Does Lexus have remote start on key fob?

The short answer is: it depends on your model and year. While some older Lexus models offered remote start via the key fob, most newer Lexuses today rely on smartphone-based remote start through Lexus Enform Remote/Remote Connect. Check your specific vehicle's year, trim, and regional availability to know for sure.

This article explains how remote start is implemented across Lexus vehicles, whether you can use the key fob, and what alternatives exist if you can’t access it from the fob. We’ll also outline how to verify features for your exact car and what to do if you’re unsure.

Key fob remote start: availability by model and year

Not all Lexuses offer remote start on the key fob, and availability varies by model year, trim level, and regional specifications. The trend in recent years has shifted toward app-based control, but some older trims and markets still supported fob-based start. The following points summarize current practice:

• Legacy or older models often included built-in remote start on the fob as part of a package or option.


• Most current-generation Lexuses emphasize smartphone-based remote start via the Lexus Enform Remote/Remote Connect app rather than a dedicated fob button.


• For many markets and trims, the fob-based start may not be available or may require dealer activation or a specific package.

In short, if you want remote start from the key fob, you should verify your exact model/year with a dealer or consult the owner's manual, since it isn’t universal across today’s lineup.

Remote start via smartphone app: the current norm

For the majority of recent Lexus models, remote-start capability is delivered through the Lexus Enform Remote or Remote Connect smartphone app. This approach allows engine start, climate control, and other features from your phone and is typically tied to a subscription or package.

• What you need: a compatible Lexus model, an active Enform Remote/Remote Connect subscription, and a linked smartphone.


• How it works: use the app to start the engine remotely, and adjust climate or other settings as supported by your vehicle.


• Limitations: service requires cellular connectivity, may incur a subscription fee, and some safety/security restrictions can apply (for example, limits on remote start when doors or hood conditions change).

For most buyers today, the app-based remote start is the standard option, with the key fob remote start either being absent or not advertised as a core feature on newer models.

What to do if you’re unsure

If you’re trying to determine whether your specific Lexus has remote start on the fob or via the app, take these steps:

• Review the owner’s manual or the vehicle’s infotainment/settings menu for a Remote Start option or a section on Enform Remote/Remote Connect.


• Check the Lexus Enform Remote/Remote Connect status in your vehicle or via the app if you already use Lexus services.


• Call your Lexus dealer with your VIN to confirm hardware capability and package requirements for remote start on your exact model.

Note that availability can be region-specific, and some features may require an active subscription or activation by the dealer.

Summary

Lexus does offer remote start in some form, but whether you can start from the key fob depends on the model, year, and market. The current trend across Lexus vehicles is to rely on app-based remote start via Lexus Enform Remote/Remote Connect, with fob-based remote start being less common or restricted to older trims. To be sure, consult your owner’s manual or a Lexus dealer to verify your specific vehicle’s capabilities and any required subscriptions or packages.

Which Lexus models have remote start?

Most 2015 and newer Lexus models equipped with Lexus Enform Remote (now Remote Connect) have remote start, which can be used via the key fob or the Lexus smartphone app. Newer models (2022 and newer) with the "Remote Start and Drive-Off" feature allow you to start the engine with the app, and then drive away after pressing the brake and the start button.
 
Key fob method

1. Press the lock button on your key fob once. 
2. Press the lock button again and hold it for about three seconds. 
3. The engine will start, and the lights will flash. The engine will run for 10-20 minutes, depending on the model. 

Smartphone app method

1. Use the Lexus app to remotely start your vehicle. 
2. If your vehicle has the "Remote Start and Drive-Off" feature, press the brake pedal and the Vehicle Start button after you enter to shift into gear. 
3. If your vehicle does not have this feature, the engine may turn off when you unlock the door. 

What to know

• Check your owner's manual: The owner's manual for your specific vehicle will have details on how to use the remote start feature. 
• Requirements: Remote start requires a compatible vehicle, an active trial or subscription to the Remote Connect service, a registered account, and the Lexus app on your smartphone. 
• Climate control: The climate control system will turn on based on the last settings you used. 
• Safety: Only use this feature in a safe and legal area (e.g., not in an enclosed garage). 
• Older models: Some older Lexus models, like the 2011-2015 CT 200h, may support remote start with an aftermarket kit or specific dealer-installed option. 

How to activate Lexus remote start?

To activate Lexus remote start, you can either use the key fob or the Lexus app. For the key fob, press the lock button, then press it again within one second and hold for about three seconds until the lights flash. For the app, open the Lexus Enform Remote app on your phone, select "remote engine start," and follow the on-screen prompts. 
Using the key fob

1. Press the LOCK button on your key fob. 
2. Within one second, press the LOCK button again and hold it for about three seconds. 
3. The vehicle's hazard lights will flash to confirm the engine has started. 

This video demonstrates how to remote start your Lexus using the key fob: 33sMetro LexusYouTube · Feb 21, 2023
Using the Lexus app

1. Download and open the Lexus Enform Remote app on your smartphone.
2. Log in to your account and add your vehicle if you haven't already.
3. Select "remote engine start" from the app's home screen.
4. Follow the on-screen prompts to start your vehicle. 

Important considerations

• The remote start feature requires an active subscription to a connected service like Lexus Remote Start. 
• The vehicle must be in park with all doors, the trunk, and the hood closed. 
• The engine will run for a set time (e.g., 10-20 minutes) and shut off automatically. 
• Opening a door or pressing the brake pedal will turn the engine off. 

How do I know if my key fob has remote start?

To check for remote start, look for a button on your key fob with a curved arrow symbol; if it has one, you likely have remote start. To use it, you typically press the lock button first, then press and hold the remote start button for a few seconds. If your fob doesn't have a dedicated button, your car may still support remote start through a smartphone app, like Toyota's Remote Connect or Ford's FordPass app, which may have its own activation sequence. 
Check your key fob

• Look for a symbol: Check if your key fob has a button with a curved or circular arrow. This is the most common indicator of remote start functionality. 
• Test the sequence: If you find the button, you can test it. The sequence is usually: 
  1. Press the lock button once. 
  2. Press and hold the remote start button for at least four seconds. 
• Check for alternatives: If your fob lacks the button, your vehicle might still have the feature via a smartphone app. Examples include Toyota's Remote Connect and FordPass. 

Other ways to check

• Consult your owner's manual: The manual will specify if your vehicle has remote start and how to use it. 
• Contact the dealership: You can provide the dealership with your vehicle's VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) to ask if it was originally equipped with remote start, says this Quora user. 
• Look for a third-party system: If you bought the car used, a previous owner may have added an aftermarket system, which would have its own key fob and possibly a module under the dashboard, notes this Reddit user. 

Can you remote start a Lexus with a key fob?

And the car will start up now when you come out to your car after it warms up just click your unlock. Button hop up inside push the brake. And the start.