as an Electronics Technician, Dave is considered an industry expert when it comes to explaining how mobile audio components work and has crafted thousands of articles to share that knowledge. He’s currently the Head Writer for 1sixty8 media and the Editor-in-Chief at BestCarAudio.com

Audison Forza
Helix

Industry Profiles

Westminster Speed and Sound

Mobile Enhancement Industry Profile: Westminster Speed and Sound

April 9, 2021 By 1sixty8 

Located in Carroll County, Westminster Speed and Sound has been a staple in the car audio and aftermarket accessory … [Read More...]

Press Releases

Vision Zero Automotive Network
ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) Certification Program launched by Vision Zero Automotive Network
Metra 107-GM5B
Metra Electronics® Ships New Dash Kit with Built-in OLED Screen for 2010-2012 Cadillac SRX
Prime R2 Loaded Enclosures
Rockford Fosgate® Releases New Prime R2 Loaded Enclosures
Motorsports Can Speakers
Rockford Fosgate® Begins Shipping New Motorsports Can Speakers
Rockford M5 Amplifiers
Rockford Fosgate® Begins Shipping New M5 Amplifiers

Product Reviews

Sony XM-GS6DSP

Sony XM-GS6DSP Amplifier Product Review

Vehicle Insights

2021 Toyota Sienna

2021 Toyota Sienna Limited: Maximum Minivan

2021 Mazda CX-5

2021 Mazda CX-5 Signature. Don’t Overlook the Zoom-Zoom.

Find Facility Near You

Subscribe to BestCarAudio via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to BestCarAudio.com and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Popular Categories

  • Car Audio
  • Window Tint
  • Remote Car Starters
  • Vehicle Insights
  • Radar Detectors

Supporting Manufacturers

  • Arc Audio
  • Compustar
  • Hertz
  • Momento
  • MSC America
  • Rockford Fosgate
  • Sony
  • SoundShield

Contact

  • Editorial
  • General
  • Advertise

Forms

  • Profile Request

Sign up for our newsletter today. Opt out at any time with 1 click.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

BestCarAudio.com is a product of 1sixty8 media · Copyright © 2021 1sixty8 media · Privacy Policy · Website by 1sixty8 media · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.