[USA] Toyota Owners Will Have to Pay US$8/Month to Use Their Key Fob for Remote Start

Quantumcat on 15/12/2021 - 08:46
Last edited 15/12/2021 - 13:06 by 1 other user

Toyota has a subscription package called Remote Connect, which lets you do a few things like start air conditioning from their app etc. One of the things you can do is start your car by double pressing then holding the button on your key fob.

But now, you have to have a subscription to be able to do this, even though it is through the key fob which uses radio waves to communicate with the nearby car and has nothing to do with the internet or an app. Cars built before November 2018 won't have this feature disabled without a subscription as they have 3G chips and 3G signals will soon be shut off, so they won't be able to use a subscription even if their owners pay for it.

https://arstechnica.com/cars/2021/12/toyota-owners-have-to-p…

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Comments

  • brownsound on 15/12/2021 - 09:01
    +1

    Remote starting cars is a thing now? That's cool.

    Shame about the subscription fees

    • FLICKIT on 15/12/2021 - 09:22
      +11

      Remote start is popular in extremely cold places so people can warm their cars up before leaving the house… I was always under the impression remote start wasn't allowed in Australia but I could be wrong, or things have changed..

      • pao2x on 15/12/2021 - 13:44
        +1

        Not allowed to warm up car in UK, I dont know about Australia

        • stickyfingers on 16/12/2021 - 16:00
          +3

          Tesla’s here can.

        • jaimex2 on 16/12/2021 - 18:49
          +3

          Fords here can. You just use the FordPass App

        • jemichae on 17/12/2021 - 04:45
          +1

          Allowed in Australia as long as it it is sold along the lines of remote 'climate control'.

        • Hangryuman on 18/12/2021 - 10:32

          too many family deaths in US winters - freezing morning, people would start the car in the closed garage, leave the attached internal door open to the house while running around getting ready for the day …

          and the next day the whole family would be found dead in the house, having inhaled the colourless odourless asphyxiant carbon monoxide from the car exhaust.

          I believe carbon monoxide alarms are recommended together with smoke alarms in the US.

        • bargaino on 20/12/2021 - 11:07

          UK, like Australia, does not get cold enough to bother.
          Sure you have to scrape ice off the windows in the morning, but it's nothing like in the US.

          • Archi on 20/12/2021 - 14:01

            @bargaino: not always for winter,

            it was really hot in sydney over the weekend. and whilst car was parked in part shade it was very hot on the inside.. and about 10 minutes before packing up and leaving the park.. i remotely started the car to cool it down. the remote start also activates the climate control

            • Euphemistic on 20/12/2021 - 16:40

              @Archi: Yep. It’s all about making the car more comfortable to get into, wether that’s heating or cooling it.

              Sure, it’s not necessary, but it’s be nice to have in the height of summer.

      • OGGazelle on 16/12/2021 - 08:33
        +14

        It’s been a thing in Australia since 2013, the VF Commodore (last aussie-made one) had it for all automatic trans models.

        • stewy on 16/12/2021 - 20:56
          +1

          Yeah my 2016 Caprice had it and it was a great feature to have when I was living up in the tropics.

          • Kangal on 17/12/2021 - 16:59

            @stewy: .
            * something* * something* High Yield Investment

      • Viper8 on 17/12/2021 - 12:03
        +2

        VF Commodores do it.

        • capslock janitor on 17/12/2021 - 14:19
          +2

          Bring back this Aussie icons.

          ReviveHolden

          • vinni9284 on 18/12/2021 - 12:32

            @capslock janitor: It'll be nice. But then the current owners will be devastated as they can't sell thier 150k km VF2 SSV for $120K as they know what they've got! No lowballers $123456

    • pharkurnell on 15/12/2021 - 09:24
      +2

      Remote starting cars is a thing now? That's cool.

      The bike shop I worked at back in the early 90's was fitting alarms with remote start back then.. although without a sidestand kill switch they caused issues if left in gear.

    • Employeespackbace @ Toyota Australia on 15/12/2021 - 12:47
      -8

      US only

      Not very relevant in Aus…

      • randomusername2017 on 15/12/2021 - 16:53
        +19

        How long before the feature is rolled out locally?

