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Had an issue getting a new insurance policy due to the lack of an immobilizer?

  • Yes

    Votes: 9 41%
  • No

    Votes: 13 59%
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In my state is mandatory, basic liability insurance is required by the state.
Also, driving a car without immobilizer is financially reckless too. Add an immobilizer on your car, when it doesn't have one from factory, and you'll have the premiums like anyone else.
My insurance gives reduced rates for that, for daytime running lights, for airbags... everything that they determined statistically it reduces their liability cost.
9 Factors That Affect Your Auto Insurance Premiums | PROLINK
Older cars are not on the list because their insured value is so low, the insurance company actually makes money even if they would get stollen. Plus statistically, probably cars about 10 years old don't get stolen, not as attractive for thieves as newer cars. If you risk jail, you go for higher ticket items.

PS: I have installed an immobilizer at BestBuy for $233.
SoNic67,,
Could post a link to the Best Buy Immobilizer you purchased?
I have 2015 Soul and searching for options.
Thanks in advance.
 
SoNic67,,
Could post a link to the Best Buy Immobilizer you purchased?
I have 2015 Soul and searching for options.
Thanks in advance.
Harpoon do you think the Kia fix would still require a third party immobilizer too?
 
Harpoon do you think the Kia fix would still require a third party immobilizer too?
GeoSoul,
I don’t know.
I haven’t heard directly from Kia regarding or offering me a ”fix” for my Soul.
I will call my dealer directly.
Meanwhile, I’m using a Club on the steering wheel as a deterrent.
I open to anything that improves my chances.
 
GeoSoul,
I don’t know.
I haven’t heard directly from Kia regarding or offering me a ”fix” for my Soul.
I will call my dealer directly.
Meanwhile, I’m using a Club on the steering wheel as a deterrent.
I open to anything that improves my chances.
GeoSoul,
Would you know which immobilizer SoNic67 was referring to that he purchased through Best Buy?
Again, I’m open to all options.
Thanks in advance.
 
This is from a Hyundai press release today. I couldn’t find one from Kia yet but they will likely work the same way. It looks like you have to use the fob to enable and disable the “ignition kill” so it appears this means owners with the base manual transmission Soul with a key only, no fob, won’t be eligible for this.

View attachment 141670


If they can do this with just a software update, why didn’t they from the beginning? It’s literally just lines of code to enable this.
I wonder how owners can start their vehicles if their fob battery dies. On vehicles with push button starts one can hover the fob over the button while pushing the button to start the vehicle. Hard to pull that off without a proximity rfid sensor.

I also thought that one could set the "factory alarm" by just locking the door with the key. If that's the case, then unlocking with a key should de-alarm a vehicle.
 
GeoSoul,
Would you know which immobilizer SoNic67 was referring to that he purchased through Best Buy?
Again, I’m open to all options.
Thanks in advance.
Sorry Harpoon I couldn't figure out which one he was talking about either. You (we) should be getting a letter from Kia to have the free software based immobilizer installed. They are currently doing the Sportages as I understand it. It sounds like a pretty decent, free fix for us.

You could always pull the 7.5 amp red fuse (3rd one down on the right) for the Starter. It's not hard to do, not convenient either, but a stop gap measure while we wait for the fix.
 
GeoSoul,
Thank you for the fuse pulling advice. It may be my (our) only option for the time being.
I called the Kia dealership today and received the exact same info that you shared.
They‘re currently doing Sportages and I should receive a letter soon.
I appreciate your response and advice.
Best of luck & Thank you!
 
I saw an article yesterday that said the immobilizer would be released in stages. (Unfortunately, I can’t remember where I saw ir.)
 
GeoSoul,
Would you know which immobilizer SoNic67 was referring to that he purchased through Best Buy?...
Sorry Harpoon I couldn't figure out which one he was talking about either....
Searched around the Best Buy site and came up with the following -

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Provide starter kill function (thus immobilizer) when armed.

"This Viper 3105V 1-way system allows you to remotely lock and unlock your vehicle and features Clone-Safe Code Hopping technology to prevent unauthorized access. Failsafe starter kill helps prevent vehicle operation when the alarm is set."

Best Buy - https://www.bestbuy.com/site/viper-1-way-security-system-with-keyless-entry/3663622.p?skuId=3663622 - $219.99

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Provide starter kill function (thus immobilizer) when armed.

"300-ft max range alarm bundle with two 1-way remotes. Includes CM2500 control module, shock sensor, siren, LED, and ELOCK starter-kill relay...."

