Curious of this as well. Just switched to 2015 LC from a ‘16 Denali that had a great remote start system. Wouldn’t turn off just had to press the start button and you were good.
Toyota Remote Start -- WTF???
- Thread starter JBHorne
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No. ... And I have not been able to find an alarm system that can be installed on the 200 that would allow this.
The alarm guy told me it is because it has a rotating-key for the security. Cars without a rotating security-key (static-key) can remote start and not force the engine to turn off.
I had an alarm installed so I could extend how long the remote start ran for, and from how far away the remote start and alarm could notify the owner (without cell signal).
The alarm guy told me it is because it has a rotating-key for the security. Cars without a rotating security-key (static-key) can remote start and not force the engine to turn off.
I had an alarm installed so I could extend how long the remote start ran for, and from how far away the remote start and alarm could notify the owner (without cell signal).
TL; DR Same problem here - my 2018 LC with aftermarket remote start shuts off the engine when you approach and open any door. I was /told/ that it's a feature / function of the Toyota electronics / security that remote starters cannot work around - there is no "it just keeps running" option. I hardly believe anything I'm /told/ any more, but I didn't have the energy to run this to ground, so I've just grumbled and lived with it.
Backstory: I had the dealership install a remote start on my CPO 2018, at their cost, as the sole concession on the deal. I thought I was getting the Toyota one, but didn't specify that in any of the paperwork, and in the end got an undetermined aftermarket version installed by an unknown stereo installer business in another town that was subbed out the work by the selling dealership.
The explanation from the dealership was that the Toyota branded remote start is "not that good", principally in terms of range at which it will actuate. I received an authentic "laugh out loud" to my face when I asked if my new aftermarket remote starter would still work with the Toyota smartphone app to let me remote start the LC. I was /told/ that not even the OEM Toyota remote start, when installed at the factory, would allow app-based actuation. Again, I just let it go.
If any of that is true, I can't imagine how bad the Toyota OEM one would be, because this one is pretty bad on its own. There is no separate remote to operate the remote start feature - it requires three "lock" presses on the OEM key to initiate the start. The range is pitiful, worse than any Ford, M-B, BMW or Porsche I've had in the last 10+ years. If there's an intervening vehicle between you and the LC, the probability of a successful start drops by half.
Backstory: I had the dealership install a remote start on my CPO 2018, at their cost, as the sole concession on the deal. I thought I was getting the Toyota one, but didn't specify that in any of the paperwork, and in the end got an undetermined aftermarket version installed by an unknown stereo installer business in another town that was subbed out the work by the selling dealership.
The explanation from the dealership was that the Toyota branded remote start is "not that good", principally in terms of range at which it will actuate. I received an authentic "laugh out loud" to my face when I asked if my new aftermarket remote starter would still work with the Toyota smartphone app to let me remote start the LC. I was /told/ that not even the OEM Toyota remote start, when installed at the factory, would allow app-based actuation. Again, I just let it go.
If any of that is true, I can't imagine how bad the Toyota OEM one would be, because this one is pretty bad on its own. There is no separate remote to operate the remote start feature - it requires three "lock" presses on the OEM key to initiate the start. The range is pitiful, worse than any Ford, M-B, BMW or Porsche I've had in the last 10+ years. If there's an intervening vehicle between you and the LC, the probability of a successful start drops by half.
The 3-push of the lock button to start is how the Toyota one works.
I can't speak to smartphone activation but the toyota remote start range is abysmal. My old Python alarm on my Acura would start the vehicle when it was parked in a garage a 1/4 mile away. The Toyota one is hit or miss to start it in my garage which is less than 100' away.
Yup - the dealership person who "delivered" the LC to me (read: handed me the keys) seemed proud to tell me that the aftermarket remote start they had had someone else install was "better than the Toyota one, but operates just the same, including using the Toyota key".
The dash panel below and to the right of the steering wheel was still leaning outward by about 2" along the top edge when I took delivery, so I just pushed it back in and it's stayed there since. I guess I could pull it back open and see what brand of remote start module I have.
I miss this feature on my Raptor. I imagine I will care even more when my first winter with the 200 hits. I will likely install an aftermarket remote start even though the turning off is annoying. I spoke to a compustar installer who said it actually has nothing to do with the aftermarket remote start kits, it is how Toyota has programmed their trucks - so no way around the annoying motor shut off when you enter the vehicle. If I could take the remote start from the Raptor and the 3 level heated steering, Bowers and Wilkins audio and seats from my wife's RDesign Volvo and put them in the 200, man that would be killer.
