My MIL has a 09 camry and somehow I got nominated to make her life easier and find her a remote car starter. I called a local installer and he said he cannot do it. I called the dealer and they could give me no answers.
I looked online and found a toyota remote start for like $350. There is a note that it needs the VIP security system to integrate? No clue how to tell if it has the VIP alarm or not.

Any suggestions?

 

Remote starts are probably the most fuel wasteful, polluting devices you can buy. The engine heats more slowly than if she just drove itafter start-up.The pollution control system operates longer in open loop and the car burns more gas with higher pollution. You will also find that because the engine burns a richer mixture for a longer time there will be higher amounts of fuel to oil dilution - that reduces the lubricating qualities of the engine oil. If its that cold where she lives a better solution would be a block heater on a timer.

 

Thank your for your insight. I fail to see how a 1500watt heating element running for a few hours is less wasteful than burning a pint of gasoline. In this climate -15* days are not uncommon. I dont know about you but I dont like sitting in a deep freeze for a car. A block heater would help by getting the car warmer faster but you are still looking at sitting in a -15* car for the first 5 mins of my drive.

 

You are right that no matter how you produce energy there is pollution factor. It depends how the electricity is produced - coal burning of course would be the worst. Nix the block heater then.

Wow!What an awful experience, a full 5 minutes. Glad to see your attitude is part of the problem, not part of the solution.

 

he asked for help not you telling him it is a wast. we dont care that you are Green. i have a 99 camry that cant pass emitions test for anything and i do remote start even in the summer so my car is cold.

and about the alarm toyota has a security system in there cars already so you have to find a bypass for it. thats why it is so much money.