remote starters

[sackett13]

hi everyone.I have a 2001 pathfinder .i am new to this site and i have a couple of questions? first i bought a prostart 2 in 1 remote starter from canadian tire is it a do it yourself job? second is there a way to get better mileage?

[Qxxx4]

personal experience, my qx4 came with a remote starter (aftermarket) when I bought it used. It was a canadian tire style and i had nothing but problems with the truck the first month i had it. i wouldnt even use the remote, Id just use my key to turn the car on and it would shut off by itself when i pulled out of the driveway, the dashlights would flash, the wipers wouldnt work sometimes nor the headlights, hitting unlock on the FOB would set the cars alarm off (for TWENTY MINUTES until i realized you need to use the key manually to unlock the door even thouhg my doors were already unlocked to turn the alarm off) until at one point, my truck would not even start at ALL.I had to get it towed to the shop and turns out my entire ignition was shot. $1000 later the mechanic got me a new distributor cap, starter and ignition parts, reprogramed keys (because they have anti theft chips in them) and a completely removed remote starter. The unit is in my basement now and i refuse to reinstall. This is just one story of thousands of people who had problems with it, most who even got CANADIAN TIRE technicians to do it. I say unless your really good and really know your cars electronics, take the damn thing back or get your nissan dealer to install it. Ive had friends who were in worse shape than me where their cars would start by themselves randomly in the night. In days like now where its freeeezing cold out, i do wish i had a remote, but seeing the problems I had, its just not worth it. And this is coming from an electronics hobbyist my friend.

If you do want to take a chance, there are many people who successfully installed it as well, but i hear you need the type of starter that uses relays, its more reliable i guess.

as for gas mileage, forget K&N this community has taught me that, waste of cash and lets dirt through into the engine. Forget the "tornado" that thing that spins in your intake, I heard alot of horror stories where that skinny metal apparatus breaks apart and you have shrapnel getting sucked into your engine. Chips....hmmmm sounds like a gimmic to me, I personally wouldnt do that, might affect your engines reliability. The moral is, ignore gimmics. Nothing is better for your car than a fine tuned engine. This means fresh spark plugs (which im due for) a new regular air filter (also due!), regular oil changes, good tire pressure, and most importantly, good driving habits. If you like to floor it, forget good mileage in this truck. Also if you use your breaks alot, your screwed too, learn to coast your car as much as you can even if people behind you want to continue going the speed even though theres a red light 100metres ahead of you (IDIOTS!). I must be forgetting something, but the others will remember im sure

best of luck and welcome to nico

[Buzzman]

Have to agree with Qxxx4 about the starter. Do not attempt to do it yourself. Take it to a pro, or better yet, take it back for a refund, and then buy one from a specialty shop that installs these things for a living. It will be worth the money, and you'll have some kind of warranty that will back you up. Installing it yourself voids any kind of warranty. As for mileage, try searching the forum. Lots of discussions in the past regarding this subject. You will never get 40MPG's, that's for sure.

[timmack]

i also agree with the above 2 posts. car audio is one thing, remote start is a whole new level. if you try to wire it up yourself and fry something, youre gonna kick yourself in the you know what. save the stress, repair bill, and headache and pay to have it done right the first time if youre not 200% sure you can do it.