Remote start - how to get in without shutting off engine?

So do ours...always have been, always will be. Except now, the pain point that's been plaguing the Push to Start owners for years has finally been addressed. We've also addressed it for Lexus but haven't listed it on our website just yet as we're trying to catch our breath as we dove in not just for the Tacoma 3rd gen, but for 4Runner, Tundra, Highlander, Landcruiser, and RAV4 just to name a few - all with plug 'n' play solutions that otherwise did not exist in the after market category.

 

Unfortunately our systems do not integrate in any way to be able to use OEM apps on our remote starts, or on the flip side, our smart phone/app-control on an OEM remote start. It's either one or the other. You can still put our device(s) on a Remote Connect equipped vehicle, but you would only be utilizing either our hardware and/or app, or theirs - but not mix 'n' match.

 

If I have the first kit for 2020 Tacoma, had to run a wire to the passenger side.. will I have to undo that? Can I use my existing phone module with the new kit? Do I have to swap the harness?

 

Hi! Yes, it won't be necessary any longer and you would have to undo that and return it to stock. All access needed for the plug 'n' play will be found right at the driver side area you're already used to with your first kit, but this time a few plug locations have been changed. 100% plug n play.

As far as app module, yes, you’ll be able to utilize your old smart phone module. We have come up with a simple solution for porting over a smart phone app module to a take-over type remote starter. It’ll be in the form of a small adapter that we’ll be selling for $10 plus shipping that’ll be listed on our website sometime this week.

 

Confused. Will my existing smart phone module work or not? What is "simplifying the integration process" mean?

 

You can disregard everything mentioned thus far in lieu of the answer below.

As far as app module, yes, you’ll be able to utilize your old smart phone module. We have come up with a simple solution for porting over a smart phone app module to a take-over type remote starter. It’ll be in the form of a small adapter that we’ll be selling for $10 plus shipping that’ll be listed on our website sometime this week.

 

This is what I did for my wife's 2023 Tacoma TRD Off Road: I had a local shop install a Compustar remote starter that can idle the engine for a period of 25 minutes. The Toyota remote idles the engine for a period of 8-10 minutes, which is not sufficient time to warm the engine in the interior of Alaska where I live. When the engine is idling with the Compustar remote and I decide to unlock the door with it, the engine does not stop idling until the 25-minute limit idling time has been reached. However it only stops the engine if I physically open the door, or if I stop it with the remote itself.

Yes, it's an expensive proposition since now we have two sets Toyota key FOBs/remotes, plus two sets of Compustar remotes that are only used to idle the engine, and to unlock/lock the doors. But with these two remotes one has only press each button one time to start/stop the engine, lock/unlock the doors. The Toyota FOB/remote stops the engine, even when one unlocks the door with it, while the Compoustar does not.

By the way, while I have no idea about the key FOB of other vehicles with push-button start, the Toyota key FOB and the Toyota Tacoma with push-start button maintain communication with each other (the FOB transmits a repeating signal). The problem with this is that a car thief who may be interested in your Tacoma and who's parked near your- truck can easily record the signal from your key FOB when you get near your truck. If he knows where you park your Tacoma, he can return and use his now programmed key FOB and steal your truck.

Search for, "Faraday" bags for your key FOB, cellphone, or credit cards. When my wife parks her Tacoma at a supermarket, for example, she puts the key FOB in a very small Faraday bag and puts it in her purse before exiting the truck, and then locks the doors with the door lock button on the door. These bags block the signal emitted by the key FOB. Just don't forget the key FOB that's already in the bag inside your Tacoma

Edited for the following reason: a forum member mentioned that you don't need a Faraday bag for the Toyota Key Fob because you can just turn it off. While this is correct, it is too much of a hassle to turn it off since you have to repeatedly press buttons. The same thing to start the Tacoma with the Toyota key/FOB; in this case you have to press the button two times, then a third time-for the engine to start. Also, pressing all of these buttons several times per day would discharge the small batteries CR 2032 battery in the key FOB.

a. I was told that the Tacoma's remote works for a period of two years, and then you have to pay a small fee to continue having the remote feature available.

b. I can start my wife's tacoma from a distance of over 1/4 mile. There is quite a lot of metallic walls and racks in the local CostCo store. So much metal that sometimes it is difficult for a cellphone to receiver send signals, but my wife and can can start each one of our trucks and cars while shopping in this store (winters are very cold on my side of the pond, so remote starters are in just about every vehicle).

