[mfielden]

I have the factory alarm/remote start kit on my 09 xB. There are good and bad things about it:

1. It is integrated into the factory key and you start the vehicle by pressing the lock button twice and then holding the lock button after a short pause until the vehicle beeps again. At that point you can release the button and the car will start after a second or so. The flashers are activated for 20 seconds after a remote start.

Note, that you have used the lock button to start the car which also locks all doors and sets the alarm. You must then disarm the vehicle/unlock the doors to enter and doing so does turn off the engine. I live in California and have enjoyed the cool factor of having a remote-start, but can't stand that it's not just get-in and go from there.

2. The range on the factory alarm and remote start is quite a bit better than expected and I can lock/unlock/start the car from quite a distance (100 ft plus). The only downside for me is that the chirp isn't loud, so if I can't see the car it's difficult to tell if I've activated the system.

3. I believe that the alarm was required for the remote start and the two together were pretty pricey (~$600) compared to other after-market systems that offer significantly more features (including the window control that you mentioned), but none of the after-market systems integrate into the key and I really appreciate not having another thing hanging off my key-chain. To that end that provides me a greater satisfaction then having more features.

4. Finally, on my automatic the alarm (security) light actually installs on the shift console. There's a little glass-break sensor (microphone) and red light with the word security printed below it. Frankly, this positioning seems a little odd to me, and with the front windows tinted having the blinking light doesn't make any sense at all.

Hope that helps and good luck with your decision.

Michael

 

[mfielden]

I've talked with the dealer about it and they hold their hands up, because that's the way the system is set from Toyota. It's documented that way in the manual, too, so I don't think it's laziness on their part. I'm guessing that it has more to do with security - which I can understand - but wonder why some of the after-market products can do it and a company like Toyota can't.

Michael