Toyota owners have to pay $8/mo to keep using their key fob for remote start

[CaminoRacer]

https://arstechnica.com/cars/2021/12/toyota-owners-have-to-pay-8-mo-to-keep-using-their-key-fob-for-remote-start/

Toyota owners have to pay $8/mo to keep using their key fob for remote start
Feature requires subscription even though it doesn't use connected services.

Automakers keep trying to get a piece of that sweet, sweet subscription income. Now, it's Toyota's turn.

Nearly every car company offers some sort of subscription package, and Toyota has one called Remote Connect. The service offers the usual fare, letting owners use an app to remotely lock their doors, for example, or if they own a plug-in vehicle, to precondition the interior. But as some complimentary subscriptions for Remote Connect come to an end, Toyota owners are getting an unexpected surprise—they can no longer use their key fob to remote-start their vehicles.

In terms of technology, this remote-start feature is no different from using the fob to unlock the car. The fobs use a short-range radio transmitter to send the car a signal that is encrypted with rolling codes. The car then decrypts the signal and performs the requested action, whether it's to lock or unlock the doors, beep the horn, or start the engine. RF key fobs have been around since the 1980s, and GM added a factory-installed remote-start option in 2004 (no subscription needed).

Key fob remote start has nothing to do with an app, nor does the car or the fob communicate with any servers managed by Toyota.

Toyota has been offering factory-installed remote start on 2018 and newer vehicles equipped with Audio Plus or Premium Audio. To use it, owners have to be within 50 feet of the vehicle and double-press the fob's lock button before holding the lock button down for a few seconds.

Yet recently, as 2018 Toyotas have passed their third birthday, owners have been discovering that the fob's functionality is dependent on maintaining an active Remote Connect subscription. Vehicles equipped with Audio Plus receive a free three-year "trial," while Premium Audio vehicles receive 10 years. Once those subscriptions expire, though, the key fob remote start stops working. Toyota didn't change the rules, though that detail was buried in the fine print. When the time comes, Toyota simply cuts off access to one of the functions on the key fob already in the owner's possession. To get the feature back, owners have to pony up $8 per month or $80 per year.

But if you have a Toyota built before November 12, 2018, you won't have to pay, even though key-fob remote start for those vehicles was also tied to Remote Connect. Toyota said it has "enhanced" those cars so that owners can use the feature without a subscription.

Why the cutoff? It may seem like an arbitrary date, but it happens to be when Toyota stopped building cars with 3G chips. As telecoms sunset their 3G networks, owners of older Toyotas will have no way to subscribe to or use Remote Connect services. Since key fob remote start doesn't require an Internet connection, Toyota just flipped a switch and gave it to everyone in that group.

It's a nice gesture, but it reinforces the fact that there's no technical reason to include RF-powered key fob features in a remote services package.

[CaminoRacer]

I refuse to buy a car that requires $8 to use all the buttons on the keyfob. Total horseshit.

[MX793]

Wow.  Just wow.  TBH, this is the sort of thing I would have expected from Jim Hackett era Ford.  Not Toyota, though.

[Soup DeVille]

Pretty shitty.

When I bought the 4Runner, the dealer was pretty surprised I wasn't interested in any of the "connected services." it took some convincing for him to get the techs to actually turn it all off.

The remote start still works though- maybe he lied to me?

[FoMoJo]

Pretty shitty.

When I bought the 4Runner, the dealer was pretty surprised I wasn't interested in any of the "connected services." it took some convincing for him to get the techs to actually turn it all off.

The remote start still works though- maybe he lied to me?

How about navigation?

[Submariner]

Subscription based apps and services should be banned, unless you're obtaining a new item or service on a regular basis.

[MrH]

This doesn't make any sense?  Like, technology wise, why would RF based remote start be tied to a connectivity subscription?  How would they even cut it off unless it was using cellular somehow?

[Soup DeVille]

How about navigation?

Yeah; no reason why it shouldn't- GPS is receive only. I probably don't get traffic updates or stuff like that, but that's what waze is for anyways.

[CaminoRacer]

This doesn't make any sense?  Like, technology wise, why would RF based remote start be tied to a connectivity subscription?  How would they even cut it off unless it was using cellular somehow?

I think the car ignores the remote if you aren't subscribed? And the car has connectivity.

Pre-2018 cars will continue to work because they will lose their 3G connectivity, so they won't know your subscription status.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

I refuse to buy a car that requires $8 to use all the buttons on the keyfob. Total horseshit.

WORD.........

[MX793]

I think the car ignores the remote if you aren't subscribed? And the car has connectivity.

Pre-2018 cars will continue to work because they will lose their 3G connectivity, so they won't know your subscription status.

There must be access to the controller such that Toyota can remotely toggle remote start functionality on or off over the air.  Wonder what else they can do?  Or what a hacker might be able to do.

The wonders of the internet of things.  The future is now.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Brilliant

[NomisR]

Pretty shitty.

When I bought the 4Runner, the dealer was pretty surprised I wasn't interested in any of the "connected services." it took some convincing for him to get the techs to actually turn it all off.

The remote start still works though- maybe he lied to me?

At least when we got our GX, the dealer was pretty straight forward with us telling us that the remote start function is only available for free for 3 years, after that you have to pay.. but considering we got the Mark Levinson sound system, maybe it's 10 years? 

[MrH]

I think the car ignores the remote if you aren't subscribed? And the car has connectivity.

Pre-2018 cars will continue to work because they will lose their 3G connectivity, so they won't know your subscription status.

