I’ve looked in the manual and even went to YouTube university and couldn’t find anything. When you use the remote starter is there a way to keep the car running when you enter it vs. it cutting off and you have to restart. Thanks in advance for the advice.

 

Unless Toyota changed the process lately, this is how Toyota RS works. You start it with your phone or key fob, open the door and the engine cuts off. I thought that Toyota changed this in current models. You didn't state what year Lexus you have. Most other manufacturers don't require restarting after door is opened.

 

While most models have had a generational update and now do remain running when the driver's door is open, the ES's up to now do not. The new gen ES will now run after the door is opened. In all cases, you must still prove you have a key by pressing the brake and then the stop/start button of the already running car. Note: leave the HVAC system on Auto to enable the system to attain the comfort level desired. If turned off, it will only engage A/C if ambient is over 80 F and begin the heating if ambient is under 30 F. Some models now provide temp control from the Lexus phone App.

 

I have a '24 ES350 UL and the engine stops when I open the door, which is fine with me.
Lexus has to do something for security to keep someone from driving off in your car; even in the new systems described in the above post, you still have to hit the brake and hit the START button, so no time is saved, maybe only a little mechanical wear on starting a warmed up car.

 

I know this has been discussed before, but I don't understand the point of the engine shutting off if I open the door while holding the key. I see no difference between that and the doors unlocking when I grab the handle while holding the key.

 

That seems pretty counterintuitive to me. I would need to reprogram my muscle memory. My muscle memory thinks that pressing start on an already running car would generate that screeching sound that could destroy your starter.

 

Pressing the START button on an already running car stops the engine. In olden times, turning the key to start on a running engine engaged a solenoid which engaged the starter which produced an unpleasant (to say the least) noise of gears grinding. That does not happen on cars with a start button, because the car's computer is smarter now than we were then.

 

For the new ES it all depends on the software if it has this feature and may require as mentioned to verify the key.

 

I have a 2020 es Luxury model.

 

One reason I like it - I want the steering wheel and seat to fully retract for ease of entry. I'm not a big guy but am getting up in age and VERY much appreciate that feature. When the car shuts down, it's a nice entry.

 

What does the seat retraction have to do with remote start? My 2019 ESL retracts, too.

 

when do they automatically retract (along with the telescoping steering wheel)? On the latest gen they do when the vehicle is stopped if set to do so via the settings. Its automatic.

 

Whenever you turn the car on or off.

 

That seems like a strange way to set it up. I have my 2023 set to auto retract fully on shutdown, so when getting in and out of the car I have maximum room. Then, on starting the car, it returns to the saved seating and steering wheel positions. If you have it setup to autoretract on both shutdown AND start, then that would require you to manually change it once seated.

 

Gimme a break! Mine work exactly like yours.