XLE with Digital Key, but Digital Key just disappeared from Settings?

Good that you got it sorted out. I will remember this thread if I have any issues in a couple weeks when I pick my Prime XSE with digital key.


Quick question, is the only way to start our cars with the digital key via our cell phone? Or can you still use the key fob once you set up the digital key?

Thanks.

 

Your keyfob is still your primary method. Digital Key just turns your phone into an extra keyfob(with a few extra features). I prefer the standard keyfob for day to day use as it's more reliable, but the phone is a good backup if you've forgotten or lost your keys.

 

Awesome. Thanks for the reply. Yes I agree. The key fob is much more convenient.

I wonder if I’d be able to start the prime with the fob while it’s plugged in to warm up the car in the winter (cool down in summer) and then unplug prior to getting in it?

How would you rate the range on the fob? I remember my old Subaru outback was atrocious. Had to get within 10-20 feet. Lol.

 

I've got a regular HEV, so I can't test the first part. It might be in the manual if you search for remote start.

Range sucks pretty bad on the key fob start. Also, the range on the remote power hatch if you're getting the XSE+ sucks as well.

I've been sitting in my garden level basement with the car in the driveway maybe 20ft away and no key fob remote start. And I've walked out of a big box store with the car sitting in the closest non-handicapped space and the hatch won't open until I'm halfway to the car.

SM-S901U ?

 

Addendium: The door locks work well beyond the ranges I've listed, but the remote start and remote hatch don't. Makes me wonder if it's a deliberate safety feature of some sort.

SM-S901U ?

 

Understood, so if the range does suck like you say (like my old Outback), you can start it with your phone via the app it seems like you said earlier, right? Kinda like my old Subaru Starlink feature.

The app Auto start seems like a good option if you know you’re too far away where the key fob auto start won’t work. Ie. Coming out from the mall / grocery store, leaving work, etc. The fob seems like a good option if you’re standing in your house and just want to start the car as you gather things to head out the door.

Edit: I’ll be getting a pretty much fully loaded Non Premium Prime XSE (except digi rear view) so no remote / push button hatch. Not that I did not want a premium it’s just what I could find and @ MSRP could not pass it up.

 

Pretty much. Just a warning that the app sucks and can often take a while to connect with the car enough to bring up the remote start screen. You have to think about it early enough so you're not already at the car by the time the app's ready..

SM-S901U ?

 

You can set a 'climate prep' with your charge schedule settings so that it will start the HVAC about 10min before you plan on leaving. But as far as I know Toyota will not allow the gas engine to start if the car is still plugged in so it relies on the electric heat pump which isn't very powerful below about 20f and mostly useless below 15f. The app is a trashfire but so long as your car has enough charge left and the doors are locked (this was key for the gen4 Primes like mine) you can usually get it to start pre-heating through the app.

 

We just got a notification from Toyota that our free year of digital key stuff is expiring on our 2023 Camry XLE hybrid, and it will cost $8 a month to keep the capability. We aren't sure if we will renew since we only have used it to check the locks. Does anyone know if that is also the case with the Limited? I have one in the manufacture date reserved with our dealer (fingers crossed it actually happens). (She will be my 3rd Prius -Gen 1 in 2001, gen 3 in 2012, and now the gen 5).