The principle of operation of the remote engine start system
Content
Imagine the interior of a car that has stood in the freezing cold all night. Goosebumps involuntarily run through my skin from the thought of a frozen steering wheel and seat. In winter, car owners have to leave early to warm up the engine and interior of their car. Unless, of course, the car does not have a remote engine start system that allows you to start the engine while sitting in a warm kitchen and slowly finishing your morning coffee.
Why do you need remote start
The remote start system allows the car owner to control the operation of the vehicle engine from a distance. All the convenience of autostart can be appreciated in winter: the driver no longer has to go outside in advance to warm up the car. It is enough to press the key fob button and the engine will start on its own. After a while, it will be possible to go out to the car, sit in the cabin warmed up to a comfortable temperature and immediately hit the road.
The autostart function will be equally useful on hot summer days, when the interior of the car is heated to high temperatures. In this case, the air conditioning system will pre-cool the air in the passenger compartment to a comfortable level.
Many modern cars are equipped with an ICE autostart system. Also, the car owner can independently install the module on his car as an additional option.
Varieties of the remote start system
Today there are two types of remote engine start in a car.
- Driver controlled starting system. This scheme is the most optimal and safe. But it is feasible only if the owner of the car is at a short distance from the car (within 400 meters). The motorist himself controls the start of the engine by pressing a button on the key fob or in the application on his smartphone. Only after receiving a command from the driver, the engine starts its work.
- Programmed start of the engine, depending on the situation. If the driver is far away (for example, the car was left overnight in a paid parking lot, and not in the courtyard of the house), the start of the internal combustion engine can be configured to certain conditions:
- launch at a specified time;
- when the temperature of the motor drops to certain values;
- when the battery charge level decreases, etc.
Autostart programming is also carried out using the application in the smartphone.
Remote start system device
The entire remote start system is housed in a compact plastic case. Inside there is an electronic board, which, after connecting to the car, communicates with a group of sensors. The autorun unit is connected to the vehicle's standard wiring using a set of wires.
The autostart system can be installed in a car together with an alarm or completely autonomously. The module connects to any type of engine (gasoline and diesel, turbocharged and atmospheric) and gearbox (mechanics, automatic, robot, variator). There are no technical requirements for the car.
How autorun works
To start the engine remotely, the car owner will need to press the corresponding button on the alarm key fob or in the application on the smartphone. The signal is sent to the module, after which the control unit supplies power to the ignition electrical circuit. This action simulates the presence of an ignition key in the lock.
This is followed by a short pause required by the fuel pump to create fuel pressure in the fuel rail. As soon as the pressure reaches the desired value, power is transferred to the starter. This mechanism is similar to the usual turning of the ignition key to the "start" position. The autorun module monitors the process until the engine starts, and then the starter is turned off.
In some devices, the operating time of the starter is limited to certain limits. That is, the mechanism is turned off not after starting the motor, but after a predetermined period of time.
On diesel engines, the autostart module first connects the glow plugs. As soon as the block receives information about sufficient heating of the cylinders, the system connects the starter to work.
Pros and cons of the system
Remote engine start is a convenient feature that simplifies daily car operation in cold weather or on hot days. The benefits of autorun include:
- the ability to start the internal combustion engine without leaving home and saving personal time;
- preheating (or cooling) the car interior, ensuring a comfortable temperature before the trip;
- the ability to program the start at a specified time or at certain temperature indicators.
However, the system also has its weaknesses.
- Moving engine components are at risk of premature wear. The reason lies in the increasing frictional force that occurs when starting the internal combustion engine to a cold one and waiting for the oil to warm up sufficiently.
- The battery is heavily stressed and needs to be recharged more often.
- When the driver is far from the car, and the engine is already running, intruders can get into the car.
- In the event of repeated automatic starts, the fuel consumption increases.
How to use autorun correctly
If your car has a remote engine start system, it is important to follow a few simple rules that differ for manual and automatic transmissions.
Algorithm for use in cars with manual transmission
Leaving a car with a manual transmission in the parking lot:
- put the box in a neutral position;
- turn on the parking brake;
- leaving the car, turn on the alarm and activate autostart.
Many drivers leave the vehicle in gear. But in this case, the autorun module will not be activated. To solve this problem, the developers equipped the device with a "program neutral": the engine cannot be turned off until the manual transmission is in neutral.
Algorithm for use in cars with automatic transmission
Cars with an automatic transmission should be left in the parking lot, having previously switched the gearbox selector to the Parking mode. Only then can the driver turn off the engine, get out of the car, turn on the alarm and the autostart system. If the gear selector is in a different position, autostart cannot be activated.
Remote engine start makes the life of a motorist much more comfortable. You no longer need to go out in the morning and warm up the car, freeze in a cold cabin and waste time waiting for the engine temperature to reach the desired values. However, if the vehicle is out of sight, the owner will not be able to control its safety, which can be taken advantage of by auto-makers. What is more important - convenience and time saving or peace of mind for your own car - everyone decides for himself.
