Very good instructions, easier to follow than reading the manual. It is important not to hesitate when programming the pin code. If you wait more than a couple of seconds between entries, you will need to start over.
Great video, well explained. Now I can actually use this feature! Couldn't figure it out from the manual and nobody at my dealership knew how to use it either. Thank you for posting this.
i just put my key in a bag or back pocket if i go hiking/biking/kayaking/camping/swimming, but this was a very simple explanation of what that other button does, thanks!
Correction on the video, at 2:10 mark into the video, Josh says the "this key is now disabled, it won't start the car, it will still unlock it but it won't start the car". This is not accurate, at least on my 2019 Crosstrek. You CAN START THE CAR with the fob if you hold the disabled fob to the ignition/start button to enable the car and fire up the engine. True, you can leave the disabled fob in the car and lock it inside as he describes, but if you choose to take the key with you instead, the disabled fob WILL NOT UNLOCK THE CAR as stated in the video. Also note, if you start the car by holding the fob against the start/ignition button, it will disable the PIN access too, so if you lock it again don't leave the key inside since you will need the physical key in the fob to get in. Good news is that the fob re-enabling as he describes restores all key-less functions and the PIN.
Very insightful Sir. As I am new to the Subaru family, what would you think of having an extra no battery (non-powered) key fob hidden inside the vehicle (should my keys be lost/stolen) then I could use the access code to get back in and put the non-powered fob next to the button to start the car and get home? 🏹🤠👍
Put the fob in aluminium foil and remove the emergency manual key from the fob. Then the fob can be locked in the car and the emergency key used to lock and unlock the car.
So much easier to understand than the manual! You missed only one important thing. BEFORE you actually lock the key in the car for the first time set it 10+ feet away (out of range) and make sure you can comfortably unlock and relock the car. Especially important to do this if you're out in the wilderness without a cell signal. Otherwise you're going to end up having to smash your window! (Of course if you have the second key handy go ahead and just lock it inside).
On my car, that method of disabling the key didn't work, but holding the lock button then pressing the unlock button twice works. Then to wait it up, just press any button.
The de-activation of the FOB is much easier (maybe prone to accidentals) on the 6th Gen. By click and holding the lock and pressing the unlock 2 times, the Fob will flash twice in 2 successions, 4 in total. To re-activate the Fob all you have to do is press any key and that's the part I don't like. It can accidentally unlock your car when you don't want it to if it's still on you.
What about a 2015 outback how do i find the key code to proggrame it to my key that the locksmith just kut it will unlock the car but wont start tha ignition???
Good clear instructions. However, I would NOT lock the key in the car. I think the point of the "key disable" feature is that you can disable the key, and TAKE THE FOB WITH YOU. Then, when (if) you lose your fob, it makes it difficult for someone to both identify your car (they can't walk through a parking lot and spam the unlock button) and the "auto interior lights on" feature is disabled when they walk past the car. If someone gets into your car, and the fob is inside, they can easily google how to unlock the fob and just drive off.
Q: why my doors won't close after I place disengaged key inside forester my21. I do step by step after Joshua and can't lock my car without engaged key.
Hi Joshua, thanks for the instuctions. I was able to set a pin and able to unlock the car with it. However, when i locked all doors, left the key inside and closed the driver door. All the doors are lcoked, except the driver door. What should i do?
Exactly my problem (2021/2022 Outback) as well. Same issue on by brother’s Forester. No matter what you do, the driver door will NOT lock with the key fob inside the car, whether it is disabled or not.
@@bernardlinde hi Bernard, Ive figured it out (someone has commented below). When all doors are locked, You will need to pull and hold the exterior door handle from the driver side, then close the driver door. Once the door is closed (make sure it's closed properly), then you can let go of the exterior door handle. The door will be locked. Hope it works for you
Shouldn't need to do anything special with the fob. After 15 days of no use the proximity sensor shuts down in the BIU as a battery saver. Otherwise shouldn't cause you any grief. Make sure your fob battery is in good condition.
That's a great question. Yes you can wrap in foil. that is a work around for not using the pincode access at all. However it will not re-enable system with tinfoil. Wrapping you key in tinfoil will block the key signal and alow you to lock your key in the vehicle without the pincode access process. I do NOT recommend this but it is possible.
