How to Remote Start Your Toyota Sienna

You can use your Toyota Sienna’s remote start by pressing the lock button, then holding the remote start button for three to five seconds.
Written by Macy Fouse
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Your 2021
Toyota Sienna
can be started remotely by simply pushing the key fob’s lock button twice, then holding it down for three seconds. Make sure your van is in a well-ventilated area before starting it or you risk accumulating carbon monoxide. 
Whether you need to cool down your car on a blistering hot day or warm it up before heading to work in the frigid cold, vehicles with remote start have made driving much more bearable—especially in extreme temperatures.
If you want to learn more about your Toyota Sienna’s remote start feature, you came to the right place.
Jerry
, the car insurance
super app
, is here to walk you through all you need to know about remote starting your minivan—plus a few tricks to make the process safe and simple.

How to remote start your Toyota Sienna

Starting your Sienna remotely is easy peasy. With a key fob, most Toyota remote starts are designed to work within 80 feet of open space, but any trees, cars, buildings, or other objects may affect this range. Just follow these simple steps:

Starting the car

  • Push and release the lock button twice within two seconds on your Sienna
    key fob
    .
  • Press and hold the lock button for three seconds.
  • The Sienna’s signal lights will flash a few times before the engine starts.
The heat or AC of your Sienna will turn on with remote start and it’ll default to the same settings as when the car was turned off. However, keeping it set to Auto Mode will heat or cool down your Sienna automatically. 
For safety purposes, the engine will turn off if you open a door after starting it remotely. For you to turn on the ignition and start driving, the key has to be inside the vehicle. You’ll have 10 minutes before the Sienna’s engine automatically turns off to save power.
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Turning off the engine

If you were heading out into the
harsh summer sun
or bitter winter weather and decided it wasn’t worth the suffering, there are two ways to remotely turn off your Sienna’s engine: 
  1. Push the unlock button on your key fob. This will cause the engine to stop and the lights will flash twice. This method unlocks the doors, but the doors re-lock within a few seconds if you don’t open the doors or start the ignition.
2. Press and hold the lock button for at least two seconds. The engine will stop and the lights will flash, and the doors will stay locked. 

Toyota Sienna remote start tips and tricks

Before firing up your Toyota Sienna with your key fob, keep these tips in mind: 
  • If you need more than 10 minutes before you’re ready to hit the road, you can remote start your Sienna two times before you’ll have to start it from inside the vehicle. 
  • Make sure you’re remote starting your Sienna in well-ventilated areas, like outdoors. Starting it in a closed garage can lead to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.
  • Avoid remote starting your Sienna around any flammable material, just to be on the safe side. This can include anything from grease and oil to dead grass.
  • Remote start won’t work if your Sienna is low on gas, if it’s not in park, or if the battery is low.
Key Takeaway Before using the remote start feature, be sure your Sienna is in a well-ventilated location without any flammable material around.

Which Toyota models come with remote start?

Toyota announced in 2021 that no new Toyota vehicles will come with remote start on a key fob for vehicles newer than the 2020 models. Instead, the brand is moving to an all-digital system through their Toyota Connect service. 
For Toyota vehicles from 2018 to 2019, they’ll enjoy the remote start key fob for a trial period. After a three-year period, the function will be deactivated unless the owner pays for Toyota’s Connected Services for Remote Connect for $80 per year. This subscription also gives drivers access to other digital functions via the Toyota app. 
For 2020 models and newer, owners will automatically get a 10-year trial for Connected Services, so your 2021 Sienna—and any other Toyota models from the same year—is set for nearly a decade. 

How to save money on Toyota Sienna insurance

Whether you’re learning to use your 2021 Sienna’s remote start or considering adding an aftermarket feature to your older Toyota, you’ll need a budget-friendly insurance policy to cover it. Luckily, using the
Jerry
app makes shopping for a new policy easier than ever. 
Just download the #1 rated insurance app, enter your car’s information, and be met with your top options in no time. Your quotes are pulled from more than 55 reputable companies, so you can be sure you’re getting the best rates available. 
If you find a policy that fits your needs, Jerry’s team of experts will help you switch over your coverage—all without long forms or phone calls. Don’t believe us? Just ask the two million+ drivers who save an average of $800 a year on insurance! 
Jerry
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FAQs

Starting in 2016, Toyota Siennas came standard with remote start technology. If your Sienna is older, you can likely add an aftermarket remote start package to be your saving grace on icy cold mornings!
If you’re within 80 feet of your Sienna, remote start should only take a few seconds.
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