Frequently Asked Questions
For Security system/ Alarm/Remote starter
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Q. Do we have to set up an appointment?
A. We do take walk in but we would highly recommend for you to set up an appointment, so you won’t have to wait for your turn. Please call before you come in and please don’t be late because if you’re late than that’s mean we have to delay other customers. If you know you’re going to be late or cannot make it please let us know. Thank you.
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Q: What is the difference between 1-way and 2-way?
A: Probably the most commonly asked question when it comes to remote starters, what does 1 and 2 way mean? It’s quite simple – a 1-way remote will only send a signal out to the car. On a 2-way remote, the car will also send a signal back to the remote, in the form of sound and lights or a picture, to confirm that it did what you told it to do. 2-way remotes are handy if you frequently park where you can’t see your vehicle and you want to know for sure that it locked or started!
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Q: How can I start my car with my smartphone?
A: We offer the two leading names in remote start telematics, Drone and SmartStart. With their apps for iPhone and Android, these add on to existing remote start systems and allow you to lock, unlock, and start your car from anywhere in the world that has an internet connection. GPS tracking is available as well!
*Extra parts required, subscription fees apply
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Q: Can I bring my own parts/remote starter?
A: We do provide installation of customer-supplied remote starters from most major name brands. If you need extra components or interface module to install your kit to your vehicle, we can supply them as well. As these are on a per-case basis, please contact us with your vehicle information and the exact model number of your parts so that we can confirm compatibility and exact pricing.
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Q: Will installation of a remote starter and/or security package void my warranty?
A: No, proper installation of a remote start and/or security package will not void your warranty as long as it is installed professionally. It is actually against the law for dealers to void the warranty for this reason. It is important to note that you must have it done correctly because if the installation causes damage to the vehicle it can void the warranty. Installing a remote starter or security system is a very complicated process. Our trained professionals can install without voiding your warranty.
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Q: My vehicle has a chipped key system, can I still have a remote starter installed?
A: Yes, with our integration modules we can safely and securely start your car. Please note that some vehicles have chips inside the vehicle itself and for this reason seeing the vehicle allows for a more accurate estimate of work time and installation cost.
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Q: My vehicle has manual transmission, can I have a remote starter installed?
A: Yes, we offer remote start and security packages that work on most manual transmission vehicles. Usually it requires leaving the vehicle in neutral and setting the emergency brake before removing the key. In manual transmission reservation mode this will keep your vehicle running while you exit and shut all doors. The engine will then shut off and if your remote system is 2-way it can send a signal back to the remote.
The biggest factor is that factory keyless entry systems usually have a very limited range. Our high quality solutions offer extended range so you don’t have to worry if your vehicle is locked, just press the lock button and ensure it! Also, you can have additional convenience options added to your installation such as popping the trunk remotely, starting the rear window defrost or warming up your seats remotely if your vehicle has this feature. On certain makes & models, we can utilize your factory remote & add these additional features to reduce the amount of key fobs to carry around. It’s not just about starting your vehicle!
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Q: Will installation of a remote starter consume more fuel?
A: No, if used correctly it can actually improve gas mileage by allowing your vehicle to warm up and thin the oil. Driving a “cold” vehicle right after it has been started can actually lower your gas mileage because the engine has to work harder.
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Q: I park in my garage, do I need a remote starter/security alarm?
A: While you might park in your garage or driveway, think about when you are away from home. You would still benefit from having a remote starter and alarm when you visit family, go shopping at the mall or department store, at a restaurant, sports game, airport, etc. Our high-quality solutions provide convenience and safety wherever you may go – not just at home.
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Q: During the summer & warmer months, will I use the remote starter?
Remote starter solutions are not only viable when it is cold. They can also be used to cool your vehicle in conjunction with your AC. So during the warmer months of the year, you can cool your vehicle with a touch of a button.
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Q: Can I have my remote starter/security system removed from my other vehicle and installed into my current vehicle?
A. You should always have these systems installed at the location where you purchased the system. We do not recommend removal and re-installations as more often than not the warranty only applies to the initial installation vehicle. This also incurs additional costs that can add up, making the option not financially sound. Our trained professionals are experts with the solutions we offer, and this ensures that you get high quality products and installation.
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Q: Do I need a security system for my car?
A: Experts will tell you that if you do not want your car stolen or burglarized, you will want some visible layers of protection to discourage a thief. At the very least, you will want to park in a safe place with your doors locked, use an engine disable / starter kill, to prevent a thief from hot wiring your car. However, to offer protection against a thief entering your car and stealing the contents, you should probably have a full featured security system : an alarm with a siren, a brain module with a sophisticated microprocessor, and a shock / impact sensor. How do factory security systems compare with aftermarket systems? It depends on several factors, and you should try to compare apples with apples. For instance, most factory “security systems” are actually “antitheft systems,” meaning that they are essentially engine disable/starter kills and not full featured security systems with a sensor. But say that you are comparing true security systems. If they are both quality systems, carefully installed, then the main factor that weighs against factory security is the assembly line: all systems for a particular make and model year will be installed exactly the same, with publicly-available instructions in the service manuals telling thieves how to disable them! Also, many factory security systems lack a shock or impact sensor and rely on door triggers.
