Key fob remote start subscription?

Hi,
So I did the full "unsubscribe" from the connected services about month ago. So basically Toyota is pinky promising that they are no longer tracking and collecting my data as they are the ones that would remotely turn it back on.

Anyways, I don't use the remote start feature, but tried it recently and cannot get it to work anymore with the 3 click then hold on the lock button. Anyone else have this issue? It's really going to burn my ass if the key fob ability is tied to the subscription.

Thanks

 

I can't recall if Toyota rescinded this or not. This is dated last December. Someone will be along to clarify.

https://arstechnica.com/cars/2021/1...to-keep-using-their-key-fob-for-remote-start/

 

Oh wow! Well with any luck all the marketing execs' kids will get cancer or something.

 

TBH...I could never get to work reliably from the fob so I stopped using it last winter and have totally forgotten about it since. lol

In fact, this morning I walked outside and "manually" started my truck to warm it. I guess I could try it again to see if it still works.

 

Yeah...that's a bit...aggressive.

 

It really was a poorly implemented feature. But I think it's quite underhanded of them to remove a feature that is entirely dependent on hardware I already supposedly own simply because I did not want to pay for the pleasure of them collecting my data which they then resell to third parties.

It really is thievery, and they are no better than some methhead cutting the cats out from under my truck. They just have more lawyers. First world problems, but I'm pretty upset about it.

 

The society is changing (at least the younger half) such that folks are entirely comfortable with installment type payments (monthly payments) on dang near everything in their life for the duration of their life. I think Mama Toyota was dipping her toe (and found the water ice cold).

 

Interesting, I was told my salesman that the remote should still work once my trial expires for the remote Connect subscription.

I was told the process to remote start was press twice and hold on third. Also can’t do it too fast or too slow. Making sure the hazard light flashes after each press. And on third hold should be 3-4 sec and the truck will flash and start.

Video demonstrating timing of presses. It’s pretty slow

 

Hmmm...
Different car, but we have a 2020 Corolla and we can still remote start it with the fob. Our trial subscription expired years ago.

Push lock 3x holding on the 3rd press until a few seconds later lights will flash and vehicle will start.

It can be finicky, and of course the damn car shuts off when you open the door....derf der

 

When I first bought the truck I had no issues using the remote start via the fob. Although the range sucks and you have to hold that 3rd press for forever. I've tried on several occasions and just now walked out to the truck and tried again a few times to make sure I'm not smoking crack.

It will not work. I'll bring it up to the service manager when I bring it in for my first free service.

 

I was told as long as you have any trial going it will still work. There was one trial that was a 10 year period from what I remember.

 

I guess I'm fundamentally opposed to toyota collecting, packaging, and selling my personal data all for the boon that I may use hardware that I already own.

I was unaware of this prior to my purchase, and I wouldn't have considered the Toyota if I had known this. I guess that is on me as there were articles about it floating around prior to my buying the truck.

 

I’m not so sure that Toyota isn’t still collecting data after the subscription ends. I get emails from Toyota saying my driving habits qualify me for savings on insurance. Ford includes the remote app for free. Remote start was great during hot Texas days. Even when I had the Toyota year long trial, the engine would shut off when I opened the door.

 

Unless it’s changed since I bought my ‘23, the FOB remote start is NOT linked to the subscription services. I never activated the services, even for the free trial period, and my FOB remote start works fine.

 

The fob function requires any subscription, which is a glitch as they wanted you to have to specifically subscribe for that.

 

I don’t think this is correct. There are plenty of owners here who don’t have subscriptions, and their FOB remote start still works.

 

Just stumbled across this thread for the same issue OP had. After my subscription expired, the remote start with the FOB still worked. But as soon as I "unsubscribed" from connected services it stopped working completely. So basically Toyota is blackmailing you into collecting YOUR data to use a feature that YOU paid for on YOUR truck! This sucks, big time, Toyota.

 

i think this is correct, however there is a difference between subscription services and opting out from all data collection. If you do the later, they CANCEL your remote FOB starting feature. Toyota is no different than all the other money hungry companies out there. It costs them NOTHING to allow me to remote start my truck, and they the only thing they stand to gain is selling MY personal data to third parties. Blackmail...

 

No subscriptions apparently allows for remote FOB start. If you cancel Toyota's ability to collect and sell your personal data, then they will also cancel your remote FOB feature.

 

You are on the internet and are worried about your personal data and 3rd parties? Toyota is the least of your concerns

 

More like if you have a modern smart phone from either Apple or Google with any app that is "free" your data is out there, all out there.

FWIW my 3 lock button press press press+hold until the lights flash 3 times remote start works for me after my trial of the subscription ended.

 

I get it that you can not keep all your information private, but when the opportunity allows, I will take advantage of it.

There is a difference between your subscription services, and the connected services. That's all I have been trying to differentiate with these recent posts. My guess is that you are still allowing Toyota to gather all your driving data (habits, locations, etc) and then sell it, because you are still allowing "connected services".

 

Sure but honestly it's a bit moot when we carry around phones in our pockets with Amazon, Google, Facebook, TikTok, digital assistants from whomever, etc. We don't have much in the way of privacy laws in the USA so we're fucked until we do. Unless you shun modern smart phones but even new computers running Windows 11 are suckling all your data in some form even if you turn off what you can easily. You have to hack the operating system to really stop all of it. Windows 10 does this as well but not as badly.

Do you use Chrome or Firefox or worse Edge for your internet browser? All those "free" apps are sucking your browsing habits, reading your location data, and listening to your microphone. But sure lets get worked up about the truck's connected services.

 

I get it. And I make a living using a computer and a smart phone. But I am NOT on any social media, nor do I use Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. I know there is no way to completely keep your information private, but when I have the opportunity to, I will lean in that direction.

 

Isn't this forum social media?

 

I gave up on Toyotas joke of a fob remote start. Years ago I bought my first new Toyota and made sure to get the fob remote start. Winter came and used the remote start for the first time. Loving the idea of entering a nice toasty car. Touched the door handle and the engine turned off. WTF???? Like I need another safety feature lol. Wear the starter and battery out sooner because of the double start. Never used the remote start again…. Love the remote start on my BMW X6. Actually stays running lol

 

This is a forum, but I don't think most people will equate this to FB, X, Instagram, etc., but you might.

 

It's on the internet, its public, spin it how ever you want but they are collecting data as you type. If you haven't, Watch the Social Dilemma, Netflix. Made by the dudes that were part of building Facebook. Eye opening

 

This is super annoying to me too. I warm the car up in the winter still but what a dumb feature.