Randy Sarafan, who also happens to be the Technology Editor over on Instructables, gutted a remote-controlled car and swapped the parts for an Arduino board.

The Arduino code tells us that the valves will be opened as long as the remote up/down channel is above/under given values.

The setup requires an Avatal 3117 remote start, an iPhone breakout board, an Arduino, a switching supply cell charger and a handful of transistors, resistors and diodes.

Witness how to create a powerful long-range remote control using Arduino technology. This guide takes you through the process of building a customizable, multi-channel RC system that offers ...

But if your car doesn't have a remote ignition, you can build your own remote start system that responds to a text message from an iPhone.