[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

  • tonyjzx on 15/12/2021 - 10:45

    bmw was charging a subscription to get carplay android auto going

    but i feel like they do these things until they get enough bad press then backpedal

  • websterp on 15/12/2021 - 11:03
    +7

    I highly doubt either the Ars article or this feature applies to Toyota vehicles sold in Australia regardless of the MY. I can 100% guarantee Toyota Australia didn't leave a deactivated 4G modem in cars made as far back as 2018 or 19. In fact Toyota Australia used to be a pioneer in deleting even the features considered standard in OS markets in cars sold in Australia to make more $$.

    • tonyjzx on 15/12/2021 - 11:18
      +2

      it doesnt… because remote start isnt really a thing here

  • csimpson on 15/12/2021 - 11:23

    Remote start is one of my favourite features of my car (Holden Acadia). I use it every time I drive. I'd never pay a subscription fee for it, especially $8 a month - what a rort.

  • AdosHouse on 15/12/2021 - 11:57
    -1

    Nothing like remote starting your car to warm up on a cold winter day, and gassing yourself by accident.

    I have done it on really hot days to get the car A/C cool for when I get in it, but I go to the garage and get the garage door open half a metre so there is fresh air and the exhaust is pointed out.

  • [Deactivated] on 15/12/2021 - 12:13
    +1

    I will bite if they impose monthly sub fee to open the fuel cap.

  • Caped Baldy on 15/12/2021 - 12:19

    I thought it was just the wireless engine start. That other stuff sounds like a good way to get your car stolen.

  • JayM on 15/12/2021 - 14:44
    +2

    These car DLC comments are making me laugh

  • ChrisLevo on 15/12/2021 - 16:51

    Remote start on my Kia Seltos to turn on the AC here in Adelaide when the temperature is in the mid-40's

    • ChrisLevo on 18/12/2021 - 10:33

      The person who negged me has obviously never trudged back to their car in the shopping centre car park when the temperature is 45C and been able to get into a car that they started remotely a couple of minutes before and had the AC going flat out to cool the interior.

      They should try it……

  • Euphemistic on 15/12/2021 - 18:02
    +2

    So many subscriptions. Too many subscriptions.

    It would seem that these small transaction subscriptions are all the rage. ‘It’s only $8/month’ but when you are already paying $5-15/month for all those other things they hope you’ll forget You have them and they’ll collect $ for nothing.

    It sucks. I want to pay up front so I know how much it costs. I don’t want to budget $8/month for evermore.

    Stupid thing is they’ll have to supply all the hardware for those special optional extras wether you want them or not.

    • core101 on 18/12/2021 - 09:12
      +1

      "You Will Own Nothing and Be Happy" - Klaus Schwab

      • Euphemistic on 18/12/2021 - 11:21

        “You will rent everything and throw it away when a new model is available” - modern capitalists.

  • justaperson on 15/12/2021 - 21:02
    +3

    People screaming "Toyota AUS doesn't do that here" "Won't affect us here because remote start isn't a feature here" "This is for USA only!". You're completely missing the point. This only highlights what is soon to be a more global issue. No, we probably won't ever see factory remote start on an Aussie market car because of ADRs, what we will see gradually are telematic systems rolled into cars over the next decade and they'll go to a subscription based model for various features. 4G/5G become phased out. Tough. You lose your features. You won't really own the product you paid for and terms of service/pricing could change at any time.

    • Employeespackbace @ Toyota Australia on 15/12/2021 - 21:08
      +2

      No, we probably won't ever see factory remote start on an Aussie market car because of ADRs

      Unless adrs have changed overnight, you're aware that cars have had remote start for a while yeah?

      • gibspmuh on 16/12/2021 - 07:13
        +8

        Even my old Holden Cruze surprisingly has remote start (even more surprising is that it starts at all :D )

    • Bid Sniper on 16/12/2021 - 11:58
      +2

      VF commodores have remote start, friends SV6 storm has remote start.

    • legolad on 16/12/2021 - 17:35
      +1

      ADR: Australian Design Rules.

    • OzzyOzbourne on 17/12/2021 - 17:52

      Ford has remote start from the app.

    • vinnychase on 16/12/2021 - 11:27
      -1

      what's Muskazons

      • smartazz104 on 17/12/2021 - 00:14

        Just more dribble from Slav.

