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.
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How much does Toyota’s remote start cost?
On all new Toyotas, depending on the model, buyers receive a free trial of Toyota Remote Connect that lasts somewhere between three and ten years. The service has an after-trial price of either $8 per month or $80 per year.
How Much Does a Remote Starter Cost?
A simple, short-range remote starting put on a non-luxury vehicle will cost between $249.99 and $399, according to a quick survey of remote start dealers. The year, make, and model of your car will have a significant impact on the price you are charged.
You choose to look for a remote start system to heat up your car because you’re sick of sitting in an ice box on your commute every morning. Naturally, you’ll type “remote starter” into Google or Amazon.com. This is what you’ll discover:
However, these findings have two ESSENTIAL flaws:
- Installation IS NOT INCLUDED IN THESE PRICES.
- Most online-sold remote starters are NOT covered by warranties.
You ought to be discouraged from purchasing one of these systems for either of these reasons. You shouldn’t try to install a remote starter on your own unless you are a licensed 12-volt automotive electrician. If repairs are required for either the car or the wallet, you run the danger of harming yourself, the car, and the wallet. Visit a seasoned retailer instead who is familiar with installing the brand of your choosing and is knowledgeable with remote starters.
Do Toyota vehicles come with remote car starters?
Make an appointment right now to have a skilled service technician install remote start on your Toyota vehicle, truck, or SUV. Watch for service discounts on several of the most popular maintenance services we provide.
Could Toyota Remote Connect be added?
A cutting-edge new technology that comes standard on some Toyota automobiles is Toyota EntuneTM Remote Connect. The EntuneTM 3.0 Audio Plus and Premium Audio Multimedia Systems have it incorporated into them, and you can access them using the brand-new Remote Connect app, which is compatible with both Android and iOS smartphones.
Toyota remote starting is it free?
Drivers must pay $8 per month or $80 annually to continue registered in Toyota Connected Services once the free trial has expired. You may already be a part of this initiative if you bought a new Toyota in 2018 without even realizing it. Even the moderators flagged a recent Reddit discussion touting the program as “possibly deceptive” when it was posted.
Drivers may no longer have access to remote starting after the Toyota Connected Services trial expires, a Reddit user said. The carmaker acknowledged to The Drive that remote start will cost extra for owners. The feedback on Newsbreak reveals that many drivers are not overly thrilled with the change.
The Verge also notes that some drivers unintentionally learned about connected services. Why some vehicles’ remote starts would still function while theirs did not was a common query among users in a Toyota forum. This implies that Toyota won’t even let you know when your free trial is up.
Additionally, the fact that Toyota Connected Services and the duration of the trials are not mentioned in the dealership videos doesn’t help. Dealers simply state that while you have the Audio Plus package, remote start is still an option. That doesn’t apply to all Toyota vehicles, as we’ve learnt.
Why must I pay for a Toyota remote start?
A. In October 2020, I bought a 2019 Toyota RAV 4. I occasionally used the factory-installed remote starter that it had last winter. This winter, when I tried to use it, it would not operate. I learned that I had a service agreement that was good for six months. I discovered that I had to pay $8 per month or $80 per year to use the remote starter after phoning Toyota’s service line. I nearly slid out of my chair. Such a thing has never crossed my mind. I was also informed that similar actions are being taken by other businesses. Have you ever come across such absurdity?
A lot of people criticized Toyota for making this choice. The phone app, which requires a subscription, has a remote start feature integrated into it. My understanding is that even without updating the software, the key fob should continue to trigger the remote start. Try this tactic while Toyota mulls its decision on the matter. Press the lock button twice fast, then once more more slowly, using the key-fob. Regarding additional technological stupidity, I recently learned that BMW was charging $80 per year for Apple CarPlay use before eliminating the charge in response to consumer complaints. Readers, have you ever been caught off guard by a subscription-based service? Please tell me.
Q. A 2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5 hatchback that I own has logged around 37,000 kilometers. The timing belt should be replaced after 105 months or 105,000 miles, according to the Subaru suggestion, even though it runs perfectly and I keep up with all maintenance. My technician recently tested the belt in my car, which is now 168 months old, and he said it looked good. I’m going to get a brand-new water pump, timing belt, drive belts, and everything else just to be safe. I have faith that my independent mechanic will complete the task using the required parts. Would you support this strategy?
A. The first thing I would do if I recently bought your low-mileage, 14-year-old Subaru is exactly what you are preparing to do. Although the belts might last longer, it was money well spent to allay my fears of catastrophic engine failure and timing belt failure.
Q. I recently bought a 2018 Subaru Forester for my daughter to utilize. According to Subaru North America, the CVT transmission fluid is changed every 100,000 miles. Online searches reveal that the advice in Japan and Canada, where it is advised to drain and replace the fluid every three years or 36,000 miles, is quite different. Do you have any thoughts on this issue?
A. If this were my vehicle, I would go by the instructions in the owner’s manual that was packaged with it. Although it won’t hurt, changing the fluid every three years doesn’t seem required.
Q. I need to get a new key fob for my 2005 Chevy Cobalt. I’ve been opening my door with my key. My key occasionally refuses to turn. Is it okay to lube the lock using WD-40? Where would you suggest I go to get a new key fob?
