FOB Remote Start Confusion Clarified

Hey Gen 3 gang,

I know this has been discussed on numerous threads, but the information is all over the place, some of which I have contributed to. So here's a clarification.

The FOB remote start has always worked for me even though I never activated any of the Connected Services, even for the free trial. When I tried to remote start yesterday, it was no longer working.

What I learned was, on the latest software update last fall, Toyota chose to deactivate your FOB remote start, if you do not consent to allow them to collect data on you. I did not consent, hence my FOB remote start no longer worked.

In order to make the FOB remote start work, I had to activate Safety Connect and Service Connect. They are both free for 10 years. You also have to agree to Toyota's Master Data Consent in the Data Privacy Portal within Account Settings.

You DO NOT have to pay for Remote Connect, or any of the subscription services. You also do not have to consent to several other data collection requests, just the Master Data Consent.

I'm not happy about consenting to an invasion of my privacy, but at least my FOB remote start works.

Hope this helps others.

 

You are correct! I originally had the connected service trial and let it expire. I chose to decline the Master Data Consent when prompted after a software update. I lost the ability to use my key fob to remote start the vehicle. Once the weather in Ohio dropped to single digits in January, I consented to the master data and signed up for the connected services. After paying for one month of the service through the app, I could not seem to get the app to connect to my vehicle to remote lock/unlock and start the vehicle. In order for the app to work, I had to result to using the SOS feature in the truck. Once SOS was pushed, I declined needing emergency response services and selected the option for connected services. Luckily, the person I was connected to was able to push something through their end to activate the remote start feature and it also allowed me to use the app to start the vehicle. I did not renew my subscription for the phone app last month, but the key fob will activate remote start by pushing the lock button three times (holding lock for 5 seconds on the third press). In order to use the key fob remote start feature, you have to let Toyota track you.

 

It's sad but true.

The most disturbing thing to me is Toyota can arbitrarily disable a feature that we paid for, and hold it hostage until we consent to be tracked. No advanced warning, no explanation, no communication whatsoever. Even the dealerships I called didn't know anything about it. Fortunately, I found a guy on Youtube who figured it out.

So, what surprises can we expect on the next software update?

 

This is EXACTLY correct. I have posted many times about this same thing. It's the master data consent that causes the FOB remote start to work. At this point, I have chosen NOT to allow them to collect the data, however I strongly believe they are still collecting it anyway. So in the end, maybe I should just allow them to collect the data. I have also thought about a 3rd party solution.

 

your phone is collecting way more data than Toyota ever would, not saying is good or correct, but its not worth not having shit work over.

 

The point is, Toyota sold us a product that included FOB remote start without any data consents or paid subscriptions. Then, without any advanced warning, they disabled that feature until we accepted their Master Data Consent.

So, what prevents them from disabling it again and forcing us to pay a monthly fee for it? For that matter, what prevents them disabling other features, like the infotainment system, in order to milk more subscription fees out us?

I just think it's a dangerous slippery slope, and I'm surprised how apathetic many people seem to be about it.

 

Toyota offers the remote start but it does point out that to have this feature you need to agree to consent. So to be fair they don’t just provide it. It states this in the brochure. Was remote start listed on your sticker?
Computer cookies track you, using maps can record your history, phone apps track you, and it won’t get any better.
Remote start and the fact that you have to push a button when you get in the truck after the remote start are certainly first world problems.

 

Toyota didn't sell you a product that said you can remote start with the fob, it was an unexpected benefit.

not saying it shouldn't have been included and still work, etc, just clearing up the facts

 

I guess one way to view it is this is like Onstar. Requires cell data to operate. Onstar vehicles allow someone to remotely control features to help you.

toyota gives you 10 years free so maybe in the half full view this is actually a feature to separate your purchase from other brands?

This isn’t like the old remote starts that were physical relays shorting ignitions. I’m guessing here but when you hit your fob sequence it tells the computer to request the encrypted signal to remote start. Check #33 and #67 on brochure.

 

Well, if we want to nit-pick, Toyota didn't sell me anything, their dealership did. And I specifically asked my salesman about remote start, and he assured me it was included. He even demonstrated it on another truck.

