The Acura MDX has this as an option, even though mine didn't come with it. However, my Volt has it, and it's a very useful feature when the weather is too hot or too cold, I can "pre-condition" the cabin by remotely starting the HVAC (either with the fob, or by a smartphone app), so that by the time I get in the car, the temperature will be at a comfortable level. I don't even know if it's possible to implement this feature in a manual transmission car, doesn't the clutch need to be disengaged in order for the engine to start?

 

It is part of the automatic transmission package on the C7. Fully programmable with regards to HVAC, etc.

 

Not available on manual trans.......

 

Is that an option that you can configure on the Chevrolet web site? I'd like to see that.

 

Not that I am aware. It is configurable through the personalization set up.

 

It could be if they designed the interlock correctly with a manual tranny. I'm kind of surprised they haven't done it yet on a manual transmission.

 

GM's attorneys would go apoplectic . From a liability perspective, forget it. Has never been done previously and I certainly can't see a manufacturer exposing themselves like that. Probably very good reasons that no one has done this in the past. Hell, GM wouldn't even allow remote closing on the 'vert top.

 

check out the owner's manual posted elsewhere. Pretty standard across the board on higher trim lines for GM on auto transmissions - at least every GM rental I've had lately has been equipped with it. (two LTZ malibus, an Impala and a couple of buick enclaves).

 

All it would take is one person to bypass the interlock...

 

Why would any idiot want to bypass the interlock system? It could be bypassed on the automatic too.

All they would have to do on a manual transmission is have a neutral sensor and parking brake sensor. If the tyranny is in neutral and the parking brake on, then allow remote start. If those sensor circuits are missing and the PCM doesn't see them as being in a normal state, then the PCM doesn't allow a start either.

As sophisticated as the C7's electrical system is, it wouldn't be rocket science to make a safe remote starting system for a manual transmission car.

 

I don't see what the big deal is, with all of today's technology you would think they could design a safe remote start for a manual. Seemingly all it would have to do is sense the car is safely in neutral and can't become in gear until a driver is present. Its the only thing that attracts me to an automatic car.

 

I had a Viper aftermarket security system with remote start that could and was set up for remote start on a manual trans.

To work, you had to have the car running, press the remote start button, then apply brake and park brake. The system would chime, then you would exit with the car running in neutral and with park brake set. Close the door and press remote start again. Another chime confirms it's set for remote start, and doors lock and the engine shuts off. If someone is still in the car and unlocks, opens doors or messes with ignition, the remote start is canceled. If remote is used to unlock the car before remote start, the remote start is canceled. It's a well thought out lock out for the remote start on a manual trans, and only requires a clutch sensor, brake and emergency brake sensor. Of course this is complicated because it has to be a universal fit for all cars.

The C7 has a shifter position monitor that has to be pretty good to make the rev-match function work, so it seems like the task of putting together a great remote start lockout for the C7 would be very possible.

I really enjoyed that manual trans remote start, and wish it were available on the C7, because while I know I could be quicker in a drag race with an auto trans, I just can't have an auto trans in a sport car. Probably won't drag race too much anyway...well, not too much!

 

As much as it would be nice to have on occasion, I would never be comfortable leaving my car out of gear. I set the brake every time, but I have had parking brakes slip off before, so I never fully trust them.

 

This process would work (though a tad inconvenient.)

If GM is worried about theft or a kid/dog bumping the shifter into 3rd, just set these rules in the electronics:

fob inside cabin
driver seatbelt fastened
clutch depressed

If they really want some added precaution, just put a PIN or some other verification step.

Any cause to not have the remote start with the manual is unrelated to liability or risk.

 

Maybe a case can be made for cold weather remote starts? Car is warm when you get in. And I understand the FOB will operate the convertible top. Which we just might use. No limit to gadgets these days. Utility or not.

 

In my opinion, folks that park their manuals out of gear are just asking for trouble. Put it in reverse, set the brake, kill the motor. The end.

 

It could certainly be done safely, with the addition of some mechanical changes (and their associated cost) to the trans and shifter:

1.Add a relay shifter gate lock that prevents shifter movement out of neutral without depressing the clutch first (only active when remote start mode is selected, etc). This eliminates the whoops somebody nudged it into 3rd problem.

2. Add a mechanical trans-brake interlock mechanism to the transmission, similar to an automatic in Park, only active in remote start mode with parking brake engaged.

3. When you hop in the car (with the fob in your pocket) and depress the clutch *and* brake pedals, the shifter gate relay permits tossing it into first and deactivates the trans brake and possibly parking brake. Once in gear and letting out the clutch, the parking brake definitely deactivates, as it does now by design.

 

I'd probably want the trans brake to be engaged by the parking brake button, and not automatically. Makes it kind of hard to push the car if the trans brake is always engaged.

 

I haven't parked a car in gear even once. Leaving the gearbox engaged in a gear is just pushing metal on metal, which displaces the oil. The gearbox is not designed to hold the car stationary. There's no justification for using a part of the car in a way it is not intended or designed to perform.

 

Of course not. You wouldn't also be fighting engine compression with it in gear, would you?