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

[dez1978]

Turning the a/c on recirculate dehumidifies the air inside so it doesn't fog. The towels get left next to the garage hanging on the fence.

What would you do if you were not home? Like my car is outside at work for 10 hrs. Where am I putting those towels? And if it's cold enough for my breath to fog my windows why on earth would I want to drive with the ac on? Just let the dang car heat up... Why be miserable and messy? I can afford the .02 cents of fuel it will take for my car to heat up and not be miserable. Can I do those things and hop right on in my car and start it and drive off cold and miserable with cold and miserable kids who can't be all bundled up in coats (because it's not safe)? Sure. But I can also start my car from my kitchen, while drinking coffee and go out and get into a reasonably warm, thawed out car where I don't need to run the a/c or wear gloves to drive and drive away warm and toasty and safe, because its 2021, not 1980, and there is literally no reason to not use the tools you have available to you.

 

[Skywalker]

Turning the a/c on recirculate dehumidifies the air inside so it doesn't fog. The towels get left next to the garage hanging on the fence.

If you move somewhere that has a true winter climate, I give you max. two days before you ditch the towels and laugh hysterically at the thought of running the A/C as your breath turns to icicles around you (let's get that wind chill going!) You'll be remote starting your car from your nice warm kitchen and thanking God for it.

 

[kdonnel]

I can afford the .02 cents of fuel it will take for my car to heat up and not be miserable.

I am all for heating up the car but just so you know it is costing more than 2 cents.

An idling car uses about 1/2 gallon of gas per hour.

So 15 to 20 minutes of idling to warm things up would typically use between 1/8 and 1/4 of a gallon.

At $3.50 a gallon that would be 44 to 87 cents.

More than .02 but well worth it.

 

[Moliphino]

What would you do if you were not home? Like my car is outside at work for 10 hrs. Where am I putting those towels? And if it's cold enough for my breath to fog my windows why on earth would I want to drive with the ac on? Just let the dang car heat up... Why be miserable and messy? I can afford the .02 cents of fuel it will take for my car to heat up and not be miserable. Can I do those things and hop right on in my car and start it and drive off cold and miserable with cold and miserable kids who can't be all bundled up in coats (because it's not safe)? Sure. But I can also start my car from my kitchen, while drinking coffee and go out and get into a reasonably warm, thawed out car where I don't need to run the a/c or wear gloves to drive and drive away warm and toasty and safe, because its 2021, not 1980, and there is literally no reason to not use the tools you have available to you.

The front defrost uses the A/C to dehumidify the air. It can still blow warm air, it's just also dry.

 

[GAN]

I disagree with the bolded. I think a lot more people will just forego the remote start. I would.

I think a lot of people, especially in colder climates, appreciate the luxury. So those people are going to go elsewhere for better service at the same price -but for sure some people in moderate climates it's a non-issue. I pay roughly the same(on a 3-year contract) that will allow me to start, unlock, lock, and other things right from my apple watch -from virtually anywhere. So if I go to say Hawaii for 3-months in the winter I can start my car once a week without being there.

 

[ronandannette]

Well, we do get cold enough in December and January here for the car windows to ice up if left outside. That time of year I put a towel on the windshield and the from side windows, so no need to defrost. Just pull off the towels, start the car and go.

Fine advice. I'm definitely going to try that!

 

[MICKIMINI]

We have two new Subaru's and paid for remote start for both vehicles. I think it was $75 each for three years and can be renewed. We live in NH and it does get to minus twenty and I can't imagine driving off with a frozen windshield. It is programmed to start the seat heaters as well. My car has a steering wheel heater. The cars can be programmed to run five or ten minutes. My husband leaves for work early in the morning so we use his when it is below 32 or the windshield is frozen (Dec-March typically). I use mine if I go out under the same circumstances. It is one of the best services we've ever bought!

 

[GAN]

We have two new Subaru's and paid for remote start for both vehicles. I think it was $75 each for three years and can be renewed. We live in NH and it does get to minus twenty and I can't imagine driving off with a frozen windshield. It is programmed to start the seat heaters as well. My car has a steering wheel heater. The cars can be programmed to run five or ten minutes. My husband leaves for work early in the morning so we use his when it is below 32 or the windshield is frozen (Dec-March typically). I use mine if I go out under the same circumstances. It is one of the best services we've ever bought!

Hmmm.... the seat warmers is a trick I haven't worked out in mine yet!

 

[dez1978]

Hmmm.... the seat warmers is a trick I haven't worked out in mine yet!

ooohh, it's glorious. I have mine programmed to turn on the heated seats and steering wheel when I remote start it and its cold. In the summer it's programmed to turn on the ac and the cooled seats. There is nothing better after walking across the arctic parking lot when the wind chill is below zero and getting into a warm car with wam seats and a warm steering wheel. Yes, I am spoiled, and I am 1000% ok with that in this circumstance. Even when it's only like 30 out, I start it when I walk out of the building and when I get to my car, 3-4 min later, the seats and steering wheel are warm which while not a requirement, sure is really nice.

