2018 Tacoma Remote Start, Does it Exist?

I purchased my 2018 Tacoma TRD Sport back in May of 2018. With it now being winter, I was looking to install a remote start. Problem is, I can't seem to find one without adding an additional key fob to my keys. Anybody know of a "plug in" remote start kit, or one that utilizes the factory key? Anybody have recommendations?? Thanks!

 

You are in luck. Jimmy is a great guy to deal with.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...remote-starter-kit-at-mt-smart-module.568990/

 

N2 designs! @jayrobot can hook you up
Great product & great customer service

 

I had the dealer install an aftermarket remote start (i-dat-astart), and got the extra key fob. The other day I accidentally, I pressed the lock button on the Toyota key fob 3 times, and the truck started! Looks like I don't need the extra aftermarket key fob. The problem is that the Toyota key fob does not have a far of range as the aftermarket key fob.

 

X2 plug and play. 15 minutes to install

 

Beat me to it haha

 

Just installed a N2 today. Never did a remote start install before and after watching a YouTube video I now have remote start on my ‘19

 

Unfortunately, unless you have a MT, you cannot unlock the vehicle and enter the truck without shutting it off first. Autostart, door unlocked, truck shuts off, driver enters vehicle, then has to restart engine. There's no easy way to bypass the Toyota safety system. To me, that's a deal breaker, but at least you should know before jumping into the idea. At this point in time, there's no system available that can do it.

 

I guess the life expectancy of a starter is cut in half.

 

The engineers aren’t thinking this issue through (or the lawyers are not willing to allow)... should be a simple solution to require the push start to be engaged when the key fob is within start proximity, thereby eliminating the “stolen car” excuse. It’s a real BS maneuver to open the door, engine shuts down, and have to restart the vehicle. There are solutions available to meet associated concerns.

 

what's the big deal though? Don't you want the truck to be warmed up.......otherwise all you're buying the remote start for is so that you physically don't have to push the button to turn the truck on. You'd still need to let it warm up.

I don't even see it as an inconvenience because without the remote start you'd have to start the truck yourself anyway. Seems ver minor for a major convenience.

 

I’m just saying the cutoff “feature/requirement” is flawed engineering and an inferior system as to what it could and should be... if you read my response, you would know that I stated one would still need to push the start button (to disable the auto cutoff like a key insertion/turn would on remote start of keyed vehicles when pushing the brake). The open door, followed by auto shut off, and having to restart is just wrong with regard to my logic... that’s all. aka, it’s a f’ed up system.

 

I get that. Wonder if we’ll ever figure out why they do it like that....

 

Correction, this only applies to PTS. Our remote start kits allow for key takeover on HKEY AT, MT and regular key. It’s not us, it’s a TOYOTA thing.

 

The starter will far outlive you, and your Tacoma...I don’t know if people realize the number of cycles it’s life can handle. In the 90’s it was around 50,000 cycles. Today, especially because of auto start/stop technology on some vehicles having raised the bar on robustness, you’re talking 500,000 to 1.2 million cycles! You do the math of how much, on average, you start your vehicle per day. At 3 times per day, that’s 167,000 days to 400,000 days, or 457 years to 1096 years! Your engine would’ve been replaced a few times already and we’ll be able to remote start vehicles by just thinking it by then!

 

With proper maintenance I would think that you'd be able to get your Tacoma to last at least 600 years.

 

They can all program your factory fob. Just has no range so is pointless really. I use drone with mine, I can start it from my phone from anywhere, see the temps, door locks, etc.

 

I have an AstroStart on my Tacoma. It allows the key fob to work by pressing lock 3 times. I do like that I have the Astro remote though as well because it's range is FAR FAR FAR superior. I carry it in the winter and swap it for a bottle opener in the summer .

On the topic of the security system which shuts down your truck however, I'd much rather have this than not. Where I live the majority of vehicle thefts are vehicles running to warm up, or vehicles left running while someone "quickly runs inside" somewhere. While you could argue that's what the smart key is for, this still gives me peace of mind. However, a couple times now including this morning, I did get in my truck without it shutting off with the door opening. COLD as shit (-30C or -22F) so I think it might just be that. But there's a further safety net with an engine kill from the brake pedal, which you need to press to shift into D.

 

Just got a compustar 2 way installed on my 19 trd sport MT. must have for canadian winter

 

So then add the smart phone app module to it or a long range RF kit that plugs into the remote starter and give you two FOBs with two way feed back anywhere from 0.5 mile to 2 mile range.

Theft...people keep mentioning this, you’re pressing lock 3 times, the car is locked. And on PTS engine cuts off if unlocked or brake is pressed, on HKEY if the brake is pressed without a key, then engine also shuts off. These are all misconceptions being mentioned.