A. Although WD-40 is effective, I like to use a special “dry lock lubrication. I’ve discovered that WD-40 can attract dirt and over time increase sticking since it has a tendency to wash away part of the factory lubricant. Your key-fob can be changed by the dealer or a full-service locksmith. An aftermarket fob can be purchased online for as little as $25, but it needs to be professionally programmed.
Does a remote start make sense?
Perhaps you’re envious of your friends and neighbors who can start their cars remotely on chilly winter mornings so they can be toasty and comfy for their morning commute because your car didn’t come with one. While you wait for the car to warm up or, in the summer, for it to cool down enough for you to grab the steering wheel, you are standing outside scraping the windows and shivering.
Fortunately, aftermarket remote starters are widely available and may fit almost any budget. Others include all the bells and whistles you might imagine, including key-less entry, trunk opening, 2-way LED displays that show whether the car is running, and so on. Some are quite basic.
To help you decide if it’s worthwhile to spend the money and effort of installing one, weigh the benefits and drawbacks of owning a remote starter before going down the remote starter rabbit hole.
Pros
The comfort and convenience that a remote start system provides is by far its greatest benefit. Regardless of the weather, you can start your car and have it ready to go as soon as you get in by having it warmed up or cooled down. You may accomplish all of this while remaining in the convenience of your home or workplace. In addition, many remote starter systems also let you unlock your car, which is convenient if it’s pouring or you need to get into your car fast in a dark parking lot and don’t want to fiddle with your keys.
If your system offers this feature, another benefit of a remote starter is the opportunity to check if your car is running or not using the 2-way remote. This is advantageous since you can easily restart the car if it stalls.
The fact that your car continues to run even when it is locked is a major benefit of a remote starting if you are concerned about someone taking your vehicle after you left the keys in the ignition to warm it up while you walked back inside the house. Alternatively, if you have to leave your pet in the car on a hot day while you dash inside the store. Your pet and your automobile will be secure if you use a remote starter to keep the car running while the air conditioner is on and the doors are locked.
Last but not least, a remote starting comes in handy when you have your hands full with the kids or the shopping. Many remote start systems allow you to unlock the car in addition to starting the car with the push of a button, so even if you have full hands, you can start the car and enter without too much hassle.
Even if it all sounds wonderful, there are some drawbacks to using a remote starter.
Cons
The price of an aftermarket remote starter is its main drawback. You could spend hundreds of dollars on the starter and the installation if you hire a pro, depending on the gadget and your familiarity with installing electronic devices. Additionally, the installation must be handled by a professional unless you have previous wiring skills.
If you already have a FOB or other device for your car’s doors and other features and you buy an aftermarket remote starter, you’ll have another gadget to tuck away in your pocket or purse.
The gasoline you waste warming up the car is yet another drawback of a remote starter. Although most individuals don’t give this element much thought, using your remote starting will result in you filling up your tank more than usual.
A remote starting should be avoided if you’re concerned about engine wear and tear. Your engine is put under additional stress when you frequently pre-heat and cool your car before you travel, which could reduce its lifespan. This is particularly problematic in the summer when your engine relies on the radiator fan to cool it rather than the air that is forced through it while you are driving.
The kind of car you drive is a further factor to take into account. The majority of automobiles have automatic transmissions, but there are still those that have manuals; in some cases, it is difficult or even impossible to get a remote starter to function on a manual transmission.
Last but not least, if you care about the environment, you should be aware of the additional pollution your car emits when you let it idle.
Although having a remote starting might be quite convenient, you should carefully consider your alternatives before investing in one.
Myth #1. Remote starters increase engine wear and tear.
This is a typical misunderstanding of remote starters. It’s not accurate, and it’s unknown why individuals are led to believe this. The general opinion among mechanics is that remote starts are beneficial for your engine, particularly for those who have turbocharged or diesel motors.
Because they warm up the engine before usage, remote starters are beneficial for your vehicle’s engine. The oil in your car thickens in cold weather. The viscosity of the oils is increased during engine warming to ensure proper circulation. Thus, preheating your engine makes your drivetrain last longer.
Myth #2. Remote starters waste a ton of gas.
It makes sense that we’d all want to use as little gas as possible. If you’re not careful, the cost of gas can seriously cut into your monthly budget. However, some who believe remote starts use a lot of gas are misinformed.
Most cars only require 3-5 minutes to warm up, using less than 0.015 gallons of fuel on average for each remote start. This indicates that a single gallon of gas will power 75 remote starts. You no longer have to scrape ice off your car in the winter or risk burning your hands on a hot steering wheel in the summer thanks to four dollars for 75 remote starts. A remote starter’s advantages (time savings and improved comfort) far outweigh its cost.
Myth #3. I will lose a key if I get a remote starter.
For their systems to function, several remote starter manufacturers demand that you hand up one of your car keys when the device is installed. They need a key since a method of integrating the remote starter with the current car security system has not been created. The average vehicle key costs $200, so you might as well factor that into the price of your installation. If you misplace a key, you probably won’t have a backup key for emergencies. Yikes.
Myth #4. Adding a remote starter will void my new car warranty
Auto dealers are to blame for spreading this fallacy. Though we share your apprehension, this is utterly untrue. The Magnuson Moss Act, a small piece of legislation, forbids automakers from acting in this manner.
The use of any good or service recognized by a brand, trade name, or company name cannot be a condition of any warranty, whether expressed or implied, according to this federal law. There is therefore no justification to put off purchasing the remote starter of your desires.