Toyota has taken great measures in the past few years to ensure its customers have the latest safety features and technological wonders in their new rides. This is especially true with the Camry, which was redesigned in 2018, and the all-new 2019 Avalon and all-new 2019 RAV4.

One of these features allows drivers to start their cars remotely using either their phone or their key fob. Some might already know about the phone feature, but very few people realize they can start their Toyota’s using their key fob as well.

Toyota RAV4 Remote Connect starts your car… and so much more

The first way you can start your new Toyota is on your phone through a new application called Remote Connect. With Remote Connect, you can perform many useful functions such as starting and turning off your car, seeing how many miles until you run out of gas, and locking and unlocking your car doors. This is all with the touch of a few buttons on your phone. Did I mention starting and turning off your car? Oh yes, that’s right I did.

It works quite well, as I tested it out while I was on vacation last fall. I was successfully able to start my 2018 Toyota Camry that was parked in my driveway in North Carolina – all the way from my hotel room in Las Vegas. Not bad at all Toyota. Not bad at all.

In order to successfully use this Remote Connect engine start/stop feature, you must have an active Remote Connect service tied to your new Camry or Avalon or RAV4. Remote Connect is available on many 2019 Toyota vehicles with a multimedia system of Audio Plus or higher. Toyota gives customers a 6-month free trial at purchase, and then it costs $80 per year for the service once the free trial expires.

I strongly recommend that anyone looking for a new Toyota should consider purchasing one utilizing Remote Connect services. This is something I use every day, starting my car from my office at the end of the day so it will not be 95 degrees in the car when I get to it. I also can check vehicle status from my phone any time during the day to see if I need to fill my gas tank on the way home or not. Thanks Remote Connect.

I’ll take “How to remote engine start using my key fob” for $400 please Alex

Not only are some new Toyota models equipped with the Remote Connect phone app, but you can also start and stop your car using your key fob too. This is a life hack that some people already know, but many people have no idea this feature exists. Until now.

If your 2019 Avalon or 2019 RAV4 or 2019 Camry comes with an Audio Plus or higher multimedia system, you should have the ability to start and stop your car using your key. Here is how it works:

1) Stand near your vehicle (within about 80 feet) with key fob in hand
2) Press LOCK quickly
3) Press LOCK quickly again
4) Hold LOCK for about 3 seconds

If your Toyota is going to remotely start, you will see your lights flashing, which indicates your car will start within about 5 seconds.

You can stop your remote start by pushing UNLOCK on your key fob.

See my demo of how Remote Engine Starts using your key fob and click to subscribe to Torque News Youtube Channel for daily Toyota

What advice do I have for Toyota owners next?

My friends, the time has come to test out this theory. If you have a new 2018 or 2019 Camry, or if you own a 2019 RAV4 or RAV4 Hybrid, or a 2019 Avalon, you should check this out to see if it works. Go out to your vehicles and try my system.

If your car starts while using your fob, this is exciting news. Almost as exciting as getting a Christmas gift in July without expecting one. For anyone looking for ideas, I would like a new video camera for making more awesome Toyota videos for my Toyotajeff YouTube channel.

Watch What Makes 2019 RAV4 Hybrid The Top Selling Green Car in USA and Click To Subscribe To Torque News Youtube Channel for Daily Toyota and Automotive News Analysis.

I would love your feedback. Did this remote engine start work on your Toyota? If so, what do you currently drive? Is this feature available on other Toyota models or previous years I did not mention? What is your feedback on Toyota Remote Connect?

Thanks for reading everyone. I work hard to be your complete Toyota news and reviews resource. See you next story.

Jeff Teague is a Toyota news reporter at Torque News. You can reach Jeff on Facebook and Instagram. Twitter @toyotajeff1 and tweet him tips for new stories. Jeff also shares Toyota news videos on his Youtube Channel at ToyotaJeff1.