Does anyone have any experience adding remote start to a 2002, -3, or -4 A6? The recent cold snap here in the north east has me thinking maybe I'd like to add it to my new(er) Audi (as soon as I find one with the right options at the right price).
Thanks, Bob
If you've never done one, your best bet is to let a professional installer do it. After 2002, Audi put a chip in all keys and you need to be able to over-ride that by using the valet key in the installation.
If you are near Auburn, MA, there is a store (Sound Sensations) that will install it, and offer a lifetime warranty. Price should be around $350.
Price includes factory disarm of alarm system, keyless entry, two remotes with
1,000 foot range.Dave RS6
Thanks Dave. I was not asking about the difficulty. I wouldn't try to do something like that myself. I was only asking if it was possible and worked well. I know that for my Mom's car, a Ford, the dealer recommends against remote start. I don't recall why.
I assume you have one and would have said if you've had any problems.
Thanks for the input,
Bob
I'd recommend against them for pure suspicion:
.) I don't want the engine of my car running when I'm not near. .) That means I can't have first gear engaged in a stick shift car .) all alarms immobilizers et al get switched off/overridden, making the car an easy target for thiefs .) Why in hell would I want to use the engine of a car to produce heat when the manufacturers try hard to turn every bit of fuel into power and _not_heat. I'd have the cold starting friction, the exhaust fumes, the noise, the fuel consumption.
If you can get anything like a Eberspaecher or Webasto over there, think about those.
They have years of experience for those cars and Webasto even is supplying the optional heater package to Audi for their cars.
I use an Eberspaecher, it's started by a phone call from everywhere, heats the car nicely and removes snow and ice on windshields in 30 minutes at temperatures belolw freezing. And that with just 0,2 Liters of fuel.
Oh, and alarms and such remain on.
One more thing: I'm not affiliated with any of those companies, I just think it's much more efficient and safe.
Gruß
Wolfgang
Wrong. All alarms are still active. The car is no easier to steal than it was before the remote was installed. It takes the ignition key in the ignition to drive the car. Friends have one installed in their RS6 and checked with their insurance company before installation. Insurance company okayed it.
The alarms remain on in the installations I am familiar with. The car is no easier to steal than before. As far as fuel - I don't believe three - five minutes of idle is going to use much fuel.
I do not have one installed in my RS6 because it sits in a relatively warm garage, but I have family and friends that use them and swear by them.
The original question was can they be installed in 2002 - 05 Audis, and the answer is yes, but it is best done by a professional installer. Different strokes for different folks, Wolfgang.
Dave
There is nothing worse than the uneducated opinion on a subject Wolfgang. None of your points are valid and are all untrue.
Spend some time on the subject matter first before engaging keyboard in the future.
I stand corrected. I must have misunderstood your comment referring to "After 2002, Audi put a chip in all keys and you need to be able to over-ride that by using the valet key in the installation"
I don't argue that they don't work. I just think there are better options but..
..that is correct :-)
Gruß
Wolfgang
I admitted that Dave corrected me on the alarm issues, maybe you can elaborate on the other items?
I will surely continue to do that. Gruß
Wolfgang
Now this was civilised answer from you Wolfgang to not so civilised posting and thank you for that. Furthermore, I really think that there are better ways to pre-heat the car and it is never good idea to let the engine run without observation. I have a suspicion that these kind of devices (remote start) are forbidden atleast here in Finland (were the need is true) as I have never heard anybody using them.
To the original poster: evaluate other choices.
Petri, civility is relative. I have no patience for dissemination of wrong information and thus have no obligation to be civil to you but yes Wolfgang respond admirably but you are a flame fanning moron. There are no better alternative. The original poster wasn't asking for your sermon he was merely asking for how it should be done to an A6.
If you don't want to do it to your car that is fine, some of us are using it for years with no issues.
Get your head out of your arse. Now how is that for uncivility - lol.
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