Smart Start Reviews

The machines were due back the 1st of the month. The guy is only open 2 days a week in town, until 3:30, when most people work until 5, and he takes lunch and locks up while he's gone. So if you get a normal lunch from 12-1, good luck getting him. I work 3 jobs, and my husband drives a truck, so it was VERY hard to get them to him each month. I have had to drive 45 minutes away to get them calibrated before because he's so hard to catch. We didn't realize we would have to pay for a full month's service even though we weren't using them this entire month.

We took them back on the first day we could, the 12th, when he was here in town. It was $160 to clean them and another $160 for the month of May, plus $210 in lockout fees. The deposit you're supposed to get back, doesn't exist. They REFUSE to take them back unless we pay them to do so. He told us that if we dropped them off without paying the fees, that he would set them outside and charge us with theft! Are you kidding me?! This company has lost its mind!! They can charge whatever they want, because people don't have another choice.

If you have to get reports from them...GOOD LUCK!!! It took 3 weeks to get reports from them, and when you would get them, half of the report would be missing. We literally called MINIMUM 3 times each month trying to get our full reports. It was a NIGHTMARE!! Customer service is a complete joke!! They are rude. They treat you like a POS, and quite frankly do not give a damn about anything but getting your money. Worst company I have EVER dealt with!!

Today I got an email stating that as a one time courtesy they will credit my account. Their machine violated me as missing a rolling test when the engine was not started. The machine malfunctioned by not asking me to blow or even taking a blow in my desperation. I was trapped. No electronic device is so sophisticated that they are not fallible. This technology certainly is not. My real complaint is that Smart Start is holding my freedom and livelihood (I drive quite a bit for my job) in their uncaring hands. I explained to them in great detail the event and they spent no time to truly look into the situation.

There is a gps and a camera installed with the unit, so they should have been able to tell that the vehicle was not started. The events of the last month were transmitted to them when I went in to clear the violation. I drive 3-5k a month so you can imagine the hassle this unit is. I always give a clean sample and have had it for over four months. Their lack of diligence is alarming. There seems to be no recourse to this mandated device. I am their customer, but there is no customer service.

I was stuck on the side of the road with my brother-in-law (4th stage COPD). I passed every test, ran into heavy construction, and traffic - losing 3.5 minutes trying to turn. I stopped abruptly, almost getting slammed into by vehicle behind me. Needless to say, anxiety ridden, could not blow correctly... lock out! Not to mention, another test must have been required not even 2 minutes later and my horn was going off, pulled over and had to pass again. No representatives, just a roll back to go online. I have been practicing breathing into an Airlife gadget to strengthen my lungs. I am terrified to have to drive tomorrow. Violations, and lock-outs that are 100% not deserved but I have to pay for them. I hope to get to the bottom of this... will keep you informed.

My vehicle was totaled and had Smart Start remove the device. Also paid 80 for removal so it was reported to the DMV. Also I called DMV to let them know about my vehicle being in a car accident. Also Smart Start already knew and it's considered Tamper. Removal without having it installed in a different vehicle. Are you kidding me? How the hell am I going to installed the thing in a different vehicle? When I was just in a car accident. SO that made my 3rd. Now I can't get my license until 2017. I need to get lawyer advise.

(I left convinced that I would never return there for service. These people literally stated to me that they were untrained and uninformed). I was able to crank my vehicle after blowing into the device, even though the device displayed an error message: Recall 3 71h. I completed the hour long drive with minimal problem, only the many times that I was prompted to blow into the device. I did not drive the vehicle again until the following Tuesday. The difficulties surfaced and multiplied.

I contacted Smart Start technical support and was told that the recall message was a simple communication error and that I should perform a hard restart. I did this per the instructions given by the support tech. After the hard restart, I cranked the vehicle and the device displayed: VioLck04day. I was able to crank up, drive distances, shut off the vehicle, and restart the vehicle two (2) times after that. Upon the third attempt to start the vehicle, the device only displayed error messaged and did not prompt me to blow for over an hour, stranding me at a store.

Technical support was not available within the time period that I was experiencing these issues. Fortunately, I was able to flag down a nice stranger who performed another hard restart on the battery, as I am not skilled in the mechanics of vehicles. The vehicle started up and I drove for about 30 minutes when the device began to sound a piercing alarm and display the violation error message.

On Friday, I contacted Smart Start technical support, explained the situation, and was advised to contact the installation site, drive to their location, and proceed with resetting the device. I contacted Bryant Pharmacy, spoke with ** and **. I was told that I would need to pay $45 for a reset because of the violation error. I told them that there would be no payment made for a procedure that was indisputably no fault of mine. I reminded her that I left the install site, after initial install, with a defective device. After a conversation, it was determined that upon my coming to the install site and having the staff reset my device, the root cause of the violation message would be determined; therefore, whatever caused the violation code to appear would determine whether or not I was responsible for the violation.

When the service tech at Bryant Pharmacy finished the procedure, I asked what had been the issue that caused the violation message and the potential lockout. She could not give me an answer. She simply stated that "We don't know what caused it." I was confused because it seemed to me that the cause of the violation was the deciding factor in rectifying the entire situation. The only explanation that the service techs provided to me was that my car battery was not providing enough voltage to the IID and that was the cause of the error messages.

They advised that I should buy a new car battery. The battery that is currently in my vehicle was installed in January of 2015 and is in perfect condition. During the drive home, I repeatedly checked the battery voltage status by pressing # 2 on the device. The device displayed 14.83V each time. I checked the device at least 10 times on the 1-hour drive home. My battery is not the problem.

After many conversations with Smart Start representatives, the install service techs, and several other companies who deal with the Smart Start installs, I have decided to leave my car parked until such time as it can be diagnosed by another install sites service tech. I have spoken with Bret, a representative of Custom Car Audio in Rock Hill, SC, and he seems very knowledgeable of the IID and Smart Start. I gather from our conversation that the issues I have experienced with the IID are unnecessary, and the lack of information regarding any resolution is absurd and bad business practice.

Here are the major problems with the Smart Start system: (1) If this is designed to keep you from drinking and driving, why does it allow you to start the vehicle and drive if you have had alcohol? It should lock you out completely for any amount of alcohol detected. After all, isn't that the whole idea with having it?! You can get a DUI/DWI for any amount of alcohol so why does Smart Start think you should be half lit before they think you shouldn't be able to drive?

(2) The consumer already pays, in my opinion, a ridiculous amount for the monthly service. To add to that cost Smart Start places the burden on the 'consumer' to deal with and pay for flags, lockouts, penalties that are the Smart Start's system's fault?! I am paying you for a service and you charge me because your equipment is faulty?! Makes absolutely no sense but that leads me to my next complaint.

(3) Why does the entire engine turn off when you're locked out? My equipment failed, as it does routinely, and I have to pull over in a parking lot because I am locked out with an infant in the car with no air conditioning. This is an EXTREMELY SERIOUS PROBLEM if you live in Louisiana as I do during any season of the year. While I understand that Smart Start, like it's competitors, are solely in this for profit, they most certainly could take responsibility when due. I would not ever recommend going with Smart Start for an interlock device.

After 30 minutes of letting it sit, it finally starts and I drive it home. I wake up in the morning with a dead battery. Installer comes to my house and says that I have a bad battery. I had a warranty so I go exchange my battery. Put in new battery and car seems back to normal. Wake up in the morning and brand new battery is dead. I'm furious, so I call the guy and he says to get a jump and bring it in. He re-wires some ** and says that should do it. Nope, I go to work for 8 hours and come out to a dead battery. I call him furious and tell him to take this piece of ** out of my car. Damn guy charges me $75. Needless to say after having the device removed, I have not had anymore problems. By the way this is the office in Avondale, Arizona.

I'm a woman alone now in a dark parking lot. I had to walk a mile to a phone and get a ride. Customer service finally answered and said I just didn't get enough training. Next day I had to go to get the failed test taken off. Smart Start tech took it off and was very nice. I get out of there and a mile down the road it says "heating". It was a decent day not too hot or cold so I called and they said I got a faulty device so come back. Now I pull over to retest and it won't work. Nothing. Stuck in crappy area of town on a side street for 3 hours. They tell me to tow it at my expense. Umm, No way. It costs $480 to tow my car and I'm mad now.

I finally somehow get the thing started, but two minutes down the road it's heating again and won't even let me test. I drive until horn is blaring and lights flashing and pulled into their shop that way. Not fun or safe driving that way but at least I didn't have the towing bill. Had them take the damn thing out. Went to Draeger (autosafe). Much easier to use. You still have to blow and then inhale but no humming. A little more expensive but worth it. What good is a device that is supposed to let you drive but won't let you start your car unless you sing and blow? POS! Horrible customer service! Ripoff!

When I called about the skipped test, they told me that the office was only open on Tuesday and Thursday. The ADDRESS was for the closest office, which was 45-60 minutes away. I happened to just look up the website on the Monday (4 days after Thanksgiving was going to be Tuesday), they said that the office was open 6 days a week, so I called them. Yes, they are open 6 days a week. The office that I had it installed was still listed on the website, but it was shut down. It took me 2.5 hours round trip to get the device "reset". Monitech is pretty close, maybe 2 miles from me. I figured that had to be a better choice. The 800 number for Smart Start isn't bad if you get hold of someone. I just told them that I wanted a place closer to where I live. The 800 will schedule you for a removal, but I still had to call the closest office to me, and that was the 45-60 minute drive.

THEY said that corporate is in Texas, but since it's NC, they do what they want, and they won't schedule a removal. You have to call in the morning you want the device removed. They will tell you when to come in. Some of the problems with that is, when you have the device removed, you can't drive, so you need someone else to drive your vehicle. I had an appointment to get a Monitech device installed, and when I told them that if they couldn't remove the device in the morning, I couldn't make the installation appointment on time. "That's YOUR problem, not ours". The truth is, there aren't any GOOD alcohol ignition interlocks. The problem is that the government forces you to have one, and the companies know it, so they could care less about good customer service (AND yes, I do realize and agree that when you have a DUI, you broke the law).

Now my biggest concern is can I change the battery with this thing in my car. The place that installed it said we can. All we have to do is unplug the unit & change the battery then plug it back in. But I've read on some sites you can't unplug it. Also like a lot of others said we've been having cold weather & it takes this stupid device FOREVER to warm up. At least 5 to 10 minutes so you have to sit in your car in 15 degree or below weather waiting & waiting for the device to warm up. And after you blow into it you can't go back inside because it might just decide to make you blow again in 2 minutes after you've started your vehicle. There is no rhyme or reason as to when you have to blow into it. It could be 5 minutes for the rolling retest or it could be 20. It went off while I was in the middle of taking my driving test. I'm 41 & have not taken that since I was 15. I was already nervous. Talk about adding anxiety to nervousness.

And now to call to ask if we can change the battery in my now dead vehicle. I guess I will be spending the entire evening waiting on the phone for them to answer. Thankfully I haven't had any horror stories like some of you have had but then again I have just gotten my license a couple of weeks ago after having the device installed on 12/16/15. I just wish they wouldn't put us on hold for so long. I feel for all of you who have missed work & had so many faulty devices. One thing I did read is to wrap the device up in a towel & sit it up straight to keep it warmer. Don't know if it works but I'm willing to try.

In the morning when it's 20 degrees and there's 2 feet of snow on my car I have to wait 5 mins for the device to "warm up" (sometimes more) before it allows me to blow into it. So I'm stuck sitting there in freezing temperatures at 530am waiting for an ancient piece of machinery to "warm up". It's very laughable. So then; once the device is "warmed up" you blow into it and you can then start your car. But wait... you're then prompted within a seemingly random amount of time to blow in it again. So warming up your car is not really an option. I let my car run 5 minutes in the morning before work and came out and it said that I had 45 seconds to blow again before a lockout! If I would have waited another 45 seconds my car would have been out of commission. So if you live in freezing temperatures I suggest using a different IID providing company.

Another issue: I was jumping my friend's dead battery (in freezing temperatures) and it caused a "delayed lockout" on the device, giving me 72 hours to call them. This happened on a Saturday night. It is now Tuesday and I have yet to get a hold of them! I have called them 3 separate times only to be on hold for 30 mins each time. (I am writing this as I am on hold. The customer service just came on after 32 minutes and put me on hold again after receiving my name).

So the outcome of the phone call was as follows: the customer service rep had me go outside and do the whole routine of starting up the car (which takes 5 minutes). I got the device up and running and the error message said "viollock36hrs". The rep said I had 36 hours to get the vehicle back to where I had it installed in order to continue. He then ended the call abruptly. The call took a total 47 minutes from start to end. 32 minutes on hold, and 15 minutes speaking with a human. It's only been 4 days and I already have a "violation". I can only imagine what is to come. PS. I recommend getting a new car battery because this device is power hungry and stays on even after you turn your car off.

Also if the device fails for any reason it cost you to have it reset. $75.00. If you leave your vehicle running to warm up in the winter longer than 5 min. it goes to lockout and costs you $75. If you miss an appointment for any reason when their people have to be there anyway it cost you $75.00. OH, and all of this has to be reported to the state each time and that cost you even more. This is the biggest scam and license to steal that I have ever seen. Much worse than credit cards. In the 70's the banks put pressure on the states to close down small loan companies in Michigan who were charging 18% just so they could charge 24.99 on their credit cards and all of their late fees which put them way, way over the usury rate which is really criminal. This must be investigated as these companies are making billions and so does the state. Super bad.

Then my car went into a 4 day lockout mode so I had to take it in for service. My car wouldn't start so I had to tow it and pay $60 to remove the lock. Smart Start wouldn't reimburse me for the machine's fault and they took about 3 hours to answer every time. Along with transferring me to the automated answer machine several times. Don't use Smart Start. They suck and have poor service. I heard there are better machines on the market.

Although they waived the fee for it not working (since it wasn't my fault) and provided me a new unit, they considered this waiver my one free waiver they provide to all customers. Which caused me not to qualify for an actual waiver that resulted in my wrong doing in the future. Which actually happened a few months later while washing my car with the music on and forgot all about the unit in the car. Second thing is that I am a single mom so although I get the car serviced by them I may not have the funds to pay on that service at that time, so I call the 800 number. They say it's up to the tech to leave the balance on my acct until I can pay. The tech says it's up to Administration. Either way it's not like I'm going to disappear. I can't go anywhere with the damn device still in my vehicle so why not work with me instead of against me.

They treat you like a hardened criminal, as if you've murdered or killed someone! Or did them any harm! Little do they know this was my first offense and besides traffic tickets nothing else on my record, but the way they treat you is like short, cut throat, and flat out disrespectful. From their tone of voice, demeanor, and unwillingness to help! I have now been ordered by the court to remove the interlock device. So I called the 800 number to find out options for removal. They say, I can fax in removal request, email it or provide it to the technicians upon visit to remove it.

A few days later, taking the less complicated option of presenting it to the tech, I first called to see if I had to make an appt as I was already leaving my home to go to Irving Texas location Smart Start. He stated no appointment necessary but that I or they can fax it to Administration and within 24 hours if approved they can remove. I let him know I was not told that. He then instead of trying to find a solution he argued with me for 10 minutes about rules and guidelines as if I pulled the story out of my ass about what I was previously told to do. Keep in mind I live 45 minutes from this location, so I called 800 number. After waiting on hold for 30 minutes, a rep answered and stated that I was completely right they could've removed once I showed them the paperwork but it's at their discretion!

The rep also stated that his suggestion was to go ahead and fax it to him directly but that I still wouldn't be able to get it removed because they close in an hour and wouldn't have time to remove. If I would have been aware that the process wouldn't be as smoothly as described I would've faxed the information in days ago as I had received it days prior to this incident. As simple as it was to install it should be the same when removing. You would think that the lawyer I paid $3500, the court I paid $1900, an alcohol class for $100, Smart Start install fee of $75, plus Smart start fee of $75 a month for the last year, plus the 3months of weekend jails I had to do would be enough.. especially for a first time offender.. not to mention the $45 to remove it!!!