          • Jetstream on 15/12/2021 - 17:21
            +34

            @spackbace: So you crap on the op for posting something that is us only, but then can’t confirm that it won’t happen here.

            Given that things in the us usually carry forward to Australia, I think it’s pretty relevant.

            It will happen, so save your crystals balls for another day

            • Employeespackbace @ Toyota Australia on 15/12/2021 - 17:31
              +9

              @Jetstream:

              but then can’t confirm that it won’t happen here.

              We don't even have the function in our cars, yet the US has had it since pre-2018, so what good does it make it if you 'alert' Aussies to something that the US has owned and used for 3+ years?

              If the technology comes to Aus, we'll be aware of how long the subscription model will last (ie current Toyota Connected Services - free for the first 3 years, unsure of cost involved after this time).

              Hell, the original OP didn't even state it was US only, and was the simplest copy/paste job that could be done

              • capslock janitor on 17/12/2021 - 14:35

                @spackbace: shouldve just said that in your second reply

              • Hangryuman on 18/12/2021 - 10:35
                +1

                @spackbace: about 30 years ago I investigated the possibility of importing remote starting devices for car engines in Australia

                and was informed then it wasn't allowed under Australian Design Rules.

                dunno if that's changed since.

                • Employeespackbace @ Toyota Australia on 18/12/2021 - 10:42

                  @Hangryuman: It has. VF commo had it, last of the Cruze had it, 300C…among others

          • RSmith on 17/12/2021 - 09:41

            @spackbace:

            Let me just check my crystal balls

            Balls of crystal… gee, you must be rich.

    • Ryanek on 15/12/2021 - 13:45
      +2

      is a thing now?

      They've had this since the 90's

      • peteru on 15/12/2021 - 14:46
        +9

        Michael Knight had in KIT back in the 80's.

        • jeeg on 15/12/2021 - 16:54
          +10

          KITT does more than remote start. It self drive, and does turbo boosted jumps to dodge missiles. I think the capabilities of our car is not at that level yet.

          Love that TV series as a kid.

          • Lord Fart Bucket on 17/12/2021 - 08:59
            +1

            @jeeg: Knightrider, followed by airwolf. My viewing sorted when i was a kid.

    • Nickels n Dimes on 18/12/2021 - 17:25

      Remote start was a thing decades ago, but has long become redundant with modern engines and auto stop-start features in many brands, that instantly switch your Ernie m engine off wheneverit is stationary.
      This saves fuel, doesn't wear the engine out, and reduces pollutants like carbon monoxide from idling cars. Idling as it happens is outlawed in many countries, Australia is quite behind with that.

      When Toyota rolls out EVs this will be even more pointless, but maybe they can switch it to 'remote heating/cooling your seats' or 'remote climate control.'

  • pharkurnell on 15/12/2021 - 09:28
    -6

    But now, you have to have a subscription to be able to do this

    so.. just a rough idea…. don't use the feature

    BMW does it now too with some of their vehicle options … they build them into the car, but dont turn them on unless you pay a yearly fee

    • abb on 15/12/2021 - 09:44
      +31

      better idea: don't buy from companies that pull these scams

      • pharkurnell on 15/12/2021 - 10:27
        +7

        give it 18mths - they all will… once they see the others making a fortune from suckers, they'll all be in on it.. like software companies..

        • abb on 15/12/2021 - 10:49
          +2

          only if people keep paying them… I won't.

          • pharkurnell on 15/12/2021 - 11:15
            +1

            @abb: Once it becomes the standard… How many people will go without radios, heated everything etc?

            It may come as a surprise, they wont miss your 1 sale… they wouldnt miss 50 sales.

            YMMV

            • [Deactivated] on 15/12/2021 - 12:10
              +2

              @pharkurnell: A giant power bank… heater in the boot… 6 UE MegaBoom…

            • abb on 15/12/2021 - 13:12
              +2

              @pharkurnell: Right, what I'm saying is this is a classic "tragedy of the commons" scenario.

              All it takes is for a significant number of people to refuse to engage in the crappy game, and they will stop playing it.

              When my car wears out, I'll buy one with no ongoing subscriptions. I'm not the only one.

              • pharkurnell on 15/12/2021 - 13:49

                @abb:

                I'm not the only one

                That is true… and I agree.

