Many car owners appreciate the convenience of remote start, especially during harsh weather conditions. If you drive a Toyota, particularly a Highlander with Premium Audio, you might be wondering about the remote start feature on your key fob and whether it requires an ongoing subscription. There’s been some confusion, even among dealerships, regarding how long you can use the key fob remote start without paying for a connected services subscription.
Initial information might suggest that key fob remote start expires after a short trial period, perhaps just one year. However, according to official Toyota documentation and direct confirmation from Toyota customer service, this isn’t entirely accurate for certain models. For Toyota Highlanders equipped with Premium Audio (typically found in Platinum, Limited, and XLE models with Dynamic Navigation), the key fob remote start function is operational for significantly longer – up to ten years, even without an active Remote Connect subscription after the initial trial.
This means that even after your initial Remote Connect trial (often one year) concludes, you can continue to utilize the key fob to remotely start your vehicle for up to nine additional years. It’s important to note that this extended period applies specifically to the key fob remote start feature. If you desire to use remote start and other connected services via the Toyota app, a Remote Connect subscription would be necessary.
Therefore, if your primary need is simply to start your Toyota remotely using your key fob, you can likely enjoy this feature for many years without incurring subscription fees. Always verify the specifics for your Toyota model and trim level, but for many Highlander owners with Premium Audio, the key fob remote start offers long-term convenience without the worry of immediate subscription expiration.