The right hand never knows what the left is doing. This company is not on one accord. They treat you horribly, and act like they're doing you a favor with their nasty ass attitudes! So I'm sitting here now with a court order to remove this unit, I've paid my dues, sat out my time, and learned from my mistake... but now I'm being held captive by Smart Start with their rules and regulations when they aren't even the entity who regulates or mandates its install or removal. I want this behind me!!! I hate this company and want to be done with their poor service once and for all! Piece of crap!!!

Recently this device had me blow 8 times while in line at Burger King... something is wrong with this device!!! I also installed a 2nd device to the family car. It is a different HEAD after 47 tries. I took it back to the installer. I can't blow, hum, quite right. I had no voice for 2 days following. Not good for being a cashier at Costco. Members complained that I was rude... I could not talk!!! I'm sure this will be on my record both at work and with SS... DMV too!

5th - I was about to leave a job site 60 miles from home. Same thing, wouldn't let me blow into it, got my vehicle towed in again 60 miles. Didn't get home til 3 am. Had to miss another day of work the next day getting it fixed. Every time I have to find someone to pick up all my tools and I have to spend about 45 min, 3 times, each time this happens just transferring the tools to another vehicle.

6th - I drive 4 hours over the mountain pass to my dad's. 5 miles from my destination, the interlock once again won't register my blow. I can't turn the vehicle off in the middle of nowhere or it won't restart, so I turn around and drive 4 hours back to the service center. The whole time the thing was causing my horn to beep for 4 hours, that was a Saturday night. Spent 12 hours total until I got home. Had to have someone pick me up. Was stuck without a car until Monday. Had to miss work again Monday and get a ride in to get the vehicle fixed. Once again faulty equipment. Totally their fault. 7th - the next day I drive to the job site, have to take a ferry to get there by the way. Same thing happens again. Bad equipment. I'm stuck on an island. Now at my wit's end.

I'm a patient person but this is ridiculous. I pay my bill early, never had a violation, do everything I'm supposed to. They haven't reimbursed any of the over 1000 in tow bills or missed work. The worst is every time I call, it takes 45 min to talk to someone that can never help. They treat you like garbage. Once you're signed up they don't care.

After 5 out of the 8 violations, I blew in the device after 2 minutes and passed (4 rolling retest included). Even when I passed the retest, I am still forced to pay $75 to have the violation removed. Even though these are not alcohol related, I am forced to pay. I failed 1 again after a violation and another I felt so defeated, I just didn't blow again. I have been reimbursed once for a violation on my first day because I turned my car off and the IID said to blow. This company is a rip off. I emailed my DMV to ask who is monitor/regulating these companies. I would not recommend anyone deal with this company. It is the holiday season and I have been unable to contact any of the other IID companies, but I am desperately trying to get rid of this thing ASAP.

On top of everything, you cannot call or get a hold of anyone in their area office or corporate office. You can call the 800 number, complain and then the same people at this local facility call you back and tell you they have to call their boss and never call you back. When I followed up, the manager literally told me that it was my fault, come back to reinstall the device with them or I could "go to hell" cause I had no choice, "do it or lose your license". Their competing brands are as I found very respectful and aware that having to have these devices installed as a result of my mistake is embarrassing and went out of their way to make it as painless as they could. Lastly, as the fees are controlled by the state, don't make the mistake of spending a dime on Smart Start in Spokane. They deserve to go out of business.

After searching the Internet and finding Smart Start number I called them. Hour and half later Smart Start told me to plug in the device, see what it says. It said absolutely nothing like everything was working properly. It says blow, I blow it, passed me, no errors pop up. I have a probation officer, called her, called Smart Start, called everyone, there's no possible way I failed. I haven't had one sip of alcohol in over 6 months, to be more exact March 12. I told them there has to be a test that you can take to prove you weren't drinking. There is ETG test. Guess what? I took the test and passed. It was negative. Probation officer said I blew .04, 2 mins later .01. She said that's not possible. Well no kidding, also not possible I blew anything. I have not had one sip of alcohol. I do however work with chemicals a lot but remember I passed when I left work.

I checked the myths, facts on Smart Start. It says spicy food won't let you blow bad. Well either it was the bite of pizza or the equipment. Either way it failed me and I haven't drank one single drop of alcohol. The problem with the etg test is it can detect alcohol from 72 hours so if your Smart Start gives you a false positive you can only prove it by the etg test so do not drink especially if you're on probation so you can prove your case. I did not get in trouble only because I passed the etg test.

I know this is a long post but it's the absolute truth. The company that monitors my breathalyzer said, "You should not eat or drink anything before blowing." Oh ok I guess that's against the law. Took a bite of pizza and I might go to jail for that. Remember it's pizza. Glad I didn't eat the whole slice. The device would have said I blew something ridiculous so do not drink alcohol, do not eat or drink anything before the test so if it gives you a false positive you can take etg test and prove your case.

Supposedly, I was going to be reimburse for those violations, but when I called the number to Smart Start Credit Dept., 877-485-7042, I found that there is no credit dept. for the state of Florida. One Smart Start associate said to leave a message online. On top of that, I got a letter from the state of Florida threatening to revoke my licence because of the violations. Do yourself a favor, and DO NOT USE SMART START INTERLOCK SERVICES.

I was treated disrespectfully and Accused of lying by representatives and was also given the runaround through their TERRIBLE phone tree. Long hold times and rude, disrespectful, condescending, representatives await once you finally get a human being on the line. Don't waste your time or money with Smart Start, there are MUCH better options out there. Do yourself a favor and just move along! I've had enough, I'm having the device removed Friday (for yet another fee) and switching to a more reputable/respected company.

A brief history into my account will show that I currently have 3 violations. These violations ALL occurred after the device allowed my car to start. The equipment would then not register a completed test with the error message "mouth closer" and a wait time. The mouth closer message causes a time delay before the next test can be administered and increases the time between each mouth closer message. This in turn would go beyond the five minutes that one is allowed to take the test and results in a missed test/violation. I would then pull over, restart my car to turn off the horn alarm, and take the required test to allow my car to start. The test always passes and the machine allows me to drive on my way. This causes a $50 violation fee that is clearly no fault of my own.

About 2 to 3 months ago this happened and the telephone (18008803394) technician advised me to have my machine exchanged for a new one. The associate at the Pompano service center denied my request at that time. During this latest issue, the associate denied my request this time stating that my violation was caused due to a "dirty" mouthpiece. I have about 8 months left to satisfy this imposed interlock requirement and I am terrified that these equipment violations will continue, costing me additional fees and I have no idea if any of this will affect the completion of my mandated 2 year requirement with the state.

Updated on 12/29/2015: Not only am I on my 3rd replacement unit in 3 months, I have had over 10 violations because of this defective product and company. So, I start my car and go to the UPS store. I'm in there for 5 minutes. I try to start my car and the unit is completely blank. Didn't even come on. So I call the installer and get the usual BS and I'm told to call Smart Start. They expect me to sit in a freezing car for 45+ minutes while I'm on hold. I walked home.

Levels then was 0.000. The technician downloaded all the information from the device. He was very confused. He step me through the entire morning as far as times blowing into the machine. Now, if I blew a .0144, then how in the world could I have passed less than a minute later with a .000? This has me concerned about some of the other warns I have had in the past. I will admit that on two occasions I have had a few to drink and had a bac pop up. The first time I let my truck at work and caught a ride home from work as well as back to work the next morning. I am now being put back in level 2 classes. For what reason, I don't know.

The program is designed to keep people from driving while drinking. It works if the court system and any other entities involve were not so money hungry. I am thinking about going to see the judge and talk to him face to face about the situation. For what good it will do, I have no idea. We all need to stand up for what few rights we have left in this country and demand that something be done about this company.

2 days ago, it took 10 minutes before I could start the car because device read "temp change". And today, I got a "viol" first blow. The device waited 2 minutes, I drank water and still blew a "viol". I have not consumed alcohol since I was put on probation in June. One prior time I had a fail, waited the 2 minutes and blew just fine. I realized that my toothpaste contains Scope. I have since switched toothpaste. However, today is a mystery unless it was the NyQuil that I took last night at bed. Could that still be in my system? Still on hold now (26 minutes).

Here I am, 5 weeks into having the product and my starter will not work. I had to walk home 2 1/2 miles. I called Smart Start looking for help and I had some guy named Mike who talked to me like I was trash. He acted like I had no business talking to Smart Start and that it was my problem. I was also told that my mechanic has to verify that he's a legit shop owner in order to work on the vehicle. I extremely dissatisfied with the product, but even more disappointed with the terrible customer service. Not all of us who have to use this product are bad people.

I asked why they can't manufacture a device that actually detects drinking alcohol even at low levels but they won't because it would affect their bottom line. I encourage everyone to send complaints to the company, consumer affairs, the BBB, the DMV and more importantly your state representative. A class action suit would be the best thing to do to stop the collusion and major profits from this partnership between the DMV and the manufacturers of all of the Interlock devices - they all are corrupt and need to be stopped. MADD is probably also profiting from this since at least in some state they were the ones to petition for this and set the threshold limits which are a joke.

When I initially had this installed my car would refuse to start around 1/10 tries and it got to the point where after numerous attempts nothing would happen and I had to have it towed to the service shop. Let's not forget the warns and the one fail it gave me for no reason. Now I have to pay as well a 50$ fee for missing my appointment which is a rip off and they're also telling me that oh hey you actually have 3 months longer on your term than what you initially signed up for I cannot WAIT to have this thing out of my life!!!

Anyways, I have a hardship license and Wednesday was my first day of driving. I started my car really easily and rolling test was easy as well. Thursday and Friday I drove to work without any issues using device. I had no issues with device as well. I started my car on first try with one steady blow into device about 7 seconds long and was on my way to work. Saturday I started my car fine as well no issues. On my way back home I had a little trouble getting my car started at first. It took me three tries to start my car. It kept saying blow harder. I eventually got it started. I figured I am still new at learning device and eventually it's going get easier once I can get use to blowing technique.

After about 5 minutes, I had to take rolling test. I was having issues as device was telling me blow harder. For some reason I wasn't doing it correctly. Eventually the device went into lockout violation with 4 days remaining for me to take it to service center. It kept saying blow harder. I think I wasn't blowing long enough. I've watched video several times and even practice. I will have to take my car into service center tomorrow for them to reset it. I am so frustrated because I may have to pay $50.00. Does anyone have any good tips using smart start iid 20/30. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

He got very edgy with me as I ask a lot of questions, then told me he won't change it because I wanted to pay one of my household bills instead of them. "See now you messed up Steve because now you are telling me that you won't do it because I want to keep my lights on, gas on, food on the table for my family. That's awesome." Very long story short I never got it moved. Was treated like a dog and I had to contact my car insurance company and phone company to move the dates up and get charged late fees. But they did it, no problem. I work in customer service. I have for a very long time, and by far this company needs education on customer service. I thought Comcast was bad, but Smart Start and this supervisor Steve bit the nail on the head. I wasn't asking a lot or saying I was going to pay, but wow to how I was treated that day, I couldn't believe it. I even called the head office and they were a little more nice, but still rude.

Went out next morning and blew into the device and it wouldn't work. It said "wait 2 minutes" which I did. Blew again and it worked but came up violation lockout in 48 hours. Thought here we go again. Had to wait until Monday to go to service station. Called local Smart Start to tell them so they could call service station and check reading so I wouldn't have to pay the $50. Was in for quite a shock. They said $50 and I said why and they said came up alcohol detected. I ABSOLUTELY did not drink any alcohol and called Smart Start for an explanation. Of course I got another excuse when explained I didn't drink. She said I need to rinse my mouth out with water before each use. I had nothing to drink or eat that morning the violation came up (had only brushed teeth an hour before).

If that's the case why didn't it happen for the year I've had it. I understand I need to pay to be allowed to drive but these extra trips and expenses are ridiculous and to come up as alcohol detected. There is obviously something very wrong with the device. Smart Start should have reviewed my records and seen how many times I've had to go for service. Excuse after excuse to get more money for no reason. DO NOT HAVE SMART START INSTALLED IN YOUR CAR!!!

Updated on 01/22/2016: After months of problems with the device - as described by other customers - I had the device calibrated (its regular monthly calibration). I drove the car from New York to Colorado. ALL the way across the country, the device malfunctioned: blow harder/softer, hum stronger/softer, don't inhale, etc. resulting in a 4 day lockout. I was so afraid of getting stranded somewhere in Iowa, for example, and not being able to restart the car, that I was unable to turn the car off for the entire 1800 mile distance!!! Smart Start has the worst customer satisfaction of possibly any product... and certainly the most defective product coupled with THE WORST customer service I have experienced in my 66 years.

Now I have an order to have the device removed. When I called to make and appointment, the local Smart Start shop available to remove the product has the following message on their answering machine: "the mail you are trying to reach is no longer in service"... because the proprietor does not want to answer his phone!! I complained to Smart Start corporate about this who said "oh well, there's nothing we can do about it"... even though the Smart Start name is on the door. And the money grab is astonishing!!! And for something that does not work. I call that EXTORTION. My offence was drinking and driving for which I paid dearly and will never, ever do again. In fact I no longer drink at all. However that does not justify a corrupt, dishonest company to take advantage of me and many, many others. SHAME on SMART START and all those individuals associated with the company.

The machine gave me problems by making me blow every five minutes and then locking into a constant countdown loop. I explained this to the service tech that addressed the problem and I was told that he reprogrammed the machine, they think that it was always on and that would stop the excessive blowing and clocking issues. I should not have to go into why there was a distraction at this time at that office but I was not told that if I turned on my ignition and did not enter the security code that was now superseded by the ignition key within a few minutes that the machine would set my alarm off and there would be a $50 charge. I cannot even get into my car now without thinking that I may be defrauded by a simple spring trap after this occurred.

I would just chalk it up to negligence but the main rent-a-cop that seems to have authority at this office due to the amount of smart remarks that he can regurgitate gave me a number to call for an office line that is never answered so I am guessing that the State has also mandated them to treat the customers like a cat in a bag to be poked with sticks. I say this because the remark that was made to me that I should not have drank and drove when I complained about the malfunctioning machine. I also say this because I pay 2 months at a time and I had just paid for the 4th & 5th months when this issue occurred, I cannot get the ghost owner on the phone, he will not return my calls and the 800 number does nothing but reconnect me with the dead end answering machine.

I was told to use an office in Burlington, North Carolina to make payments so I can avoid any future confrontations that are likely to arise from this office in Greensboro, NC. If you want the possibility of the same things happening to you, use Smart Start. I am looking to have my machine switched to the only competitor in NC when the next payment is due. I have downloaded the procedure manual for entrepreneurs and there is not even a violation for this type of scenario! Oh, and I will pay this $50 fine when my ashes re-salt the earth.

Updated on 08/03/2015: I just got another lock out fine of $50 for driving down the road! The machine keeps going into a 2 minute countdown and asks for me to blow over and over. I got tired of blowing and tossed the unit into the seat and drove to the Smart Start Branch in Greensboro NC AGAIN, and this time I was forced to pay the $53 fine to remove the lock-out from my car. I was told, "I can't let you slide because you have been having to bring it in several times for service". What the ** is that!!! I had to bring it in for service because the device keeps malfunctioning, it does not read the same voltage as a new car for some reason. So if I am to be treated fairly I have to buy a new car for them to cut up the wires on!

