Voltage needed to drive a relay.

I am curious if 4.8v will be enough to drive a standard SPDT 12v 30amp relay. The reason is, i have a 5spd tranny and in order to have the remote start function ONLY when the vehicle is NOT in gear is to use a wire that reads 4.8v when the vehicle is in gear and 0v when it is not. The remote start input looks for a negative ground for the 'Park-Neutral".

Thanks

Surely you would want to use the 0V (neutral condition) to enable the remote start?

I think you will find that the neutral switch is really closing to ground when in the neutral condition; however the "in gear" position is simply that the switch is "open" and the voltage you are seeing is likely the floating voltage at the ECU - you can't use this to drive a relay! You need to use a realy with 12V constant to one side of the coil and hook your neutral switch feed to the other side. It will only energize when your switch is at 0V. Then have your contacts do whatever you need it to do.

For an example of how to wire up a neutral switch to enable the remote start, check out

http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41381

I'm not sure if you have a clutch switch interlock for the starter in your case.