                But thats good until there is no option. other brands see Yota making $ out of it, they wont want to miss out on their share… like BMW already do

              • njastar on 15/12/2021 - 14:14
                +3

                @abb: What about the headphone jack? Everyone got so mad when Apple removed it from the iPhone, but now basically every top end phone doesn't have one. Plenty of people said they'll never buy a phone without a headphone jack, now it's a standard.

                If all Toyota cars had this, and then Honda, then Volkswagen, etc, good luck saying no. It's just a symptom of the world now.

                • pangwen on 16/12/2021 - 08:09
                  +5

                  @njastar: … and paid parking at shopping centres! (Eg https://www.smh.com.au/business/thumbs-down-for-westfield-pa…). I thought with all the people who said “they’d go elsewhere” it would be easier to find parking, but chermside is still chockers when I go.

                • abb on 16/12/2021 - 15:28
                  -1

                  @njastar: I'm not aware of any phones that offer a headphone jack that needs a monthly subscription to operate ;)

                  The USB-C adapter seems an ok compromise, for those who haven't ponied up the cash for trendy wireless buds. Personally I'd rather a removable battery but not enough people cared about those either!

                  • njastar on 16/12/2021 - 16:14

                    @abb: Google Pixel phones are removing the free phone charger that comes with the phone, not many people are rioting about that. It's not even the beginning of the end, we're already way into it I think.

                    • hypie on 16/12/2021 - 20:14

                      @njastar: Thats because of the EU Judgement/laws to reduce waste. Manufacturers don't really get a choice now afaik.

                    • abb on 17/12/2021 - 09:04

                      @njastar: Good. I have 6 USB chargers already, I don't need more. Also, I've never seen a USB charger that had a monthly fee to unlock fast charge mode.

      • Nickels n Dimes on 15/12/2021 - 21:25

        This will come to most of them, more that Tesla started out with their subscription autonomous drive and boost features.

        To be fair, there's an argument for this in some cases, once you buy the (entry level) car, you can still upgrade at any time in the future just by paying an extra, eg . Heated seats, 360deg cameras, lane warnings, etc. could be added with just a payment. Then if you decide later you don't need them just cancel the subscription.
        Car manufacturers can shrink their model range to just be all entry level for each body shape, then all the portions become a software upgrade, except for leather/wood grain/finishes etc.
        Albeit the idea of a subscription is awful for an expensive good that you paid outright for, but if you are leasing or hire purchase, it suits the model pretty well.

        • Euphemistic on 16/12/2021 - 06:23
          +2

          Car manufacturers can shrink their model range to just be all entry level for each body shape,

          It’s more the opposite. They need to put in all the hardware for the premium features so it can be activated by software you pay for later. Can’t get heated seats without the seat heaters. Need to install cameras for 360 cameras etc. remote start is a bit simpler if it’s already push button start though.

          • Nickels n Dimes on 28/12/2021 - 18:53
            -1

            @Euphemistic: True, but for any item/feature that costs several times less to buy from a third party than the car maker charges on sale, can easily be added to the car upfront, then activated electronically via a monthly payment. Seat heaters fall into that category, because you can buy aftermarket ones at cost for far less than Toyota would charge, unless you want to fit/hack them yourself, in the end it's cheaper and more convenient to pay the monthly. If you can't afford it, you won't buy either way.

        • hunterhalo on 16/12/2021 - 15:27
          +1

          Jailbreak my car muhahaha

        • trapper on 16/12/2021 - 19:32

          Paying to activate a feature is a bit different than paying to rent a feature thou lol.

          What's next? $5 a week for your heated seats haha

    • [Deactivated] on 15/12/2021 - 10:57
      +15

      So you're happy to purchase something with a feature inbuilt, then after 3 years of use you have to now pay monthly? Imagine a subscription to use the air conditioner, would that be ok?
      I bet the feature in the BMW is an indicator subscription and no one subscribes.

      • DashCam AKA Rolts on 15/12/2021 - 11:22
        +9

        I bet the feature in the BMW is an indicator subscription and no one subscribes.

