Prior to 2016 when Lexus Enform Safety Connect added the App(s) with Remote Start and additional features
Lexus offered Port or Dealer installed Remote Engine Start "RES" and "RES+" for the 2010 and newer Lexi.

RES was a one time $500 unit that enabled the fob to remote start from under 80 feet. RES+ added a subscripted
phone app for $1000 initially that used 2G connectivity (remember we are discussing 2010 through 2016). The fob
would continue to work as with RES with or without subscribing to the Plus App.

When the 2G sunset approached they contacted all active subscribers of RES+ and provided a free 3G module upgrade.
I do not know "take rate" of RES+ over just RES or how many Plus guest kept the subscription active but I saw a couple
dozen guests in our Service Dept. needing the upgrade registered to work. The techs had to pull the whole center stack
apart to access the telematic unit. Short story to illustrate that compared to this rather limited group of guests, Lexus
apparently feels that engaging the entire population of 2010 through 2017 (+2018 GX's) would be cost prohibitive.

 

not just that, when it fails to connect to the server, it would very likely keep draining the car's battery (retry, retry, retry...).
(removing its fuse should work)

 

Judging from the context clues, it could be Verizon. Verizon is keeping their network up until December 2022.

Plus, if it were T-Mobile, I'd actually have zero signal in South GA when I visit family. My nav, etc. works fine down there.

 

T-Mobile and Sprint 3G/2G/4G LTE network shutdown dates

• Sprint 2G/3G CDMA network shutdown date: April 1, 2022 (formerly January 1, 2022)
• Sprint 4G LTE network sunset date: June 30, 2022
• T-Mobile 3G network shutdown date: April 1, 2022 (formerly October 1st, 2021)
• T-Mobile 2G network shutdown date: January 1, 2023

 

Why are we talking about T-Mobile? There's no way it's T-Mobile given Lexus's current timeline to retire its services in October 2022, unless they have some exclusive access that normal consumers don't. As stated above, my guess is that it is Verizon.

Plus, Verizon also has a relationship with Lexus through their "Connected Car" program for in-car Wi-Fi. https://www.verizon.com/plans/connected-car/

 

It involves 3G services in which all carriers have some sort of agreement with certain vehicles manufacturers..Sharing information. This is why.

 

The older cars must be Verizon so I guess we will get until December 31, 2022 unless Lexus shuts off the Enform app/services itself prior to when the towers go dead.

It looks like they've now switched to AT&T:
https://lexusenthusiast.com/2019/01/...-connectivity/

The last line says:

 

Thank you for sharing.This will prepare many relying on the service.

 

So if they’re taking away the ability to use Enform and therefor Remote start, will remote start be enabled through the remote (like you can do now, as long as you have an active Enform subscription)?

 

Incredibly disappointing and lazy response from Lexus on this. Other luxury brands are retrofitting 4G on their old cars, I would happily pay to do it in my car.

Just dropped it off to the dealer for a pre purchase inspection, they said they can’t enable the remote start on the key fob so with the 3G shutting down this year I am SOL on remote start, unless I want to go 3rd party. Pretty poor experience on the car that I’ve only had for 2 days. Still within the 7 day return period, might return it. Love the car otherwise though…

 

The aftermarket can still help, especially if you don't care about being able to start it using the Lexus-specific app or key fob. Good luck with the purchase!

 

I don’t care so much about the app but I don’t want a 2nd fob just for remote start—I only carry the key fob, nothing else attached to it. I’ll have to check out what options are available 3rd party, thanks!

 

What is the key fob option to bypass the 3G issue?

 

As of this moment, you'd need to go aftermarket.

 

i added my own remote aftermarket without splicing anywires that uses stock remote fob. company is called mpc its roughly 169$