In the middle of July, it’s a scorchingly hot day. Your excursion to the supermarket took longer than you had planned, and your car has been parked there for at least two hours. Even though it was a busy day, you made an effort to find a spot in the shade, but all you could see was an empty area in the lot’s back close to a cart return.
As you wait in line to pay, you catch a glimpse of the top of your RAV4 through the store’s front sliding glass doors. You anticipate the car’s inside to be extremely hot. Ice cream, frozen peas, eggs, butter, and other chilled things that wouldn’t make it home in a heated car are looking back at you as you take a quick glance at your items that are spread out on the conveyor belt. Fortunately, you have a remote start for your Toyota RAV4 so you’re ready!
In This Article...
What is Remote Start?
The mechanism that enables remote starting enables you to start your car from a distance. A remote start will start the engine even if your car is locked, turned off, and in the driveway.
If you live somewhere where it becomes very cold or very hot at different times of the year, remote starters are especially helpful. A remote start can help you save time in the winter by warming up the engine while you’re still getting ready to leave the houseno more waiting outside in the chilly weather for your motor oil to stop being molasses!
Additionally, remote starting is beneficial in the heat. The majority of contemporary cars come with automated climate control that you can regulate with presets to maintain the highest level of comfort, including higher-end Toyota RAV4 versions. Or just let it run its course! You can start your car by using the remote start. For the purpose of bringing the interior of your car to a comfortable temperature, the automatic climate system will either turn on the heating or the air conditioning.
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Everything You Need to Know About Toyota RAV4 Remote Start
Auto shoppers and auto reviewers both love the Toyota RAV4. Depending on your demands, it is a capable off-road vehicle with either front- or all-wheel drive.
The RAV4 is a versatile little SUV with superb looks and driving manners. Additionally, it is extremely well suited for city life: Car and Driver gives it a special award for being a particularly opulent and refined vehicle on paved streets. In contrast, other large, tough Toyotas tend to prioritize off-road capability over driving comfort.
Remote start systems typically operate in one of two ways. Within a larger range of connectivity functions, there are fob-based remote starts and more sophisticated app-based remote starts. The RAV4 features both. The RAV4 also features the standard Toyota remote start technology as standard equipment.
A button on your key fob sends radio waves to a receiver inside your car, which subsequently switches on the engine and starts it. This is how traditional remote starters work. With select Toyota RAV4 grade levels, this is included as standard equipment. Using your fob, turn on your car by doing the following:
- Your fob’s lock button should be pressed.
- Repeatedly press the lock button in quick succession.
- To start your car, press the lock button once more and hold it there for three seconds.
The more sophisticated remote start technology offered by Toyota is one of several features included in the Toyota Connect program. With the premium service Toyota Connect, you may start your RAV4 from the outside and receive notifications when a window is damaged. It also makes it easier to locate the car in a crowded parking lot, allows you to lock and unlock the car, and even monitors the speed.
Follow these steps to link your RAV4 to the Toyota Connect app:
- Download the program from the Apple or Google Play stores.
- Create a new account or sign in to existing Toyota Owner’s account.
- Tap Activate Remote Services in the app, then check your inbox for an email with the verification code.
- Enter the verification code on your car by going to Menu > Apps > Authorization.
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Toyota RAV4 Remote Start: The Downsides
A complimentary one-year trial of the Toyota Connect service is included with every new RAV4. But in order to continue utilizing their remote start after that, drivers will need to purchase a monthly subscription. For convenience, Toyota charges $8 per month or $80 annually.
Even though it’s less valuable than free, a 4G wireless hotspot, Apple Play, Sirius XM, and the capacity to start your car remotely are all available for just $8 a month.
You should also be aware that not all US states permit vehicle idling. While some states only permit a maximum of 3 minutes of idle time, others allow up to 20 minutes in extremely cold temperatures. To determine whether investing in Toyota Connect will be worthwhile for you, check the laws in your state.
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Toyota RAV4 Remote Start: Other Options
For between 170 and 400 dollars, you can get an aftermarket plug-and-play kit that functions just as well as other branded fob-remote starts if you have an older model of RAV4 created before the period of remote start.
The ability to let your engine reach its ideal temperature before driving is one of the advantages of remote starting, as we have discussed. This is especially true during the winter or in areas with a cooler temperature. Additionally, if your state has strict regulations about idling, you may want to look into other methods that may make warming up your automobile a little simpler.
If you don’t want or have access to remote starting, think about switching your regular engine oil for a lubricant intended for cold weather. Engine oil made specifically for colder climates warms up faster and reduces the need to start your car ten minutes earlier.
How do I use my Toyota RAV4 Remote Start?
Make sure your Toyota Remote Start works with your car before using it. Press the lock button on your key fob three (3) times to remotely start your RAV4. Make careful you push the first and second times quickly after one another. On your third press, hold down the lock button for three seconds to activate remote start.
How long will my RAV4 engine run after activating Remote Start?
You have 10 minutes to idling after Remote Start activation before the engine shuts off on its own. You can press the lock button one more inside those 10 minutes to add another 10 minutes to the idle period.
After 20 minutes, if for some reason you are still unable to operate the vehicle, the engine will automatically shut off and must be manually started again.
