2022 Toyota 4Runner Dealer Installed Remote Starter Questions

Hi All,
My daughter just took delivery of a 2022 Toyota 4Runner SR5. The car has a dealer installed remote starter. We have a few questions on it's operation since it is quite different than any remote starters we had in the past.

The Toyota fob only has a lock and unlock button along with a panic button. To start the car you have to press the unlock button twice then hold the button down a third time for 3 seconds (seems more like 5 seconds). After it starts there is no way to remotely shut it off? In addition the car shuts off when the door is opened and has to be restarted by the driver.

I have a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee which has a third button on the fob just for the remote start. Press twice and the car starts. Press it after the car starts and the car remotely shuts off. When you open the door the engine remains running.

This Genuine Toyota Remote Start is much more difficult to operate than my 10 year old Jeep!

Is this normal for a Toyota dealer installed remote? Is there any way to program the remote starter to be more user friendly?

Thanks in advance for any help!

Bob K

 

I personally never let the dealer install anything. 99.9 percent of the time they hack up the wiring and you can get problems down the line even if you're still under warranty (toyota will blame the dealer installed crap) not to mention they overcharge by a few thousand percent

 

Pavo, I appreciate the advice but "that ship sailed". Do you think there is an install issue or is the remote start working correctly just more difficult? I left a message asking the dealer but wanted the forum's feedback first.

Bob

 

So she should be hitting Lock three times and on the third time just holding the button for 5 seconds or whatever until you see the lights turn on. Not sure if the Unlock was messing it up by trying to open windows etc. Agree 100% with you regarding the key design, having had remote starters on OEM key fobs and aftermarkets, having to hit a sequence is a Pain especially when the range is bad. On top of that, Toyota as a 'safety feature' has the key insert or door opening kill the engine, just feels inefficient, but my understanding was it was a legal decision to avoid someone hopping in and slamming the gas/crashing and toyota being blamed.

Unforuntately I haven't seen anyone successfully change the commands of the remote starter, would love it if I did. But what most people end up doing is going with https://accessorides.com/collections/plug-and-play-remote-start-kits-for-toyota which are a bit pricy, but installs are under 30 mins by you/your daughter. These will bypass the factory remote starter but still retain that key fob setup. You can purchase a separate fob, or go with an installer who specializes in Vipers or whatever your desire is, and get some extra features.

 

Sorry you’re having issues. I would get some paper work on exactly what that dealer installed for the long term. I wonder if equipment is aftermarket?
Hopefully they warranty their work for you too.

 

Normally for Toyota remote start remote starting requires pushing the lock button twice and push and hold on third push to start. The vehicle will time out after 10 minutes and shut-off. Or you can push the unlock button on the fob to shut it off. Then of course you can then push the lock button to re-lock the doors.

The shutting off when opening the door is normal for Toyota's with push button start. It is how Toyota does it and it cannot be changed. I believe it is even this way with aftermarket remote start systems with push button start. It's a pain and probably the biggest gripe of remote start with push button start. I read Toyota will be changing this on some models going forward in 2023 model year.

 

I personally can’t stand my remote start for my 4runner. It doesnt consistently work for me.

 

I have a 2021 SR5 Premium and because I don’t have the JBL sound system the dealer could not install the Toyota remote start. I checked that with the Toyota Connect Services as well and it is not possible. The option that I found was the N2 Design remote start plug and play. Like it because it use the same fob. As you described you have to push a few times buttons to start. I am installing mine next Wednesday.

 

Nope thats how mine worked on my Pro. I hated using the remote. So I used the app until I realized all there data they are collecting. The whole system sucks. Now I have an aftermarket on my SR5P and it works the same. Still sucks, but the only difference is I don't have to hold it during the 3 press of the lock button. And I was able to program it to stay running for 35 minutes, but it still shuts of when opening door. ANNOYING!!

 

Everyone thanks for the feedback!