‘Why they gotta make it like a mortal combat fatality combo?”
Winter mornings and cold cars—name a worse duo. You’re bundled up, having braced yourself for the frigid air outside, hoping to get a reprieve once you step inside your car. But when you open that door, your car, which has been sitting outside all night, feels like an icebox.
Turns out, there’s a solution, but it might not work for every car. Some argue that all modern vehicles should include this feature.
In a viral video with more than 2.7 million views, content creator Kierra Tashee (@kierratashee) shared the moment she realized her Toyota Camry had a feature she’d been missing out on for months.
“One of the main reasons I’m glad that I chose to attend TikTok University? Because you learn something new every day,” she says in the video.
Standing outside while her grey Camry sits parked in the snow, Kierra explains she’s only had the car for a few months and didn’t think it came with remote start. Then, she learned the trick.
“Unlock, lock, lock, hold it down on the third time, release it,” she demonstrates with her key fob.
And, voilà, her car starts up remotely.
“I’m amazed!” she says excitedly. “You know how cold it is coming out this [expletive] in the morning? You know how cold I be trying to crank this cold [expletive] car up in the mornings? Now, I don’t even have to come out the house.”
She credits TikTok for teaching her the game-changing feature.
“TikTok did they big one. They did they biggest one. I am so excited. Remote start for the win.”
“Literally makes me so happy,” Tashee wrote in the caption.
Remote start isn’t some fancy new technology. It’s been around for years, and chances are your car might already have it built in. The trick Kierra learned is actually Toyota’s standard key fob sequence for models equipped with the feature.
On many cars with remote start, the engine will run for about 10–15 minutes before automatically shutting off if you don’t get in the car, Kelley Blue Book reports.
But not all Camrys come with this feature standard. Depending on the model year and trim level, remote start may be available or require a connected services subscription through Toyota.
Kierra’s excitement about not having to “come out the house” in the freezing mornings isn’t just about comfort—though that’s a huge part of it. Remote start offers some legitimate practical benefits, especially in harsh weather conditions.
Winter is where remote start really shines. Here’s how it helps, according to AutoZone:
On sweltering summer days, the situation reverses, but the benefit remains. Your car’s interior can be 20 to 30 degrees hotter than the outside temperature when it’s been sitting in the sun.
Modern engines don’t need long warm-up periods—less than a minute of idling is typically fine—but having the climate control running for a few minutes before you get in makes a massive difference in comfort.
Most modern vehicles can be fitted with an aftermarket system, though it’s not always straightforward.
According to AutoZone, there are three main types of aftermarket remote start systems available:
Cost-wise, here’s what you’re looking at:
But not every vehicle is compatible. Older cars with manual transmissions, diesel engines, or complex security systems may require specialized installation or be incompatible.
Unless you have experience with automotive wiring, professional installation is highly recommended. A faulty connection can cause electrical issues or disable your car’s security system. Additionally, professional installations typically include warranties.
“Why Toyota remote start gotta be so difficult?” a top comment read.
“I wonder if my 2011 camry want to surprise me and do this,” a person said.
“Why they gotta make it like a mortal combat fatality combo,” another wrote.
“I just don’t understand why new cars with remote start have to make it a puzzle! I have a 2012 dodge avenger and my key fob has a designated button for it I just click 2 times lmao,” a commenter added.
Motor1 reached out to Kierra for comment via email and TikTok direct message. We will update this story if she responds.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motor1.com?
– The Motor1.com Team