Toyota RAV4 Remote Start: The Full Rundown


in Model Info and Features
White Toyota RAV4

Image by F. Muhammad from Pixabay

It’s a hot, hot day in the middle of July. Your trip to the grocery store took longer than you initially anticipated, and your car has been sitting in the parking lot for at least 2 hours. You did your best to find a spot in the shade, but it was a busy day, and all you could see was an open space in the back of the lot next to a cart return.

You’re in the checkout line, and you can see the top of your RAV4 through the sliding glass doors at the front of the store. You know the inside of the vehicle is going to be sweltering. You glance at your items laid out on the conveyor belt: ice cream, frozen peas, eggs, butter, and other chilled items that wouldn’t survive the ride home in a hot car staring back at you. Lucky for you, you’re prepared – with Toyota RAV4 remote start!

What is Remote Start?

Remote start is the system that allows you to turn on the ignition in your vehicle from the outside. Your car can be locked, off, and in the driveway, and a remote start will get the engine running and ready to go.

Remote starts are especially advantageous if you live somewhere that tends to get very cold or very hot at different times of the year. In winter, a remote start can help save you time by getting the engine warmed up while you’re still preparing to leave the house – no more sitting in the cold waiting for your engine oil to stop being molasses!

And remote start is equally helpful in the summer. Most modern vehicles, including advanced trims on the Toyota RAV4, are equipped with automatic climate control, which you can program with presets to maintain maximum comfort. Or, just let it do its thing! The remote start allows you to turn on your vehicle. The automatic climate system will turn on either the air conditioning or the heater to help get your vehicle’s interior to a tolerable temperature.

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Everything You Need to Know About Toyota RAV4 Remote Start

The Toyota RAV4 is a favorite among both car buyers and car reviewers. It is a competent adventure vehicle, equipped with either front or all-wheel drive, depending on your needs.

The RAV4 is a good-looking, good-driving compact SUV that does it all. And it is also remarkably well suited for more urban living: Car and Driver gives it a special nod for being an exceptionally luxurious and well-mannered vehicle on paved streets. This contrasts to other big, rugged Toyotas who tend to put more into off-road performance than driving comfort.

Generally, remote start systems work one of two ways. There are fob-based remote starts and more complex app-based remote starts within a more extensive suite of connectivity features. The RAV4 has both. And, of course, the RAV4 comes equipped with the standard Toyota remote start system.

Traditional remote start mechanisms operate through radio signals: a button on your key fob will send wavelengths to a receiver in your vehicle, which then turns over the engine and gets it running. This comes as standard with some trim levels on new Toyota RAV4s. To turn on your vehicle using the fob method, follow these steps:

  1. Push the lock button on your fob.
  2. Push the lock button again within quick succession.
  3. Push the lock button again and hold for 3 seconds to turn on your vehicle.

Toyota’s more advanced remote start system comes as a part of a broader package of functionalities existing within the Toyota Connect application. Toyota Connect is a premium service that allows you to turn your RAV4 on from outside the vehicle and alert you if a window is broken. Plus, it helps you find it in a crowded parking lot, lets you lock and unlock the car, and even tracks the vehicle’s speed.

To connect your RAV4 to the Toyota Connect app, follow these steps:

  1. Download the application from either the Google Play or Apple store.
  2. Log into your Toyota Owner’s account, or create a new one.
  3. In the app, tap Activate Remote Services and look for an email with the verification code.
  4. In your vehicle, enter the verification code by selecting Menu > Apps > Authorization.

Your RAV4 is now connected and ready to drive!

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CoPilot searches your area and lets you know if there’s a better deal on a similar vehicle nearby, so you’re always certain you got the best deal possible. The CoPilot app is the smartest way to buy a car. 

Toyota RAV4 Remote Start: The Downsides

Every new RAV4 comes with a free one-year trial of the Toyota Connect service. But after that, drivers will need to get a paid subscription to continue using their remote start. Toyota charges $8 a month or $80 a year for convenience.

While it’s worse than free, a 4G wireless hotspot, Apple Play and Sirius XM, as well as the ability to turn on your vehicle at a distance for only $8 a month.

The other thing to be aware of is that not every state in the US allows vehicle idling. Some states cap your max idle time to just 3 minutes, while others allow for up to 20 minutes in frigid weather. Check your state laws to see if springing for Toyota Connect will be worth it for you.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU REPLACE YOUR BRAKES?

Unless you’re a mechanic or super-dedicated car enthusiast, you might not know much about the brakes on your car. How long do they typically last?​ How often should you replace your brakes​? We’ve got answers.

Toyota RAV4 Remote Start: Other Options

If you have an older model of RAV4 built before the time of remote start, you can find an aftermarket plug-and-play kit for between 170 and 400 dollars that works just as well as other branded fob-remote starts.

As we mentioned earlier, one of the benefits of remote start is the ability to let your engine get to optimum temperature before driving. This is especially true in locales with colder climates or in the middle of winter. Also, if you live in a state with stringent idling rules, you can explore additional options that will help make warming up your car a little easier.

If remote start is not something you want or have access to, consider replacing your standard engine oil with a cold weather-specific lubricant. Engine oil designed specifically for more frigid temperatures takes less time to warm up and mitigates the need to start your vehicle 10 minutes early.

Toyota RAV4 Remote Start: FAQs

How do I use my Toyota RAV4 Remote Start?

Before using your Toyota Remote Start, make sure the feature supports your vehicle. To remotely start your RAV4, press the lock button on your key fob three (3) times. Make sure that the first and second presses are made in quick succession. Hold the lock button for three seconds to activate remote start on your third press.

How long will my RAV4 engine run after activating Remote Start?

Upon Remote Start activation, you have 10 minutes of idle time before the engine automatically shuts down. Within those 10 minutes, you may press the lock button again to extend the idle time for another 10 minutes.

If, for some reason, you can’t drive yet after the 20-minute mark, the engine will shut down automatically and needs to be manually activated again.

Is it safe to leave my vehicle unattended after activating Remote Start?

In any case, it’s best practice not to leave your vehicle unattended after firing up the engine. Fortunately, the Toyota RAV4 has an anti-theft feature that shuts down the SUV if the doors are opened manually.

Sure, it may seem mildly annoying, but it does prevent any unauthorized person from driving away with your vehicle.

When is it not safe to use Remote Start?

One of the main safety tips you should know about using remote start is to avoid using it while your car is parked inside the garage or any space with limited ventilation. Starting your vehicle inside an enclosed space can lead to buildup of odorless fumes and lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Also, ensure you remove the car cover before activating remote start since it’s a known fire hazard. It’s easy to fall into the habit of using remote start due to the convenience factor. Finally, do not use remote start (or start your vehicle, in general) if there are fire hazards present such as oil, grease, dead grass, etc.

Can Remote Start burn out the car starter?

This is a well-known myth, and nothing more. Remote starters, when installed correctly, should have no way of burning out the car starter, especially when it only connects to the starter briefly. In many cases, burnout damage is due to improper installation of the remote start system. This should not be a concern for factory-installed remote starters, but it can happen with DIY installations.

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