Best Buy - Compustar - 1-Way Security System - $219.99


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Maybe starter kill function can be added on via Best Buy - Voxx Electronics - Relay Assembly Kit - $12.99

Best Buy - Compustar - 1-Way Remote Start System - Installation Included - $249.99
 
...It looks like you have to use the fob to enable and disable the “ignition kill” so it appears this means owners with the base manual transmission Soul with a key only, no fob, won’t be eligible for this....
Since those of us with manual transmissions don't have fobs (thus no antennas to receive fob signal) maybe we'll get lucky and Kia will install antennas and upgrade us to key fobs. Fingers crossed.

Since they expressly state the fob has to be used to activate/deactivate the ignition kill feature, makes me wonder if Hyundai/Kia are not so much rewriting vehicle software but are actually installing a stripped down alarm module (without the siren) configured to work with the fobs the vehicle owner already has.

Similar to what forum member SoNic67 has installed from Best Buy which has a starter kill function - Post #50 above.

So perhaps almost same thing (???) except Hyundai/Kia are leaving out the siren functionality, the shock sensor and using the owner's existing remotes (to reduce cost)???

I've never had much interest in a remote start system* - the idea of my car running with me no where near it is not for me - but a remote lock/unlock I would be interested in especially if free from Kia.

If manual transmission owners are left out then may look into an aftermarket remote lock/unlock alarm system.

* Compustar makes a remote start they say works with manual transmission cars.
 
GeoSoul,
Thank you for the fuse pulling advice. It may be my (our) only option for the time being.
I called the Kia dealership today and received the exact same info that you shared.
They‘re currently doing Sportages and I should receive a letter soon.
I appreciate your response and advice.
Best of luck & Thank you!
FWIW: There's a little bit of chatter going on (not much) over on the Sportage site about the "fix."

Kia vehicles are apparently SUPER easy to steal
Image
 
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Since those of us with manual transmissions don't have fobs (thus no antennas to receive fob signal) maybe we'll get lucky and Kia will install antennas and upgrade us to key fobs. Fingers crossed.

Since they expressly state the fob has to be used to activate/deactivate the ignition kill feature, makes me wonder if Hyundai/Kia are not so much rewriting vehicle software but are actually installing a stripped down alarm module (without the siren) configured to work with the fobs the vehicle owner already has.

Similar to what forum member SoNic67 has installed from Best Buy which has a starter kill function - Post #50 above.

So perhaps almost same thing (???) except Hyundai/Kia are leaving out the siren functionality, the shock sensor and using the owner's existing remotes (to reduce cost)???

I've never had much interest in a remote start system* - the idea of my car running with me no where near it is not for me - but a remote lock/unlock I would be interested in especially if free from Kia.

If manual transmission owners are left out then may look into an aftermarket remote lock/unlock alarm system.

* Compustar makes a remote start they say works with manual transmission cars.
Going by that letter I posted in post #22 (linked below) it does seem like it’s just a software update. It would be nice if they gave us manual transmission owners some type of factory keyless entry, but I think that’s wishful thinking.

There’s an old thread on how to install a cheap keyless entry module and I’m going to try that in the spring. It won’t give me any type of ignition kill, but it will let me get into the car in the winter when the darn door locks are frozen.

I didn’t know you could have a remote start in a manual, but I guess you could. Not sure if it’s a good idea though because if you forget to keep it in neutral, your car may end up waiting for you in your living room.

Kia's without immobilizer - Insurance company problems.
 
...I didn’t know you could have a remote start in a manual, but I guess you could. Not sure if it’s a good idea though because if you forget to keep it in neutral, your car may end up waiting for you in your living room....

Page quote below from Compustar - Can You Remote Start a Manual-Transmission / Stick-Shift Vehicle?

"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

Compustar remote starters provide best-in-class comfort by warming up your car in winter and cooling it down in summer. But can you enjoy the benefits of remote start with a manual-transmission?

You may have heard the following 3 myths about installing remote start on manual transmission:

  1. You can’t start a car without your foot on the clutch.
  2. Your car could start moving if it is left in gear or if the parking brake fails.
  3. Somebody can steal your car while the engine is remote started.

While all of these concerns are valid, Compustar is one of the few brands of remote starters that CAN be safely added to almost any manual-transmission vehicle. This is accomplished via clutch bypass, reservation mode, and built-in safety features. Not sure what these terms mean? Keep on reading to learn more!

Compustar remote starters simulate the clutch pedal to remotely start the engine.

