2020 Easter Egg: Has built in remote start...not detailed in owners manual

Possibly user error here I thought the same thing once but realized that if you mess up the timing when you press your fob button 3 times, then the truck needs to reset for a minute or so (I think it’s the alarm resetting or something, which has been discussed in this thread but not for a while now, can’t remember exactly) try again after waiting a minute and see if it works

 

I don't think timing is an issue, perhaps another type of user error though. I've been using it consistently since August of last year and just noticed it this morning that it wasn't working. All last week I parked farther than usual from my building so I chalked it up to distance capabilities of the keyfob and used the app instead.

This morning, as soon as I realized my keyfob remote start feature wasn't working, I tried several times with varying timing allotting for at least 1 min in between to allow for the security to kick in. I even started the truck with my app first, turned it off, then tried the keyfob - no bueno. I'll take it to the dealership some time this week but figured I'd type it over here in case someone is dealing with a similar situation.

 

The day after my 1 year trial ended my FOB stopped working for remote start.

 

I’ve heard this a lot lately. Shame on Toyota for trying to squeeze $80/year for a flawed app outta their customers after paying $40K or more for a truck.

 

Wholeheartedly agree. I think we are just starting to hear about this because it's been right at a year since the earliest 2020's (that had the key FOB remote start) were bought October 2019- December 2019ish like myself and now with colder temperatures many people are just starting to realize we no longer have it on those cold mornings. As we get further into 2021 all the other people with 2020's will start experiencing this. Bummer for sure.

 

Did you try both remotes?

 

funny enough, yes. Still no go

 

Yes. The FOB's work fine locking, unlocking, and panic mode. Even at a mild distance. I have been using the remote start throughout 2020 so I felt like I had the timing down, but just in case I tried all kinds of variations. Fast, fast, hold. Slow, slow, and hold. On top of that it was almost to the day that my year was up that I noticed it stopped working on my normal morning remote start routine.

 

I tried it once to see if it worked and it did. Living in California I find I don’t have a need for it but, I can understand it’s importance in colder climates.

 

Not being disrespectful in any way, just asking: the later part of this discussion has been people saying it no longer works after the trial period ends (including mine) is yours still working with the FOB after the year trial period?

 

So I got my 2021, Tacoma home and the remote start (from the key fob) worked for three days. Brought it to the dealer this morning because they claimed on the phone that it was a quick software fix. After sitting here for 6 hours, I’m being told corporate and their engineers can’t even figure out what’s wrong (service manager claims they’ve been on the phone with them all day). Apparently the “DCM isn’t reading the signal from the key fob to initiate the remote start”. They’re claiming it’s a new problemToyota hasn’t experienced before.

 

My 1 Year Remote Connect on my 2020 expires on February 7th - just tried my Fob and had no issues.

 

It does suck they appear to be taking away the FOB functionality, that's like physical hardware, no server expenses or whatever. The app is what should go away if you don't pay. This is how FCA did it with their autostart/app, you would not lose the FOB autostart.

I wonder what happens to the NAV after the initial three years and you don't subscribe.... We shelled out a lot of money for the tech and premium package already.

 

Yeah, It almost seems borderline unethical to have a bare-bones remote start feature like that, only to make it subscription activated. As the consumer, we have no real way to complain about the fact that they DEACTIVATE the feature if you do not pay. The App and connected services - understandable, charge for that. But deactivating an ultra short range one way remote starter off the OEM fob? Really?

For my '07 STI, I think I paid ~$900CAD for a Solace remote starter + install at Certified Radio in West Edmonton. Has a nice range, turbo timer (cooldown once the e-brake is pulled and system armed - car runs at idle for 30 sec before shutting itself off) 2 way LCD with a 2nd 2way non-LCD remote backup.
Being in a cold climate in the north, remote starters are extremely common up here - Solace Technologies is actually based out of Edmonton.

For the Tacoma, if I were to pay $900CAD for the same thing in theory, over the 72 month duration of my payments, it would be ~$150CAD per year.
I will get WAY more functionality and information from the connect services & Toyota app, which is $125CAD/year.

The other services they charge $10 / month for are pretty useless imo:
- Costs you $10CAD per month for destination assist ("hey google", or "siri" IRL).
- Another $10CAD per month for Safety connect (SOS button).

 

Tried this on my '21 TRD OR AC picked up on 12/10/20.
Does not work.
I have only the bare-bones tech package.
Doesn't much matter to me anyway.

 

Mine has never worked after two weeks of ownership. I guess it needs to be activated some how?

 

Download the app and follow the steps in on the infotainment screen in the truck to activate services. I may be wrong, but every vehicle should have 1 year free.

 

I just feel like the Connected App could be SO MUCH better. Maybe having some more customization options on starting (geofencing, outdoor temp, scheduling etc.) so if I'm at work and it's freezing out, offer to start my truck at X time so I can have a nice warm truck waiting for me. And let me adjust the run time. I don't need 3 - 10 minute starts. Sometimes I get caught up and would like my truck to run for 15 mins before leaving work. And I HATE the open door deactivation of the starter.

Come the end of the 1 year trial... not sure if I'll renew. Maybe just for the winter months.

 

Ok thanks I will try that!

 

Has anyone figured out if there is any settings on this remote/app/HU. The amount of flashing lights that goes on is crazy. Maybe 2 flashes that it's acknowledged you sent a signal, and maybe just have the lights stay on when started.