Interesting - my Toyota remote start doesnt work with the key fob. It requires a separate dedicated toyota fob. Not sure why as it was installed when i bought it new in 2015. Other than that i love it. It starts the car. Exactly what i wanted in a remote starter. I know people complain a lot or say it’s ‘embarrassing’ when it shuts off when you open the door but, really, embarrassing? It’s a remote starter.
I find it an annoyance. When they installed my alarm and remote start I now need to carry both the alarm fob and the Toyota fob, because they couldn't code the alarm fob to also act as the security fob.
Was anyone able to replace their Toyota fob with some alarm fob, if so what manufacture/model?
Was anyone able to replace their Toyota fob with some alarm fob, if so what manufacture/model?
My Chevy truck has a great system. Press the lock button on the key fob, press the remote start button, and she's started. Then unlock the doors with the fob, get in, put the key in and drive off. No one can steal it when it's running. Toyota is wack.
But if it were up to me....no Land Cruiser would have remote anything, no screens, no air ride, no bells and whistles hardly at all. All the engineering time and money would be spent to make the Cruiser as reliable, as capable, as rugged, as long lasting as possible. Give it only what you need, keep the fanciness for the hundreds of other Toyota and Lexus models.
But if it were up to me....no Land Cruiser would have remote anything, no screens, no air ride, no bells and whistles hardly at all. All the engineering time and money would be spent to make the Cruiser as reliable, as capable, as rugged, as long lasting as possible. Give it only what you need, keep the fanciness for the hundreds of other Toyota and Lexus models.
I know we've long established how the Toyota/Lexus remote start works. It does the job and is handy in extreme cold or hot weather. Also handy when car camping to stay snuggled in the sleeping bag until the interior has warmed up a bit.
Agreed its implementation is clunky and could be better. I don't love that it shuts off the engine upon entering, but it is what it is, and honestly not a big deal in use. As most other implementations require hitting start anyways, and it's just the mental thought of the car starting twice, which it is robust enough to handle.
That said, Tesla is a game changer here. Unlimited range with smartphone remote climate control. Or even better that it actively manages interior temp on its own. Without starting anything or feeling bad about a superfluous engine running. Stepping in on a hot day is always inviting as already pre-conditioned to a degree. I'm saying this as any old school remote start is arcane by comparison and I hope the 300-series brings something more modern.
Agreed its implementation is clunky and could be better. I don't love that it shuts off the engine upon entering, but it is what it is, and honestly not a big deal in use. As most other implementations require hitting start anyways, and it's just the mental thought of the car starting twice, which it is robust enough to handle.
That said, Tesla is a game changer here. Unlimited range with smartphone remote climate control. Or even better that it actively manages interior temp on its own. Without starting anything or feeling bad about a superfluous engine running. Stepping in on a hot day is always inviting as already pre-conditioned to a degree. I'm saying this as any old school remote start is arcane by comparison and I hope the 300-series brings something more modern.
I never used the function but my old Python remote starter from ~2010 could be set to automatically start the vehicle if it got too hot or too cold inside. That's not rocket surgery.
Well, it isn't, but it is. It's hard to convey how far the climate control state of the art has gone to those that haven't experienced it. It's not just that use case. It's a comprehensive re-think. The auto-start function is as antiquated a term as it is a non sequitur to some new cars. You don't need to manage or turn it on, rather it anticipates for you. Means literally never stepping into a boiling hot interior in summertime.
Consider
- no guilt about idling an engine
- scheduled departure climate
- continuous climate when away
- instant A/C the moment you step near the car, priming the interior
- no waste heat or exhaust vapors coming form the undercarraige
- dog mode
- camp mode
The 200-series is old school. Hope the 300-series has some of these things, but I'm not so sure. Features that sound haughty and bougie, until experiencing them and now I want them in my overlander.
Oh yeah, don't get me wrong, the *integration* of everything into one system is huge. On the python I had to also manaully start the rear defroster with another remote sequence, I had to remember to leave the seat warmers on (and the heat set up correctly) when I got out, etc.
FWIW living in Chicago my absolutely favorite feature is the heated steering wheel. Possibly more than heated/cooled seats. If you'd asked me to spend $5 extra for that feature when I bought the truck I would've said hell no, but now that I have it, it's friggin' awesome when I get into a cold truck
