New Highlander owner looking for a remote starter - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Mommasaid · 01-07-2011, 10:11 AM

Hello everyone, I'm an official Highlander Limited owner as of Dec. 31, 2010. I love the vehicle but I'm afraid I didn't do any homework when it came to a remote starter. Apparently there are some problems installing one with the smart key function. Are there any recent updates on this and does anyone have any suggestions?

Wayward_Traveller · 01-07-2011, 11:42 AM

Hey congrats on your purchase, I bought mine the same day.
I know there have been posts about people getting them installed with the SMART Key and having them work, but I would wait until one of them responds or give the forum a search.
I got the factory remote start which works fine for my use which is just in the morning to warm it up before I go out to my car, but many people don't like the Toyota one, I can see why but it works for my needs.

Mommasaid · 01-07-2011, 11:57 AM

Wayward_Traveller, I've read some of the posts on here and the main problem with the factory starter seems to be the distance. Is that what you don't like about it, are there other issues with it?

Wayward_Traveller · 01-07-2011, 12:53 PM

I guess the distance could be an issue in that I can't start it when I walk out of my building after work, also there is no 2 way communication so you have no idea if the car really started or not.

The thing I don't like about it is not having the ability to just unlock your car and put the key in and go without restarting your car... while this feature makes sense from a safety standpoint so someone doesn't steal your car I would like the option.

But in the mornings, I can start my car from inside the house, make my coffee, get dressed and go out to a warm car.... since it was 2 degrees out the day I bought it and I think we had a high of like 12 all last weekend it was kind of nice.

Would I have done it normally? No, probably not, but I got them to throw in all my accessories including remote start for the price I wanted on my car so I figured what the heck.
My wife's Venza I didn't opt to have it put in with her SMART Key, and of course I hear about it now that I have it lol.