My remote start was a factory option (option V4 sticker price $529).
According to the instructions you press the lock button twice within 2 seconds, then press and hold 3 seconds.
During this process the lights will blink and the dash will light up and the car will spool up and start usually within approximately 10 seconds.
Because the car is cold and in a garage it is very noticeable when the ICE starts, even though it is a very quite motor.
Frankly, this is an option I would never pay for. It is useful only when you need to warm your car up on very cold days after it has been sitting outside for a long time. And once you open a car door the engine stops for safety purposes, so you have to re-start the car once you have entered the vehicle.
But, my dealer only had one TCH on the lot, and it had all the options, and they were willing to give me a nice discount, so like an idiot I took the bait.
I think Toyota is packaging all these extras in the vehicles to raise the price and profit, since demand still apparently exceeds the limited supply.
Toyota is scheduled to start building TCH's at a Suburu plant in Lafayette, Indiana.
Click here for more info:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11806893/
Great Gag