        +1 for this comment.
        https://www.reddit.com/r/shittymoviedetails/comments/oiftzj/…

        • maverickjohn on 16/12/2021 - 21:04

          Lol as. Beemer driver I find it hilarious. But still don't know where the origins if BmW drivers not signalling came from.

          • DashCam AKA Rolts on 17/12/2021 - 00:34

            @maverickjohn: It's because being a European vehicle, the indicator fluid reservoir is on the opposite side of the vehicle compared to Asian and British motors. As a result, it is not topped up regularly, and once it runs low, no indicators.
            Same issue is appearing in Audis.

            • maverickjohn on 18/12/2021 - 18:12

              @DashCam AKA Rolts: ???
              Is that how its done in Europe. Isn't it just a fuse. I'm pretty sure here they are all fuses in the fusebox

  • pegaxs on 15/12/2021 - 09:34
    +24

    Mmmm… Micro transactions for cars. This is the new norm, people. Get used to buying cars that have every feature turned off and only available via month to month subscriptions.

    Heated/cooled seats, that's a sub. Steering wheel buttons, that's another sub. Carplay connection, that's another sub. Active Cruise control, another sub.

    Pretty soon, most cars will come with almost every electronic feature turned off and will only be available via subscriptions. You will basically buy a base model and every feature will be by DLC.

    The prices of cars won't drop, you will still pay the same price because the car has these features, but it's your choice not to turn them on.

    • Dlw on 15/12/2021 - 10:25
      +20

      EA are selling cars now?

      • HeyHeyHeyIsItADeal on 16/12/2021 - 17:14
        +2

        Tesla sells dlc… so whats the difference? I remember a certain type of Tesla was capable of doing 60 in what, 2s?

        You gotta pay the 2k software unlocker though to be able to do that. So the car was already capable of doing that you just gotta unlock it through payment. What kind of bullshit is that.

    • pharkurnell on 15/12/2021 - 10:33
      +11

      then 12 weeks until there are hacks to turn them all on

      • [Deactivated] on 15/12/2021 - 12:11
        +3

        They should let STEAM manage it.

        Can occasionally get 80% off subscription for aircond…

    • FloatingPoint on 15/12/2021 - 12:45
      +2

      I think it should be like this:

      Heated/cooled seats, that's a sub. Steering wheel buttons, that's another sub

    • dasher86 on 15/12/2021 - 12:59
      +1

      sounds like what happened to Tesla second hand buyers in the US

    • FireRunner on 15/12/2021 - 13:41
      +8

      Car stereo turns on once in a while to play an ad unless you buy the premium subscription

      • Kangal on 17/12/2021 - 16:56

        This genuinely scares me.
        They will probably put ads into the dash column too. Like driving a Kia and an Ad for Lexus comes up.

    • SF3 on 15/12/2021 - 13:41
      +1

      Soon, we don't really "own" the car… can't drive the vehicle until the sub is paid…

      and if your account is banned - lol.

      • JayM on 15/12/2021 - 14:42
        +1

        Don't give these greedy pricks ideas!

      • t_c on 16/12/2021 - 18:52
        -3

        Why would anyone want to own a car. Making people feel good about owning a depreciating asset, would have to be one of the biggest and most successful cons of the 20th century.

    • polarq on 16/12/2021 - 16:41
      +4

      I wonder if rooting/jailbreaking cars will become more common in the future… lol

      • Richardc on 16/12/2021 - 20:47

        And void the warranty.

        • Binchicken22 on 18/12/2021 - 08:23

          Nope, they can't void the warranty due to an unrelated modification.

          People shit themselves thinking that putting a lift in their ute will mean their warranty is void, it doesn't, it will only effect warranty on the suspension components, not your drivetrain, electronics etc.

    • Richardc on 16/12/2021 - 20:47
      -3

      It's like you bought a phone and need to pay for apps.

  • fantombloo on 15/12/2021 - 09:36
    +16

    The subscription model is taking over everywhere. If people keep paying it will keep happening. Sure there may be some good cases for such a service but now it is mostly just a money grab. I hope people show some restraint so Toyota lose out on this and look like idiots so as to send a message to other car manufacturers.

    • orangetrain on 15/12/2021 - 12:36
      +1

      "We want knobs!" Car sales continue despite every car manufacturer using touchscreens and despite safety concerns.