This place is A SCAM, plain and simple. I am going to file a lawsuit as soon as my mechanic writes a statement for my lawyer. I would rather pay a mechanic and a lawyer to go to court than these thugs. I may just get the punitive damages that I am going to be asking for if not all of what I am having to invest in this suit! I am not a certified mechanic but I was a Tech for 5 years and I was so good at my job I was promoted to Shop Foreman. Now I just design circuit boards and computer cables – even more technical than knowing that there is something wrong with this system in general.

I would go so far as to say that you could dial in the amount of money that you want to earn off of each device and there is a 99% chance that the car will do the rest by false violation, if you have a car that does not read 14v with the key on, only, as a theoretical model. I am getting someone that does have a certification to write a report along with my knowledge, this should sting a bit, along with the video footage of this device going into a 2 minute re-blow loops! You should sue too. All you have to do is go to your local courthouse and ask for an affidavit to file a civil suit, or just type in your state's name and then Legal Aid for proper directions. Let's get a class action lawsuit started on top of that!

If this device sees the voltage rise on start up of a gas powered car it will sure as hell see the voltage rise on a diesel powered vehicle as this type of motor requires far more amps and far more cranking power to start than a gas engine does. This first device also asks for a test sometimes within 30 seconds up to 20 minutes but has never gone 45 minutes till testing again.

Dealing with the company by phone can take up to 1 hour and 15 minutes to get them to answer. I have repeatedly had to call about issues with the device and sat on the phone from any where as long as 20 minutes to 1 hour or more before getting someone to answer. Many times I have just given up. Now I asked for the download log of this device and provided an email address to this company yet this company sent my personal information to another email address 2 times before I finally called the monitoring authorities and demanded the file and email address they had sent this information to. The address they used was ** but that was not what I gave them and the company is now trying to claim they could not read my hand writing yet everyone I have show it to could read it just fine.

They are at present trying to downplay the breach of confidentiality they have committed. Their excuse was they couldn't read it, it was a mistake, it happens and is no big deal along with many other excuses being presented by Smart Start Canada as well as driver fitness and monitoring who are trying to claim they don't know if this breach happened or not yet have done nothing to find out. In fact the supervisor there tried to lie to me and say they didn't have access to the Smart Start site yet one of their employees was the one who got the information and openly admitted 2 times she had got the information from the Smart Start logs and file they have on me.

Now the second device they installed (SMH) this device was put in to replace the first faulty unit. It too has had start up problems and fails to see the truck as running, it has also caused my truck to shut down at 80 kmh for no reason whatsoever and never asked for a test before doing it. Upon installing the second unit the company representative cut 8 wires, 7 of which should never have been touched only the ignition to starter wire needs to be cut. They have tried to claim it was just how the device was installed yet this is not how the first one was put in on that unit, only the one required wire was cut nothing else.

They have tried to claim that this was normal for install of the device and claimed the wires cut would circumvent the system allowing me to drive without using the device. What they didn't know is I have over 20 years in the power field and know more about systems, generation, and power circuits than their tech did. I have forgotten more than he has ever know. The other 7 wires were left uncovered and live behind the dash fuse box. The company is now offering to have the wiring harness replaced but I don't think they understand this harness runs all over the truck from the very front to the back and is going to cost 10 to 20 thousand to replace not to mention how long I will be without my property while this repair is being done.

They have offered to refund my money for installing the device and all cost to date if I will remain silent and not take them to court for breach of privacy, damage to private property and with the evidence this device has no CSA approval, no visible ANSI approval or any EEE approval markings on either the head unit or the under dash unit. This unit has not be approved by any legal authority in Canada whatsoever.

Now regarding the violation locks I have received. The first one I got was the morning after I woke up, the truck had not been used the day before and the unit had not been used either. So why the violation lock? This company then tried to extort 55$ to get the lock removed and if I didn't pay it would cost an additional 45$ for an override code so I could start the truck and take it to get the violation lock removed. The second time left me stranded for 2 hours until I finally disconnected the batteries and forced the unit to reset the lock, went away but does not show up on the records download from the device, it only shows 1 lock. The list of problems and issues I have had would take me hours to type out here and I am no slouch at typing with a wpm of 78 without mistakes and 93 with some mistakes. So do the math of how many issues I have had with this device and it's only been in my truck for 2 months.

Original Review: July 7, 2015

Servicing stations arbitrarily close on days of scheduled calibrations without notifying customers, deliberately causing unnecessary lock-outs. Rivals Comcast for the nadir of customer service. Labyrinthine telephone menus designed seemingly intentionally designed to allow customers to die of old age before getting to any useful information or the option of leaving a message; no humans involved to speak to at the end of the menus chains. Interlock device itself is extremely unreliable, built with what appears to be mid-1990's technology. Extremely sensitive to ambient temperature changes and bumps in the road, indicating poor connectivity, probably from cold-solder joints.

Since this past winter my COPD has gotten worse to the point I cannot use my car. I have been late to work, stranded in a mall parking lot for over an hour after it closed, and missed several doctor appointments. I did get to the doctor who sent me for a pulmonary function test which confirmed that my COPD had gotten worse. I was told by Smart Start to have the doctor send a letter indicating that. Well my doctor sent the 1st letter and I was told it was rejected because it didn't mention Ignition Interlock in the letter. So my doctor amended the letter to include that. Then I was told it needed to say "Breath Volume Reduction" in the Subject.

My doctor has sent the 3rd letter and now I'm being told they didn't receive it! I got a copy and faxed it myself. Still they can't find it and I was told by Linda **, the dept manager, to wait an additional 48 to 72 hrs so they could look for the letter. I asked if she could call me and let me know if it was found and she said, "Of course NOT!" I will have to call back (and wait on hold at least 35 minutes -- that the shortest amount of time I've had to wait on hold). This has been going on since April 2015. It is now July 6th, 2015 and still have no response. Each time I call I have to explain everything all over again. Frustrated in New Jersey!

I thought because the truck had sat for 3 or 4 days in the parking lot, perhaps the battery in the truck was low, thus creating this problem. About a month after I got in my truck around 6:30 am to go to work it did the same scenario again. I had a monthly check done on the box, a 5 hour ordeal as I have to drive back and forth to Edmonton, mid week because they are not open on weekends. I received a letter from the driver monitoring department saying that if I had any more infractions my minimum time that I would have to have the blow may be extended.

I now go to my truck, turn the key on and do things while I am waiting for the box to "wake up". I have even gone as far as to check my oil and fluid levels on the vehicle while I wait. Needless to say after waiting about 20 minutes one morning puttering around the truck, when I went to blow it came up FAIL! I just locked the truck up and caught a ride to work with my wife. Then about 2 weeks ago, I got another "warn". I had to take my truck in for another Smart Start download, and they told me, that it was probably my windshield antifreeze that was causing it. I recall that when I went to leave Saskatoon, my windshield had been dirty from the truck sitting for 3 or 4 days and I had indeed used my wiper fluid, each of the times that I blew a warn I had used my wipers, and on the morning of the "fail" I had filled my windshield wiper tank, as well as checked oil, etc.

Yesterday I took my daughter to a picnic south of my home town about 15 miles, when we went to leave, I turned on my key and the Smart Start box was blank, no power! I called Smart Start 8 times, I had talked to a technician multiple times, and they could only say that I had to get the vehicle towed into them so they could fix it!! That is a 2 hour trip one way, I talked to the tow company and they charge $185.00 per hour and said it will be a 6 hour trip!!! That is $1110.00!!! This morning I caught another ride out there and took some tools, I checked and there was no power to the unit, then I checked the wiring for the unit and found a burnt fuse, I went back to town, got fuses!

As soon as I installed the fuse it blew, even without the black box plugged in. So there is a short in the wiring! I started pulling some electrical tape off the Smart Start wiring and found out that the guy who installed the unit, actually cut my $50,000.00 truck's wiring to install the unit. Right now my truck is sitting at this park, 15 miles away and I do not know what to do!!! I need a tow truck to get it home, I called Smart Start again and they said I have to tow it to them!!! Any suggestions??? This whole system is a scam!! The system is inaccurate, not dependable!! A pain in the, well you know what!!! I want to get out of this set up! I would sooner walk than put up with charges, charges, tow bills, threatening letters, etc!!

This thing has almost caused accidents and they say you have 6 minutes to blow so you can pull over which is a lie. It is way more dangerous than any cell phone usage. It gives you violations for no reason and you have no choice but to pay them and customer service is a joke. They have to put you on hold after an hour wait just to answer questions on how device works. They have no clue how anything works. You can blow 4 times in a row fine then fail for no reason.

I started truck then went to get pizza and blew after 3 min. Lucky it 5 min or less from house but so scared it would go off again. I cut truck off and then it gave me violation 3 min later. No drinking or eating. I just went inside to pick up pizza and they say their equipment works fine... It's a money gimmick... Oh and if it's hot or cold outside make sure you pull it apart and take with you because it won't work and you will have vehicle towed at your expense...

God forbid you have an emergency or life threatening event because you will die because it will not work... Oh and if you get sick it will not even work to get you to doctor... It is a life hazard and should be boycotted. It destroys vehicle no matter what they say. Avoid at all cost. Getting mine out today and no matter what reason for getting is... some get to keep kids from driving drunk, some just think it's a good idea and some are court ordered. If you're doing for kids just don't... if you're doing because of dui then just take dui because I promise it will be cheaper and better in the long run... Smart Start is the worst company ever and even lawyers are starting to go against them.

This last lock occurred because I walked out and tried to start my car and for some reason or another it took me 5 times to blow in it right. It violated me. when I finally did get it cranked.. I passed the test and was clean... However these violations stay in place. And keep in mind that each violation is $75 to go get unlocked which must be done within 4 days. The place is very far away and is only open Mon-Fri 8-5pm so that means getting off work early... $25 in fuel and paying a $75 violation which had NOTHING to do with being intoxicated. I don't understand this. It's not against the law in any state that your car MUST START immediately first time you get in it... This punishment is suppose to be about making sure you don't get behind the wheel while drinking. This should be against the Law and considered as some type of Extortion.

I am going to start a web page and anyone interested in joining me - I am going to attempt to get a lawyer to insist guidelines are put on these services to prevent all these charges that have nothing to do with the penalties of DUI. I would suggest ANYONE looking for a Blow Device... do your research and don't use Smart Start because you think they are cheaper by the month as I did as you will pay dearly for this choice in the extra violations you receive monthly. Anyone wishing to contact me to help me try and get this crap changed can do so on my Facebook page **.

Just a few pointers for those who are new to this item before blowing take a deep breath and slowly blow out into the breathalyzer while saying the word "do." Make sure your breathing is steady and you should not have any problems. I have noticed every once in awhile you may get some weird warnings on the breathalyzer. A few that I have ran into is abort which isn't anything bad just give it a second and let it start up and asked for another test and blow again and you should be fine. Another one that I have ran into is tamper which is usually caused by your hand blocking the airflow. Do not block the vents that are on the back of the breathalyzer.

You do only have a little over 5 minutes to submit a test. I did notice if you happen to turn off your car right when it is requesting a breathalyzer test it will automatically go down to 2 minutes. I'm guessing it assumes that you're trying to just turn off the vehicle. I did have to have a repair done on my vehicle at one point or my battery had completely died. It was a bad battery. When I had a new one put in the breathalyzer constantly kept going off for a test I would say every 2 minutes. I was told by a tech on the phone that it was due to the battery not being charged long enough and to allow it to charge and then the unit would be fine. It would stop going off constantly. That did in fact work. I hope this helps a few of you who have been having issues.

Later, after taking the car on a road trip to California, the recall 3h notice came up. This has been activating ever since my road trip. I was told that it was not a problem by their 800 number, and goes away after the car is in adequate reception. I continued to drive the vehicle. This now has led to my car getting *START VIOL* mid-drive. The IID sets off after I have started the vehicle properly and continues to set the alarm until I pull over, turn the car off, and restart it. This has now happened over three times and has taken away from my violation points. I have never received violations of my own fault with this system.

After calling the 800 number, I was connected to a rude and unhelpful service tech who told me my only option was to have a friend jump my car. He said this was happening because my car battery was not adequately powered. I live in the city, am 22, and do not have jumper cables or friends to assist with this. I asked if my local service provider would be able to help. He told me explicitly no, and that my only option for recourse was to jump my car. Based on other reviews, the problem is absolutely not with the car battery and in fact the device and system which is what I suspected. Upon asking the tech if Smart Start stands by their product and assisting with these issues, he told me no, that they don't.

I then asked about recourse for the violations that had been accrued. He told me that I can reach out over email to file a complaint. The fact that they send you to an email to deal with a faulty product issue, that costs the consumer $75, is abhorrent. There is no guarantee for a resolution by reaching an ambiguous email that may or may not promptly respond. Smart Start does not stand by their product, nor offer assistance with problems with their device. This is a terrible, shady business. I should not be expected to sink money into visiting other locations like mechanics to have their device and my car operable. Smart Start should assume responsibility and I'm horrified that people are going through this daily without any just options or recourse. It is absolutely a scam.

I disputed this with my installer who calibrates the equipment and was told there is nothing he can do about it. I was contacted by the state and referred to the local safety council, charged $30 for the visit and informed of the ramifications of further violations at that time. The next violation was a rolling lockout that was my fault for missing the 5-minute deadline. But I was present when the alarm went off, shut the vehicle down, blew again with the equipment taking my photo as proof there was no alcohol involved. Again I received a letter from the state and had to visit the Safety Council. At this point I was charged $60 for the visit and told I had to come monthly and pay $30 as a part of my rehabilitation. Days after this meeting, the Smart Start unit read 'Mouth Closer' multiple times and created another rolling lockout.

I took the vehicle to my service provider and wasn't informed that the head unit for the interlock was defective and must be replaced. They contacted Smart Start and informed them that this was a false violation but nonetheless, I received a letter from the state informing me this was my third violation. At this point I contacted the Safety Council and was referred to the state, then the state referred me back to Smart Start where you cannot reach somebody to discuss but must email to file a dispute.

During the time period that it took for them to contact me back, I had taken my vehicle in for service. As the service was being done, it created four more violations. My mechanic contact them directly and inform Smart Start of this. I also filed a dispute against these violations. It took four weeks but all violations were removed at the state level except for the very first one as they said it was BAC reading. I am thankful that all were removed but the one at this point. All money that has been paid out for these violations (which is considerable) is non-refundable, but I am just thankful that all were removed but the one at this point.

There is no monetary reimbursement even if the error is their own equipment. To say the least, nothing regarding Smart Start in my vehicle has gone smoothly. I look forward to ending my time and having the machine removed. I try very hard not to drive my vehicle unless it is absolutely necessary and still find myself having to rely on my wife for a great deal of my transportation needs. This is better than the hassle of having to deal with the state and all municipalities involved. I would highly recommend that anybody that has to go through this ordeal use any other company than Smart Start.

I blew in the shop, truck started, drove out the door and parked in the space next to the door. I texted my friends to pick me up and when we turned on the ignition, the handset wouldn't come on... nothing... and of course it wouldn't start. I had to take a cab home because the ride took off right after he dropped off the driver. $37.00. Called the next morning at 8 am and they said they would call me when it was ready and didn't hear back that day.

I called the next morning and the girl at the desk said she didn't know and the tech was out so she would make sure he called. 6 hours later I call them and the tech answers and says "So what's up?" Really? Were you going to call me sometime soon? An hour and half and it's been 3 days. He said it's ready and he charged the battery so that wasn't the problem (no **, the lights were bright when I turned on the ignition and you should test a battery if it's in question and go from there, so I'm thinking these guys are NOT qualified already).

Then he tells me he "beat on my starter with a hammer and that was the problem." I am now thinking I need to get my truck out of there as quickly as possible because he is a liar. The device did not power up. I never got far enough into the sequence to engage the starter! How dare him take a hammer to anything on my truck. So I call another friend with a trailer and while I am waiting for him I start the truck - no problem. I turn it around and wait. When he gets there I try to start it and it keeps saying blow harder/blow softer. I'm sure I really blew it (lol) because I have been trying to start it now for three days... oh yeah... and the battery is dead.

