Want to remote start your car? Pay up sucka!

[VINMAN]

https://www.engadget.com/toyota-key-fob-remote-start-function-requires-subscription-111606852.html


To the consternation of some owners, Toyota's remote start key fob functionality requires a paid $8 per month subscription service, The Drive has discovered. The issue only applies to 2018 and later models, but recently came to light as the free trials of Toyota's Remote Connect subscription started to expire.

Toyota lets you start vehicles like the RAV 4 PHEV remotely in two ways. One is over WiFi/LTE using its Remote Connect apps that cost $8 per month or $80 per year. The other is by using the key fob, which requires that you be relatively close to the vehicle.

Unless they read the fine print, however, owners may not have known that the key fob method was also part of the Remote Connect subscription. Toyota confirmed to The Drive that you'll need a paid subscription on every 2018 and newer Toyota model to use the function.

Complicating the situation is that most buyers received a free three-year or 10-year Remote Connect trial depending on whether they had the Audio Plus or Premium Audio trim options. So for at least the first three years of ownership, the remote key fob start method would have worked without a hitch — but it's now expiring for 2018 models.

The issue was originally spotted by car shopping site CoPilot last summer. Owners are particularly irked that Toyota has linked the key fob remote start function to Remote Connect, since the key fob doesn't require an app in any way. What might be extra galling is that the limitation doesn't apply to pre-2018 cars, because Toyota didn't want to update them from 3G to LTE networks.

Toyota isn't the first automaker to charge for key features on top of the price of the car. Mercedes also requires a subscription in Europe for rear-wheel steering in its new EQS electric car. And after charging buyers a monthly fee for Apple CarPlay, BMW backtracked and included the feature for free

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[stevej37]

Before long...it will be PPD..pay per drive.
That will eliminate the EV's from getting a free ride from gas taxes.

[hcoles]

Remember folks. Toyota and the other car companies have buildings full of people working on thinking of these things. What's next - pay to use the heater?

[stevej37]

$6/month for the ac/heat to work.
Who wouldn't pay it?

[sc_rufctr]

I wonder if Toyota has seen better days.

Genuine question: Would something like this happen with Tesla?

I can't see Elon going for something like this. He comes across as being upfront about his cars.

[MysticLlama]

Tesla's cost $10/mo for premium connectivity, but with that you get remote start, climate, etc. (though you can also do that if it's at home or work on WiFi).

It also gets you updated maps, live traffic, Internet access, and streaming music.

It's more about paying the LTE cost really than a feature thing.

The did make heated seats an over the air paid upgrade in models that didn't pay for the higher level interior trim to activate them which does seem a little silly since the hardware is there, but it does give them an excuse to lower the msrp at purchase but still add it on later I suppose.

[sc_rufctr]

I don't have a problem with Tesla's fee as long as they're upfront about it.

[stevej37]

The price of features will be less for new owners. Those who already own an EV will get the shaft.
Kinda like cable tv.

[masraum]

$8/mo for remote start? They can stick it where the sun don't shine.
We can remote start my wife's car, but I've never tried it (it's not just a button, but a combination of buttons). I do like being able to leave the keys in my pocket. But I'm also just as happy to put the key in the ignition switch of the boxster and turn it.

Remote start would be nice, but is far from necessary. And I definitely don't feel the need to pay extra for it.

[A930Rocket]

I use remote start for my 2014 F150, but the key fob has be within range. It’s good on cold mornings to let it warm up, before I head out. Ford did have a subscription service, where you could start your car with your phone from anywhere, but they discontinued that.

That said, I’d be pissed to find out three years later my remote start didn’t work.

[john70t]

Toyota is part of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alliance_of_Automobile_Manufacturers

It started back in 2003 with limiting repair rights, remote connection 'features' starting with GM and Toyota, and this is just the next phase of removing full ownership after purchase of a vehicle.
https://www.aftermarketnews.com/newly-formed-coalition-opposes-right-to-repair-legislation/
If passed, the Motor Vehicle Owner’s Right to Repair Act would require automobile manufacturers to make available to car owners and repairers the information necessary to diagnose, service or repair vehicles, including all such information made available to franchised dealers. However, the coalition said it would also permit “sweeping private right of action lawsuits at a time when Congress is trying to rein in frivolous lawsuits. In addition, it would force the release of proprietary information irrelevant to vehicle repair.”

[Nickshu]

We will see more and more of this. The 2022 Ford SuperDutys (and maybe the F-150's too) require a subscription for the navigation system to work. You get 3 months free w/ purchase of the vehicle then it is up to you to pay to continue it.

[Steve Carlton]

It’s greedy and smart. Manufacturers can charge future owners as well.

https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-charging-monthly-fee-for-extra-features-bmw-mercedes-cadillac-2021-7?amp

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Nickshu

We will see more and more of this. The 2022 Ford SuperDutys (and maybe the F-150's too) require a subscription for the navigation system to work. You get 3 months free w/ purchase of the vehicle then it is up to you to pay to continue it.

Many/most nav systems have required payment to update after some period for many years. I'm not sure why they bother when pretty much everyone has a phone that does a much better job via Google, Waze, etc....

[VINMAN]

Originally Posted by masraum

Many/most nav systems have required payment to update after some period for many years. I'm not sure why they bother when pretty much everyone has a phone that does a much better job via Google, Waze, etc....

The only vehicles I have with an onboard nav are my MB and my Chiefs vehicle. I can't remember the last time I used either one. google maps is my go to.

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[stomachmonkey]

First world problem.

Shame on them if disclosure was not obvious but why should the ability to start your car outside of the range of the fobs radio be free?

It requires infrastructure that costs money so yes, if you are a fan of capitalism and profits you should have no problem with this.

Don't want to pay? Forgo the convenience of starting your car to defrost while the plane is taxiing.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by VINMAN

The only vehicles I have with an onboard nav are my MB and my Chiefs vehicle. I can't remember the last time I used either one. google maps is my go to.

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OBN will get you lost IDK where they get their mapping but Waze is far better.

[rattlsnak]

I have been researching/looking for a block heater for my GFs 2019 Malibu for a few days, which then morphed over to an aftermarket remote starting system.. Upon further research I found out that her car CAME with a remote starter function. Sure enough, it works off of the remote and it works great! She has had this car 2 years and had no idea it had this feature! Ha!

[john70t]

Originally Posted by masraum

Many/most nav systems have required payment to update after some period for many years.

The satellite pings are still free.

[UconnTim97]

All car manufacturers will be doing it someday.

https://www.autonews.com/mobility-report/stellantis-launches-23-billion-software-push