Here at Extreme Audio we are known as the remote car starter experts in Midlothian and Mechanicsville. We sell lots of remote car starters. While we have many repeat clients, there are still many people who are buying their first system. A common question we get is “What is the difference between a one-way and a two-way remote car starter?” Let’s explore the differences between and the advantages of both technologies.
1-Way Remote Starter Systems
One-way remote car starters work just like your factory-installed keyless entry system. They employ one-way communication between the remote control and the vehicle. You push a button on your remote control and, as long as you are within operating range, the vehicle receives the command and performs the desired request. The advantage of a one-way system is going to be the price. It is going to cost less than a comparable two-way system.
2-Way Remote Starter Systems
The primary advantage of two-way systems is knowing for sure that your vehicle has performed the desired request. It is called a two-way system because the remote control communicates with the vehicle and the vehicle communicates back to the remote control.
Now, you may be asking yourself, “Why do I care?” If you have never owned a remote starter, you probably think that you will use it in the morning when it is cold outside, and you would be correct. Once you go out to that warm vehicle one time, you will be hooked. You won’t want to go out to a cold vehicle again. You will never want to scrape your windows again. Think about everywhere the vehicle sits over the course of an average week for any length of time – when you are at work, out to eat, the grocery store, the mall, church; you name it. At all those times, you will not be in sight of your vehicle. And you want to know that it started, right?
That is the beauty of a two-way system. You press the start button on your remote, and you will get an instant response back, letting you know it received the command. Once it starts, about 5 to 10 seconds later, you get a confirmation that it is running, warming up your vehicle and de-icing your windows. While Midlothian does not have winters like those in places like Michigan, it does get cold here, and we have owned and used this technology in our own vehicles for over a decade.
LCD Display For Visual Confirmation
To make things even better, if you buy a system with an LCD display, your vehicle can even tell you the temperature inside your vehicle. Now you will know how long your vehicle needs to run to warm up.
System Control Via Smartphone
For the ultimate in range, we offer the Drone smartphone-based system. As long as your phone and your vehicle are in data coverage, you can start your vehicle from anywhere.
We invite you to stop by Extreme Audio in Midlothian and Mechanicsville, Virginia, with your vehicle. One of our award-winning staff will work one on one with you to design and build the remote car starter that best fits your unique needs.
You can also contact us here for more information about any of our products and services.
I have a 2002 Ford Explorer with the unlock door etc but no remote start.
Is there a remote that I can make turn on the fan, heat and rear defrost ?
If not can I just use a one way with no immobilizer ?
Randy, there are definitely remote start options for your Explorer that would allow to start it, as well as activate the fan, defrost, etc. Give us a call at 804-559-3589 or swing by and we’d be happy to go over the options. Thanks!
I have a 1999 Dodge Stratus that I purchased used. It has a manual transmission. It has electric door locks but has never had an electric door fob. I am looking to purchase a remote starter system and want to know if I can purchase one that will not only start my engine but will be able to unlock my doors?
Carl, Thanks for the question. This is definitely something we could do for you! Ironically we had a 99 Stratus of our own here at the shop for quite a few years. Swing by or give us a call at 804-559-3589 and we’d be happy to go over more options with you. Thanks!
he said manual transmission
Yes sir he did. We actually do quite a few manual transmission vehicles for remote start each year, with a BUNCH of safety precautions that keep it from being able to start if it were in gear. There’s more info on those in this article… https://www.extremeaudio.org/manual-transmission-remote-car-starters/
I have a 95 chevy s10, it has electric door locks but has never had a keyless entery. I was curious if there was a system that would start my truck and unlock the doors without having to use my key. I do not live close to the store, i live in Alabama. I am really wanting a system that can start my truck since it gets over 100° during the summer and around 20ish during winter. So being able to warm up or cool off my truck is something i really would enjoy
Alex, There definitely would be, what part of Alabama? I may be able to refer you to someone down there. Thanks
If my truck already has a 1 way remote starter can i make it a 2 way without buying or replacing the remote starter i already have?
Randy, There’s a very good chance you could, but it definitely depends on exactly what brand and brain you currently have in there. If it’s one we installed for you, give us a call and we can look it up. If not, you may want to swing by for us to take a quick look and see. Thanks!
