Quote:
Originally Posted by Something_Awesome
That means you did not actually have remote start. You had Remote Connect. One is hardware, the other is not. I believe with remote connect, you could in theory start the car from the top of a skyscraper, like I had mentioned in my post. Someone should correct me if I'm wrong. But if this is the case, then it does cost Toyota money to provide this service. If you do not want to subscribe, then you should pay the few hundred dollars (or whatever it costs) and just get Remote Start installed.
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You are incorrect to a large extent, unless you just enjoy trolling folks or didn't take time to do a 5 second Google search before posting.
Toyota '''Reviewing''' Key Fob Remote Start Subscription Plan After Massive Blowback
The 4Runner and other Toyota models suffering from this "subscription feature" are equipped with hardware based remote start via the key fob. Press lock 2 times within X seconds and then hold to start. Yes, they can also be started via phone app, but the vehicles implement traditional hardware based remote start functionality.
It looks like Toyota took the minimal effort development path to "encourage" subscription revenue by modifying the existing remote start hardware to ask the DCM if the vehicle has a active subscription before starting the vehicle.
So, you're technically correct in that the vehicle literature probably documented this somewhere as a subscription feature...but, these owners bought the remote start hardware when they bought the vehicle. It doesn't require a digital subscription to function any more than the power windows, heated seats, or engine starter itself.
At least, that's my take on the outrage.
Toyota's implementation of remote start is rather stupid, IMO, anyway. Yes, you can remote start the vehicle to cool/heat for 5 minutes...but, the second you touch the door handle to enter the vehicle, it shuts down the engine until you manually restart (brake pedal/start button). It's a first world problem for sure, but just seems the opposite of user friendly.