I think it is a great idea. Think of the possibilities. Eventually, we will not need key fobs, just out phones programed to fit our cars. Problem is, people loose and break phones easier than they do keys.

 

looks cool.. very cool feature but too slow...

 

Well, what if your wallet is locked up in the car with your BlackBerry and your keys???

 

Overkill,,yeah you can start the car from a greater distance away, but also imagine the joys of someone finding a crackberry with this feature on it b/c someone lost their phone. Now they have not only lost their phone, but possibly their car as well. I'll pass in favor of the more traditional keyfob remote. Advantage is 0 delay in reaction, no fees to use, and as far as range is concerned, just get a range extended installed with your remote and the distance will increase immensely. Several years ago, I had a 92 Camry with a Viper alarm which had the auto start feature (I used to work at the now former Circuit City). Range on the fob was always a problem for me. I had an extender installed and never a problem since. Realistically, I think the furthest I had used the fob, and actually had it work, (with the extender), was from more than a block and a half away.

 

Don't you still need the keys?? I thought factory remote start systems don't let you drive the car away without the key.

 

its cool but the delay is too long imo

 

In most cases,, yes you do still need the keys, but trust,, there are ways round this for someone who knows what they are doing.

For instance,, now I have your phone,, with your car's access. I can now get in and get your vin number, insurance paperwork, etc and have this with me. I also now have your address, from the papers, so while you may get to drive the car home TODAY,, I can always just drop by your house and get it later. With my new found info, I can go home and duplicate /fake documents to show that I am the owner of the car and now take this to a dealer who will order me a new transponder key based on my paperwork and vin info that I have shown (most dealers don't check, they just verify and order). Now a few days later, with the "new" key in hand, I can just swing by YOUR house(if left outside), with YOUR phone and open YOUR car and drive off with it with MY "new" keys and no one will be none the wiser, since the alarm wil never go off. Of course, the "average" criminal will not go thru all of this, but for the "professionals" who are after your new vette, Lexus, etc. a little legwork will lead to a big payoff. If he wants if bad enuff, he will get it, even if he has to tail your car when you leave home and take it when you park it somewhere, for a quick minute. I know I sound like a car thief, but I have had some "friends" who have done this b4 and have had to spend a little time away from home b/c of it.

 

Minor flaw in that theory. New transponder keys MUST be programmed by going through a very detailed procedure in the presence of an existing key. If you don't have the owner's real key, the new transponder key you just ordered and had cut is completely useless--you have to replace the PCM if you want to program a new key without an existing one. And of course, if you already had the owner's real key, why are you going through all this trouble again?