Want to Remote-Start Your Toyota With a Fob? That'll be $8 Per Month

[ronandannette]

Angus??? Who on earth would raise that mediocre beef? Wouldn't you get the real Waygu???

Again, why not? If you're going to buy a cattle ranch, you might as well move to Japan to do it. And in that mild of a climate, command-start will not be a thing.

 

[mrodgers]

I guess I don't understand why you need to warm up the car before driving it? When I lived in Minneapolis, I just turned the key and drove away even when it was 25 degrees F below zero. I was more concerned about wasting gas then I was getting into a warm car.

I dress for work. If' it's 25 below 0, it's still 80° where I work and that's when I'm not in a cloud of steam. I run out and start my car (manual, they just recently came out with aftermarket remote start for manuals) because it's a little chilly at 25 below 0 to drive down the road wearing shorts waiting for the heat to start blowing.

 

[mrodgers]

Because it's awesome. The ice on the windows is easier to remove, the car is nice and Toasty and yup I use it in the summer too to cool off my car before getting in it. And PS love my my heated steering wheel more than my heating seats.

Another feature of starting the car early for me. As I said above this post, it's 80° in the winter where I work. I start my car in the summers too as I don't enjoy jumping into a 135° car after working in 115° heat for 10 hours.

 

[ronandannette]

Another feature of starting the car early for me. As I said above this post, it's 80° in the winter where I work. I start my car in the summers too as I don't enjoy jumping into a 135° car after working in 115° heat for 10 hours.

That’s interesting. I’ve honestly never thought of starting the car to run the A/C. Granted it doesn’t get as hot as often here but there are days the steering wheel is literally painful to the touch and I feel sorry for anybody with leather seats. And I have been in super-humid places where blasting the A/C causes the windshield to immediately fog up on the outside, which is the opposite ofwhat happens in the deep cold.

 

[wenrob]

That’s interesting. I’ve honestly never thought of starting the car to run the A/C. Granted it doesn’t get as hot as often here but there are days the steering wheel is literally painful to the touch and I feel sorry for anybody with leather seats. And I have been in super-humid places where blasting the A/C causes the windshield to immediately fog up on the outside, which is the opposite ofwhat happens in the deep cold.

I have burned myself on the metal part of the seatbelt here. You’re sweating before you even start the vehicle. It’s like getting into an oven. Remote start would be so nice. For sure will have it with my next vehicle.

 

[dez1978]

Remote start can be a helpful feature if you park outside in colder climates. Cars don't instantly heat up and the windows/mirrors can get foggy or ice up making it a hazard to drive since you can't see as well. Even though it is a good feature, I would NOT pay any monthly fee to use it. Think that is a terrible idea for Toyota to want to turn it into some kind of subscription service. I suspect other auto companies will likely point out their feature is free in their advertising.

GMC requires the paid plan in order to use the phone app to remote start, as does Honda. From what I understand, the key fob remote is always free to use. What they are charging for now is the ability to use your phone to start your car. If that is the case, then they are just coming around to what other companies are doing. Editing to add I se that Toyota is actually trying to charge to just use the fob which is stupid, but I bet it will stick and become industry standard. They will figure out a way that you won't be able to add an aftermarket remote start to the system so if you want to use it you will have to pay. And people will still do it. Just like people are currently paying 5-10K over MSRP right now on a new car.

DHs 2018 GMC truck is free to use the phone app stuff, at least the basics like remote start, lock/unlock. My 2021 GMC is not free. I'd need to pay the 10/mo fee to have the internet plan in the vehicle for the phone app to connect to. I am just connecting mine to my ATT plan for 10/mo vs paying what GMC/Onstar wants to charge for the same thing. And it also allows my kids to use that as a hot spot for their ipads

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

I used to have an Impala like 2011 year that had a remote start. It was a nice feature in the winter for sure.

 

[kdonnel]

From what I understand, the key fob remote is always free to use.

For 2018 and newer Toyotas, the key fob is not always free to use.

Apparently no one who bought a Toyota car in 2018, 2019, 2020, or 2021 read the fine print.

Unless they read the fine print, however, owners may not have known that the key fob method was also part of the Remote Connect subscription. Toyota confirmed to The Drive that you'll need a paid subscription on every 2018 and newer Toyota model to use the function.

It wasn't until the 3 year free trials of Remote Connect started ending on the 2018s that people were suddenly aware and outraged. Some cars came with 10 year free trials so they won't have to decide until 2028/2029.

https://www.engadget.com/toyota-key-fob-remote-start-function-requires-subscription-111606852.html

 

[sam_gordon]

This might be a stretch, but I wonder if when Toyota launched the "start from app" feature, they tied it to the "start from fob" feature. So now there's no way for them to disable the "start from app" without also disabling "start from fob".

Just my opinion, but I think if that's the case, what they should do is set up the software in the new cars going forward so they're two separate systems.

 

[Lilsia]

Just seems a waste of gasoline to run a car until it warms up when you can just have the electric heater inside. But again, yes, I am in California where smog laws prohibit leaving an unoccupied car running.

Since you are from someplace warm, I'll introduce you to these things called sleet and snow. If your car is outside when these thing fall from the sky, you have to run your defroster for quite a while for it to melt because sometimes, just scrapping it is impossible. So the gas is being wasted anyway while your windows defrost. The benefit is that you don't have to sit out in a freezing car waiting for it to warm up.

