I purchased a CPO 2017 ES350 in June of this year. A few weeks after purchase, I tried the remote start sequence on the OEM keyfob ( Lock pressed twice very quickly, followed by holding the lock down) and the car started up remotely. This was without me buying any Enform/other subscription.
A few days ago, I decided to check on the remote start since winter is coming. I tried the same combination multiple times from both remotes and the car wouldn't start. Any ideas why this could be happening?
Is there a way to re-enable/unlock remote start?

 

If your car started with the fob when you first bought it, it may be that the car's previous owner (or the dealer) had a paid Enform Remote subscription that was canceled after you bought the car.

The only way to re-enable remote start, whether via a smart phone or the fob, will be to pay for a subscription.

 

I called Lexus last week and a rep told me that Safety connect by itself would be sufficient to start the car using the OEM keyfob. I signed up for this. However, 4 days later, the car wouldn't remote start. I called and spoke to a different rep. She also believed that any active enform subscription would allow remote start. However, nothing seemed to work and another rep she contacted said I also must have "Remote" even though I don't care for the app.
I am trying to figure the minimum enform subscription required to use the keyfob to remote start the car.

 

You have to purcgase safety connect and Lexus Enform to use the remote start features

 

https://www.lexus.com/enform/pricing

 

While on the topic of remote start. Is there a way to enter the car without shutting down the engine?
This is very annoying.

 

Unfortunately, no. This what Toyota Lexus does for their remote starts. Extremely annoying and foolish. Hope you have seamless remote starts, as this system is not reliable at times. I had it for 2 years on my 2017 (they gave an extra year for free since they acknowledged they had problems setting it up for their "guests"), and I gave it up after the 2 years when I would get "system down for maintenance" messages on a Friday afternoon in the height of winter in the Northeast frequently. Very frustrating, and annoying indeed. The remote start should be integrated as a feature in the vehicle in key from when it was built. Paying for a subscription should be for magazines, cell phones, and Cable TV, not to start one's Lexus.

 

Well stated and I couldn't agree more... Son has a Mazda - free RS - wife had an Altima - free RS and I put an after market RS on my 2013 ES so I didn't have to pay and the engine didn't shut down when I opened the door... The RS system has issues even today according to other members posts. Lexus dropped the ball on this feature. The engine shutting down is just another point of poor design IMO...

 

Another bad news/bad news item for the OP situation. With the demise of network 3G service that automakers older
Telematic systems rely on, all Lexus/Toyota Safety Connect/Remote Start app systems will "sunset" after Halloween 2022.
All those affected will need to get an installed system to continue to have a Remote Start function.

 

I purchased a 2014 es 350 ultra back in July and mine is working fine. I never signed up for anything and doubt that the dealership paid for any subscription of any kind.

 

The 2010 to 2015 Lexi had an available port or dealer installed Remote Engine Start (RES or RES+)
that was hardwired and not part of the Lexus Enform Telematic System that came out in 2015 & 2016.
The three (3) fob press cadence will work forever without a subscription! The RES+ was the same
fob functionality and had an App with subscription but that connection was "Sunset" last year, leaving
the RES portion still working...for free.

 

That is absolutely correct. For the 2013 model year (with RES) or 2014 model year (with RES+), no subscription is/was required to do a remote start via the key fob. For the 2016-2018 ES, a subscription is required to remote start, whether via the key fob or the smart phone app.

 

My 2014 has the remote starter via fob and I was wondering if you guys knew how to start it and then when you get to the car and open the door, to keep the car running instead of automatically shutting off once you open the door.
I understand this is a safety thing, but is there a way to keep the car running once you open the door?
Thanks

 

Refer to post #7...

 

No
Apparently the remote start initializes only those systems needed, Ignition, starter, HVAC, lights.
When you restart with the fob is actually in the car all systems are go, Bluetooth, Nav, SIRs, everything.

Have you ever been talking on your paired phone outside your parked car and someone else
started it up and drove off? Reaches out and connects to your phone and suddenly your caller
is speaking to the driver. Only stays fouled up until they drive 30+ feet and your BT connection fails
and you get your caller back. "Hey, who was that?"