As I've said countless times, I did the initial setup on my truck. I NEVER activated any of the subscriptions, even for the free trial. I also did NOT accept any of the data consents in app, just out of principle. Yet, my remote start worked for almost 15 months without any of that crap. Then, Toyota decided to change the rules, and make me consent to data tracking in order to have FOB remote start.

It blows me away that people just shrug their shoulders and accept this type of manipulation. I know, I know.."But computers and phones...blah blah blah"

Now, I'm over it. I used to laugh at old codgers who warned of a world where "The Man" was always watching over you. Turns out those old boys weren't so crazy after all. Or maybe I've just turned into one of those crazy old bastards.

Thanks for the discussion, gents.

 

Might be time for a CouplaBeers and a lilBump

 

your salesman was absolutely correct, it does have remote start, I think your getting confused that the fob was to be offically apart of that, it never was.

I understand being upset over the fob working and then not working, I get, I think thats BS too.

I was simply pointing out that the fob was never supposed to be included, it's not listed anywhere in specs, manuals, features, etc. it was just a "hidden" benefit that worked.

toyota didn't handle this very well IMO

 

Thanks Borla,

To be honest, I never dived into the manuals until I drove my truck home. I did scan this forum, beforehand, but missed any discussions about FOB remote start being a "hidden" feature.

The first thing that pissed me off was finding out I had to pay for a subscription just to have Toyota's native navigation. My salesman conveniently forgot to mention that. Then I figured out I could use Google Maps thru CarPlay, which I prefer anyway, so that made me feel better.

Sorry, if I've been grumpy lately. I have a serious case of cabin fever, and can't wait for the spring fishing season to be here. I miss my little skiff that I store in Florida, the beach, flip flops, and the thrill of a 125# tarpon on my line. 45 more days, and we'll be down there for an entire month. Woohoo!

 

I hear you @Matt2015Tundra , I've always wondered why Toyota and Lexus have never actually had a "remote start" button on their remotes. Think they were planning on s*** like this for a long time. I actually don't use remote start very often at all.

I agree with you on the cabin fever, I absolutely despise cold and snow, & it's been bad this year. We are supposed to have sun & 70's next week.

 

Ugh! It's snowing.....again...here in Colorado. Ever since I stopped skiing a few years ago, the CO winters are brutal on me. I hate to say it, but I'm becoming a snowbird.

I'm just praying my truck gets us down to Florida and back without the engine imploding. That would be a great way to ruin the vacation that's become the highlight of my year.

Totally first world problems, but I've earned my right to bitch about them.

 

One additional observation I have made since declining the Master Data Collection garbage in addition to losing the FOB (hidden hack) remote start, is that my truck will NOT change time zones any longer. I have driven almost weekly between EDT and CDT for two years, and up until I declined the agreement, when I cross into the central time zone my phone switched first and then the truck would switch within a few minutes. Now my phone switches just fine, however the truck will NOT change any longer. This is also a bummer. They seem to lock down some very practical things, in the truck you paid good money for, just because you won't let them collect data on you.

 

Interesting. I haven't been out of my time zone since the last update, so I wasn't aware that auto time zone changes went away.

Can you still select the time zone in the settings?

 

(Redacted)
*Not right. I was thinking of DST*

 

Yes, but it’s a pain. I drive every week between CDT/EDT and you have to change it each time through the Toyota App, General Settings, etc…

 

I bit the bullet today and had a local shop install a compustar remote start on my '23 hybrid Max Platinum. Now I can start it with unlimited range and it won't turn off the truck when I open the doors. I would have paid $5 a month for the remote start from toyota, but $16/mo on a truck that was already $70,000 is too insulting.

 

Isn’t there a fee for that for unlimited range?

 

Yes, for unlimited it is $2.99/mo; they also have them that have nearly a mile range for $0/mo. I went with the 3,000 foot range with a subscription add-on for the $3/mo

 

An update after some usage, especially trying out the working distance of the remote would be appreciated!

TIA

 

Thank you! I’ve been trying to get my tundra to remote start for a year and a half with no luck. Signed my life away to Toyota with their data consent forms and low and behold my truck starts with the key fob!

 

Glad to help.

FYI, you only have to agree to the Master Data Consent, not any of the other data collection consents.

 

Thanks. I accepted master data, service connect and safety connect consents.

 

That sounds like a reason for a class action lawsuit.