Spectacular news for those who keep your car outside in the driveway and want to warm it up while you have your morning cup of coffee.

For me, my car is garaged, but I love the remote feature for when I leave work on a cold/hot day. My car is parked way outside of the key fob range... so I am enjoying the remote start. I already paid for my subscription to keep this going.

/Jim

 

Spectacular news for those who keep your car outside in the driveway and want to warm it up while you have your morning cup of coffee.



For me, my car is garaged, but I love the remote feature for when I leave work on a cold/hot day. My car is parked way outside of the key fob range... so I am enjoying the remote start. I already paid for my subscription to keep this going.



/Jim

Yes, I suspected the key would still work. I'll subscribe because of the range and vehicle locator. To be honest, the app is pretty good.

Sent from my Pixel 3a XL using Tapatalk

 

Mine no longer works after my subscription ran out. I remember checking it right after the sub expired and I just checked it again. It worked fine while the subscription was active.

 

I bought the 2020 camry yesterday and I can confirm that you do not need the app to remote start your car. you can do it with the key fob that comes with the car. the app is only used to remote start your car from far (ie: you can probably do it from the other side of the world) and for a bunch of other things such as finding your car in a parking lot, checking if you left any doors unlocked, etc. Using the key fob only allows you to start the car from up close. they did it at the dealership by pressing the lock button twice, then holding it down for about 3-5 seconds. but when I got home, I tried it and it didn't work. What's the trick?

 

Hey, has it been fixed or are you still having issues? If it was fixed, how?

 

yes it works. I don't know what I was doing wrong. maybe not pressing long enough on the 3rd press. but it works. no app required. now the question is, once the free trial expires for the app, will the key fob work? it should because they tested the key fob at the dealership before I even bought the car.

 

Apparently, 2019 and up can start their vehicles with the key fob without the subscription up to 3 or 10 years based off the audio system that you have. Audio Plus, its 3 years free, after you need the subscription, and premium its 10 years, after you need the subscription.

https://www.toyota.com/content/connectedservices/marketing/PDF/Remote_Connect_CFA.pdf

 

so I guess after the subscription expires, the key fob will send a signal to the car to start, the car will know that the subscription expired and will say "no, i'm not starting this car". i'm only going to subscribe in the winter.

 

My 2019 Limited starts from the key fob if I'm close enough to the car. My subscription expired last February.

 

but you are still within the 3 year period so maybe that's why its working. lets see if it still works in 2 years.

 

Nope, NVABob has a Limited which comes with the Premium Audio, so he's good out to ten years. ?

 

D'oh!

 

So how do you get in the car without it shutting off? Everytime I have started the car it shuts off if as I unlock the door.

 

Yup, that's how Toyota designed it.

 

That is how it is designed to work. Not exactly consumer friendly, but apparently Toyota's idea of security.

 

Irrespective if it shuts off, it is still warmed up. That is the important thing.

 

But can it be reprogram through the software the dealer uses to make little changes?

 

Nope. Even if you get an aftermarket remote starter, it'll still shut the engine off if you open the door or press unlock.

 

Just out of curiosity, what does Toyota charge for the subscription?

I use a phone app/module that I installed and it's ~$40 for 1 year or $100 for 3 years. I'm wondering if it would have been more economical going with OEM.

 

Just out of curiosity, what does Toyota charge for the subscription?

I use a phone app/module that I installed and it's ~$40 for 1 year or $100 for 3 years. I'm wondering if it would have been more economical going with OEM.

$80/year

 

i would guess the real question is the range from you to the car. If the key fob can reach the car and you don't mind using it, then why pay for an app on your phone. I am guessing you get better range with the phone app.

Test it a see if you have the range.

 

i would guess the real question is the range from you to the car. If the key fob can reach the car and you don't mind using it, then why pay for an app on your phone. I am guessing you get better range with the phone app.

Test it a see if you have the range.