So when I search for the website, I see these posts right underneath... and thank you all for your posts... I AM DONE... not playing. It's going back and I will pay dearly, not get my license, sell my truck, I DON'T NEED THIS! I will live under a bridge, ride a bike and walk. There are so many requirements I can't do already it's ridiculous. Oh and by the way... I was caught driving erratically because I was tired after working 12 hours a day, 28 days in a row. I blew zeroes and refused a blood test. I haven't drank in 4 years but there is no way out of a steel trap. I've met many with the same story. I'll be looking for a better "mouse trap" in the morning.

It takes 45 min. to get it to the nearest place to be serviced so of course I was irritated. But it gets worse. I find a place to turn the car around and go to my house. It went off again in the driveway and I start getting the error message. Called for my husband and he blew into it for me since I had now passed out momentarily. It is not the first time I have fainted but this was the scariest time. I'm turning this one in Monday or Tuesday and finding another brand.

The only good thing I can say about smart start is that their tech support is always very nice and get my unit back to a working condition. Too bad I will probably be having to call them the following day because the systems they have are new and "still working out the glitches" as said by the distributor who calibrates my unit. I don't think these people understand the importance of their unit working properly. You're literally talking about people's freedom and livelihood .

I've had to miss a lot of school and work to get my unit to the service center to have it fixed or a new one provided to me because it's not working properly. It's very frustration and I feel that they need to work these problems out before they offer them as options. It needs to be a fool proof system if you're going to charge me an arm and a leg to use the unit.

This only made things worse. It takes me an hour to get the truck started and almost run out of time on every re test. Very nerve racking. I went to a different service station to see if they could fix the problem. After an hour of trying they had to give up. It was a Saturday so they could not call anyone from smart start for help. I will be calling smart start on Monday and reporting the faulty unit again and hopefully they do the right thing and issue a new unit and remove the missed retest from my record. I will post the results.

Also another instance of these individual's lack of respect, an employee who had nothing to do with installation sat in my passenger seat and left in dirty mess which I included pictures. Also if you zoom in on me picking up my car from Honda you will notice there is no damage to my steering g wheel - hence it's BRAND NEW!! These individuals were very unprofessional and the lack of integrity on this company is disgusting.

I've read countless complaints against this company and the worst part is that their service is non-existent. You can't get any technical experts on the phone. The only people who answer at Smart Start are the people in sales dept. who are taking new clients. They don't care about existing clients and won't refund your money even if it's their fault. Luckily since I had the device installed voluntarily I was able to get the device uninstalled that same day. Still no reimbursement.

The representative told me it means there is some kind of "power issue" and there are several issues than can cause message to display. He said "usually if you just charge up the battery, that message will go away." Well, 2 days later when I tried to go to work at 6:30 am, my car wouldn't start. Nothing happened when I turned the key, so I assumed the battery was dead. I jump started my car, which worked, and was 15 minutes late to work. That night when I left work, my car started, but the horn randomly honked repeatedly the whole drive home and the hand piece kept making all kinds of crazy beeping sounds.

That night I charged the battery overnight with a plug-in charger. My car started the next morning, but the same thing happened with the horn honking repeatedly and the crazy hand unit beeps the whole way to work at the start of rush hour traffic. Talk about embarrassing! That night when I went to leave work at 9:30 pm (which, mind you, I had just worked a 14 hour shift and was exhausted and dying to go home and eat dinner) my car wouldn't start again. Again, nothing at all happened when I turned the key.

I called AAA thinking it must be the battery. The technician came, tested my battery and said it's perfectly good. He tried charging it anyway but that did nothing so we tried jump starting it which also failed. At that point I told him to go and I'd have it towed my dad's mechanic the next morning. My dad came to pick me up and we tried jump starting it again just for the heck of it. The 1st two times I tried turning the key, nothing. The 3rd time, my car magically started! I drove it straight home and this time, no horn or hand piece issues.

I again charged the battery overnight hoping to drive it to the auto shop the next morning, which was yesterday morning. Well, not surprisingly at that point, it wouldn't start. I finally gave up and had it towed to the shop. The mechanic called me this morning and said "The only thing I did was disable the Interlock and your car started with absolutely no problem at all." He didn't charge the battery, he didn't jump start it, nothing. He simply disabled the interlock and it started.

As if paying $90 every month to have the info downloaded off the device is not expensive enough, I have to pay a mechanic to tell me that that piece of junk is causing my car to not start at all. Luckily that all happened close to home. I went to NYC a few weeks ago (I live in VA) with my car (my boyfriend was driving). I cannot imagine the nightmare that would've ensued had the Interlock malfunctioned in NYC.

I think the thing that makes me the angriest about this whole situation, besides it being a big hassle and waste of (more) money, is that when I called Smart Start for assistance, they didn't advise me to go have my interlock checked for issues at a Smart Start service provider. They just basically made it sound like the only possibility was that my car was somehow causing the issue.

If they know that recall message can be caused by the Interlock itself malfunctioning, they need to tell customers that BEFORE they get stranded somewhere horribly inconvenient, or worse, somewhere dangerous, and BEFORE they end up needing to have their car towed to a shop just to find out that the interlock is malfunctioning. Had they told me that the interlock could be malfunctioning, I would've gone straight to a Smart Start service provider the next morning and it would've saved me a whole lot of money and trouble.

I really don't understand how they are not legally obligated to tell customers what that "recall:3 48h" message could mean - the device is malfunctioning which can result in their car not starting at all. As far as I'm concerned, that is an unethical practice on their part. I just want to warn others that may be considering Smart Start that they do not seem to have their customers' best interests and safety in mind.

In most states, you can sue for TRIPLE damages if a company is found to be guilty of GROSS NEGLIGENCE, CAUSING LIKELIHOOD OF CONFUSION, KNOWINGLY MISREPRESENTING THAT SERVICES OR REPAIRS ARE NEEDED IF THEY ARE NOT, QUALITY OF A PRODUCT OR SERVICES THAT ARE INFERIOR OR BELOW THE STANDARD AGREED TO IN WRITING, and most importantly: Using a contract, form or any other document related to a consumer transaction which contains a confessed judgment clause that waives the consumers right to assert a legal defense to an action. SUE THIS COMPANY!!! YOU WILL WIN!!! SIMPLY SHOW THE COURT HOW MANY CONSUMER COMPLAINTS (Over 1000 online and rated an F with the Better Business Bureau) AND ANY JUDGE WILL AWARD YOU YOUR DAMAGES!!! I pray that some wise Class Action Attorney sees that this company is a honey hole to sue!!!!

I know that all companies have pros and cons, but Smart Start is just ridiculous. I've spent the past 48 hours researching Drager, and they have a no-hum machine... It is slightly more expensive but I think worth it since there is just no way I am going to be able to do the blow/hum technique. I know, I know... Everyone has their own story... Mine is simple... I have been a bulimic for the past 7 years, and most of my back teeth and part of my esophagus have been eroded/destroyed due to that. I am not sure I feel like sharing all of my personal details with the dudes at the mechanic who installed... Not really their problem, you know.

I am just wondering if anyone knows whether PA has any rules about once you choose a company are you not allowed to switch companies. I know there are going to be fees and fees and fees to do it... I can find a way to make the money to do it... I just want out of the contract. Also... Anyone have experience with Drager no-hum? Is it as great as it sounds to be in the reviews? Thank you for any assistance.

Complaint #2, The van needed to go to the garage for service. I sent Smart Start an email about a week ahead of time letting them know the date it would be in for service. I then made a followup phone call the night before (I never did receive an email back) and the gentleman on the phone said to have the mechanic call him and they would go through the steps to disconnect and reconnect. Everything went without a hitch until the 7 violations from the Motor Vehicle Arrived. Another month, another month, another month x 7. I got on the phone at their fastest way to get a response at 1-800-880-3394. (see complaint #3) After being on hold for over an hour, I tell her what happened, and she said that I need to fax over the statement from the Mechanic and that the Motor Vehicle Department has to review it. After a month, they got dismissed. Point is it should not have happened from the get go.

Today 1/9/2015 the weather here this morning is 14 degrees. We try to start the van and he blows, starts it, but the thing won't recognize that the van is running so it's forced to blow every 2 minutes during my 51 minute wait to smart start in 14 degree weather. Can't drive it in fear of violation or causing an accident pulling over every two minutes in the snow to get to the place that installed it (which wasn't even open yet). Finally I get someone on the phone after 51 minutes. She says, "I talked to the technician and he said you must have a faulty battery." I explained to her that because this thing drains the battery so much (complaint #5) that we have the van plugged into a battery charger every night that the temperatures are below freezing or we don't plan on driving it for a few days.

She said "well then maybe there is something wrong with the device, just drive it down to the person that put it in and have them check it." Another $80 I'm guessing. I then asked if there was another number I could call, so the next time this thing does what it wants that I don't have to sit outside for 51 minutes in the cold. She said they are experiencing heavy call volumes. Every time I call, there are heavy call volumes. For the amount of money these people are making, they need to hire more people!

Complaint #5, From our dining room window, my husband saw the clock in the van turning on and off at regular intervals, so he went to investigate. He can hear a humming sound coming from the device at the same times that the clock is being displayed. Sure enough while the van is parked and off the smart start comes on and stays on for 5 seconds every 30 seconds, that's 10 seconds every minute and 10 minutes an hour so this thing drains the battery, so if you don't drive for 10 hours this thing runs for 100 minutes. I don't have a faulty battery, I have an electronic thing in my vehicle sucking the juice out of my battery.

I followed the steps given to me by the 1800 number because the "Technicians" they have to install these, are apparently not allowed to give you advice, (how crooked is that?) and now it has killed my significant other's battery as well. It is 3 degrees out and we are stuck. I understand the effects of drunk driving on our society and I know that a comeback regarding that will ensue somewhere. Maybe LifeSafer is a better choice, I don't know, but what I do know is I'm going to do everything I can to make it public that this private company is benefiting off of a State Law and that they are making People's lives harder and putting People's lives in danger. Sincerely, The Family Ties Kid.

1) Keep a Driver's Log by Date showing the time you started the vehicle, the reading (Pass, Fail, Warn, Blow Harder, Blow Softer, Mouth Closer, Abort Hum, etc.), the place you started, the time the device asks for a rolling retest (and those results, Pass, Fail, Mouth Closer, etc.), and the times you stop at destinations as well as addresses for those destinations. If you stop at a gas station or store, GET A RECEIPT to coincide with your Driver's Log.

2) If you have passengers who witness an problems, get a signed written statement from them THE DAY OF the incident. Have these letters notarized if possible.

3) Keep a CONTACT SMART START Log indicating the telephone number (plus extensions), dates and times that you contacted Smart Start due to any questions, concerns, or malfunctions. BE SURE TO ASK FOR THE NAME, DEPARTMENT, AND AGENT ID OF THE PERSON WITH WHOM YOU ARE SPEAKING. IF THEY HAVE NO ID, THE NAME SHOULD SUFFICE. Also, write their response if any in the log. More than likely they will provide you will conflicting information if you speak to 2 different people at Smart Start regarding the SAME MATTER.

4) Keep a CONTACT DMV Log indicating the telephone number (plus extensions), dates and times that you contacted your state's Department of Motor Vehicles Agency regarding any questions, concerns, or malfunctions. BE SURE TO OBTAIN THE NAME, DEPARTMENT, AND AGENT ID OF THE PERSON WITH WHOM YOU ARE SPEAKING. IF THEY HAVE NO AGENT ID, THE NAME AND DEPARTMENT SHOULD SUFFICE. As above, write their response in the log. Again, you will often receive conflicting responses to the same questions. Be sure to document them.

5) Obtain telephone records supporting the dates and times you called these companies and departments.

6) In the event of a false reading, obtain supporting documentation from individuals (hopefully of good moral character) supporting your claim that you were not under the influence when you tried to start the vehicle.

***Also, the best way to keep records of driving activity is to have a video camera with a date and time stamp. But this must be your own video camera. Smart start has camera devices but they will not provide you with those recordings. ***

At any rate, keep the following records. I have much research to do in order to sue SMART START and have their contracts with state DMVs revoked. I will need help. I AM NOT AN ATTORNEY. If you have any way to help or expedite me in my research, contact me at **. REMEMBER, "TOGETHER WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL." - PINK FLOYD

Instead of leaving me stranded at the DMV, they did send a District Manager to help me. He could not trouble shoot the vehicle in the parking lot, so they paid (as they should) to have it towed to the BMW dealership. At first, they wanted me to pay up front and handle the reimbursement later- No way was I going to do this. In the meantime, I have spoken to the state administrator of our probation program who has actually recommended having BMW pull off the unit - and me going to another vendor - for the remaining three months.

This company has at least 800 violators in Northern Virginia go through their shop and we know this company is doing well. I would love to see their financials to determine how much they actually spend versus what they earn on fixing things they screw up. Their technicians seem to be stereo equipment salesmen that feel they are competent to working with all vehicles. Do yourself a favor - if you have a conviction of DUI - go to another vendor that is accountable for their products and technicians and if they make a mistake - take accountability for it - instead of attempting to put you through the run-around. Also do yourself a favor and ensure you document everything and contact your state supervisor/program administrator and keep them in the loop!

I have an appointment with pulmonary specialist for report of my health. I've had several people try and help me, they couldn't do it. I wasn't suppose to have device, judge made mistake. After a year no driving I had to go back to court to get it reinstated. I had two drinking violations. But was spotted because I couldn't change license plate and had to drive sick husband to VA hospital 5 in the morning that night we came home. He found out he could never swallow again. My 95 yr old mother was home alone all day. That night I took her out for a bite to eat, and forgot that I had to change plates which were by the way is on my back seat. That night the cops followed me into my driveway, surrounded me. Told me they stopped me for plates. My keys were in hand when they dragged out of car, also my 95 yr mother. I got hysterical because of that. My husband died a yr later, he was 6foot five and weighed 122 lbs. I had one glass of wine that night. I weigh 204. I am now caring for just my mom. I did my 2 yrs. I just want to be able to drive again and also use device. I need it lowered again so I can use it. But get violations practicing. The thing is such a rip off. Help me please.

He has had several more rolling test and now he has to keep it until April 2015. On May 29th, 2014, he had a new device put into his car and is not having problems with it like he did with the past device. I am just as frustrated as he is and maybe more. I believe there was a problem with the device. And to request a hearing, you need to show proof of what! That the vehicle was parked in the driveway all weekend.

After that he told me if that I didn't pay today that he would file a felony theft report and I would be pursued and charged with felony. At that I said "are you threatening me?" After that he told me to hold on and a women from the finance dept. came on and stated the same same thing and also told me that I was lying about knowing about this balance. Say that I refused to pay a car dealership that repossessed the car that the device was in. Yes, I refused to pay car dealership that refuses to return the smart device in the vehicle because they wanted me to pay the fee of towing the vehicle. When the car was repossessed from a car repair shop and I didn't know about. Here's the problem! It is under heard of and unlawful to take any other property other than the vehicle. Then to hold the property that is not theirs for a ransom.

Let's continue! Then I told the lady (from finance) that my last 2 weeks have been horrible. Getting a DWI and not working for 2 weeks I didn't have that kind of money. She then said I was being rude and that she would not be talk to in the tone I was talking to her in. I then I apologized and said that I was sorry if she misunderstood my frustration for rudeness and that she needs to understand that having this device is a condition of my bond. So by not being able to get to the device because of a previous balance, I was unaware of has put my freedom in jeopardy. This is my livelihood we are talking about and on top of everything your threatening me with felony charges. After she offer me a ridiculous payment plan of $724 a month which is more than my car payment and my rent. I asked how am I supposed to do that. She didn't care. So I took the payment plan with no hope of being able to pay this next month. Which put me and my families lives in jeopardy.

