I'm also still waiting on my CT to arrive, but my last two cars were hybrids and I have had the remote engine starter pre-installed before I took delivery, so I can't comment about the after-market kits. Mine were both PIO's (Port Installed Option), so they are not "factory installed", but installed after arriving in the USA at the processing center (NOT the dealer). They work great with the Hybrid system. (OK, there are the "purist" out there that state that it's "wrong" to put a remote start on a hybrid and waste that gas - but this is MY car. End of discussion).
I use the "LOCK" button on the Key Fob to start the car remotely. Click, Click, Click-AND-HOLD (all in about 3~5 seconds). You will hold the lock button for 5~10 seconds on your last click -- or until you see the parking lights flash (Prius 3G & Hybrid Highlander). The Hybrid system does its obligatory systems check and when all's right with itself it engages the starter on the internal cumbustion engine (usually takes ~12 seconds as with any normal startup sequence). Note: if you've just driven the car and its all warmed up and happy, then the gas engine may not engage until the HVAC system demands more heat than what the radiator is holding to meet your required temperature setting. The car will "run and stop" the gas engine as necessary to keep the set temperature, again, as it normally does.
The system will run for ~15 minutes and shut down (just so that your car doesn't run all day in case you've managed to click the key fob in your pants pocket during an 8:00 am meeting). I can cycle the remote start 3 times before it dis-allows the remote starting process. Once I open the car door and close/lock it back, the remote start system resets.
Experience and some odd bits:
a. The range of the remote start is not the best - and depending on your environment, can be downright dismal. Park your car where there is good "line-of-sight" so the signal reaches the car and you're all good.
b. The key fob "click" timing is somewhat critical to "get right" and once you find the right pattern and speed, it's easy to repeat.
c. Set the HVAC to how you want it to come on BEFORE you turn off the car. I set mine to "defrost" and turn on the seat heater.
d. Back to the range issue - and this is the (really) odd bit: I read of a way to "extend" the range and tried it -- with some success, (but, be warned - your fellow employees will think you've gone off the deep end if you do this where they can see you).
Step 1: Open your mouth.
Step 2: put the key fob between your teeth and
Step 3: while pointing your mouth towards the car....
Step 4: click 3 times (holding on the last one)
Step 5: watch as the car responds.
Try it. Get "just out of range" of the remote key (nothing happens when you click lock/unlock) and (hopefully when no one is watching) perform the above procedure. I didn't believe it at first and thought that the guys with Candid Camera (you older guys will know what I'm talking about) was watching and waiting to jump out from behind a desk (or a tree) with "tape rolling" as I made a fool out of myself - -- but it actually works for me.
Remote Start? Don't leave home without it.
