Just bought a Tacoma! Question regarding KARR and Toyota Smart Connect Features

Just picked up my brand new 2021 Tacoma TRDOR and I was rushed through a lot of the features becuase I was going through the purchase and paperwork around 5pm. It was a friday and they close at 7pm so I was understanding that these guys just wanted to get home. No sweat.

Here is where Im kind of lost and confused. The Toyota Smart Connect app which is free for a year allows me to start the engine and lock and unlock the doors with this app. See attachment:


So this smart connect app becomes a subscription after a year to continue using this function...meh kind of whatever about it so far. I mean I have a key fob so I dont see the need to open my phone and hold a button and wait for my car to unlock 5 seconds later when I can just hit the fob once...

Now they got me on the KARR alarm system which I wish I would have passed on but alas its part of the deal now This app also has a lock and unlock feature. IS THIS basically just another app thats allowing for unlocking and locking the doors? I get that this alarm has glass break feature which can disgenage the engine???..i honestly dont know what else this is doing for me. It has a blinking red light and Im assuming it just helps thwart theft but is this thing arming and disarming when I also use the keyfob?

Can someone give me some help on how this is functioning, do you guys use this shit? I think im overthinking it but I kind of just dont know what to make of it and its makin my head spin.

Also glad to be here and be part of the family

Here is me with the truck I picked up today

 

@TRDRivalFox I would imagine that it's arming and disarming with the FOB. Try this:

1. Start truck and roll down a window - any window
2. Turn off truck and get out
3. Lock with fob
4. Walk away for 30 seconds
5. Go back to truck but leave your key fob on the rear bumper
   
6. Reach inside the open window and try to open door with inside door handle
7. Alarm should go off - hence the reason for keeping the fob somewhat close

Easy test that should confirm whether it's working with the fob. Good luck and congrats on the new truck!

 

I have used the Toyota Smart Connect many times on my 2021. It was handy to start the truck and have it warmed up on a few cold mornings. It will shut the engine off by itself after 10 minutes. Also when you open the door the engine shuts off. I wish it would stay on. Sometimes I forget to lock the truck and the app. sends me a message. I like I can lock it from where ever I am. The app also shows you your driving habits for hard braking and accel.

 

KARR alarm system - Arms and disarms when using the fob. The lock/unlock feature only works when you are close enough for your phone to connect via Bluetooth - it is a sales gimmick.

 

I was literally 2 weeks ahead of you. The one thing I was suckered into was the damn KARR alarm system too! I said this to a few people at work and they all said "why do you feel for buying an alarm system" so maybe I am overthinking it!

I did get an $80 per year discount on my insurance however, so it will pay for itself eventually. That is how they got me to get it, they said "Often your insurance will give you a discount for this type of alarm." and stupid me was like "okay!". This was the item the dealer went hard sell on me with. Glossed past the extended warranties, all the other crap. But the KARR - you gotta get it!

2 weeks later I don't feel as bad. I did set it off my accident once when I was inside the cab trying out all the features. Turned the Tacoma off, locked with key fob. Then I opened the door. Beep Beep Beep. As soon as I picked up the keyfod the display read "Key Fob Detected, Alarm Off". One of these days I do intend to mess around with it and see hopw sensitive it is. They said if someone keeps messing with the door handles or something else, it will do 5 warning beeps. And if it still keeps happening, the alarm goes off.

But, I also read some reviews that say if the battery is disconnected, the alarm thinks there was some funny business and it disables the engine. There is some sequence to get it to activate again. I want to be prepared for that.

 

So would you find the KARR Alarm worth it? I bought it too, but have yet to get it installed. How does the app work? Sales guy said you can adjust sensitivity. Does it have motion sensors?

 

I used to sell cars (and later installed alarms and car audio), the KARR alarms are hot garbage. The dealership installs those in bulk and if you reach up under the dash and disconnect it, it’s disabled. Takes 10 seconds, they’re usually installed somewhere easily reached to speed up the install (and allow the salesperson to uninstall quickly when it’s not bought).

The truck comes with a factory alarm, I’d suggest just adding the glass break sensor to that if you feel so inclined.

 

What's the factory alarm include?
I hoping since I haven't installed it they can just refund it. The sales guy made it seem like it was more that it was. Thanks

 

Basically if someone opens a locked door from the inside, it will go off. Not sure if it has a starter disable, haven’t looked at it that closely

 

Alright imma try to cancel my install appt and get my money back hopefully

 

If you have Toyota's theft deterrents on the vehicle, it does both.

The KARR system does neither of those but honks the horn works from sudden jolts or glass breakage. I'm not sure how sensitive it can be set.

 

Man, this post has to been the coolest thing. I had no idea about the toyota connect app. The app then led me down a rabbit hole that made me realize I had remote start. The dealer sure dropped the ball on informing the about the features of the truck. I wonder what else my '21 OR has that my '19 didn't.

 

Huh, my 21 doesn't. Do you have the premium package, or something? I don't have anything anywhere in the app to start, would love to find it.

 

I just went and checked the window sticker. It lists Safety & Remote Connect /w 1 year trial as standard equipment. Do you have push button start?

 

Yessir