Image


When installing a Compustar remote starter on a manual-transmission vehicle, an additional clutch bypass connection is required. This connection simulates the electronic signal produced by the clutch pedal, normally a ground signal sent to the vehicle’s ignition system. This allows the engine to be remote-started even without the driver’s foot on the clutch.

Compustar systems must be put into “reservation mode” to remote start.

In order to remote start a manual-transmission vehicle, the driver must activate “reservation mode”. The purpose of reservation mode is to confirm that the vehicle is safe to remote start. Reservation mode is activated by doing all of the following:

  • Fully securing the emergency brake
  • Pulling the key from the ignition. The engine will continue to run, confirming that reservation mode is in the process of being activated
  • Exit the vehicle and lock the doors. Shortly thereafter, the engine will shut off, confirming that reservation mode has been set.

If any of the doors in the vehicle are reopened after activating reservation mode, reservation mode will be cancelled, preventing the vehicle from being remote-started. The reason for this is that if someone, for example, a child, re-enters a vehicle after it has been put into reservation mode, there is a slight chance that the parking brake may be disengaged. Thus, Compustar systems will only remote start the engine if it is 100-percent safe.

Even while remote started, Compustar systems prevent the vehicle from being driven without the key.

Key takeover is a feature of all Compustar remote starter systems that ensures that a vehicle cannot be driven without the physical presence of the actual key or fob. If the brake pedal is pressed to put the vehicle into gear, the system will detect whether or not the key is present inside of the vehicle. If not, the engine will immediately shut off.

Key takeover protects your vehicle from theft in the event of a break-in during remote start.

Image


As an additional failsafe, Compustar remote start systems installed onto manual-transmission vehicles require an FT-DAS-II security sensor. This sensor has a built-in accelerometer that will immediately shut off your remote starter if it detects forward movement without the presence of the actual key inside of the vehicle.

Compustar remote starters are the safest solutions for manual-transmission vehicles. This is possible because of the additional safety features that Compustar has built into the company’s CMX-Series control modules. While these additional safety features may result in a $50-$100 added cost on remote start installation for manual-transmission vehicles, stick-shift drivers will find that investment to be well worth it when they can remote start their vehicle with confidence and peace of mind.

Conclusion

Compustar remote starters are created with safety and convenience in mind for automatics, diesels, and yes, stick shifts! So, if you’re interested in adding a remote start to your ride, contact one of our 2,000 Authorized Retailers in U.S.A. and Canada.

"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
 
...It would be nice if they gave us manual transmission owners some type of factory keyless entry, but I think that’s wishful thinking....
Hopefully Kia won't leave the manual transmission owners swinging in the wind. I'd much prefer a Kia authorized and installed keyless entry system.
 
Hopefully Kia won't leave the manual transmission owners swinging in the wind. I'd much prefer a Kia authorized and installed keyless entry system.
This discussion with James Bell of KIA says if you have a steel key that you insert and turn to start the ignition, you'll get the security upgrade (that mimicks an immobilizer) ~1:15. So hopefully that means us stick shift drivers qualify.
 
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Since those of us with manual transmissions don't have fobs (thus no antennas to receive fob signal) maybe we'll get lucky and Kia will install antennas and upgrade us to key fobs. Fingers crossed.

Since they expressly state the fob has to be used to activate/deactivate the ignition kill feature, makes me wonder if Hyundai/Kia are not so much rewriting vehicle software but are actually installing a stripped down alarm module (without the siren) configured to work with the fobs the vehicle owner already has.

Similar to what forum member SoNic67 has installed from Best Buy which has a starter kill function - Post #50 above.

So perhaps almost same thing (???) except Hyundai/Kia are leaving out the siren functionality, the shock sensor and using the owner's existing remotes (to reduce cost)???

I've never had much interest in a remote start system* - the idea of my car running with me no where near it is not for me - but a remote lock/unlock I would be interested in especially if free from Kia.

If manual transmission owners are left out then may look into an aftermarket remote lock/unlock alarm system.

* Compustar makes a remote start they say works with manual transmission cars.
Are their enough people left who can still drive a manual to steal one?

Sent from my SM-S906U using Tapatalk
 
This discussion with James Bell of KIA says if you have a steel key that you insert and turn to start the ignition, you'll get the security upgrade (that mimicks an immobilizer) ~1:15. So hopefully that means us stick shift drivers qualify.
...
Thanks for finding and posting. Yes hopefully for us too.

Had to smile as she tried three times I think to get him to explain why immobilizers weren't installed from the beginning.

"It's a very short process. It's just a software reflash."
 
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