 

[wenrob]

GMC requires the paid plan in order to use the phone app to remote start, as does Honda. From what I understand, the key fob remote is always free to use. What they are charging for now is the ability to use your phone to start your car. If that is the case, then they are just coming around to what other companies are doing. Editing to add I se that Toyota is actually trying to charge to just use the fob which is stupid, but I bet it will stick and become industry standard. They will figure out a way that you won't be able to add an aftermarket remote start to the system so if you want to use it you will have to pay. And people will still do it. Just like people are currently paying 5-10K over MSRP right now on a new car.

DHs 2018 GMC truck is free to use the phone app stuff, at least the basics like remote start, lock/unlock. My 2021 GMC is not free. I'd need to pay the 10/mo fee to have the internet plan in the vehicle for the phone app to connect to. I am just connecting mine to my ATT plan for 10/mo vs paying what GMC/Onstar wants to charge for the same thing. And it also allows my kids to use that as a hot spot for their ipads[/B]

You think people will readily agree to be beholden to Toyota for the life of a vehicle they own? They can never modify their vehicle to their own preferences? I sure as heck wouldn’t.

 

[kdonnel]

This might be a stretch, but I wonder if when Toyota launched the "start from app" feature, they tied it to the "start from fob" feature. So now there's no way for them to disable the "start from app" without also disabling "start from fob".

Just my opinion, but I think if that's the case, what they should do is set up the software in the new cars going forward so they're two separate systems.

I think Toyota linked start from fob to the existence of a connected service subscription on purpose. The plan all along was to require a subscription. They put the requirement in the terms of service that no one read.

 

[dez1978]

You think people will readily agree to be beholden to Toyota for the life of a vehicle they own? They can never modify their vehicle to their own preferences? I sure as heck wouldn’t.

I never thought people would willingly pay 10K over MSRP but here we are. I absolutely think that people will do it. I'm sure that they will still make it possible to factory order a car without certain options, and you'll always have the choice NOT to use remote start. But I'd bet it will be imbedded in the car so that you can't work around it. You either pay to use their fob to remorte start or you don't use remote start at all. Or some aftermarket place will come out with something that CAN work around it but it will void the warranty. Like the stupid auto start/stop feature on my car, which I HATE with a passion, you can't permently disable it, tho you can turn it off everytime you start the car. There is an aftermarket thing you can buy that permenently disables it, but it voids my warranty.

 

[kdonnel]

The Ford Mustang Mach e comes with a 3 year subscription to Blue Cruise. It is not a free subscription but $600 included in the cost of the car.

I imagine there will be people 3 years from now surprised to find out that Blue Cruise no longer works unless the subscription is renewed.

Subscriptions and after sale software upgrades are the future of the auto industry.

Tesla sells FSD, rear heated seats, acceleration boost, etc. The other manufacturers are just trying to keep up.

 

[wenrob]

I never thought people would willingly pay 10K over MSRP but here we are. I absolutely think that people will do it. I'm sure that they will still make it possible to factory order a car without certain options, and you'll always have the choice NOT to use remote start. But I'd bet it will be imbedded in the car so that you can't work around it. You either pay to use their fob to remorte start or you don't use remote start at all. Or some aftermarket place will come out with something that CAN work around it but it will void the warranty. Like the stupid auto start/stop feature on my car, which I HATE with a passion, you can't permently disable it, tho you can turn it off everytime you start the car. There is an aftermarket thing you can buy that permenently disables it, but it voids my warranty.

I suppose it helps that I’ve never been tied/loyal to a particular brand of vehicle and would easily walk away from a stipulation like that no matter how far into the process. I’m also a fine print reader which makes people who want me to sign contracts NUTS. But to be sure, there will be plenty of people who agree to something like that without ever realizing that’s what they’re agreeing to.

 

[MillauFr]

Like the stupid auto start/stop feature on my car, which I HATE with a passion, you can't permently disable it, tho you can turn it off everytime you start the car. There is an aftermarket thing you can buy that permenently disables it, but it voids my warranty.

Just get an electric car next time and you won't have to worry about it.

 

[dez1978]

Just get an electric car next time and you won't have to worry about it.

nope. not interested in that in any way shape or form. I drive too much, have too many people/stuff and in rural areas where it's just not practical.
Serious question tho, electric cars, the engine continues to run even when stopped at a stop light?

 

[QueenIsabella]

Interesting. I have a 2018 Toyota Sienna, and I don't have remote start on the key fob. It's not something I'd use or pay for, anyway. It doesn't get cold enough to matter where I live, at least not more than a few days a year. And I have a sun roof, which is great on the hot days--turn on the A/C, it pushes the hot air right out the top.

Now, back when I lived in the Adirondacks, remote start would have been a Godsend. We had an attached garage, so running out to start my car wasn't a huge deal. But man--Lilsia wasn't kidding about snow and sleet! I've had times when I had to chisel through a solid inch of ice to get down to my windshield. We would get 7 feet of snow a year, on average. The sleet was actually worse to our south--we would be so cold we'd get straight snow, but the poor schlubs in Albany or Schenectady (or me--I worked in Schenectady for years) would get the icy stuff. PITA to drive through, too, but first, you have to clear off the car!

 

[kdonnel]

nope. not interested in that in any way shape or form. I drive too much, have too many people/stuff and in rural areas where it's just not practical.
Serious question tho, electric cars, the engine continues to run even when stopped at a stop light?

No.

The electric motor(s) are idle when stopped, not drawing any power.

There will still be things drawing power from the traction battery like AC or heat, lights, radio, etc but that rate of draw is minimal.

 

[ronandannette]

I think Toyota linked start from fob to the existence of a connected service subscription on purpose. The plan all along was to require a subscription. They put the requirement in the terms of service that no one read.

...and apparently no dealer/salesman felt compelled to adequately explain.