Is It Possible To Remote Start A Manual Vehicle? [SOLVED]

[kennythebomb]

Like the title asks - is it possible to remote start a standard shift vehicle?

Some of my richer friends have new cars that they remote start before we even get outside. All of these cars are automatics.

My car is standard shift, so I have to depress the clutch before I can start it.

So is it possible to start a manual vehicle this way?

 

[TheCracker]

The car would have to have some kind of automatic clutch mechanism to either start the car with the clutch enganged or to shift the gears into neutral first.

 

[MistaX]

Depressing the clutch to start it is an ECU related safety feature, so you don't start it while it's in gear with the clutch engaged.

As that's a bit of a mess.

Short answer is yes.

But due to some people parking in gear, there would have to be a self check by the ECU to make sure the car is indeed in neutral before it would start.

 

[Jay]

For safety reasons its not recommended, but if you always leave it out of gear thats fine (but still risky incase you forget), the aftermarket remote start unit should bypass things like the clutch depress switch as it deals directly with the cars immobiliser, ignition and starter.

I had hardly any experience with remote start so I can't say for sure.

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

There is a bypass switch attached to the clutch and when it is depressed it allows you to start the car. It basically completets the circuit for the ignition like an on/off switch. It works just like a neutral safety switch in an automatic car. You could disconnect or bypass it and you would be able to use a remote starter. However it would be very unsafe because you might start the car in gear and send it into the nearest building or other object. You would have to make sure its in neutral every time you started it. Could be done, but it wouldnt be safe if you ever left it in gear and started the car.
On old manual cars those switches are only about $2.00-$5.00 and when they go out your car will not start.

 

[Duke]

And on really old manual cars those switches do not exist at all.

Honestly, remote start is nothing but technological masturbation, except not even that rewarding. If you live in Michigan it might make a little sense during winter, but otherwise, why bother? Other than to prove you have enough money to waste on a useless gadget?

Now, being able to raise and lower all the windows remotely - that rocks. On a hot day you'd be amazed how much cooler the car is when you get in, even if it's only been open as ou cross the parking lot.

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

And on really old manual cars those switches do not exist at all.

Honestly, remote start is nothing but technological masturbation, except not even that rewarding. If you live in Michigan it might make a little sense during winter, but otherwise, why bother? Other than to prove you have enough money to waste on a useless gadget?

Now, being able to raise and lower all the windows remotely - that rocks. On a hot day you'd be amazed how much cooler the car is when you get in, even if it's only been open as ou cross the parking lot.

I am not sure what years they started putting the switches in but I know 1966 and newer cars have them so it must be before those years.
Yeah living in Michigan or other colder climates is the only reason I see to have a remote starter like you said. Really sucks getting into a car when the temperature is -8 degrees and the windows are covered in ice. To be able to get into a pre-heated car would be very rewarding. I might install one for my girlfriends daily driver at the end of this year.
Keyless entry is a real treat too.

 

[Diego440]

I am not sure what years they started putting the switches in but I know 1966 and newer cars have them so it must be before those years.

by the switches you mean the clutch switch?

Then the answer is no; I've owned a '69 Mustang which didn't have it. You could start the car without pressing the clutch. I now own a 2001 Mondeo and it doesn't have it either.

 

[TheCracker]

I've never been in any manual car where you have to depress the clutch to start

 

[MistaX]

It's really a US only thing.

 

[wfooshee]

Having the heater already warm when you get in is the only thing I can see that makes remote starting worthwhile. Modern injection systems run well from stone cold, so there's no need to warm up the engine before driving, like you needed to do with a carb engine.

I wouldn't set up a manual with this, just too dangerous.

OTOH, I live in Florida, so who cares?

 

[Boundary Layer]

If the only reason you want one is to raise the cabin temperature before hopping in you'd be better off with a little 900W interior car warmer. I got one a few years ago from Canadian Tire (look).
Just plug it in on a outdoor timer along with your block heater. It'll defrost your windows and heat the interior without wasting gas, and it is much less costly than aftermarket manual remote starters.

To answer the question though: yes you can have remote starters installed on manual vehicles, but like others in this thread I've never understood the need. I suppose it might be convenient for some people during the winter in a climate like the one I live in to allow the engine to warm up before taking off - but I always spend a little time clearing snow, cleaning off my headlights and windshield, or kicking the ice buildup out of my wheel wells before I go anywhere in the winter anyways, so I let the car idle during that time.

 

[kennythebomb]

I've never been in any manual car where you have to depress the clutch to start

Whoa!

It's really a US only thing.

Now I didn't know the reason for depressing the clutch was a safety regulation. I thought it possibly could have been a mechanical necessity due to having the clutch and all of that.

So the answer is: Yes it is easy to do but no manufacturer features it because the liability is just too much.

 

[Dave A]

I've never been in any manual car where you have to depress the clutch to start

Likewise, I never knew such a system existed. No cars over here have it, and 90%+ of the cars here old and new are manual.

However it would be very unsafe because you might start the car in gear and send it into the nearest building or other object. You would have to make sure its in neutral every time you started it. Could be done, but it wouldnt be safe if you ever left it in gear and started the car.

Your car would jerk forwards and stall, if you were more than a foot or two away from anything at the front you wouldn't be crashing into anything.

 

[Duke]

I am not sure what years they started putting the switches in but I know 1966 and newer cars have them so it must be before those years.

!!! I've driven a '70 GTO that definitely had no clutch switch, and an '81/2 Ford F150 that would happily let you start it in gear.

Your car would jerk forwards and stall, if you were more than a foot or two away from anything at the front you wouldn't be crashing into anything.

Don't bet the ranch - the F150 I'm talking about would start and drive away if left in 1st gear or reverse; probably even 2nd gear. I wouldn't want to risk it.

 

[Dave A]

Really, I know you can jump off the clutch at idle in some cars without stalling, but were talking some cars here, like the TVR Speed 12. Easing gently and smoothly off the clutch, you could perhaps increase that number to include potentially a lot of other cars, but you get a very different respose from easing off the clutch and from suddenly taking it off which is closer to what happens when you try starting you car in gear. I'm suprised by that anyway. I was about to ask if it was diesel, because they tend to have more torque but an F150 in 81, I'd guess not. Anyhow, if your cars got enough torque to drive off like that or not, it's never really a good idea to start the car in 1st with the clutch up.

 

[kennythebomb]

Really, I know you can jump off the clutch at idle in some cars without stalling, but were talking some cars here, like the TVR Speed 12. Easing gently and smoothly off the clutch, you could perhaps increase that number to include potentially a lot of other cars, but you get a very different respose from easing off the clutch and from suddenly taking it off which is closer to what happens when you try starting you car in gear. I'm suprised by that anyway. I was about to ask if it was diesel, because they tend to have more torque but an F150 in 81, I'd guess not. Anyhow, if your cars got enough torque to drive off like that or not, it's never really a good idea to start the car in 1st with the clutch up.

I know for sure my Probe GT won't keep going when I start it in first. I did that the other day - forgot I left it in gear and it lurched forward about a foot or two.