    • Archi on 17/12/2021 - 09:08

      calm your titties mate, by that time we would likely be all dead.,

  • Spending2Much on 16/12/2021 - 07:29

    My new Ranger has remote start, through the FordPass app. Air conditioning set to 'last setting'. Tyre pressure, odometer, vehicle location, distance to empty, info all via the app.
    Is this not on all new cars?

  • buderim11 on 16/12/2021 - 07:53

    I had a 2010 Prius that had remote aircon , you could turn it on with the keyfob to cool the car down before you got in it.

  • Grunntt on 16/12/2021 - 10:19
    +2

    I see this as similar to how they 'give' free GPS with the car but you then have to pay an exorbitant fee to update the maps. Basically it becomes a useless device within a few years.
    Many people just refused to buy into it and went with addon GPS units - now AndroidAuto/CarPlay have removed the need for those too.

    Interested to see how this system is worked around.

    • ProlapsedHeinous on 16/12/2021 - 14:48

      There are heaps of third party modules you can buy and have installed for a couple hundred for the same features or better. That is the workaround unless someone is able to hack/reverse engineer the toyota hardware and liberate it for us mere mortals.

  • Windows98 on 16/12/2021 - 13:34
    -1

    For the car to connect to your app in your phone, it needs a SIM card with a 4g connection, which costs money to have active.

    It also costs money to develop and constantly update phone apps for the thousands of different phones out there that change yearly.

    Hyundai charged for their autolink premium when it was a thing, I don't see why this is any different.

    They could include the ongoing cost into the retail price or let users decide if it's something they want.
    I know people with Mercs who have remote start over 4g but don't use it because they're not into tech stuff, they just drive the car to places.

    • ProlapsedHeinous on 16/12/2021 - 14:45
      +2

      The difference is, there is no internet connection for this feature. it's direct rf from remote to car. Its a shameless money grab.

      • Windows98 on 18/12/2021 - 14:45

        The cars they are doing this for don't have a remote start button on the fob. The article and title is clickbait and it's worked.

        They will only offer remote start through the app. And that will be a subscription offer.

        They are not charging people to use their key fob remote button..

    • AdosHouse on 17/12/2021 - 20:36

      My CPAP machine uploads the sleep data to the app via mobile network, and it is completely free for life. I'm sure Toyota can provide it free.

  • aimpacc on 16/12/2021 - 13:34
    +7

    Create a problem, sell the solution

  • mrhugo on 16/12/2021 - 13:48

    It's it true that BMW have a subscription for the seat heater?

    BTW, this isn't a joke, I'm serious.

    • greatlamp on 16/12/2021 - 14:42

      AFIK, instead of paying extra to have a heated seat, BMW determined it was cheaper to install heating in all seats. To turn on the feature you have to pay extra, same as before.

      BMW is well known for having next to nothing as a standard feature, and playing a nickle-and-dime game at the dealership to sell feature packages.

      My first car was a 96 BMW, the first owner didn't pay for cruise control, however it had alloy wheels and a sunroof as they were bonus features thrown in by the dealer

      • mrhugo on 16/12/2021 - 15:07

        I wonder if these optional extras can be enabled by some guy with a laptop and a cable (wink/wink)

    • smartazz104 on 17/12/2021 - 00:14
      +1

      For their indicators.

    • maverickjohn on 17/12/2021 - 06:11

      My 2020 series 2 does not have this, not sure where this came from.

      • greatlamp on 19/12/2021 - 10:27

        It isn't a thing in Australia probably. There is no need for heated seats here, I've used mine on less than 5 occasions in the 2 years I've owned my current car.

  • Fobsessive on 16/12/2021 - 15:22

    It's better to sit in the car when starting, for the cold-start exhaust sound

  • funnysht on 16/12/2021 - 15:42

    im sure you can bypass it or hack it so it starts?

  • OzHunterNSW on 16/12/2021 - 16:42
    +1

    This is what I hate about the US… everything is "subscription" and vassal Australia simply follows without a word of protest.