My windshield antenna broke 🙁 I have an old astrostart and of course, I can’t find any information on just a replacement antenna. Can I get a new antenna, or do I have to replace the whole system?
Sorry to hear that! If you’re local and can swing by, we may be able to get one for you. We just need to see exactly which model it is. Thanks!
I would love a remote car starter but I still don’t get the difference between 1 and 2 way. They both start your car right? Or no?
Britt, I would definitely suggest stopping by one of our locations in person when you have a chance. Once you see the 2-way system operate in person you’ll definitely understand the benefit they offer. Thanks!
I have a Code Alarm CATXMT H5OT46 Remote which is one way is there any easy way to convert to a two way system or would I have to replace the whole unit? It’s an alarm and starter
Cody, Thanks for the question. It’s possible that you may be able to upgrade to a 2-way remote system, but we’d need to know the exact Code Alarm brain that’s currently in the vehicle. If you’re local, swing by when you can for us to take a peek. If you’re not from the Richmond area, let us know your zip code and we’ll try to refer you to someone in your area.
Hey I had a quick question I have a 2001 Honda Civic lx ADN I bought a 1 way car alarm and I’m curious to know if it’s going to actually work ?
Brian, There’s no reason that you can’t have an alarm put on that year and model Civic, so you should be fine.
I just got the 1 way. Sometimes my car starts up and I know I didn’t touch the button. Is there a hard case for this button? Will the car auto shutoff after being on too long? I wish the dealership had of installed the 2 way.
Sorry to hear that! Any idea what brand of remote it is? We’ve heard of that sort of thing on certain systems if the installer did not program all of the available remote slots. It may be something to mention to them. Are you in the Richmond area where we maybe could take a look at it? Thanks
Hi,
Can a 2 way compustar replacement remote fob work with an fm base one way remote starter or do I have to replace everything if I need a 2 way remote starter?
Chances are, if you currently have a Compustar system, that it would just need the antenna upgraded to be compatible. There are some FM based 2-way remote though, so your best bet would be to swing by a shop that deals with Compustar to see if the remote will program to your existing. It should only take a minute for them to try to program the remote. If not, your existing antenna cable may be compatible with the new one, and could be swapped in a couple minutes. Hope this helps
With the big bulky new keys, will I have another bulky device on my key chain or is there away around that and have two way communications? I would assume the IPHONE option but that is much more expensive. So will I just have to deal with the bulky key chain?
To have a 2-way system, you would need an additional remote, or the smartphone control. Remotes like the Compustar R3 are relatively small though, but have very nice distance capabilities.
I have a 2018 Tundra with factory alarm with glass breakage sensor. I want a compustar 2 way remote start system but not sure which one and can the factory and compustar alarm work together.
The two should work together just fine. When the remote start portion is engaged, it will disarm the OEM alarm to keep it from being triggered.
Hi, I have recently installed a Compustar cs800 1way remote start on my vehicle and I was wondering if there was a way to wire in a “Push to Start” button like the one shown above to it or does that require additional hardware?
The picture that looks like a push to start button, is actually one of the Compustar remote FOB’s that’s made to look like one. There are kits out there that can give you the ability to convert a standard key start vehicle to a push button start, but the liabilities involved with something like that are so high, I’m not sure of shops that would actually sell and install one.
I have an extra autostart remote starter from the car that I sold and was wondering if I can use that as my new car is using compustar? is that possible?
Regrettably no, they would use a totally different type of communication.
I drive a 99 bmw 528i and i have a neat feature with the keyless entry, when i hild the umlock button it rolls down all the windows would i be able to keep this feature with a remote start system?
You’d likely be able to add that function to one of the Aux channel outputs on the Remote Start. It wouldn’t be the same holding down of the unlock, but maybe hitting a separate button depending on the exact system you choose.
Question……
I own a 2001 Honda Civic ex 2 door coupe. I did have a remote to unlock the doors and had the alarm. Unfortunately it doesn’t work anymore and I have to use the key to lock and unlock the doors. Can I install an automatic car starter that unlocks the doors as well?
Definitely! Adding Keyless Entry as part of a remote start is basically a standard feature if the vehicle has power door locks.
i have prestige 2 way on F-150. remote eats aaa battery’s. Can i use one way fob for power lock’s and start?
There usually would be a 1-way remote that works on a 2-way system. It will be VERY system specific though, so I would try to go by a shop local to you to look into it.