      I wish there was a reliable safe sub-less car so I'm not killed like Chekhov. RIP.

      • abb on 16/12/2021 - 15:39

        Most* new cars have buttons on the steering wheel for audio control at least.

        * I haven't actually done a survey but I feel like it's almost universal…

        • DmytroP on 17/12/2021 - 15:55

          Some have switched to touch buttons (like in touchscreen) instead of the tactile ones, unfortunately.

  • KaTst3R on 15/12/2021 - 09:51

    Live service in vehicles? Very soon we gotta pay extra per annum to have power steering or air con.

    This sort of trickery makes people pissed off. They could have included 5 years worth of fees in the car and put up the price with the excuse of higher logistic costs. Then people will think it is value added service. Now I have a Netflix style car which i pay add $8/month on top of finance. Would you like a Toyota Premium sub? We can enable 4K resolution on your car navigation system. Want Spotify in car? That would be an extra $5/month thank you.

  • Bid Sniper on 15/12/2021 - 10:08
    +5

    **** off with this subscription crap

  • kusama on 15/12/2021 - 10:13
    +31

    Can I use VPN and pay in Turkey?

    • [Deactivated] on 15/12/2021 - 12:12

      If you pay for the $20/month VPN sub.

      • dust on 16/12/2021 - 11:55

        Not bad if there is a 90% cashback (that tracks successfully) on the VPN.

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 15/12/2021 - 10:13
    +1

    Hah my 2021 hilux not even supported either way. Ah well.

    • fantombloo on 15/12/2021 - 14:23
      +3

      The hardware itself is also "protected IP" covered by copyrights, patents and other manners of protections. There is no need to be a douchebag if you own the IP - you can give others perpetual license to use it as intended yet maintain ownership, like pretty much most consumer electronic devices before ancapistan.

      • rektrading on 15/12/2021 - 14:46
        -3

        Subs adoption are the future. It has been for some time now.

        People that don't like the direction of where this is going have the choice to buy a different brand.

        • fantombloo on 15/12/2021 - 14:53

          You seem to have some hard views that "the world" can only tend in a certain direction.

          People that don't like the direction of where this is going have the choice to send signals to those that sell subscriptions are setting the course. Sometimes those signals are nonviolent, sometimes otherwise. I hope for the former, but that depends on both the people and those setting the course.

  • MS Paint on 15/12/2021 - 10:14
    +3

    I was under the impression this was a USA Toyota thing.

    Maybe not.

    • Employeespackbace @ Toyota Australia on 15/12/2021 - 12:48
      +1

      It is

  • GordonR on 15/12/2021 - 10:28
    +2

    My prediction… cars will go freemium - for each added feature, you can pay by watching adverts every time you turn on, or pay a sub to make the ads go away.

    • [Deactivated] on 16/12/2021 - 23:04

      Why would they do that when they get hundreds of thousands of Tesla morons to buy the car AND the added features. Sell the car? Feature removed.

      Down vote away Tesla / Musk fanbois, enjoy your DRM and DLC.

  • Archi on 15/12/2021 - 10:36

    i have a feeling it will be given to you for the first year or 2, then require a subscription fee for ongoing use.

    • [Deactivated] on 19/12/2021 - 14:25

      Lexus is doing that on the UX300e. Encore Platinum gives free charging for the membership period.

      Something can be subscribed, and very likely something that wont require additional hardware to be installed. Cant imagine manufacturer would spend money in the hope that people will use it.

      So far, subscriptions of various form are software based with no additional hardware required.

    • C Scott on 20/12/2021 - 14:46

      Doesn't Mazda do the first 3 Years Satnav free then have to pay for updated maps? (but you can still use old ones i think)

  • steven6 on 15/12/2021 - 10:38

    Does anyone have a hack to get this to work for free on a 1996 corolla?

    • abb on 15/12/2021 - 10:51
      +13

      leave key in ignition, tie a long string to it

      • Viper8 on 17/12/2021 - 12:06

        Would be funny if cars with remote start had key ignition rather than push button start.

    • ausdday on 15/12/2021 - 16:43
      +1

      have a kid / or kids if you want that feature daily

    • Commander Shepard on 18/12/2021 - 10:12

      I think the 1996 Toyota Supra had remote start.

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