    • maverickjohn on 17/12/2021 - 06:13

      Originally i wasn't bothered by netflix, but now I can't agree more.
      Subscription based service is out of hand now, and australia support this model by allowing all these avenues in here

  • tik tok on 16/12/2021 - 17:20
    +1

    Ford Sync FTW

  • j5ive on 16/12/2021 - 17:31

    How's about safety equipment that wont activate if you don't have a current subscription?

    https://www.vice.com/en/article/93yyyd/this-motorcycle-airba…

  • burningrage on 16/12/2021 - 18:07

    This is gotta be the most hillarious thread in 2021.

    Btw I dont drive Toyota so they can screw themselves.

  • PopCounty on 16/12/2021 - 18:36

    Ok. So I would negotiate a deal with dealer for new car. Say for X amount. Then would call out this $960 for 10 years Sub charges and would reduce from agreed X amount.

    Would be ready to walk out if the need be. I may get the car or may not. But sure Toyota would get to know the Subs crap.

  • jaimex2 on 16/12/2021 - 18:51

    Cant decide which is dumber. This or BMW trying to charge a subscription fee for AndroidAuto/CarPlay

  • berger on 16/12/2021 - 20:39

    I use remote/app start all the time. Particular in summer, let car run for 10 min to cool down before jumping in. Seats and AC on cold

    Once you have these features, hard to go back. Which is a shame because it doesn’t come cheap.

    • hopper on 17/12/2021 - 14:22

      which car?

      • berger on 23/12/2021 - 21:05

        Range Rover Velar.

  • Leeroy Jenkins on 16/12/2021 - 20:48

    Chance for hacking! Noice!

  • vengeance88 on 16/12/2021 - 21:53

    This reminds of the tesla that was accidentally activated a few years back

    "Tesla Model X door opens automatically, gets torn off by passing truck - Drive" https://www.drive.com.au/news/tesla-model-x-door-opens-autom…

    • BartholemewH on 16/12/2021 - 22:18

      What a useful feature. Perhaps three clicks of the fob could allow the car to drive into oncoming traffic?

      I would believe the owner that this happened though. At times I would come out in the morning and the electric hatch on my Skoda Superb had been up most/all night. It occurred often enough that I set the height of its extension artificially low in case it happened where there were obstructions above.

      • vengeance88 on 18/12/2021 - 08:38

        I've probably watched too much Terminator, but I feel a bit uneasy about cars being able to be started by an App and doors/aircon being activated remotely

  • beefmaster on 17/12/2021 - 08:24

    Toyota must have taken note from BMW after joint development on the Supra. Is sad how everything is moving to a subscription model.

    I think company don't realise it will eventually come to a point they will compete with other industry subscription. I already pay for mobilephone, internet, Disney+, Amazon, YouTube premium and Google storage. Give your autostart for free or I am happy to do without.

  • hopper on 17/12/2021 - 14:20

    i will pay for the subscription if there is LTE connection in the car, so i can remote start, stream cameras and recordings, control AC and media. So i can start a car via app from my phone or watch. but just for a Fob….toyato must be dreaming

  • Seaword on 17/12/2021 - 17:41

    Toyota is heading down the Kodak road. They should have smashed it in the electric car race and now this….

  • OzzyOzbourne on 17/12/2021 - 17:52

    Next will be a subscription to drive the car

    • burningrage on 17/12/2021 - 19:58

      It's called leasing.

  • beefmaster on 18/12/2021 - 10:57

    I think subscription model will be adopted by many established car manufacturers to maximise the company revenue.

    I think this may turn off some people and speed up the adoption of Chinese car brand. Assuming China car release the feature for free

  • rektrading on 20/12/2021 - 18:47

    I can see a future where all manufacturers use subs as factory default and the key is limited to the owner + 1 using a microchip embedded in the hand.

    It will take time for mass adoption but adoption will be inevitable.

  • Eeples on 23/12/2021 - 14:57

    My Toyota van 1997 (Japanese import) came with a 3rd party remote starter.

    Can not get it too work. Even with the manual. Stopped trying.

  • tonyjzx on 24/12/2021 - 17:24

    https://www.thedrive.com/news/43636/toyota-reviewing-key-fob…

    i'm of the opinion these companies like to 'try it on'

    lets do something massively unpopular and then backtrack and they look like the good guy for 'listening to their audience'

    how do you look good for solving a problem you yourself caused? hey modern marketing

    F the hell out of toyota for this

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