Navigating the world of car modifications can be tricky, especially when it comes to integrating aftermarket systems with your vehicle’s existing features. As a Prius v owner researching remote start options, I dove deep into online forums, aiming to find the perfect solution. My goal was clear: add remote start without sacrificing the convenience of my factory key fob and passive entry system. The keyword “Viper Remote Start Key Fob” kept popping up in my searches, but the information was often confusing and contradictory, particularly when it came to Toyota Prius models.
Every car dealer and installer I contacted, each with experience installing Viper systems on Prius cars, confidently stated one thing: installing a remote start system would disable the original Toyota key fob and passive entry. They insisted that after a remote start using the Viper SmartStart app, the only way to unlock the doors would be through the app or a separate Viper key fob. One installer even contacted Viper tech support to confirm, and the answer remained the same. The message was consistent and unwavering: keep the Toyota key fob functionality, or get remote start – not both.
This was a major concern. The convenience of passive entry and using just my Toyota key fob was crucial. The thought of carrying an extra Viper remote start key fob or fumbling with my phone just to unlock the car after remote starting was frustrating. Dealers suggested a Bluetooth module for an additional cost, promising a Viper-based passive entry, but it wasn’t readily available.
Despite the strong warnings, I recalled reading forum posts suggesting that OEM key fobs could remain functional with Viper systems on older Prius models. Hoping that maybe the information I received was outdated or model-specific, I decided to proceed with the Viper SmartStart installation for my 2013 Prius v without the extra Bluetooth module. The need for remote start during colder months outweighed the immediate concern about key fob compatibility.
The Surprise Outcome
To my complete surprise, after the Viper SmartStart system was installed, everything worked seamlessly! Against all installer predictions, my original Toyota key fob and passive entry system remained fully functional.
Let’s set the record straight:
- My car: 2013 Toyota Prius v
- System installed: Viper SmartStart
- Viper remote module: NOT installed
- Viper key fob: NOT used (I don’t carry one)
- Primary key fob: Toyota factory key fob ONLY
Functionality confirmed after Viper SmartStart installation:
- Remote start: Works perfectly via the SmartStart app.
- Lock/Unlock with Toyota Key Fob: Fully functional.
- Passive Entry: Works flawlessly to unlock doors.
- SmartStart App Control: Doors can also be locked/unlocked via the app.
It’s important to note, as I learned during my initial research, that unlocking the car after a remote start will turn off the engine. This is a known characteristic and, in my opinion, a small price to pay for the immense benefit of remote start, especially in extreme weather conditions. The convenience of pre-heating the car in winter or pre-cooling in summer is well worth this minor detail. And most importantly, I retained the everyday convenience of my Toyota key fob and passive entry, proving the initial warnings about Viper remote start key fob incompatibility on the 2013 Prius v to be inaccurate.