Yeah, just seems weird to have that as a check.  What if you're in the mountains with no cell service, and you go to remote start?  How does it run that loop to check if you have a subscription, because you won't have any connectivity?

I think I need to read the actual Toyota write up on this, instead of the ars technica interpretation of it.

[MX793]

Yeah, just seems weird to have that as a check.  What if you're in the mountains with no cell service, and you go to remote start?  How does it run that loop to check if you have a subscription, because you won't have any connectivity?

I think I need to read the actual Toyota write up on this, instead of the ars technica interpretation of it.

It's probably not a continuous check that requires network connection at all times.  My guess is the toggle is turned on when you are a subscriber and stays on, regardless of network connectivity.  When you cancel your subscription, Toyota remotely toggles the feature to off the next time your car connects to the network and confirms you no longer have a subscription and it stays off.

[MrH]

Subscribe, yank the cable, unsubscribe.  SOLVED

[MX793]

Subscribe, yank the cable, unsubscribe.  SOLVED

That would certainly be one way to test it.  Disable or block the 4G antenna/receiver.  The car may throw some other faults or lose other functionality.  Depends on how they've integrated it.

[CaminoRacer]

At this rate, I'm going to start building Factory Five commuter cars. Bluetooth stereo and that's it for infotainment. Could even make them EVs, just without all the other BS that automakers are starting to push.

[Soup DeVille]

Subscribe, yank the cable, unsubscribe.  SOLVED

It used to work with old cable service.

[shp4man]

I guarantee there'll be some hack to get around this, probably on the internet soon.

[AutobahnSHO]

Nothing like jeopardizing millions in sales for $80/year....

This is discussed like crazy on the Maverick forum- because there's a lot of features with the Ford Pass which would friend on 4g. But so far looks like Ford is only charging for WiFi, not other internet features...

[Eye of the Tiger]

Whatever this paywalling software on vehicles bullshit thing is, it is spreading.
Of course there is Tesla, Toyota, and now
Zero Motorcycles https://www.motorcycle.com/features/2022-zero-new-batteries-software-performance-upgrades-and-a-new-sr.html

With the app, you can pay to unlock features of the motorcycle such as faster charging, more power, heated grips. You buy all of the hardware when you buy the bike, but you can't use it u til you pay to unlock it.

This is not some $80 video game. This is a vehicle that costs $$$$$$$$$ to own.
This has got to stop.

[MX793]

Whatever this paywalling software on vehicles bullshit thing is, it is spreading.
Of course there is Tesla, Toyota, and now
Zero Motorcycles https://www.motorcycle.com/features/2022-zero-new-batteries-software-performance-upgrades-and-a-new-sr.html

With the app, you can pay to unlock features of the motorcycle such as faster charging, more power, heated grips. You buy all of the hardware when you buy the bike, but you can't use it u til you pay to unlock it.

This is not some $80 video game. This is a vehicle that costs $$$$$$$$$ to own.
This has got to stop.

Wait until the execs learn about loot boxes...

[Eye of the Tiger]

Wait until the execs learn about loot boxes...

I hear every pedestrian kill gives you 100 store credits, and you can double it with a 3+ kill streak.

[MX793]

I hear every pedestrian kill gives you 100 store credits, and you can double it with a 3+ kill streak.

No points systems.  Loot boxes are for purchase only.  You will receive a random feature unlock for 2 months with each box purchase.  Duplicates will extend the feature access by 2 additional months.  Unlockable features to will include:
-Various horn tones
-Access to Sport mode
-Smart cruise
-Automated driving functions
-Remote starting
-Satellite radio
-Navigation
-Ability to open the sunroof
-Seat heaters
-Seat coolers
-Heated steering wheel
-Various colors for interior accent lighting
-Cosmetic "themes" for digital gages and infotainment screens

[Eye of the Tiger]

No points systems.  Loot boxes are for purchase only.  You will receive a random feature unlock for 2 months with each box purchase.  Duplicates will extend the feature access by 2 additional months.  Unlockable features to will include:
-Various horn tones
-Access to Sport mode
-Smart cruise
-Automated driving functions
-Remote starting
-Satellite radio
-Navigation
-Ability to open the sunroof
-Seat heaters
-Seat coolers
-Heated steering wheel
-Various colors for interior accent lighting
-Cosmetic "themes" for digital gages and infotainment screens

But I heard there was a limited edition that gave you a 10% battery boost if you cold hold a wheelie for a whole mile.

[MX793]

But I heard there was a limited edition that gave you a 10% battery boost if you cold hold a wheelie for a whole mile.

Think of the promotion potential.  Instead of rebates, dealers could offer loot boxes with vehicle purchase.  "Receive 6 free loot boxes if you buy during our holiday promotion".

As with video games, 99% of loot drops will be low-value cosmetic stuff like horn tones or screen themes.  Boxes will cost $3 each, or $12 for a 5 pack.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Think of the promotion potential.  Instead of rebates, dealers could offer loot boxes with vehicle purchase.  "Receive 6 free loot boxes if you buy during our holiday promotion".

As with video games, 99% of loot drops will be low-value cosmetic stuff like horn tones or screen themes.  Boxes will cost $3 each, or $12 for a 5 pack.

I hate loot boxes. I only use points to buy them, and I never buy points. I save my points from leveling up.

[Soup DeVille]

Yeah, my next car is going to be a Stanley Steamer.

[r0tor]

I guess they didn't learn from BMW locking their owners out of carplay