No Digital Key…Can I Add Remote Start?

Discussion in 'Gen 5 Prius Technical Discussion' started by daisy555, Jul 15, 2023.

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  1. daisy555

    daisy555 Senior Member

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    I opted out of digital key because I didn’t want subscriptions. Now I see that some trial periods are 10 yrs. Oh well..

    Searching here and online for options. Gen 4 could be started by pressing smart key 3 times? Can dealership add a remote start option? My Prius is already built and on its way. Thanks
     
    #1 daisy555, Jul 15, 2023
  2. flim

    flim Active Member

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    The digital key has only a 1 yr free trial period.
     
    #2 flim, Jul 16, 2023
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  3. daisy555

    daisy555 Senior Member

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    I guess it’s only $80 per year. Oh well.
     
    #3 daisy555, Jul 16, 2023
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    question for the dealer i suppose, but i see no reason why not. as long as it's not a prime
     
    #4 bisco, Jul 16, 2023
  5. daisy555

    daisy555 Senior Member

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    Right. I just called a dealership and they said the 2023 and even 2022 Prius as well as other models with the smart key fob now have remote start. Press fob 3 times and car starts remotely? The online research I’ve done states that as of 2022 Toyota removed this feature and replaced it with remote control subscription. I will call local dealership tomorrow to get clarification.
     
    #5 daisy555, Jul 16, 2023
    Last edited: Jul 16, 2023
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    yeah, subscription wouldn't surprise me at all, with the direction toyota is heading.

    aftermarket might work, but you probably need another fob to activate it
     
    #6 bisco, Jul 16, 2023
  7. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

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    My question was does remote start turn on the engine? And toyota parts says it does.
    Here is a page on toyota support that gives more hints about how to and a link to more info
    https://support.toyota.com/s/article/How-do-I-start-the-ve-7424?language=en_US
    Questions like does the car need to be plugged in to use remote start. I'd assume no.
    I'm going to see if our 2017 is equipped with "Remote Connect".
    It's not always easy to know for sure which models are equipped with which features.
     
    #7 vvillovv, Jul 17, 2023
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  8. daisy555

    daisy555 Senior Member

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    Salesman emailed stating their dealership does not offer the option of adding a remote starter. If I choose to install an aftermarket remote starter and it causes a problem with the Prius, Toyota has the right to not warranty whatever the problem is.

    I had already told them if I get the cat shield that’s offered on Toyota’s website, I need something in writing stating it won’t affect warranty. Haven’t heard back about that yet.

    The subscription service info talks about being able to view the pressure on each tire etc. Of course this is not part of the remote connect subscription. I’m not paying $32 a month to get access to things other manufacturers supply for free. Plus the reviews on the app say connection to these services are slow and intermittent. Depends on where you are located at time of use.

    I just spoke with Toyota subscription services …oh boy that was fun. Apparently there are two generations of connected services. Some vehicles are now coming with services bundled so you can’t just pick remote connect. Hopefully my car isn’t one of them.
     
    #8 daisy555, Jul 17, 2023
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  9. daisy555

    daisy555 Senior Member

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    From what I’ve read and been told by Toyota certain previous year vehicles had the ability to remote start by pressing the smart key 3 times. When they developed “remote connect” they switched to needing a trial or paid subscription to use any remote connect features. Only vehicles that come with a DCM (data communication module) are able to use these subscriptions.

    Update: Apparently these subscription services are now only offered as a bundle. I won’t be able to remote start my Prius after the trial subscription unless I pay $15 per month. The remote start option also depends on the model. Apparently Prius LE remote connect doesn’t come with remote start function?
     
    #9 daisy555, Jul 17, 2023
    Last edited: Jul 17, 2023
  10. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

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    #10 vvillovv, Jul 17, 2023
  11. daisy555

    daisy555 Senior Member

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    #11 daisy555, Jul 17, 2023
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  12. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

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    I selected 4 different Prime year and trim levels on that page from 2017 Plus, 2018 Premium, 2022 Limited and 2023 SE /
    The results for all 4 were -
    Remote Engine Starter
    MSRP $399.00 1

    " data-fitment-warning="May not fit your selected vehicle."
    May not fit your selected vehicle.