 

[MillauFr]

I'm assuming you have and park in a garage. My house doesn't have one, so the need to warm up the car is the need to be able to see out of the windows. The miniscule amount of gas I waste heating the car is worth it for not having to start my day on tip-toes, chipping the ice off my windshield with a plastic wand in the sub-freezing darkness.

Nope the garage was filled with useless junk that we didn't really need and should have thrown away years ago. The car was parked in a driveway. I had a 1984 Toyota Camry and as long as you put 5w/30w oil in the car during the colder months it always started right up no matter how cold it was.

 

[MillauFr]

My son is on his third electric car in the past 5 years. First, a Fiat 500E was an electrical disaster and a range of just 70 miles. Second, a Hyundai Kona made it 18 months before Hyundai stepped up and offered to buy it back under the Lemon Law because it never got half the range expected. Hopefully the third time will be a charm, this time a Volkswagen ID4.

Doesn't anyone buy a Fiat and think it will last?

 

[MillauFr]

Fine advice. I'm definitely going to try that!

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Love it. I wonder if that was a Tesla the auto pilot system would still work? That would be great to see one of those driving down the road covered with snow....

 

[QueenIsabella]

Fine advice. I'm definitely going to try that!

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You're making me homesick for upstate NY! Okay, not really, but I couldn't tell you how many times my car looked like that after a day of work. Bonus points if there's an inch of ice under that snow.

 

[MICKIMINI]

Subaru: At "remote services" you will see "view climate settings" and "climate presets". You can go select settings - including SEAT HEATER! I have a summer setting, but haven't ever used it. I'm totally inept with technology, so if I can figure out I think anyone can LOl!

 

[tvguy]

What would you do if you were not home? Like my car is outside at work for 10 hrs. Where am I putting those towels? And if it's cold enough for my breath to fog my windows why on earth would I want to drive with the ac on? Just let the dang car heat up... Why be miserable and messy? I can afford the .02 cents of fuel it will take for my car to heat up and not be miserable. Can I do those things and hop right on in my car and start it and drive off cold and miserable with cold and miserable kids who can't be all bundled up in coats (because it's not safe)? Sure. But I can also start my car from my kitchen, while drinking coffee and go out and get into a reasonably warm, thawed out car where I don't need to run the a/c or wear gloves to drive and drive away warm and toasty and safe, because its 2021, not 1980, and there is literally no reason to not use the tools you have available to you.

Like others have pointed out, it is costing you a whole lot more than 2 cents of gasoline. And also as I said before, it is illegal here because of the smog laws. I never took time to drink coffee and sit around in the morning waiting for a car to warm up. Up at 2 am, drive 13 miles to work, at my desk at 3am. I'd trade a few minutes asleep in a warm bed for a few minutes awake in a cold car on my way to work anytime.

 

[tvguy]

Fine advice. I'm definitely going to try that!

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LOL. I am reminded why my mom fled Canada.

 

[Lilsia]

Well, we do get cold enough in December and January here for the car windows to ice up if left outside. That time of year I put a towel on the windshield and the from side windows, so no need to defrost. Just pull off the towels, start the car and go.

LOL Those are not the winters that we get. I dusting of snow and some frost, which it sounds like what you are talking about, is not even close to what we get here. And if we put a towel on the windshield, it would either blow away in about 3 seconds, or it would freeze to the glass. You don't know winter.

 

[MillauFr]

Like others have pointed out, it is costing you a whole lot more than 2 cents of gasoline. And also as I said before, it is illegal here because of the smog laws.

That would be the biggest problem in Seattle. No one here cares how much things cost. Everyone is running around trying to look more green than their neighbor. That is what is important.

 

[dez1978]

Like others have pointed out, it is costing you a whole lot more than 2 cents of gasoline. And also as I said before, it is illegal here because of the smog laws. I never took time to drink coffee and sit around in the morning waiting for a car to warm up. Up at 2 am, drive 13 miles to work, at my desk at 3am. I'd trade a few minutes asleep in a warm bed for a few minutes awake in a cold car on my way to work anytime.

I Mathed it lol. .27 cents. 1000x worth it. I am not so cheap that 1.50 a week is worth being cold. Aaaannnnd that’s another strike against California lol. I’m not living anywhere where it’s “against the law” to warm my car up. Nor will I ever get up willingly at 2 am for anything. Not even Disney. But also, I can start my car from my bed so there’s that. Tho since I’m getting kids ready for school I have what feels like 11 hours to drink coffee and let my car warm up in between yelling “brush your freaking teeth” and “why aren’t your shoes on yet!!”

 

[easyas123]

I can afford the .02 cents of fuel it will take for my car to heat up and not be miserable.

Honestly - yes. This.
And yeah, maybe its more than 2 cents. Who cares, its my comfort & money.