Does the Nx350h Premium have the ability to start the engine from the remote or app only?

 

Watch the video starting at timestamp 35:02
Remote start from the app then at 36:05 how the key fob can start your car when the fob is registered to the DCM in the car. Note: The Lexus Data Communication Module (DCM) is an on-board telematic device enabling vehicle connectivity for services like Remote Connect, SOS emergency calls, and vehicle health reports. It operates independently of a user's phone via a cellular signal, often indicated by an icon on the radio screen.

 

Thanks for pointing me to that section of the video.
She says that the user needs an active Lexus account and be signed in. Is that a free service or monthly subscription?

 

All of the services require subscription. However, if you bought the vehicle new, it should have come with 3 years free. (USA). Otherwise, you can purchase the different options for $80/yr. You absolutely have to have a registered account, regardless if you're in the free trial period or purchasing a subscription.

 

Of course when you need it the most it will not work
Piece of garbage
I cant imagine paying for such of useless app

 

Honestly, I just had my 350 h roll over 3 years and the subscriptions do not work any longer, my Lexus app only shows a few things like mileage, tire pressure, recall notices, key fob battery health, remaining fuel is now a percentage for some reason, not sure if the subscription was active it would shows how many miles left in tank. Point I'm making here, I never used remote start through the app, never had a need for it. I get in my car and start it, wait a minute then drive off. This car warms up incredibly fast, heat and steering wheel do too. Remote starting a car for me is a total waste of time and energy. Gas mileage will go down if you let it idle for a while too. Plus it's never a good idea to start your car in your (attached ) garage and have all those carcinogens coming out of your exhaust and getting into your house.

I guess I've become accustomed to dealing with a cold car in the winter, it doesn't bother me one bit. Besides all the car guys will tell you it's actually better to begin driving after a minute or so very easy on the gas and the car actually warms up faster than sitting idling.

 

The fob remote start function requires a subscription Or active trial. The Service Connect trial was 120 months (10 years) from Date of First Use. If you bought it new you had the Lexus App for the first 36 months (3 years) and if you let that expire you have the fob for 7 more years. When purchased used, the second owner needs to download the Lexus App and register in it, Name, e-mail and phone number. If sold used by a Lexus dealer, the original owner's info should have been removed. If purchased privately or non-Lexus dealer and the original owner did not "remove vehicle" from their App then the new owner will need to prove ownership. Press the overhead "SOS" button, first automated response will be, "press again to cancel". Don't, it is similar to hanging up a 9-1-1 call and will get extra unwanted attention. Next prompt is "do you need Police, Fire, Medical?" No. Then will prompt "Roadside", "Enrollment" or "Goodbye". Enrollment. Now a live operator can provide the Fax number to send a Bill of Sale to complete the registration of the Lexus App. Fob Remote Start will be free, paying $80 or $160 per year (varies by model year) will enable all the Lexus App features including, car finder, lock/unlock/remote start, contact dealer, schedule service, view service history (even those before purchased), car status (open window/trunk/hood/door/sunroof), car health including recalls, bulletins, campaigns. Fob Remote Start involves a slightly finicky button press cadence. Lock button - Press/Release/Press/Release/Press and Hold until the various marker lights begin to flash on their own. Starts and runs for up to 10 minutes, press and hold the fob lock button once more to cancel start if desired before the 10 minute period ends.

 

I just gave my car a try, I have no 'active subscriptions' and haven't since November 17th 2025. My key fob starts my car while locked and I'm nearby, no problem. My key fobs (2) and key card were provided when I took delivery and all are registered and active to my car meaning the VIN and my Lexus customer account. Since my 3 year subscriptions have ended I haven't needed to do anything to have my fob continue to remotely start my car.

 

You still have safety connect and service connect for another 7 years or until 4G network ends in your country. So you still have a subscription as those are active subscriptions that last 10 years for the 2022/2023 model years. The newer cars less years for these services.