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Q: What is Code Hopping, and why do I need it?
A: As we are now in the digital age, technology progresses continuously to provide you with better performance, better security and peace of mind. Years ago in Europe, car thieves began turning to more “high-tech” methods in practicing their trade. The use of devices known “code grabbers” captured and recorded the coded signals that arm and disarm common security systems in order to play them back later and illegally disarm the system. If you have heard of cellular phone cloning, it is very similar. The Code Hopping system is made up of ultra high tech hardware and software that serves to “encrypt” the signals transmitted by Directed security systems remote control. The codes randomly change each time you arm or disarm your alarm following a complex algorithm, so that the codes never repeat. All our products include advanced Clone-Safe Code Hopping format that delivers a total of more than 18 Quintillion Codes – that’s 18 followed by 18 zeros! – plenty of security, and definitely a better mouse trap! Code Hopping provides you with better security and peace of mind, knowing that only your remote controlled transmitter can operate the system. By the way, code grabbers can work on garage doors too, and have likely been used by criminals to gain entry to the home that way. You may want to think about using a Code Hopping receiver on your garage door, so that you can work it with your keychain transmitter.(You’ll probably get better range too!) I’ve heard that alarm systems can sometimes drain the vehicle’s battery. Directed prides itself in producing products with the lowest possible power consumption in the industry! Automobiles today are being produced with extremely complex wiring systems and many on-board computers. This leaves less of the vehicle’s electrical resources free to be used by aftermarket products. For this reason, a major consideration in the design of Directed security systems is the current consumption. This concern has been addressed by reducing the idle current of our systems to the bare minimum necessary for the product to perform properly.
Some remote start ready vehicles — those that already can be started with a remote key fob or dash button — often only require a single vehicle-specific interface module and harness to incorporate an aftermarket security or remote start system into its computer system. Other vehicles will need specialized hardware in order for an aftermarket security system to work in it. Call us, and an Advisor will look up and cross reference your vehicle to see what you’ll need for a successful security installation.
In older vehicles you may be required to wire each security function separately, from the security module to the various sensors and actuators throughout the vehicle. You’ll use your multimeter to verify the function of each sensor you wire to the module — opening and closing a door, for instance, to find out what happens at the door switch: 12 volts, for a positive trigger; zero volts, for a negative trigger.
If you purchased your security or remote start system from Crutchfield, we can help you with your installation. If you have questions, call us toll-free, and our Technical Support staff will be able to help you over the phone (have your invoice with you when you call). These trained, expert techs are available to our customers toll-free, seven days a week.
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Q: My car came with an anti-theft system, why should I get an aftermarket security system?
A: Most factory security systems essentially just disable the starter when no key chip is detected by the ignition system. A professional car thief will know how to get around that. And when was the last time you heard a car’s beeping horn and tried to pay it no mind? An aftermarket siren’s loud wailing is much harder to ignore, and will usually chase a would-be thief away. Also, most factory security systems don’t have shock or sound sensors, and rely on door switches only, so someone could get into your car by breaking a window without any alarm going off.
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Q: Which system is best for me?
A: That really depends on your own specific needs. For example, if you have a deluxe sedan, you might want to add an alarm with automatic door lock activation for security reasons, and a remote trunk release for convenience. If you have a large van, you may want to consider adding an alarm with a glass-break or motion sensor to protect the entire van interior. You may want to only add a security system to your vehicle, but you might consider getting one that includes a remote start function as well.
You’ll find that even our basic systems provide a dependable level of protection and convenience. As you work your way up a manufacturer’s line, you’ll gain features like more auxiliary channels for adding more functions, extended range, and increased remote control capability. 2-way remote systems send you alerts and status details when activated. There’s also the consideration of smartphone compatibility — would you like a system controllable from your phone? For a detailed look at how the alarms differ, check out the features listed on our security systems.
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Q: Will adding a security system void my vehicle’s warranty?
A: No. By law, any appropriate and properly installed and functioning aftermarket system, including a security or remote start system, will not void a vehicle’s warranty. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Improvement Act, enacted in 1975, protects consumers from the car dealerships that had been demanding that only their authorized parts and labor would get covered under warranty, and anything else would void the warranty. (For example, if you replaced the wiper blades with non-authorized blades, they would void the warranty on the engine and exhaust.) Of course, if you tear up your vehicle’s wiring or drilled holes where you shouldn’t, you will have plenty of warranty issues with your dealership. This is another reason to purchase professional installation when you want to put in a security system.