With the phone app, there is no range limitation.

 

At work, I usually park anywhere from a couple hundred yards to > 1/4 mile from my car. I can start the car with the app, pack up my things, and head out. My car is nice and toasty by the time I get there.

At home, it is garaged, so I don’t preheat it.

Sometimes when we are out (ex dinner), I’ll start the car when I order the check, which gives plenty of time to warm it before heading home.

With the app, you get a confirmation the car is running.

 

right now i'm still in the trial period. but once it runs out, I only plan on paying in the winter. by the way, I saw a video on this app and the video shows a feature where it shows you were your car is on a map and shows where you are. so you know where to walk to find your car. but all I see is the map that shows where the car is but doesn't show where I am. How do I get it to show where I am?

 

Mine. I longer works after the subscription ended. Doesn’t seem fair. I also have the premium audio.

 

Found this out before even taking delivery of my used Limited yesterday. Stood in the showroom and pushed and held the lock button three times until the lights blinked twice and the engine started. But, I knew it would work ahead of time because it works on my wife’s RX350 also. The range you can be from the vehicle when doing it kind of stinks but it does work. Makes common sense it would work if one thinks about it. All you are getting when you pay for the service is the ability to use an app instead of the fob To start the vehicle. The remote starter is in the vehicle already, regardless.

 

All you are getting when you pay for the service is the ability to use an app instead of the fob To start the vehicle. The remote starter is in the vehicle already, regardless.

Yeah but you also get gps location, notifications if you forget to lock the doors, windows, hood, trunk and etc. Also you are able to unlock and lock the doors.

 

I had the dealer program my fob for free to open the windows

 

Yeah some people will find it useful others wont. I was just saying you aren't paying just for the remote start feature but for other features as well.

One thing i find useful is if you forget your key fob inside your home or at work. Instead of having to walk back, you can use the app to unlock your doors and get whatever you need. Another thing i like to do is warm up my car before going to work and before going home from work. I do that pretty much everyday.

 

I really hate these hidden / optional capabilities - nothing in the owner's manual about remote start!

What is the flash pattern saying "car is now running?"

 

If you change your mind, is there a way to STOP the car remotely from the fob?

 

Not sure about all models, but the 2021 Sienna will turn itself off after 10 minutes.

 

I'm disappointed in the remote start, compared to the system on my Lincoln and Silverado, it's very aggravating.
On the Lincoln, I press the unique start button on the remote, a Green light comes on, I know the car is started in my drive-way.
On the Lincoln, it the temp is below 35 degrees, the heated wheel and seats automatically come on. When I get home on cold nights, I have to remember to turn both on.
With the Toyota keyfob, I have about a 50% success ratio of starting the car without looking at it thru a window.
I'd get the app, but find no use for any of the other features.
Why Toyota feels the need to shut the car off on unlock is beyond me, I don't think any other manufacturer does this.

ON the other hand, I was in my boss' Cayenne on Friday, he claims is Porsche doesn't even have remote start (bet it does on an app).

 

I'd get the app, but find no use for any of the other features.

Remote start is the only reason I subscribe. Like you, I don't need the other features.

On the Lincoln, it the temp is below 35 degrees, the heated wheel and seats automatically come on. When I get home on cold nights, I have to remember to turn both on.

That is a nice feature on the Lincoln. I pretty much keep my heated seat and heated steering wheel on all winter, and also a big part of spring and fall. I just like the feel of heat on my hands and lower back. I am not 100% sure that the heated seat actually turns on unless someone is sitting in the seats. I should pay more attention and confirm.

 

This is correct. The configuration for my Rav4 limted model key fob starter is: Lock, Lock, Lock and Long press on the forth Lock keeping the button pressed untill it starts...

 

Thank you so much for this post! It’s about to be cold where I am and my remote connect is expiring. I was looking for something that said I’d still be able to remote start my car with the key fob after the connect expires so thank you!