 

Agreed but my key fob won't stop working when all of my subscriptions are gone, that would be insane. It's the active account for the car itself to allow it to let the registered key fobs operate for this vehicle only. So if I'm parked beside another NX, it's not going to unlock that car too. I believe Lexus want's you to register an owner account with them so the keys and car's VIN are on their system with an owner's information listed. Plus maybe for OTA updates to still be performed.

I do wonder what happens when a car is written off in an accident, then what, how does Toyota know it doesn't need to update that car OTA.

"​​​​​​The Data Communication Module (DCM) in modern vehicles (primarily Toyota/Lexus) is an on-board device that enables connected services like Safety Connect, remote engine start, and vehicle diagnostics via cellular signal. Registration involves linking the car to a user's app account for features such as SOS assistance, location tracking, and data transmission."

 

I absolutely agree with this statement. However, this is exactly how the brainiacs at Lexus programmed the older models. I'm not sure exactly what year/model/generation this changed, but from comments on various model subforums, my guess would be around 2019 or so. As this was a "data" decision it may be retroactive to older models - I wouldn't have any idea on that as I don't tend to keep them for more than 5 or 6 years and I keep the subscriptions active anyway. The bottom line in my humble opinion is that the remote from the FOB should work any time we are within FOB range of our vehicles. It should be completely disconnected from any data subscription as Lexus incurs no additional cost to provide this feature.

 

The subscription requirement most certainly looks like Lexus bull.
My previous MDX would remote start with the app (free for 4 years) or with the fob even with no subscription whatsoever.

 

This comes from Lexus Canada website on remote connect and key fob remote start. I agree with you that it shouldn't need an active DCM for it to work.

 

I just received a survey request from Lexus Canada asking my thoughts on their Cloud Nav and Remote Connect subscriptions. Not sure if its because I'm 2 months away from losing my subscriptions or just generally going out to everyone. Asked if I was willing to pay the $20CAD a month fee or what fee I would pay. Also asked if I was willing to pay $500CAD for a 5 yr subscription. Asked about my Android Auto/Car Play usage too.

My answers were generally NFW, but I tossed out a carrot that if they could improve Nav to be more nearly capable compared with Google Maps, made the app interface easier, added multi-window capability (essentially approaching what I can do with Google Maps in AA now), then I might be willing to pay a fraction of their suggested costs "as a convenience" for backup purposes. I even pointed out some features that were in my 2010 RX that are better than the current Lexus nav. Hopefully it means something to someone at Lexus. When travelling fair distances to destinations I haven't been to before, I really prefer to preview the route on my 27" PC monitor, which then transfers to my phone with so little effort.

I didn't have much to say about the remote engine start, door locking features since I hardly ever use them, but I did mention I liked the alert features most of all and that they should expand them for other reasons (like theft or tampering alerts).

 

I must say Droid13, this in and of itself is something that's generally unheard of for Canadian companies (ok a subsidiary of a huge multinational company). They actually thought it might be good to glean some real info from real owners to see what they say! It sounds like (in the Canadian way) you gently told them we're not mushrooms! We know there's more to the latest technology that's in our hands, then in their car systems that, as you point out, are really not much at all to be desired. Right out of the box they really don't offer any wow factor! Heck they couldn't even get a wireless charger design right, something that's been around for ages. On top of all that, hello, we're using 4G, what's gonna happen when that's gone? Our cars will be back to being dinosaurs. And to think they're really putting out the feelers to ultimately find out how gullible we Canadians are to pay for something they just had provided to you for free for 3 years. Plus the US is being offered an extension of services for free! Maybe activating seat heaters will soon require a subscription. I guess they did learn a thing or two from their collaboration with BMW on the Supra.
My subscriptions ended in November last year. Not sure if that's the reason, but my gas gauge on the app now only shows a percentage of remaining fuel. I still get 'last time I drove it' tire pressures and the app did let me know of the 2 latest updates. So those 3 things are something I already pay attention to myself when I'm in the car. Over 40 years of driving I've never run out of gas, never let my tires run on low pressures and every few months I check for recalls on manufacturers website.
I know Google and the like are taking my data and selling it, at least I don't pay them to do it! LOL! - End of Old Man Rant - now if I could get my blood pressure to go down a little.