I wasn't treated as a real person. There was no respect in how either of the two people I spoke to on the phone talked to me. They saw a bonus for collecting on an old account. So they decided to double team me and berate me and threaten me. The woman even told me she didn't need to hear about my troubles in life when all I was doing was explaining my situation. Hoping they could be understanding and work with me. Here is the icing on the cake. We were on speaker phone so the in store rep heard the whole conversation. He was so embarrassed how they treated me and apologized many times to me after the phone conversation was done. Thank you to him for being the only respectable person and understanding what customer service is about - HELPING the customer. I will formally be filing a complaint with the grievance department.

Can Gatorade or PowerAde cause a false positive reading? What about absorption of sunscreen? He mentioned all these things to the DMV officer but to no avail. We plan to appeal, but he is convinced that the state will win and make him out to be the low-life. Odds are stacked against him. What are our options? Should we contact Smart Start to see if they can test for malfunction? The interlock must be removed in the next week and we do not know where to turn to prove innocence. Any suggestions?

But with the new device, while it registers my blows and lets me start my vehicle, it will ask me to blow again IMMEDIATELY as if my car wasn't already started. If I am already moving and it is asking for a retest, it will tell me I passed and then ask again for a blow IMMEDIATELY afterwards. I can't sit in the car when I've reached my destination and blow for 15 minutes and wait for it to register correctly. I'm sorry, this isn't my fault. I had another lock out in July where the $50 fine wasn't waived and the Smart Start representative told me it was because I had an alcohol violation.

This is technically true, long story short, I got up at 9:30 to go to the dentist, blew and passed, went to the dentist, rinsed with Listerine, blew and failed, I rinsed with water, blew again 10 minutes later and passed. Even though I obviously wasn't consuming alcohol that one is my fault. But it takes 3 violations to get a lock out fine meaning the other two violations were because of the malfunction referenced above; therefore, I should not have had to pay the fine.

The company refuses to address the issue with my device. There have been countless calls and emails and the representative I spoke with today told me "we have no documentation of you complaining about this, so we cannot refund your fine." There is PLENTY of documentation. The above is a simple recount minus MANY details I've omitted because I really don't have the time. If you have other options in your area, do NOT have your device installed through Smart Start, their devices don't work properly and in my experience, the company is unreasonable and unwilling to fix their mistakes.

WORST CASE SITUATION: I took a driving test with a DMV instructor today. The interlock failed at 15 min into the test. The underhood siren went off at the same moment I did a rolling retest. The handheld unit indicated 'PASS' but the siren was blaring anyway. I had to pull over and stop, then yank the ground for the siren, with the DMV instructor looking on. Fortunately I was able to restart. The truck was functional and I was able to complete the test.

If I connect the ground for the siren, it sounds off. Still, I can start and drive the vehicle. This is ridiculous. Battery drains in 36 hours. Siren sounds during a DMV drive test. Siren is on all the time. Installation shop wants ME TO PAY to check their faulty installation. They did not attach the siren to the vehicle. They just loosely stuffed it between the fuse box and some hoses. The under dash box is also not attached. I can hear it jostle around and rattle under the dash. It sucks enough to have an interlock, but this is just ridiculous.

I am 21 years old and have been since late October and I haven't been drinking for the entire process. The judge gave me one last chance and I am really a good kid just trying to get my life back. Does anyone have any suggestions/helpful advice. I went to CVS, Walmart, and our local hospital to see if there are any other kinds of tests I could take to prove that I haven't been drinking alcohol. Although I received the breath test at the police station I am nervous the court will say it was well after the designated time and I could've had alcohol in my system. I need to prove that I have not been drinking and not miss any more tests. Thanks.

I am very small framed with medical issues and you need training on breathing techniques into this machine. I have researched this and it does not exist.. You can't even practice on the machine unless you have someone there to blow before the minutes are up to avoid a lockout. I am a single person living alone with family far away, I don't have this option. Could someone please advise me on maybe some sort of breathing lessons into this machine? You need to implement something where you can practice on this machine in your home, but after all the posts I have read about the Smart Start company, that will never happen because you are out for money and every time I can't breathe long or short enough you make more money.. which is sad because after all fines I will be living on the streets.

Secondly, my probation officer had me attend a $50 cash only class for "Corrective Thinking" and on the second one, he's giving me a choice of 3 days in jail for the device screw up or motion of revocation for probation! I've told him of the problems with my car since installation, also that one of the guys at the install shop told me "all kinds of stuff can make these things record a false BAC" and to test me! He ignored all of it. I agree with so many of the reviews on here: Smart Start should be sued! So, what are we waiting on? To all very experienced lawyers out there: "What are you waiting for?" I'm tired of being punished, drained financially and the distress this is causing in my life. I appreciate everyone whom has taken the time to read my review on this fraudulent product.

Bottom line is, I never could get the car to start and when my son came back, he had to pay $90 for the series of Aborts. How a company can get away with exploiting people who are already in a bad situation is criminal. What possible reason could there be for charging unlock fees or for that matter locking the equipment when it has nothing to do with alcohol detection but instead poorly designed equipment? Why the stupid hum while blowing? My body automatically inhales if I try to make a noise while blowing air out. It doesn't make sense. A breathalyzer machine does the trick by just blowing. Consumers should not be charged for their defects.

I am now 100% convinced that this is a scam designed to extort money from people stuck between a rock and a hard place. The bond companies and courts are in cahoots with Smart Start. Shame on them all.

The car has been stranded on a main street in Los Angeles because Start Smart will not tow the car even though they admit the problem is with their equipment. They claim they do not have another computer in stock and have ordered one. The car was disabled on Tuesday and the car has still not been repaired on Saturday. This program has been a nightmare from the beginning so I guess the reasoning is make the whole experience as unpleasant as possible and maybe there will be no repeat offenders.

I called the people at the 800 number as well as the local office and all I got was it was my fault for not breathing right....NO DUH!!! I HAVE ASTHMA as well as diminished lung capacity. I understand that this is a punishment and it's for a crime I claim full responsibility for but this is unfair that I'm willing to use the unit & do my time BUT IT DOESN'T WORK FOR ME!! These people need a civil lawsuit brought against them for this injustice to people with a legitimate medical condition. Who's with me? I think that a class action suit should be filed.

After all this was done the guy said he felt bad for me so he took one of the violations off so the final bill came out to three hundred and forty dollars. I told him this wasn't right and that I was going to call Smart Start (obviously if somebody has that many violations in that short of time, they don't know how to use it and there should be some sort of grace period). He said don't do that, if I did that they would know he gave me a break on one of the violations (He did all this with a straight face by the way).

I eventually called Smart Start the next day and told them what happened and they said all I had to do was call them and they would have given me a pass code to put into the device and my car would have started so all that money I paid and the towing was all a ripoff. Actually, it was downright criminal and they claimed they were going to open a case against them. First of all, what kind of reputable company would even associate with a garage like this? If I were you, I would stay as far away from Smart Start and definitely don't have these criminals at Shell station in Putnam put it in.

The 1st 2 days I had this product installed in my vehicle, I had to call a cab to get to work because I had so much trouble attempting to get a reading with my device. I was on vacation a month ago and made a routine trip to the store and encountered a "rolling test" (when you have 6 minutes to register a reading while you are driving). I made 25-30 attempts to register a reading and just continued to get a "hum stronger" reading. With 16 seconds left to register a reading, I finally got one. After that my foot was shaking so bad that I had trouble driving. I do not know if it was my nerves or fatigue but it was scary. I now wake up 30 minutes earlier than normal for work just because I do not know how long it will take to start my vehicle or even if I will be able to get it started.

Apparently your basic Smart Start device is worth about $2500. I do not deny this because it is a sophisticated device. Right before I had the Smart Start device installed in my vehicle, I decided to purchase a $70 pocket sized breathalyzer (a little bigger than an average person's thumb) in case I had a few drinks the night before I can make sure I have minimal to no alcohol still in my system before I attempted to start my vehicle. I once registered a .027 on my pocket-sized breathalyzer only to register a .026 one minute later with my Smart Start device. My point being, in order to get a reading on my Smart Start device I must softly blow for about 2 seconds then immediately hum very strongly for about 6-8 seconds. It might not sound like a lot but if you try this a few times and don't get a reading, you can quickly run out of air and it might take a few minutes to get it back. All I must do with my pocket-sized breathalyzer is blow as hard as if I was blowing out 3 closely placed candles on a birthday cake for 2-3 seconds to get a reading. And the readings on my $2500 Smart Start device are the same as my $70 breathalyzer.

In the end, I would not recommend this product to anyone who must have an ignition interlock device installed in their vehicle. I hate to say it but one day someone who is attempting to get a reading on a rolling test will put so much air into their attempts that they might pass out behind the wheel and cause an accident. I pray that no one gets hurt or killed but I do believe that it is a matter of time before the Smart Start company will be sued into bankruptcy because of accidents that could have been avoided had their product been less dysfunctional. I can understand the humming part of the test. I'm sure that an ignition interlock device can be manipulated if all a person had to do was blow into the device. The humming part is much more difficult, if not impossible, to simulate. But I find it unnecessary to have to hum so hard for so long to get an accurate BAC reading when I can blow without humming into a much cheaper device and get the exact same reading. This product would not be as bad if you only had to hum 2-3 seconds instead of 6-8 seconds.

I will say that I made a mistake by drinking and driving and I'm very thankful that no one was hurt or killed. I do not blame anyone but myself for the situation I have put myself in. Some people think that DUI laws are too hard, some might think they are too soft. I do not have an opinion either way. But I must advise anyone who gets an ignition interlock device put into their vehicle not to purchase a Smart Start device. It is too dysfunctional and way too frustrating.

When they removed the unit, the main wiring harness had the clips broken and they left the harness just hanging down. They also left the Smart Start horn in the truck and told me it was my responsibility to remove it and throw it away. This is not putting the vehicle back to how it was before the install. When the kid installed the unit in the BMW, it took him more than 1.5 hours. He told me that he could not find a good ground. After playing with it for 45 more minutes, he told me that he “thought” he found a ground. Ever since then, the battery would die in a day. The battery was new a few months before the install and the charging system charges at 14.1V. Now the battery will not hold a charge more than 4 hours.

A few times when I had to bring it in for calibration, the unit would not work. I called tech support each time. One time, the unit just kept resetting after you blow into it and it said “pass” and that would drain the last bit of charge in the battery. Now I can't even drive the car. I was supposed to bring the car in March 1st but could not move it. I have called multiple times and never get a call back. Around the end of March I had a manager call me, I believe his name was Dave, and he left a message. I called back 30 seconds later to the number he left and they told me he wasn’t working. I called 5 days in a row and got the same answer.

Finally, after leaving another manager yet another message, I had a different manager call. He said that the unit would not drain a battery. I told him about the installer telling me that he couldn't get a good ground and he agreed that that would cause a battery to drain. Even after that, Smart Start took no responsibility. And never acknowledged that the Blazer was not put back to how it was before the install. So I have to buy a new battery and risk it draining as well. Another charge that I have to suck up.

I had told the manager that I would tow the car in May 3rd but got the flu. I have a kidney transplant and do not leave the house when I am sick per doctor’s orders. And I would not want to put the team at Smart Start on Irma to risk getting sick. So I called in May 5th and let them know that I will bring the car in May 11th. At that time I gave a $200 payment on my credit card and also paid a $1 service fee. Well… I checked after that and I was charged $201 twice. I called every day trying to get someone to take care of it. Never received any help. Was just told… AGAIN… that someone would call me back as the lady I needed to speak to didn’t get in until 4pm. Never got any call back.

So today, May 8th, I called again. The lady, Laura, that I spoke to in payments told me… AGAIN… someone would get back to me. Nope. So she gave me the collections number. Rory that I had left messages for, yet again. So I called my credit card company and disputed the second $201 charge. They started the dispute, reversed the second charge, and left the first $201 charge. I then called back to Smart Start, left Rory yet another voice message, and then called back to payments as it seems that is the only department (aside from tech help) that I can talk to a real person.

The lady I spoke to, I think her name was Dana, told me that Rory reversed the $400. I assumed that she was refunding the $402. I told the girl that I already spoke to the credit card (the same thing I told Rory via voice message) and that they refunded the second $201. Now that Rory did that, I am not making a payment until I see all charged cleared. I have had nothing but bad luck with Smart Start and want to end this headache in December as I am stuck with this company. So far this has been the worst company I have ever dealt with. And all they are good at is ruining vehicles

I have almost had an accident on 2 separate occasions already as a direct result of this device. This device should only be needed when first starting your vehicle only. The rolling retest should be illegal just as texting while driving is. If i ever have an accident while attempting to perform the rolling retest, i will file a 100 million dollar lawsuit against the courts, state, and VASAP program for the state of Virginia and lobby against the law requiring this device requirement for rolling retest.

The problems began after work the following night. I made it to work just fine but the device was left in my car in about 80 degree weather. At 10 pm after my shift, I blew into device numerous times just as I had before and eventually was locked out for 5 min due to too many "blow harder", "hum harder", "blow softer" messages. So already that's one violation. Once I FINALLY registered a Pass, the drive home was terrifying as the machine was making a staticky sound the entire drive. The following day the sound had gone away and I had no problems driving across town and back blowing into device approximately 7x throughout the day.

Well after work again that night, it took me three attempts to blow into machine and register a Pass. Okay, here's the scary part. I make it to my driveway and sure enough the device requires a blow. I CANNOT get it this time. After SEVERAL attempts in the 6-minute period again with the "blow harder", "hum harder" messages. Finally after the timer ticked down, it displayed a "missed test" message. I kept my vehicle running and continued to get the blow right; after the 6 minutes a 2nd "missed test" message. Finally on third 6 min required blow, I passed!

I left engine running because the man who installed device told me it was better to register a Pass after "missed test" messages than to only have the missed tests on my device. I'm terrified now! According to the manufacturer I can have 5 points per month. With one lock out and two missed tests, I already have 3 and it's been 4 days!!! The problem always seems to occur after the device has been sitting in car. I have no idea what the court will say and I am so frustrated with this device already as I feel that I am blowing into it properly. I am regretting my decision to install the Smart Start interlocking device over the pricier competition as I feel like it is DEFINITELY a manufacturer's issue and not an operator error. What a nightmare! And it's only beginning.

I live in Wisconsin and this 2014 winter has been record breaking in the form of most days with high temperatures below zero. My stress started with this product after the first few days of installment when it would not accept any of my blow/hum attempts leading me to get locked out of my car twice for a period of one half hour. At that point I was very much late for work, having to humbly ask my BOSS to come pick me up for work. The next day the saga continued, I called the help number at Smart start where a man told me that I was simply not blowing into the machine correctly adding that I was not allowed (due to Wisconsin state law ) to take the device out of my vehicle to keep it from freezing up. I reported the trouble it had caused me and he had me go into my car and breathe into the machine while listening. The employee could not state whether or not I was blowing incorrectly, but just kept telling me to try again after each attempt was "aborted" until the machine locked me out again. I then had to pay for a co-worker to come and pick me up for work and arranged for a ride home after my shift which happened to only be available hours after my work had ended.

I called the repair/help line again the following day and a female answered. I again explained that I was not able to start my vehicle due to a maximum abort messages. She advised me that the machine may be cold. I said that the last technician I spoke with advised me that it is against Wisconsin state law to remove the device from my vehicle. She replied with, "No mam, you need to warm the device up it isn't against the law." After getting the same exact "help"( --blow softer, blow harder, give it a more sustained hum, hum louder, hum quieter-etc.), I was again in the same boat of exhaustion, frustration and anger of potentially losing my job and being bullied by the company.