 

I have an older version of this, is there any kind of trade-in program, or discount you could offer if I wish to upgrade?

 

The only difference I would had to do would be unplugged the old one and plug in the new one? Everything else should be the same?

 

Is it possible to use both the factory OEM fob to start the vehicle, even with the Smart Phone Module?

 

Interesting thread title.

I've had my Sport over 3 years now and utilize the remote start feature as advertised--not subscribed to the App.

It's Amazing to see there are workarounds to get the desired result.

As my High School Auto Mechanics teacher back in the mid 80s would say, "Isn't Science Wonderful."

Of course, he said it sarcastically to the class...I'm just repeating it. lol

 

Absolutely! You can start it with the fob and stop it with the app and vice versa or stick with one or the other or as stated, mix n match as you desire!

 

Sweet! A mod I have been wanting since I purchased my Taco on December 30th, 2023! Especially with the no kill on the door opening now too. On my list of mods for Black Friday/Cyber Monday!

 

Ordered! Looking forward to my new upgraded remote start. My original remote starter has worked flawlessly and cant wait for the new one!

 

Is it also possible to have it run longer then 15 minutes without having to restart the truck?

Another question I have. Other then that I can't wait till I can do this mod. Been wanting it with key takeover since I thought about purchasing my truck on 12/30! I just need to do the very important mod called Pay off the lien. Hopefully we will see a seasonal deal. The new Smart Module premium plus+app looks SO cool. More detailed then my companies Verizon GPS trackers on our fleet vehicles!

 

Hi! Depending on module (Push to Start, Push to Start w/ takeover, or Hkey), it can be requested by putting a note in the "Notes/Comment" section during checkout.

The options are:

For Push to Start: 15, 30, 45 or 60 minutes
For Push to Start w/ takeover: 1 to 60 minutes, in 1 minute increments
For Hkey: 15 or 30 minutes

And regardless of what time allotment you receive your device with, if you opt for the smart module app control add-on, you can use the app to queue up more run time before the first runtime has elapsed by simply pressing the “start engine” button within the app while the previous count down is still running. You can do this as many times as you’d like. It will queue up whatever runtime the device was set to. So for example, if it’s 30 minutes that was set by us upon request, then it’ll reset the timer wherever its at in its current runtime back up to a fresh 30. Same respectively if the device was sent with the default 15 minutes. It would refresh the timer back up to 15 minutes no matter where in the count down it is when you press the “start engine” button. Hopefully this answers your question!

And yes, the new smart module features are insane! Geo fencing, route history log with replay options to see a compressed and animated version of a drive on a map from start to finish such as speeds, stops, lengths of time at stops, addresses of stops, and aside from telling you if a door is locked or unlocked, it will tell you if it's open or shut! You can set curfew notifications, theft notifications, meaning if the vehicle moves out of a radius that you set during a time window that you also set, and much MUCH more. Also worth mentioning that this new generation of smart module is 5G AND isn't tied to any one carrier as with previous generations, meaning it connects to the carrier with the best signal wherever you're at for better coverage! The full feature set with screenshots can be found here.

 

The new remote start is in and I love the new feature.

 

Any plans for a Black Friday, or Cyber Monday sale?

 

Is the smartphone module one time expense, or is there additional monthly cost?
NVM. Found it. $50 a year after 1st year.

 

Yearly. $40 for a year or $100 for 3.