ENSURING CAR COMFORT BY REMOTE CONTROL.

Friends and family members are hardly surprised when you operate various appliances in your home using a handheld remote control. Remotes have been used for television sets, VCRs, stereo systems, garage doors, and lights for a long time. However, using a handheld remote to start a car is a feat that most people believe is only possible in a James Bond movie. Nevertheless, the AutoCommand Remote Car Starter from DesignTech International, Inc., Springfield, Va., allows you to start your car by remote and operate many of the vehicle's functions from inside your home or office.

Instead of waking up early on cold winter mornings to warm up and defrost your car, you can now start it in order to turn on the heater/ defroster from inside your home. There is...