I had been given conflicting information with regards to Wisconsin state law from two different employees of the same department; hence I looked into it myself. It is in fact a law here that the device not be removed from the vehicle. Hmm? Since I cannot get anywhere with the company or its incompetent and rude customer service/help department I decided to do some troubleshooting. I had my boyfriend try to start my car, he was unable to get a good "blow" and was locked out, after the 15 minute lockout he tried again and was able to get it started. I drove to work and on the way was prompted to blow into the machine. I did so several times, the machine not taking any of my attempts. This resulted in a "missed test" after which I was prompted to blow again. I passed this test on the first attempt. I made it to work - YAY!

After my shift I went to start my car feeling positive because I had finally registered a blow and would simply repeat it to go home. It was -18 degrees F at 11:15 pm. After three failed attempts I was again locked out and had to wait for 15 freezing minutes to try again. My second attempt was again not successful. At this point I couldn't safely stay in my vehicle without any heat so I walked to a friends home praying that they were awake or left the door unlocked. Very luckily for me I was able to find some space on the floor of the tiny apartment for the night.

For the next couple of days I had to be dropped off for work with an overnight bag just sleeping on the floor of that same friends house in order to make it to work. When I finally had a day off I called the emergency line of Smart Start again at approximately 10:30 on Saturday March 1st 2014. This time I got a male. I asked him hastily if there was another model I could get which was easier to use and or just worked at all. He said that they only offer one model to Wisconsin residents adding that the humming module of the device could not get cold or wet and perhaps that was the issue with my lockouts. I replied saying, "well, it is the law in Wisconsin that the device can't be removed from the vehicle."

The technician gave me what seemed to be some incriminating information: Saying, "yes, we are trying to get legislation passed which would allow smart start to implement a different model to Wisconsin residents without the hum module as it DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY IN COLD WEATHER." How is this not an illegal practice of business? He simply admitted this to me and then said that he would put a note on my account saying that I should be allowed to take the device out of the car in order to warm it. He also gave me a bit of advice about blowing into the machine which was this: "clench your teeth around the tube and blow slightly into it before starting to hum." After three tries that particular method worked.

I began then taking my device out of my vehicle each time I shut off my car and the technicians advised method of blowing had worked fairly well for me for three consecutive days. Last night I had to drive to rehearsals, I had with me two passengers. I was able to drive the 60 miles to rehearsals without issue. When we returned home however the device started going off prompting me to blow roughly every 3-5 minutes. This went on indefinitely the entirety of the ride home. In addition to the absurdity of being distracted from the road every 3-5 minutes the device started malfunctioning again giving me "abort tamper" messages.

My passengers can attest to the dangerous distraction the device made as well to the FACT that I was not breathing/humming any differently than I had been the rest of the drive (which had been successful) . When I was three miles from home I was trying to get an accepted blow trying every couple of seconds and blowing/humming just as I should be, it never accepted any of my attempts and then said "missed" and went into a "07" day lockout then almost immediately it prompted me to blow again -this time I passed on the first try. I dropped off my last passenger at this point and drove the last mile home.

Today I called Smart Start to inform them of what had happened and I was told again that I am defective-not the device and that I would need to make an appointment with the repair shop to reset the device. I would need to do this within 6 days and the cost is $50. I asked to speak with a manager saying that I do not feel as though it is my responsibility to pay for a problem that lies within the device. I was denied my request to speak with a manager.

How is this not extortion? I have been forced to purchase an overly expensive product which does not work properly and in addition have been punished and fined for the company's malfeasance. Again, this written submission only deals with one faulty aspect of the device ( though there are several more i.e. the dangers of driving a vehicle while trying to continually blow in the machine) in a vast can of complaints with which deserves thorough investigation. From the little amount of research I have done-this product is causing hundreds if not thousands of others the same exact problems. Something must be done and I propose a CLASS ACTION suit. Who is with me?

On Saturday morning of 2-8-14 I my Landlord set an appointment with a Plumber to replace the Hot Water heater in the garage. I awoke at approx 6:15 am and cleared a path through the garage so the plumber could access the heater, and began killing time working on my truck. I retrieved one of the bottles of Starter Fluid from behind the seat and began to see if the engine would run on fluid sprayed directly into the carb. while connected to the 100 gal tank. Within 15 minutes the Plumber arrived and I stopped what I was doing and assisted him in removing the old Water Heater and cleaning the Floor space before installing the new unit.

I suddenly realized that it was nearly 9:00 am and that I was required to blow on the interlock device. I rushed to the truck to find the seat still pulled forward. I flipped the seat back sat down and slid it back to the drive position when I heard a spewing sound from behind the seat. I quickly slid the seat forward, discovered the second can of overturned starter fluid with a broken cap and nozzle. The interlock head was lying on the floor and was covered in the discharged starter fluid. I wiped the head off, replaced the mouthpiece with an old one, and proceeded with the 9:00am blow. The device immediately went into Violation and I repeated the wipe down and blew again only to have it report a violation.

I knew something was wrong and I phoned the local Smart Start Service center and was told to blow the unit out gently with compressed air 10-13 lbs maximum. My compressor blows 165 lbs. I returned to assist the plumber. When we finished my wife drove me to the Smart Start office and after several minutes they returned it to me and said to drive the vehicle back for Re-calibration... I went directly home and Blew a Pass.

On Monday morning of the 10th , I drove the truck to the Smart Start service center on a small 20 lb. propane bottle and had the device checked out. While waiting the truck quit running. I received new mouthpieces and they verified the incident and uploaded the device. I presented the service center with the broken can and was told they could smell it through the window and told me to shampoo the carpets and air out the vehicle for a couple of days. I obtained a receipt for their work and they allowed me to use their shop to work on my truck. I re-attached the 100 gal. tanks after discovering a clogged Valve, repaired it, and drove home.

I immediately contacted the Smart Start 800 number and followed the instructions for reporting a false positive on the unit through e-mails. I was told it would take up to three days for a reply. I then contacted an Attorney and asked what I could do to verify that I had not consumed any Alcohol? I was advised to get an EGT. I contacted several testing centers (finding the first two on Google are no longer serviced Fort Worth). I locating one on Western Center Blvd that provides testing for all of Tarrant county. I set the next available Appointment. I tested and received the NEGATIVE results within 3 days and forwarded them to Smart Start. I received the following e-mail from Smart Start Headquarters on the following day:

"Any information recorded on the interlock device is automatically, electronically delivered to the monitoring authorities upon calibration. Smart Start cannot add, remove or alter any information recorded, however, if the monitoring authority has any questions on the reporting, they may contact Smart Start directly to discuss the matter. Thank you."

2-25-14: My Probation Officer Said she could not get a hold of anyone at Smart Start and that they were not returning the calls. I have sent several E-mails and they are not responding to me either. My Probation Officer and her Supervisor want me to wear a SCRAM device for which I readily agreed to do, since, as they said it was only a small additional fee over the interlock device and it would prove once and for all that I do not consume Alcohol. I agreed and an Appointment was set for 11 March with downtown Probation Supervision to discuss the matter and sign any amendments. When I got home I Googled the SCRAM device and discovered it would cost approx. $400.00 ($93.00 per week). A huge difference from the $82.00 I now pay for the Interlock device.

3-4-14: Today I received a call from Mrs. ** that they will bypass the Probation appointment on the 11th since I agreed to a SCRAM during our meeting (thinking it to be only about $125.00 per month for 90 days and that I could also waive my driving during that time to save the Interlock fees) and I could come to her office today and sign Amendments for the SCRAM and Re-location of reporting to Miller St. office. I asked if this would be sent to me in writing for confirmation of the changes. She said no. I explained to her that I have since discovered that the SCRAM device is Approx. $400.0 per month and am not able to afford such an Expense.

Mrs. ** said I was taking a Huge Gamble by setting up a Probation Supervisor meeting and that I should accept the SCRAM now and avoid the Gamble. I explained my financial situation again and reminded her that I have EGT results proving I was not consuming alcohol. She said, "Give the Evidence of the EGT results to a Lawyer because 'We (Tarrant County) do not accept them." She asked if I was refusing to wear a SCRAM. I said, "No, I am not refusing to wear it. I am not capable of paying for it. I am Indigent and cannot afford it until my Service related disability is approved and I can begin receiving disability payments. If the State will pay for it I will gladly wear it." If it requires the courts approval to have the state pay for it, then I need to talk to the courts. Otherwise my wife of 30 years, says she will throw me out on the street if she has to pay $400.00 month. I have a friend who says I can stay in his travel trailer in the backyard.

WRONG!! Somebody needs to do something about this company. This device is defective or "Smart Start" is making it impossible for ANYBODY to pass this breathing test which results in MORE money out of my pockets besides the added stress. Since I have had this device my blood pressure has been through the roof. I have always had high blood pressure and I have been on medicine for this for years and it has been stable, but since this device it has skyrocketed to 170/100.

I am at the point right now that I have given up after ALL the money it has cost me to buy a used car and the hundreds of dollars it has costs me to repair this car not counting the money to install this device and the $400.00 to reinstate my Driver license. The costs are endless and for what? NOTHING!!! Please, can somebody help me? I am at the point of a nervous breakdown!

I have not had a drink since then. After I was up for 'review' for a restricted license to go to AA meetings, work, etc... I was granted that license. I am a very well educated man of 39yrs old and have been with my employer for 15yrs....Yes, I made those mistakes, but we are not perfect, as these interlock devices that are ordered in our cars. My first violation was on 01/22/13 (which if you google it, was the coldest day in MI that year), I was never informed to keep the interlock in my home as the extreme cold can cause false readings, and remind you, I have not drank an ounce of alcohol since my 2nd DUI.... I sat in my car, shivering, waiting for the device to 'heat' up... Once I was able to blow, it passed, and I continued to drive to the gas station to get gas before I was going to attend an AA meeting. After pumping gas, I had to blow again, and it Failed, and then the countdown began.....

Of course the water I kept in my car was frozen, and I thought there may be a 'glitch' on the machine because of the extreme temperature. I had to keep blowing and between Fail and Warning, I finally shut my car off, ran inside the gas station and got water. The point is it passed and I decided to go back home because it was so cold outside I couldn’t handle it.... No letter came from the State that I had a violation considering I had called Smart Start immediately and told them what had happened, and they said the extreme cold can cause it to fail.... All was good until 05/13/13 when I was going to an AA meeting in the morning (mind you, no drinking). I was running late and was on an extreme diet where I had lost 55lbs in 3mos with a High Protein and Low Carb Diet. I blew and it Failed.... I got my report, .038, .039, .040, then Violation... wasn’t sure why this machine kept telling me I was failing, turned off engine, tried again, .039, .033.... I simply turned off the engine, unplugged the device, and walked to the meeting.....

20 minutes away, when I walked back home, which was 1:40hr later, I immediately blew again because I had to work in a few hours. My report said Pass but I blew a .007..... I called Smart Start again and the response was that it is just an electronic device and they do fail due to multiple reasons... I do remember having breakfast with eggs and hot sauce, and since I am from Europe, I always put a 'yeast' extract on my toast and drink energy drinks in the morning. I'm not accusing the food or drink as a 'false positive', but something strange happened that day, and since then, there has been NO Fail on my interlock, as I take extreme precautions since it has been in my car for over a year and a half..... Mind you, I had No hearings after that event either. I applied for a hearing, passed all my drug, and alcohol in urine tests and had my review on 1/16/14. The hearing officer wasn’t convinced of my story, and decided to revoke my license for another year, which I can’t afford.... I appealed, hired an attorney, (which as most of us, the cost to go thru all this stuff after so many yrs and have followed the rules) is very frustrating.....

I do understand that some people do manipulate the system, but I have done no such thing. I am proud of my sobriety date, and I will defend it..... I know I have done nothing wrong, because I know the 12 steps very well, and have been attending meetings regularly. I have common sense and would never risk to keep this monkey on my back..... I know there are so many innocent people out there like me who are being abused by the system/state/money/MADD/ and so forth..... I have my appeal date on March 26, then will wait until a re-hearing. My advice, go with a lawyer who is very familiar with this system. I hope and pray to my higher power that all will work out in the end..... I was just wondering if anyone, anywhere who is completely innocent of 'false positives' due to electronic malfunction is going thru the same thing....

A few days later on July 13, 2013, the unit had lost power and reconnected several times that morning. I then made a call to Smart Start's Michigan Corporate office @ 888-234-0198 to report the problem. I was unable to get anywhere with them to resolve this issue. I then made a call to Smart Start's main office/call center and spoke to a customer service representative and explained the problem, what the technician told me and my attempt at contacting Michigan's corporate office. She advised me to demand that the technician replace the cord so the unit will continue to function as it should. I advised her I have tried this and they claim there is nothing they can do until the cord doesn't work completely. Another couple of months had gone by with very few disconnections and I have grown tolerant to the situation.

I took my vehicle in for my November service and again stated that for the most part it was functioning as it should, but every now and then it loses power. The technician again told me that it cannot be replaced until it was not functioning at all. The morning of November 12, 2013 the unit had multiple problems sustaining connection. Later that day after work I turn my key, unit powers up, I provide sample and am able to start vehicle. I hang unit on holster provided and proceed to drive down the road. A few minutes later I hear a clicking noise coming from my dash and look down and notice the display on the unit is not lit up. I wiggle the wire and unit connects, then reconnects and requested a retest which I took and passed. The unit then functioned with few intermittent problems for about a month. On December 16, 2013, I go out and turn the key on my vehicle, NO Power to the unit.

After a couple of minutes of trying to get the unit to function, power finally gets to the unit and I am able to provide a sample and start my vehicle. I then hung the unit on provided holster and within a minute it loses power and does not regain power at all. I immediately call Smart Start@ 1-800-880-3394 and state problem to customer service representative and he advised me to drive to my nearest service center to have the problem fixed. I then drove as advised to Auto Lab in Battle Creek, MI as they were the closest location with the earliest open time of 8:00 A.M. The technician pulled my vehicle in and shut it off @ 8:06 A.M. He then tried to turn the key and get power to the unit and had no success. He inspected the power cord, deemed it defective and replaced it with a new one. He then turned the key to make sure the unit would function and it did. He then had to calibrate the unit and remove the circumvention violation as a result of the defective cord.

He pulls my vehicle around and hands me receipt for the service. I look at the receipt and notice it says "lockout charge" in the amount of $50.00. I ask him why it says that and he advised me that was for the resetting of the unit and also don't be surprised if Smart Start tries to charge me for the power cord even though it was not my fault that it was defective. I thank him for the fix and I provide sample and I'm on my way to work. I call Smart Start's Michigan office to inquire why my receipt says "lockout charge" and why am I responsible for the $50.00 charge when they replaced a defective cord and was told I would have to speak with the Manager regarding this but he was not available at that time. I was then transferred to his voicemail and left a brief description of the issue. After not receiving a return call by the end of that day, I then sent an email to Smart Start via their "contact us" link on their website.

The following day about 3:50 P.M., I received a call from Steve the manager at Smart Start and stated what happened and he reviewed the log records and agreed that the cord was worn out from years of use and waived lockout fee and cord replacement fee. He also said I have nothing to worry about for the violation related to this incident. I thanked him for this and we hung up the phone. Unit was functioning properly for about the next week. Then on December 24, 2013 after all was well with the unit all morning at about 12:05 P.M. while I was driving the unit's display faded out slowly and completely lost power again. I immediately called Smart Start @ 1-800-880-3394 and spoke with Amber a customer service representative and stated problem and also that the power cord to the unit had been recently replaced.

While on the phone she was troubleshooting with me and had me check all connections to make sure they were properly secured, and they were. There was then a clicking noise coming from my dash again and she put me on hold to call my local service station to see if they were opened so I could drive in and have them fix it. She then came back on the line and informed me all service locations were closed in observance of the holiday and I would have to wait until they reopened on the 26th of December. While she was notating my account, the display on the unit slowly lit back up and said violation "lock" and called for a rolling retest. I then provided a sample as we were on the phone and passed as usual. She explained that the reading of "violation lock" was normal because the unit was powered down and thinks I tried to circumvent it.

