Toyota owners who want to fire up their cars remotely will need to pay as the automaker strikes remote start buttons from its physical key fobs. The automaker on Wednesday told Roadshow the function will no longer be included with the physical car key as it shifts to digital services and a subscription-based method. Show
Here's how it breaks down. For 2018 to 2020 vehicles with a remote start function on the key fob, the feature will work for three years over a "trial period." Even though an owner's fob features the button, the function will be deactivated after that three-year timeframe. To regain the remote start feature, owners will need to shop the brand's Connected Services for Remote Connect. The price is $80 per year or $8 per month, which also includes a host of other digital functions available through the Toyota smartphone app. No new Toyota vehicles will feature the remote start function on a key fob. "As we move to more digital experiences within the Toyota app, key fob remote start is not a feature we actively market," the company said. For certain 2020 model year vehicles and newer, owners receive a 10-year trial for Connected Services. In other words, there's a good chance owners won't need to pony up the cash to use remote start since they get over a decade of free use. But, eventually, it will expire for good and require a Remote Connect subscription. Although it's a controversial move in an era where automakers continue to seek out revenue streams via subscriptions, Toyota said, "We frequently incorporate feedback from customers to ensure we're offering features that are useful and enhance their ownership experiences." Toyota RAV4 supports remote start feature that allows you to remotely start the engine of your vehicle for the purpose of cooling or preheating the interior before the passengers gets to it. Toyota RAV4 5th generation – (photo by Toyota)The remote start feature on Toyota RAV4 has many benefits. You can start your vehicle in advance when the weather is too hot or cold outside. The system turns on the air conditioning or heating, making inside cabin temperature more tolerable when you get to your vehicle. Before you start your RAV4 remotely, ensure that the vehicle is parked in a well ventilated area. Starting your vehicle in an enclosed space, like a closed garage, introduces risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Remote start procedure for RAV4You can remotely start your Toyota RAV4 by following these simple steps:
For safety reasons, the engine will turn off if you open any door on your RAV4 when the engine is running after remote start. A valid key must be inside your vehicle to switch the ignition on and drive your vehicle. Remotely stop RAV4’s engineThere are two methods to remotely shut off RAV4’s engine. Method 1: Press the UNLOCK button on the key fob. The engine stops and the hazard lights flash twice. The doors will be unlocked in this method and will re-lock shortly after if no action is taken. Method 2: Press and hold the LOCK button on the key fob for two or more seconds on your Toyota RAV4. The engine stops and the hazard lights flash once. With this method the doors will remain locked after the engine is shut off. You should use this method if you have any security concerns. Climate control settingRemote engine start will also activate HVAC controls in your RAV4 by defaulting to the condition they were in when the vehicle was turned off. Keeping your vehicle on the Auto Mode setting is recommended for improved vehicle temperature preconditioning. Press the AUTO button on the climate control switches panel before turning off the engine in your Toyota RAV4 for optimal heating/cooling performance.Extend engine running timeWhen you remotely start the engine of your RAV4, it will run for 10 minutes and then shut off automatically. When this happens, you can perform another remote start procedure which doubles the engine running time. You can start the engine remotely for a maximum of two consecutive times, after that you need to turn the ignition on and off from inside the vehicle before you can use remote starter again. Automatic engine shutdown after remote startThe remote engine starter on Toyota RAV4 will automatically shut engine off under the following conditions:
Remote start system not working on Toyota RAV4If the engine on your RAV4 does not start when you perform the remote starting procedure, it can be due to a number of reasons:
Note: Remote engine start feature is not available on Toyota models with manual transmission. Video Demonstration (key fob)Watch this video to see how to remotely start Toyota RAV4 with key fob. If your Toyota RAV4 is equipped with Remote Connect feature, you can remotely start the engine of your vehicle with an Apple or Android mobile device.
Note: A timer shown in the engine start stop button displays the time remaining until the engine will automatically shut off. Stop engine with mobile deviceTo remotely turn off your RAV4’s engine, press and hold the Stop button in the Toyota app for one second. Video Demonstration (mobile device)Watch this video to see how to set up Toyota app on your mobile device and remote start the engine. Which RAV4 vehicles have Remote Connect feature?Remote Connect which lets you remotely start the engine of your RAV4 is a standard feature on:
Safety precautionsThese are warnings against actions which may cause injury to people/vehicle if the warning is ignored.
Engine idling lawThere are laws against car idling with no passenger or driver inside in many states to protect the environment. It does not mean its completely illegal to use remote start, some states have time limit on how long you can keep the engine running. So check with your local state laws before using the remote start feature on your Toyota RAV4. Does RAV4 comes with remote start?While the 2021 Toyota RAV4 doesn't come standard with a remote start feature, its Adventure, TRD Off-Road, and Limited trims offer remote start capabilities.
Do 2022 Toyotas have remote start?The new 2022 Toyota Tundra comes with the ability to remote start the truck, but you're going to have to pay for it eventually. Most automakers have apps for their vehicles these days, and Toyota is no different.
Does 2022 RAV4 XLE Hybrid have remote start?From your factory remote fob press the lock button 3 times to activate the remote start. The parking lights will flash and the vehicle will start and run for the preset time typically 15 minutes. Pressing the lock button 3 more times will shut the vehicle off.
Do all 2022 Toyotas have remote connect?Yes and no. With the purchase of select eligible Toyota models, you will enjoy up to a 1-year trial period for FREE where you can determine if Toyota Remote Connect works for you. When that trial period is complete, Toyota Remote Connect is available via an annual or monthly subscription.
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