I wonder if opening the vehicle doors still stops the engine remote start? And is there a difference between starting the vehicle from the fob vs the app in that context?

 

I am not positive but I have read here that the engine no longer shuts down when you open the door after remote start.

 

Yes, that has been posted here.

A better question - can remote start be disabled totally? It's one of the main ways cars are stolen now.

 

Remote start capability has nothing to do with being able to use the vehicle's CAN bus to unlock and steal a car.

 

I thought the method of intercepting the key code sent to start the car, is the basis for performing that kind of theft? I know people are advised now to keep their fobs inside faraday bags, even in their own homes.

 

While intercepting fob codes is a thing, that too has nothing to do with remote start. You don't even need a faraday bag for your Lexus key, just put the key in sleep mode by holding the lock button and pushing unlock twice and the light will flash 4 times to confirm. Here is a good article on how organized groups are stealing them in Canada to ship them overseas, this isn't done much in the US at this point. https://www.autoblog.com/2023/04/18/...PO2yBwCGZm8i6s

 

Those Canadians...

 

There is no difference between starting remotely with the key fob or the app. The engine shuts down upon opening the door in both instances.

See my correction below.

 

I have a lot of these IoT devices for various tasks. Might have to spin one of these up! https://themodernham.com/unlock-cars...replay-attack/

 

 

I stand corrected - MY APPOLOGIES!

My 2023 RX500h with Remote Connect continues to run when entering the vehicle in both conditions, app remote start & key fob remote start. You just need to press the brake pedal and START button upon entering the car. Funny though - That is the same sequence of operations you would have to do if it did not remain running upon entering - - - oh well, Lexus almost got it done - -

 

I am still nervous about this feature regarding cloning/theft, I wonder if it can be totally disabled in the car head unit?

 

Denver Boot.

 

Disabling remote starter capability would have zero effect on cloning/theft of the car. When 4g cell sunsets in about 2030 we'll all lose remote start capability. Older Lexus cars as new as 2018 went through this when 3g sunset and it doesn't stop fob cloning or CAN bus injection theft at all.

 

It's no wonder I read online that more and more people are putting hidden physical kill switches into their cars. All the new technology that was supposed to make cars "un-stealable", has now come 180 degrees to make them easier to steal than ever. And if you've seen your latest insurance renewals, it's reflected there. My friend has a Dodge Charger that he is going to dump now because the insurance has gotten so crazy on it.