    So I'm now back to my original question, does the 2023 remote start feature actually start the engine or just put the Prime into default Ready mode.
     
    #12 vvillovv, Jul 18, 2023
  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    #13 Mendel Leisk, Jul 18, 2023
  14. daisy555

    daisy555 Senior Member

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    Not yet. It could be here any day. I’m now dealing with an additional complication. The family members paying for this car live in Virginia and might need to document the purchase as a gift. I think I’m missing something. Dealership is looking into the details. This also might mean I can’t trade my car in because I’ll need it until I receive the title transfer.

    Update: Don’t think I’ll be jumping though hoops after all.
     
    #14 daisy555, Jul 18, 2023
    Last edited: Jul 18, 2023
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  15. flim

    flim Active Member

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    It puts the Prime in Ready Mode. It was in the mid 90s today and I was glad to have remote start to cool the car with the AC!

    Even after you open the door, it didn’t shut down the power unlike the 2012 Plug-in when you activate remote AC, it will stay on until you open the door.
     
    #15 flim, Jul 18, 2023
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  16. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

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    it appears possible that different trims behave differently too. Our 2017 Prime Plus doesn't have remote connect so no remote start for us. And with preconditioning both A/C and / or Heat Pump only stay on for ten minutes at a time after activation or until a door is opened. Preconditioning can work several times in a row when conditions permit (I switched it on 3 times in a row), but also will not turn on if those conditions (whatever they are) are not met. The battery cooler in our Prime Plus also only stays on for ten minutes and I haven't watched a complete charge cycle whten the battery cooler is used, but I'm assuming it only runs once at the beginning of the charge cycle in our Prime. The other day I looked at DrPrius when the battery cooler ran and after ten minutes the battery temps dropped by 3 F from 97 F to 94 F, same 3 F on the other 2 pack temp sensors Dr Prius monitors. I'd also assume that if the traction pack temps where higher while charging, that the battery cooler might also run more than once per charge session. But I've never witnessed it come on more than once.

    Oh yeah, ambient outside temp was 71 F according to the dash gauge very near sunset and I had A/C temp set at 73 F and still felt cold compared to the cabin temp.

    Edit 2: I actually wasn't able to use the battery cooler above, What I actually did was plug the Prime in and sit in the car while it was charging and used the ON mode to run the A/C... I switched to ON mode 3 time for 2 minutes (default in out Prime) each about 7 minutes total and reduced the pack temps by 3 F according to the temp readings in DrPrius.
     
    #16 vvillovv, Jul 18, 2023
    Last edited: Jul 19, 2023
  17. daisy555

    daisy555 Senior Member

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    Are you looking on a different website? I set the page with my 2023 Prius and this remote starter shows up but did you read the fine print below? IMG_6267.jpeg
     
    #17 daisy555, Jul 18, 2023
    Last edited: Jul 18, 2023
  18. Hammersmith

    Hammersmith Senior Member

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    You can stop worrying. The 2023 Prius has standard remote start(using the keyfob). Toyota standard press-press-hold of the lock button(I just tested it). What you won't be able to do is use your smart phone to start the car from absolutely anywhere. That's what opting for no Digital Key did. You have remote start, but you're limited to using your keyfob and whatever it's normal range is.
     
    #18 Hammersmith, Jul 18, 2023
  19. flim

    flim Active Member

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    I used my iPhone to remotely start the car.
     
    #19 flim, Jul 18, 2023
  20. daisy555

    daisy555 Senior Member

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    Toyota corporate insists I will only be able to use the smart key fob to remote start the car if I have the paid remote connect subscription. Once the trial ends supposedly both the app remote connect and the pressing of the smart key fob three times to remote start the car will no longer work. I hope they are wrong! I guess I can enjoy it for a year and then find out. Thanks!

    Update: I found a couple of articles online that confirm what Toyota is saying. Basically they now have control over the remote connect features of the smart key fob. What next? Oh well. Just disappointed. I’ll get over it.
     
    #20 daisy555, Jul 18, 2023
    Last edited: Jul 18, 2023
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