She continued to note all relevant information related to this and said the fee would be waived when I take it in to be fixed and reset. I then left work and drove home and shut the vehicle off to avoid being stranded. The unit functioned normally for the duration of my drive home. I shut vehicle off when I got home, waited for the stall protect to expire, then turned my key to reinitialize the test process. Provided sample and passed as usual and shut vehicle off. On the morning of the 26th, unit was in normal operation. I left work and had the unit serviced at my local service center at 11:15 A.M. I explained to the technician about the most recent issue on the 24th and also the cord replacement on the 16th. He reset unit and checked all connections and deemed it loose wiring. There was no fee for the reset as the unit malfunctioned.

Unit has functioned properly to date. Went for my bimonthly service in January and had normal calibration preformed and unit still functioning as one would expect. On January 28, 2014, I received an "order of action" from Secretary of State advising me that my license will be revoked effective 02/03/2014 for circumventing the unit on November 12, 2013 and December 16, 2013. I then called Smart Start @ 1-800-880-3394 to question why were these alleged circumventions sent to Secretary of State when it has been documented they were beyond my control? The customer service representative advised me this is something I would have to take up with the corporate office in Michigan. I had to call them the next day as their offices were closed at the time. I called the Michigan office the next day and spoke with Nicole and stated what happened with the "order of action" and events leading to it. She advised me she would be in contact with Lisa **, the person who sent the violation report to Secretary of State, and to try and call back tomorrow to see if the has been any resolve to this matter.

On January 30, 2014, I called Nicole with Smart Start at 8:28 A.M. and left her a voicemail inquiring if she had heard anything back from Lisa ** yet. After not hearing back all day, I then called Nicole again and got her on the line and as of that time she had not heard back from Ms. ** yet. I then called back at 4:38 P.M. and requested that the fax or email all logs, notes and any other relevant information for the dates of 7/13/13, 12/16/2013, 12/24/2013, 12/26/2013 and all service visits starting May 2013 so I would have evidence to support the issue at hand. I was told by Nicole that I would have to speak with Steve ** (manager of some sort that is authorized to process my request). Steve was busy at the time, but guaranteed a return call that evening. I did receive a return call from Steve at 5:43 P.M. that evening and discussed the problem at hand and inquired why the other relevant information like notes, service records and anything that shows equipment failure was not sent over with the alleged circumvention log?

He stated that they use computer software that recognizes certain violations and automatically generates a report and sends it to Secretary of State. I then inquired why they had not sent over the other information to show defective equipment was the cause of circumvention and he advised me that nobody reviews log information sent to Secretary of State. I was then lectured by Steve that the cord was not defective and it was simply just worn out over time. I did not argue with him that there was no difference as I feel I have to be as polite and agree with anything they say if I want any kind of assistance from them. I then requested all information from dates above to support my cause. He then asked for my email, which I gave to him, and promised that he would send me my request by the end of the day of January 31, 2014.

At the end of the my work day on 1/31/2014 after checking my email and not receiving promised information, I called Steve from Smart Start at 3:37 P.M. to check if he had attempted to send email yet. I spoke with Alex and he advised Steve was busy but would get back to me as soon as possible. I have not received anything from Smart Start to date! I was puzzled by this as I am their customer and they should treat me as one. They even go as far to state on their website, because we value our customers and well treat you like a valued customer, not an offender. This has only been the case when contacting the main contact number 1-800-880-3394 and not when contacting the Michigan office at 1-888-243-0198. I have consistently been talked down to and treated like they could care less.

Because the Michigan corporate office of Smart Start refuses to provide me and Secretary of State with all relevant information, my license has been revoked as of February 4, 2014. Since that day I have had to rely on relatives, my significant other, and coworkers to help me fulfill my obligations to the company I work for because while I have definitely made mistakes in the past that put me in the predicament I have been in, I refuse to add more complications to ever having a chance at being granted an unrestricted license in the future. Something needs to be done about their lack of customer service and improper reporting methods.

I pointed this out to the installer many times (as I had to bring in my vehicle once a week for new heads mid-way through January) but was never upgraded, to the new digital unit until the last and 5th failure. The unit destroyed my battery - had to buy a new one. The heads malfunctioned "FOUR" times, leaving me stranded twice, as the key problem is with the under dash recorder in tandem with faulty heads. The unit constantly failed upon start - going straight to abort and cycling between abort and blow without the countdown, taking up to 20 minutes to start my vehicle; on the last Sunday it would not start at all, till I got a ride to the installer and picked up a new head unit Monday (SmartStart didn't answer Sunday and the shop was closed - another hassle).

The unit would ask for a blow on long trips, whereupon no amount of blowing would be accepted, and the unit would violate me - for no reason, and witnessed by my passengers. On the last failure of the device -"Forth Head" - the unit said that there was alcohol detected two days after I switched out heads, when I was leaving work for home; however, "I was able to start my vehicle, and there was no lock out." I do not drink. Smacks of ** to me and extortion. The unit never displayed anything but blow or abort. On the last head switch-out, I drove home from work (a short distance) and when I went to the vehicle the next day it said there was a violation - spontaneously. I was told by my installer "That the DMV wanted the older unit installed," as opposed to the new digital version.

I called SmartStart and let them know that I was stranded for a day and lost work. I was offered a free month... then when I spoke with Martha at corporate I was told that they had detected alcohol, on one day and that now they had to ship the unit to their company in Texas for analysis (Like whether a gallon of rum or not would make any difference on my lost day and half dealing with their faulty failing equipment). One notes it is impossible for a vehicle to start if it detects alcohol, and one is locked out - which is how they make extra money giving you the lock out code - but in a miracle beyond science (not a problem with internal circuitry in the recorder unit), my vehicle STARTED even though alcohol was "supposedly" detected.

I was told that I could not get a printout of my record, a record that I am paying for - which as part of DMV, and thus public record - without an attorney and a DMV hearing. I asked for their email address, as it is impossible to talk with these people as one only gets a recording, they hide behind the phone message recorder. They have not sent me an email, and have not given me their address. This is a racket. A company that is self-regulating, that hides its data, that allows installers to install antiquated failing equipment, and whether the device they install works or not, it is your fault, and you have to prove your innocence as their almighty decade-old circuit boards and units that have gone through a hundred other people, are perfect. Take pictures, get witnesses if you have this device. It is a set up for failure, though you are doing the right thing.

I go to leave and I blow in the device and it says violation, I haven't had any alcohol in my system. I blow again and it says pass. I get just a bit down the road and it asks for a rolling test and I blow and it says violation again! This happens twice before it says pass. Paranoid and frustrated, I call Smart Start and was on hold for THREE HOURS waiting to talk to a human being! They say that they will make a notation on my account and remove the violation. Lies!!! A few days after that, I notice the writing on the screen seems very faint and I can barely read what it says. They say I have to take it to where it was installed to fix the problem. That was on a Saturday and since the place was closed on Sundays I had to wait till Monday.

I went in first thing Monday morning to get the problem fixed and they say they can't until the next day but the device will be fine until then. Frustrated, I leave and had to take care of a few errands. I stopped to do laundry at the laundry mat and was there about an hour and 15 minutes. I go to leave and turn my car to the on position and nothing. The screen lights up but doesn't beep for me to blow. I call Smart Start and was told to do some crazy reset by disconnecting my battery. Still doesn't work and was told I had to call a tow truck and they weren't going to cover the cost of the tow. I get towed to the installation place and they need my car overnight. I didn't exactly have a choice but to leave my car there. I go to pick it up the next day and they tell me there will be no cost since there was no alcohol detected on the device. Well, no duh!

It takes quite a few attempts before I'm able to leave and on my way home, I get a rolling test. Unable to get the pass in a certain amount of time that is given it is counted as a violation. It kept saying abort hum and abort to early as I was giving the test. How can it be abort to early when I'm still performing the test? This is getting old! Yesterday, I'm leaving for work and I couldn't get the test to not say the same things. It goes on lock out for the 5 min and lets me test again. Pass now says viollock72hr. Wtf? I call to take it down AGAIN and was told it would be $75 to get it out of lock out. Now, I was told you had 6 violations a month and I was also told those first two would be noted on my account and wouldn't count against me. Tonight I go to leave to go to the store and it said abort offset. I don't have a clue what that means but now I get to call Smart Start again to find out!

I take full responsibility for my DUI. I have no criminal background and never been in any situation like this before. I made a mistake. We all did. But this punishment is way more than enough. I haven't consumed any alcohol since the incident and feel that violations shouldn't appear unless there is actually alcohol involved! I agree with the fact that Smart Start is all about getting our money. I have no clue yet how long I have to have this device but hopefully not a full year. Not sure how much more I can handle. Not just the money aspect but emotionally. Very stressful and I do not recommended them to anyone!

My device wasn't installed correctly on Smart Start's end. Their programmer/calibrator on the other end of the phone and computer never calibrated it when initially installed, so I had to drive 45 miles every week for three weeks. They say we are suppose to get 5 or 6 pts. before VIOLOCK appears. LIE. I have had 3 lockouts in 2 months. 2 for missing a retest while car warming up before work and 28°. and less than 5 min. before getting back in car to find Violation.

Because I live in another state than the refusal, my calibrations take the mechanic w/ contracts with SMART START, is on the phone/hold for a min. of an hour for tech on phone to calibrate, plus the 90 miles to business. I have to do that at beginning of each month for a year and a half. Then my car is at the mechanics for repairs. Someone left keys in ignition and on, so battery died, and now.... VIOLATION LOCKOUT!!!!! On hold at the repair shop for an hour and the Smart Start rep advises me that the mechanic has to call back from shop's landline for instructions for device so repairs can be made. He would have to go through the hour on hold again. She has no direct line and couldn't call him on his phone.

Now I have to spend another hour on the phone again tomorrow just for that, and within next 2 days make the 90 mile trip, another 3 to 4 hours for calibration and travel. Plus beginning of the month so get to do it again next week for monthly calibrations. This is ridiculous. IF I DON'T BLOW ALCOHOL, THEN THERE SHOULD BE NO VIOLATIONS. I have a full-time job and two children. I don't have the extra time and money for extra trips. You don't get points.

It's a little before 9am and I start my car to go to the bank, with a couple rolling tests on the way. Get there, leave and make several more drops with a bunch of rolling tests along the way. It's just before 10am as I'm driving and it beeps for a rolling test. I blow and it shows Violock 48 Hours. Steam starts coming out of my ears because the last time it happened just before Thanksgiving it showed alcohol violation and had nothing to drink for weeks. Anyways, it just so happens that I'm literally minutes from the service station that installed and does the calibration so I pull in within 5 minutes of the Violock . He hooks it up and says there's a violation and it would be another $75. He told me to call Smart Start to find out what the violation was.

I called and finally got a hold of a girl. She tells me it detected alcohol. I'm furious and demand to speak with a manager and escalate the matter. I told her there is zero alcohol in my system, no mouthwash, medication, nothing zero, dry as a bone. I wanted her to explain how I passed the other 30 times I've blown this morning, and when he puts a new unit in my truck and I leave here in 15 minutes I'm going to pass. Told her I would blow while she was on the phone since the unit was still hooked into their system. She told me if I had the technician blow he was pass. Are you kidding me? I told her I would go to a medical facility and have blood drawn, what else can I do???? She says, "Sorry, there's nothing I can do, is there anything else I can help you with?" I demanded to speak with a manager. She explained that she was the only one available at the time and transferred me to Marsha the manager's voice mail.

This is the second Violock for alcohol when I had zero in my system, there equipment is faulty. If nothing was wrong with it, why would the facility install a new unit???? Besides the long warm up in the morning as well, other issues are hum stronger (even though you're only 1 second into the test and you're not supposed to hum until about 5 seconds in when it beeps). Seems like a class action lawsuit could be made against them.

How is that possible?? We do not have the extra money to throw at this company!! I feel that they do this so that they can get extra money in their pocket as well as extend the time the person has to have it because again it is more money for them!! After reading the complaints on here, it is obvious to me that this machine does not like cold weather!! Also, we are going to contact BBB. Also if they do not rectify this and comp the charge for the violock and report a violation to DMV we will contact a lawyer!! A violock SHOULD ONLY HAPPEN WHEN THERE IS ALCOHOL DETECTED!!!!!!

I had a police report. I never drove the truck without the camera enabled. Josh at Smart Start Dallas told me that there would be a $70 fee for the cable and that the camera would be returned to home office for evaluation. If the repair was less, I would be refunded; if it was more, I was responsible. Since I have been in the electronics business all my life, I knew that there was no damage to the camera... just the cable connector had been stripped. So, I took pictures of everything, inside and out, (they use a simple security torx tool), and drove to Smart Start in Richardson. The "installer" ( a nice kid with minimal technical skills) told me that the credit manager, Veronica ** and Josh decided that I had to pay the full $300 for the camera. Again, I am a design engineer having worked in the micro electronics consumer world for the last 12 years!!

I know what the difference is between a damaged circuit board and a simple, torn, $5 wire harness. Long story short, everything was overturned. I obtained a court order stating that my interlock "must be removed". I received no returned calls from Smart Start. I received no email replies from Smart Start. I documented everything; the voicemails I left on .WAV files, the emails remain in my SENT box.

As I did not want to defy a court order, I removed the device myself. I expect to hear from their collection agency and/or attorney and as soon as I do, as I am both technically and legally trained, I will file multiple lawsuits that will surely keep them very busy in court for the next few years. I'm retired so I have lots of time. These are bad people that take advantage of those that made a mistake.

This is a very concerning matter when this device is only suppose to react to alcohol consumed. I know and knew I had nothing in my system since before the unit was even installed in Oct. 2013, that would, could, or should result in any type of wrong on my part. The other things I'll mention I can deal with, but to get a Viol message and have to be worried about false test on this device is completely wrong, because of it's sensitivity to environmental and daily living conditions that have nothing to do with alcohol. It doesn't make since why it would say alcohol is present when it's not.

I'm concerned that there is something going on with my device at this point because of the inconsistencies that I've been having with it since the install. I spoke to the shop about it and they say there is nothing that they can do. One of the main things I've noticed is that it will keep giving me abort early (while I am still blow/humming in to it) and takes several times and up to 30 sec blow for it to take the sample.

I wrote the above paragraph before reading some of these. Now I find out that all those times it wouldn't take the sample count against you too. That is so wrong on so many levels. Especially when there are obvious issues with the devices, and from what it looks like covered up or completely ignored. So we have to pay the price for their faulty improper working equipment, even though I have been doing the right thing and following the instructions. This is not right.

When I got the letter in the mail stating I needed to get ignition interlock installed in order to drive legally I was annoyed but followed the law. Well let my troubles begin! First off I had to buy a new car (mine was totaled from the crash). It was working great while my dad drove it a few weeks before installation. Next thing you know, get smart start installed and my battery dies. Annoyed but whatever, it was a minor inconvenience to what I've endured since then!

I live in Minnesota... It's cold here 7 months out of the year. The damn smart start doesn't work if temps get below 30! I have had to have the whole system replaced once, the head replaced once and there have been many times where I had to put a heater in my car with an extension cord to warm it up so that the damn thing would work for me to blow!! I take the stupid head piece inside with me all the time for fear it won't work if it gets cold. I'm a busy single mom to an active athletic girl. We have been stranded at her games, practices etc. I have had nothing but trouble with this stupid company and if for some reason the state declines my removal that is up for review I will switch to a different company, for sure! The support staff have all been nice but completely incapable of helping me during these hardware issues. By the way, they are in Texas and totally underestimate Minnesota weather.

