What Toyota Cars Have Remote Start?

November 5th, 2023 by

Remote start is a very desirable feature for your car. On cold winter mornings, you can start the car, crank up the heating, and activate the heated seats before you even leave the house. Similarly, in the heat of the Ohio summers, you can open the windows or set the climate control to a lovely cool temperature so you can start your journey comfortably.

If you’re considering buying a new Toyota from Performance Toyota in Fairfield, you’ll want to know which models offer remote start and what other connected services are available. We’ve put together this guide with all the information you need.

Toyota Remote Connect

Image by Krish Parmar is licensed with Unsplash License

Unlike some vehicles, Toyota cars don’t have a physical remote start on the key fob but instead require the use of the Toyota App on your smartphone or smartwatch. As well as remote start, you can access a wide range of vehicle functions directly from your phone with Toyota’s Connected Services and Remote Connect. The Toyota App is a free download for your Apple or Android devices.

Remote Connect is a subscription-based service that now includes Google Assistant compatibility. It enables you to start and stop your car at the press of a button on your phone’s screen. You can adjust the climate control, lock and unlock the doors and trunk, turn the hazard lights on and off, and sound the horn from a distance. An available buzzer feature confirms when the doors lock and unlock.

Remote Connect can also alert you if you leave your car’s doors, windows, hood, trunk, or moonroof open. With the Toyota App, you can even find the location of your car and receive vehicle status alerts on your phone. If someone else is driving your car, available guest driver alerts can notify you if they exceed preset speed, mileage, area, or time limits.

For electric and plug-in hybrid Toyota vehicles, you can schedule battery charging, check the charging level, and locate charging stations. Most new Toyota vehicles come standard with a 10-year trial of Service Connect, which provides you with personalized updates. You’ll receive vehicle health reports, maintenance reminders, and vehicle maintenance alerts.

Subscription Packages

Remote Connect comes standard on several subscription plans so you can choose your preferred plan and still enjoy all the benefits of Remote Connect.

Music Lover

The Music Lover plan includes Integrated Streaming, which enables you to browse and play music through your Apple Music or Amazon Music accounts, as well as Remote Connect. Subscription is $15 per month.

Go Anywhere

With the Go Anywhere plan, you never need to worry about getting lost again. This plan includes Drive Connect, which features the latest navigation software, live-agent navigation assistance, real-time traffic updates, a virtual assistant, and new voice commands. You also get Remote Connect, all for $15 per month.

Premium

For just $25 per month, you can subscribe to the Premium plan, which offers all the features of Integrated Streaming, Drive Connect, and Remote Connect.

Which 2023 Toyota Models Have Remote Start?

The following Toyota models offer remote start as a standard or available feature:

  • Toyota bZ4X (with a three-year trial).
  • Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Hatchback, and GR Corolla.
  • Crown.
  • Highlander.
  • Mirai (Limited trim with a three-year trial).
  • Prius and Prius Prime.
  • RAV4 and RAV4 Prime.
  • Sequoia.
  • Venza.
  • Tundra.
  • 4Runner.
  • Camry.
  • Sienna.
  • Tacoma.
  • GR86.
  • GR Supra (3.0 Premium and A91-MT with a four-year trial).

Most trims include a complimentary one-year trial of Remote Connect as standard, while for others it’s available subject to a subscription of $8 per month. It may not be available on all trims.

Remote Start Troubleshooting

Remote start is a great feature for your Toyota, but there are several reasons why it might not work. If you can’t start your car from the Toyota App, check these criteria.

Doors Aren’t Locked

If your Toyota’s doors aren’t locked, you won’t be able to start the car remotely. Lock the doors with the key fob or Toyota App, then try the remote start function again.

Trunk or Hood Are Open

You need to ensure that the trunk and hood are fully closed, as remote start won’t work if either or both are open.

Gear Shift Isn’t in Park

When you stop your Toyota, if you don’t put the gear shift into park when you turn off the engine, the remote start won’t work the next time you try to start the vehicle.

Under a Quarter Tank of Gas

As a safety feature, your Toyota remote start doesn’t operate if your car’s gas tank is less than a quarter full. This is so you’re not at risk of running the tank to empty, which could damage the vehicle.

Smart Key Is Inside the Car

If your Toyota Smart Key is inside or too close to the car, you won’t be able to remotely start the vehicle.

Alarm Activation

If the alarm has been set off for some reason, such as a thief trying to break into your Toyota, it disables the remote start feature.

Your Toyota’s Battery Is Low

If your car’s 12-volt battery charge gets too low or dies, the starter motor won’t operate, so you won’t be able to use remote start. Visit us at Performance Toyota in Fairfield, Ohio, to get a battery service or replacement.

Your Remote Connect Trial Has Expired

Most Toyota models that are available with the Remote Connect feature come with a one-year free trial. When the trial expires, remote start will no longer work. You’ll need to subscribe to the Remote Connect package to continue using the service.

No Cell Phone Service

When you use the Toyota App to start your car from your smartphone, a signal is sent via the cellular network to the Remote Connect server. The server then responds with an authentication code that allows the engine to start. If you’re in an area with no cell phone service, Remote Connect won’t work.

Need Help Starting Your Car?

If you have any issues with your Toyota’s ignition, key fob, or remote start system, reach out to us at Performance Toyota in Fairfield, Ohio. The factory-trained technicians in our service department can help with these and any other problems with your Toyota.

 

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