To the consternation of unaware owners, Toyota's remote start key fob functionality requires a paid $8 per month subscription service.

Toyota has confirmed that new Toyota cars won't include remote starting from their key fobs — you'll have to use the mobile app.

Some key fobs have many features built in that owners may not even be aware of. Here's our guide to hidden key fob features.

“Key fob remote engine start is a recent feature in Canada that began with the limited release of specific Data Communication Module (DCM) equipped models, first on the 2020-model-year Camry ...

But this is a physical key fob that needs to communicate directly with the vehicle via radio frequency—no remote connection back to Toyota is needed. So why require a subscription?

In other words, the key fob’s remote start functionality is tied to the audio package that comes with the car.

The Mazda CX-90 is the latest model with remote start and stop that used to be on a key fob, but has now gone the way of in-app subscriptions.