Is it safe to leave my vehicle unattended after activating Remote Start?
In any event, it’s great practice to avoid leaving your car running unattended after starting it. The Toyota RAV4 is equipped with an anti-theft device that, thankfully, turns the SUV off if the doors are opened by hand.
Yes, it could seem a little inconvenient, but it does stop someone who isn’t allowed from taking off in your car.
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Have all RAV4 XLE models get remote starting?
The RAV4 has remote starting, right? A: Remote start functionality is not a standard feature of the 2021 RAV4. However, some trims of the 2021 RAV4such as the Limited, TRD Off-Road, and Adventure trimsare outfitted with an Audio Plus package, which includes available remote start technology.
Can my 2021 RAV4 XLE have remote start added?
Get the best remote starter kit for your Toyota RAV4 in 2020 or 2021. Most simple installations can be finished in between 15 and 60 minutes. There are no ambiguous diagrams, shoddy wiring, cuts, splices, etc. On your RAV4, everything is located beneath the driver-side dashboard. You may quickly complete the installation by following our simple instructions! Your car will start and operate by simply pressing the lock button on your factory OEM remote three times. The parking lights will continue to be on to signal that the car is still in motion. When you’re ready to start driving, just use the remote to unlock the truck and open the door. When you open the door, your car will turn off; just get inside, start it, and drive away!
Does every Toyota have a secret remote starter?
Toyota has removed the remote start buttons from its physical key fobs, so owners who wish to start their cars remotely will have to pay. The feature will no longer be part of the actual car key as the automaker transitions to digital services and a subscription-based approach, the manufacturer informed Roadshow on Wednesday.
Here is how it works. The remote start technology will operate for three years during a “trial period” for automobiles made in 2018 to 2020 that have it on the key fob. The button is present on the owner’s fob, however after three years it will no longer operate. Owners must search the brand’s Connected Services for Remote Connect in order to regain the remote start feature. The cost, which also includes a plethora of additional digital features accessible through the Toyota smartphone app, is $80 per year or $8 per month.
The remote start functionality on a key fob won’t be available on any new Toyota vehicles. Key fob remote start is not a function we actively market as we transition to more digital interactions through the Toyota app, the business stated. Owners of specific automobiles from the 2020 model year and newer enjoy a 10-year trial for connected services. In other words, since owners receive more than a decade of free use, there’s a strong chance they won’t need to fork over the cash to use remote start. However, it will eventually become permanently invalid and call for a Remote Connect subscription.
Toyota stated, “We routinely incorporate feedback from customers to ensure we’re giving features that are beneficial and enrich their ownership experiences,” despite the fact that it is a controversial move in an era where manufacturers continue to seek revenue streams via subscriptions.
Does Toyota offer remote starting as standard?
The Smart Key fob in your car can be used to start and stop your engine with Toyota’s remote start system. In order to ensure that your car’s interior is at the perfect temperature when you get in and drive to your next location, this feature also lets you turn on the air conditioner, heater, and defroster.
Has the 2019 Toyota RAV4 XLE remote start?
The remote start function is useful in both the sweltering summers and the freezing winters. Simply press the Lock button on your key fob three times to activate the remote start for your 2019 Toyota RAV4. The parking lights will flicker, and the car’s engine will start. After 15 minutes of inactivity, the engine will automatically turn off.
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How can I tell whether my automobile has a remote start from the factory?
If your car has a remote starter, the owner’s manual will have information about your unique remote starter and how it functions. To see if this feature is present, look in the manual’s index.
Listed below are few well-known automobiles with a factory remote start option:
- Accord, Civic, and Insight from Honda
- GM automobiles (2003later)
- Honda Accord
- ZDX and TLX Acura (2010later)
- Tribeca, Legacy, and Outback Subaru models (2007later)
- Navara Altima
- Fusion and the Ford Mustang
- Corvette Camaro
Check your vehicle’s key fob
If your car has a remote starting, the key fob will include a specific button. Typically, an arrow forming a portion of a circle serves as the remote start symbol, as seen above. But be aware that some automakers may use a different symbol for remote starting.
Does the RAV4 XLE from 2022 offer remote starting?
It’s simple to use your remote start. To activate the remote start, push the lock button on your manufacturer remote fob three times. The vehicle will start, run for the predetermined amount of timetypically 15 minuteswhile the parking lights flash. The vehicle can be turned off by pressing the lock button three more times. It may take a few tries to get the timing right, so be careful not to push the lock button too quickly or too slowly. Just unlock or open the door as you approach the car. As soon as it shuts down, you may jump in, fire it up, and drive away.
- Simply press LOCK three times on your factory remote to activate the remote starting. 3x Lock from OEM Fob Only = No more remotes to carry. Want a wider range? See below for upgrade possibilities:
- 1-Way 1000ft = Includes two 1-button remote controls with a range of up to 1000 feet, plus a 3-lock OEM fob that also functions.
- Comes with (1) 1-Button and 2-Way 2000ft two-way remote control and one button It will also function with a 1-way for a range of up to 2000 feet and a 3-lock OEM fob.
- Smart Phone App Control enables you to start your automobile from any location in the world using your smartphone. Service plan is necessary; it costs $39.99 per year. The OEM remote fob’s 3x lock will also function.