This company needs to fix their malfunctioning systems. It's just not right that I pay all this $ for a service that is completely unreliable. Thank God for my family, they have rescued my daughter and me from freezing to death due to this company's malfunctioning equipment.

He told me to try to jump my vehicle off even though the battery was not dead. Everything was working except my device. He told me that there was nothing that could be done. That I would have to get it towed in at my expense. I can't afford this problem when it is not my fault. Clearly this has been a documented issue with these interlocks in the past. They should be able send a technician to our home or wherever the problem occurs at their own expense. We should not have to pay this. I am stranded 150 miles away from my own home and will miss work for the next 3 days as a result of this issue. Hope this helps you out.

I got the other key fob, replaced the battery in it as well, but still experienced the same thing. I was just wondering if any other customers have experienced this. Or should this be monitored by Smart Start employees/technicians, if they have ever heard anything similar to my experience. Any feedback would be welcomed and appreciated

When a second cold front arrived, bringing with it temperatures in the mid to high 20s, my battery went out again. This time I had to replace it after three attempts to jump my car and drive it around in an attempt to recharge the battery. I have always heard that cold weather strains car batteries as it is, and add the breathalyzer into the mix and it's enough to cause multiple problems. It might be coincidental, but it seems more likely to me that this is the case. If your unit is anything like mine, the part that you blow into can be detached from the wiring and carried with you. Maybe this would alleviate some of the problems mentioned here? I think I even vaguely remember them telling me to carry the handset with me while away from my vehicle. It's worth a shot, anyway. Best of luck my comrades. Let's just learn from our mistakes and put this unpleasantness behind us.

In order for this trick to work, the piece of paper has to be big enough to restrict the airway, but not totally block it. It may take you a few tries, but eventually you will figure out just how big of a piece you will need. I hope this little trick has helped anyone in need. It has sure made things easier for me in just my second day of having this piece of crap in my car. By the way. Keep a extra mouth piece that hasn't been modified, for when you go into your appointment check-ins. I had a draeger interlock before this, and I should have never switched. Trust me when I say Draeger has this stupid company beat hands down when it comes to "EASE-OF-USE"!!

When I finally got it started, I was unable to get the rolling tests accomplished. Now I have never failed a test, just constantly get abort messages. Last night, I received 2 missed tests. I cannot do it driving down the road safely and the road conditions are snow and ice and nowhere safe to properly pull over. When I got home, I immediately called Smart Start where the gentleman was very abrasive and rude. I was so frustrated but he assured me I had more violations to go before it resulted in a lock out. So I woke up an hour early for work so I could give myself enough time to start the car ~ It wouldn't start. I tried for 2 hours and then I get a countdown for violation lock down!

I finally had some help and started the car. Meanwhile this thing is ticking down to lock down. I have now missed work and on the phone with another customer service agent after being on hold for 40 minutes who was no help at all. Said I must have had failed test or more than 2 missed tests to receive that message. I take it in to the service center (nice guy local but obviously can't do anything but download the reports). In which they find only 2 violations and nowhere in there can they see a lock down even though the machine is ticking away! I am told not to worry about it and shooed out the door.

Now I am freaking petrified to drive and receive more lockouts and violations. This cannot possibly be legal. I have never been so frustrated with anything in my life. Yes, I got a DUI and I have consequences which I have paid for dearly. This is more than consequence. I cannot get the machine to read my tests and have 100s of aborts. I sit inside a vehicle in sub below weather for hours and then get treated terribly by their customer service reps! I need help!

When I was at the mechanic shop, I practiced on the unit and I caught on to the technique fairly quickly. After the first day, I had a high level of trouble as the device kept saying, "blow harder", "hum louder", "abort tamper" every time I blew. It would take me approximately 6 or 7 blows just to start my car. After about a week and 3 days, I was driving to the store and had a moving test which I was unable to complete because it kept giving me errors. Needless to say, I was pulled over on the side of the road since my car horn started honking and my lights started flashing. Not only was it humiliating but it was also frustrating! I attempted to blow again and ended up being locked out of the device. At this point, I call Smart Start and they tell me to unplug the device, plug it back in, hit the sides and blow into the back of the unit.

I do this four times with the Smart Start Specialist on the phone and my car finally starts. I ask him if this will count as a violation and he said yes. I was like, "You have been on the phone with me and you heard me hum and told me I was properly performing the tests and this is my fault?!" He said, "Yes, ma'am. Clearly, you haven't been performing the tests correctly." I continue my trip to the store and get to my destination. As I'm driving back to my house, the device is beeping asking for a rolling test again. I keep getting the error "hum stronger" and again am unable to complete the test within six minutes. My car horn is honking and I find myself on the side of the road AGAIN!!! I call Smart Start and they try to do a soft reset. I go through the same motions of unplugging and plugging in the device, and hitting the sides. The device will not accept my blow as it keeps giving me the error of "hum stronger." At this point, I'm literally on the verge of tears and the Smart Start Specialist asks me if I have any tools on me!?!? Really, I didn't realize I had to carry a tool bag with me to use the device. I respond, "No, I don't have tools on me! "

The Specialist tells me, "Well, your only option at this point is to call a tow truck." My phone at this point is almost dead so I call my brother and let him know what happened and he calls me a tow truck. My phone dies and I'm sitting on the side of the road at this point for two hours. A cop comes, I tell him my situation and he gives me a phone charger. My brother was unable to locate a tow truck company that would come get me since they didn't have my exact location. The cop called a tow truck company for me and I had to pay $165.00 in order to get my car 15 miles down the road. I called Smart Start the next day to make sure that everything was documented on my car and then I told them that I had a Violock on my unit and I was wondering what I had to do. At this point, they tell me I have to go back to the place that installed it and pay $75 to get the violation off.

My battery was dead on my car so I had a friend come over to jump it so that I can get to the mechanic. Again, I CAN'T START MY CAR!!!! HUM STRONGER! I began reading reviews and someone had similar problems stating that they had to put their teeth on the mouthpiece so the unit picked up the humming. I tried it and it was the first time I passed the test on my first attempt. I ended up going to the mechanic today to get the violation off and it said RMU battery low replace unit. Of course, he tells me that he will be unable to get the unit replaced until Monday. I am fully intending to get the refund for the tow and the violation reset as this is due to Smart Start's faulty equipment. They never admit that it is their fault and they always say you must have not been performing the tests correctly even if they are on the phone with you.

I am paying a lot of money for the privilege to drive and to maintain a normal life by going to work and going to the grocery store. I'm not a wealthy person and I'm extremely nervous that this will keep happening and this is definitely not something I can afford. If I could go the next 11 months without driving, I would and if it's an option for you, I would highly recommend it. It is not worth the money, frustration, and humiliation to have to deal with a device that clearly has issues.

But let's cut to the chase. I have had the most horrific experience with this interlock. First bad experience was that I was without a car for four days because my interlock lost power and without the interlock working, of course I cannot start my car! I had to get my car TOWED and pay for the tow and not only that, they charged me to fix it! No reimbursement, nothing! Next, I was stranded at work because the interlock froze up on the "Smart Start" screen and would not proceed to let me blow! After waiting for hours it finally worked! I am a patient care aide and work second shift and I do not get out until 11pm! So the next morning I went to school and AGAIN I was stranded at school for 2 hours in a 20-degree car. Luckily the shop I get my monthly maintenance with is very helpful and after I got my car working I went straight there to replace the head unit. This was literally last week.

Now today is the REAL kicker. I went to school at approximately 8:45am, car started up fine. I had a rolling test on the way to school, again no problems. Class got cut short, so I was out of class by 9:30am. I get into my car to start it, and BAM! VIOLATION. What?! How is that possible? So I wait the 5 minutes, and again. Violation. Now I was really getting upset. Another five minutes, and magically, I pass. With a screen saying "Lockout4days".

Now let's think about something here. So I drive to school just fine, rolling test fine, go to my class and half hour later I magically have alcohol in my system? How do they propose that? Theoretically, let's pretend I am a COMPLETE MORON and decided to drink in my classroom apparently for a half hour. So you're going to tell me that in 15 minutes from my first attempt to restart my car that the alcohol would have magically disappeared?

I get home and call Smart Start with some interesting conversation. I am told that I must pay 75 dollars within four days to avoid my car locking out. Are you kidding? I am supposed to pay 75 dollars for being wrongly accused of drinking alcohol?! I am a college student, you're lucky to see me with 50 dollars in my pocket. My phone cut out, so I called again. I got a different lady on the phone this time. She asked me if I had anything to eat or drink before I blew in. I told her that during class I always drink this flavored water. She told me that if the water is sugar-free then they substitute the sugar for alcohol. YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME. I told her there is no possible way that flavored water contains alcohol. I could not believe what I was hearing. After I told her I always drink this same water while driving ALL the time she became quiet about it. Is that the best Smart Start can do? Make up lies?

Then she actually became very pleasant. She said that she understood that I feel like I should not have to pay for my car to not be locked out when I did not do anything wrong. She said she would email the credit department and let them know. I soon get a voicemail from a number with no caller ID with a Smart Start representative, who was not so pleasant. She said that it cannot and will not be waived until the log is reviewed and that there is "NO GUARANTEE" and that if alcohol is the cause then there will be no reimbursement. My response to this is WHAT DO YOU MEAN "IF" alcohol is the cause?! There was no alcohol and it is very clear that the interlock is defective!! And now I will have some sort of disciplinary action from the monitoring authorities for being FALSELY accused of consuming alcohol and trying to operate a vehicle?!

I have made my mistake, but I have been doing everything right since then. I refuse to be disciplined for something I DID NOT do! I will not back down this time. I have had enough stress and tears from the trouble I have had with Smart Start. I have contacted an attorney about this and I will not stop until something is done about this. If that means putting my heart and soul into it that is exactly what I am going to do. Too many people are taken advantage of by this. I do not disagree with an interlock system for a vehicle for repeat offenders but for first time offenders with no criminal background, this is ridiculous. This company has no regulation and the consumer has no choice but to be taken advantage of. Enough is enough.

Original Review: Dec. 5, 2013

I've had the Smart Start now for a month and am disgusted by the whole process. The people I talked to on the phone and during registration seem friendly and concerned. The installers were also okay. The problem is does this measure alcohol on the breath or in the blood or is it about the ability to blow and hum in coordination? I'll do the same things again and again only to get "abort hum". Then do the same thing and get an approval. I'm not all that young and after going through these pulmonary gymnastics 7-8 times, I'm out of breath. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to why it passes or fail. I've also had a bit of a cold and that messes it all up also. I have NO alcohol on my breath or in my system, but still go through this several times. I feel this product doesn't do what it is intended to do. I can't wait to get this thing disconnected.

Then, I find out from the WA DOL that every other interlock company in the state follows the State's protocol for the compliance verification, but Smart Start, for some reason, does their own thing, and it never has been processed (this time there were no glitches, no violations of any kind). I may be stuck having an IID reinstalled trying to comply with the state, but it won't be Smart Start getting the business! If they want to ignore the state standard, why are these jerks even licensed to do business here? I work at a county jail and see scores of their potential customers. They are going to lose large money for their intransigence. Use ANY COMPANY but Smart Start!

After a collective couple hours of starting, driving, trying to shut off, etc, I think I've figured out their new technology for them. Blow for about 4 or 5 beeps, then hum. Do not blow too soon! Do not blow too late! But don't blow too hard, or hum too soft, or too high; I think that's it. This text makes me almost as exhausted as their crappy device. Oh, unplug it and bring it with you everywhere you go so it doesn't have to display "heating" for 20 min before starting. I'm paid up for another 2 months so I'll tough it out til then. I hope others don't do the same.

I was moving my vehicle around hooking up to our travel trailer and 30 minutes later I again was starting my vehicle and it gave me a "fail." Again I tested and passed only minutes later again moving my vehicle. The next time I tried to start it I had my son take a video of it. Of course I passed as I hadn't had any alcohol at all. Each time it showed "fail" I called Smart Start. They of course told me they would notate it on my account then told me I need to wash my mouth out. When I told them it had showed that I passed only minutes later they told me "it is a device and can do fail."

It continued to give me intermittent "Abort" messages over the course of the next week and then yesterday 11/19/13 I went to start my vehicle and it aborted multiple times in a row. Then it started clicking and flashed ViolationLockOut and began a 72 hour count down. I made an appointment and took it to the installer where proceeded to tell me that the fails it recorded showed a "high BAC" so he had to charge the 75.00 dollar reset fee. The installer did say to call them to see if I could get this waived. He also said that it showed it had the power interrupted which also counts as a violation. When asked he said simply turning the ignition too far too soon can be the issue.

While at the shop the person in front of me had an older model and was having issues with his unit. The installer replaced the customer's unit and my unit with what is supposed to be the latest, best unit from Smart Start, the 2030 model.

Original Review: Nov. 19, 2013

We had the unit installed 5 days ago. We almost left without getting it because my husband, the one who has to have it, couldn't "blow" into it properly. I couldn't get it to take a reading at all. The installer was annoyed because we couldn't do it and said that he had to leave to go to a doctor appointment and that we needed to make up our mind about using it or not. I said I would figure it out on my own without all of the pressure. It has been ok until today, although I didn't realize that all of the abort early's equal violations until I read it here!! Last night we brought the unit inside because it was very cold, and this morning the unit is dead. It won't light up or do anything. My car is not the problem, but they had my husband outside trying to jump start it! Really? After three useless phone calls, I had my son drive me to my parents' house so I could use their car to get to work. I was late for work and my son was late for school. We are being punished and have done NOTHING WRONG!!! I am so frustrated with the law that requires this unit and would love to know exactly which politicians are getting rich off of this horribly flawed device. Probably the same ones who voted for Obamacare.

I think his name is (Jason or Jeremy), said he would be right out and be bringing one of the owners. Jason showed up and the owner (Mike) showed up right after him. They fixed everything within a few minutes. I don't know what to say. They were great to work with and I am very happy with my decision. I know they run various locations around PA and WV. So, you should NOT be worried about working with them in this area. They are professional and trustworthy.

He wasn't able to do it so I got a violation, had to pay $50 to get my device reset, and now have to have a hearing about why I didn't blow into the device. The hearing is in Arizona, and I live in Michigan. FIGURE IT OUT SMART START, YOU RUN THIS COMPANY LIKE A BUNCH OF RADICAL INCONSIDERATE CROOKS!!! After talking with 4 different Smart Start representatives on the phone I got the great advice of, "you should have stayed there with him while he worked on the car or had him disable the starter on your vehicle."

How about no, “You don't think I thought of that?” I didn't have the availability to stick around the mechanics for 6 hours, and if I did that's **. You can't come up with a process that prevents me from killing 6 hours of my day every time my car needs maintenance. Also, I'm pretty sure no mechanic would be willing to work on my car if: (1) they had to blow into my interlock device or be charged with $50; (2) have me hold their hand while they worked on my car; and (3) disable the starter, etc. to do work. It's ridiculous and the fact that this is a government issued process it makes the consumer powerless. It's direct proof of a mutual benefit of the government and Smart Start. Something has to be done about this.

Mouthwash gave me a warning! I got a pass when I should not have! You get an abort short or abort hum for doing the same thing that gets a pass! Think of the bacteria growing inside the device with all the excess spit and phlegm getting stuck inside of it! Who knows if it was cleaned before they issued it to you? It’s unsanitary despite the mouth piece. It won’t detect weed or prescription drugs such as vicadin so what’s the point? I heard that if you inhale a helium balloon you will get a pass. Just a rumor though.

The humiliation of starting your car and people seeing you blow is mental cruelty just like wearing a scarlet A on your chest. It is cruel and unusual punishment! The blow time and force is painful. Just a few reasons Smart Start should have their ** sued for putting something as ineffective on the market. I will hand it to them when they targeted those with DUI's thinking nobody will listen to them and they get away with it. Huge money scam!