Lawmen

lipappy, I have scratched my head at why our 2007 Chevy Suburban had remote start included in a mid-range trim package, but Lexus didn't get on the bandwagon until years later. "Pursuit of Perfection"?

I have had the iDatalink module for about a year now, and it has been a great piece of gear (so has the ES itself). I use my Lexus fob and I can start my car from my colleague's office that looks over the parking garage (need line of sight and < 50m). It has been a brutal winter in MD/VA/DC metro area this year. . . I am glad I decided to install the module.

lipappy

Lawmen, so you have a 2012 ES 350 as well? I was told that the Python 413 was the way to go with regard to remote start systems. Can you please say more about the iDatalink module you refer to, and also where you got it installed. I've heard good things about Car Spa and Sonic Sound. Thanks.

Lawmen

Lipappy,

I only own one Lexus, a 2008 ES350.

Go to posts #24 and #31 of this topic to learn more about the iDatalink module and the vendor (Westminster Speed and Sound) who installed it.

Please let me know if you have additional questions. . . I'm glad to answer them.

Cheers,

Lawmen

lipappy

Lawmen, thanks. I wonder if the computer on my 2012 is different than your 2008. I tried to find the model number of yours on the idata website but couldn't find it.... perhaps they wouldn't use the same model anyway since our cars are different years. What I don't understand is, if the module interfaces with the car's computer without bypassing it, why does it require a 2:45 install? Thanks.

driven905

Lots of good info here guys, is there another system that has the take-over function and it wont shut off the engine when you enter the car?

PaulA

I have had remote start installed in my last 4 cars. An ES330. 2005, an ES350, 2010, an ES350, 2013, and a Volvo S80. All of the remote starts installed on the Lexus models worked great. The install on the S80 Volvo was a night mare. It took the installers 5 days to figure it out, and that included several calls to Volvo Tech Support. The module from the Python brand that was recommended, wasn't software equiped to speak Swedish coding.

On the Lexus models I used Python, Viper, and now Clifford. The Clifford is the brand I have installed in my current ES350, 2013. The dealer was selling the Clifford at a "price "match" to any other business selling the same product.. It does shut off the engine when you open the door if you had started the car remotely. For the way I roll, I like the feature, My son-in-law is a deputy Sheriff in Florida. He says the feature has stoped a lot of high end cars from being stolen.

My wife had the Smart Phone feature installed on her RX. She could literaly be at a meeting in New York and start the RX from there.

Along with the engine immobilizer, I have used the Custom Feature adjustment to set the door locks to automaticaly lock once I'm in the car. When my wife is out at night in some mall, I feel a lot better knowing the doors will lock instantly once the door is closed.

Paul

lipappy

Paul,

The 2013 ES offers a OEM remote start option, correct? As you probably know the 2012 does not. I imagine prior years didn't either. For your 2005 and 2010 Lexus'es, did you install the remote starts during the time your cars' warranties were still valid, and if so, did you have any fear of the remote start being a convenient scapegoat to blame a problem on if you ever had one, even if it had nothing to do with the problem? Before I learned about Lawmen's iData module, I too was recommended to get the Python 413. I too, don't mind the car shutting off and would think it would be a huge theft deterrent.

PaulA

The 2005 ES was installed by a third party, and the car was purchased as a CPO. I really didn't worry about the warranty because the original Lexus warranty had already expired, I had a new CPO warranty and I had the manufacter's warranty. Plus, at that time the units were not very sophisticated. The 2010 ES I had installed by the dealer, still a third party product. Regular warranty. The 2013 ES I had installed by the dealer again, because the Lexus OEM product is worthless. The working range in some cases can be less than a 100 yards.

I do have a feeling that when dealers install the remote start devices, the warranty may vary from dealer to dealer.