Joshua Moroni Gathercole This I tried locking car with fob wrapped in foil but it would not work. I tried locking all doors then opening driver door with manual key, then wrapping key in foil, then locking door from inside , then shutting , but door just doesn’t lock
@@gbthrylos it may take several layers of tinfoil. Also make sure your spare key isn't in the vehicle. This method is not optimal. I hope it works out for you
OK, very good, but suppose I take the key with me and lose it ? The PIN lets me in the car, but I cannot start the engine, and the key pad is no help - it just sets off the alarm.
Indeed easier than in manual, thanks! However, I stuck at the step - locking the car: I press lock button and close the door, then driver's door opens once shut... Can't figure out how to lock it ... Any clue? Thank you!
If I understand you properly the door is not remaining locked with the key inside? There's a couple things that could be happening either the PIN code didn't take ,or haven't disabled the key. there is a slight possibility that your ECU has gone bad.
On my Outback (Australian MY15 3.6R) I had to do this. To lock FRONT doors: Open the door; lock all doors; and HOLD the exterior door handle (in the pulled position) as you close the front door(s), otherwise the front door(s) will unlock automatically. This is due to the anti-lock-out feature (which is great to have normally). Please note that the rear doors will lock WITHOUT holding the handle, so be careful, OR take advantage of it.
Transparent vinyl. I can't remember the brand. Want to say it was 60% transparent smoke though. That seems like another life when I did that. Windows where 3M 5% rear and 50% front two.
I'm not aware of any way to reset the pincode. You can always change it by following the setup process though. I've had some problems in the past changing it. Some gremlins may pop up. *However a reset by disconnecting the battery terminals and touching them together for 10 seconds will reset the ECM and will fix. (*disclaimer: I will not be held responsible for you following my instructions. Please consult a Subaru dealer for concerns about your vehicle.)
Edit: looks like you can't do this unless you're subscribed to Starlink at the higher level that allows remote starting, etc. Cannot get this to work. Other people have done it, so I am guessing that there is some menu setting in the vehicle that is preventing this programming. It would be nice to identify that. I also want to point out that several of the most-watched YT videos on this programming have inconsistent preliminary/set-up steps. As a second comment, none of the other videos, including the Subaru instructions, go through the procedure to deactivate the key fob. Since I can't get this programmed I don't know whether it would work without those steps, but if all of that is required the comment below about way too many steps is totally correct - which is obviously totally not your issue! :-) The Subaru engineers who designed this need some remedial training. :-(
It may not be an available function on your vehicle. Sorry your having troubles. I'd recommend visiting your closest retailer to have them check it out.
@@JoshuaMoroniGathercole Thank you for your answer, currently my Outback is in Poland, do you think that a Polish dealer can fix an electro-defect in a car from the USA?
Still so much more complicated than Ford's securi-code keypad. I think Subaru makes a better vehicle, at least now, but just use a keypad. Even GM offers this option as an accessory on some buicks.
So, you are off fishing in the mountains with Subaru Forester and loose your key fob, you are royally screwed. That is because it's my understanding that the rear hatch pin will unlock the car but it looks like Subaru engineers not smart enough to program the computer to allow the car to start. They were smart enough to allow it to be driven off if you forget to turn the car off and dash into house or store.
I know I'm late, but for anyone reading: 1) The key can easily be disabled to keep in the car while you go on an adventure. Then access by pin on the trunk, enable the key, get going. Pin access is great when I'm by the car without the key to grab something quick, or when I'm traveling so I can just leave the key with the car. 2) That's how many push button start cars work. It cannot be turned back on without the key, and Subaru Starlink Security package includes gps location for a stolen vehicle and remotely immobilizing it from being turned on again if the thief does have the key.
This is way too many steps to be practical. I have keypad entry on my 2005 Ford Freestyle and it takes literally 5 seconds to open the door with a 5 digit combination. I never take my keys with me. I'm looking for another car with keypad entry.
I believe Ford owns the patent for keypad entry. Other manufacturers have had to get creative. I will admit this system is not the best method out there. However I think it gets the job done. :)
Very clear instructions! Important to note that while the door is open, you need to lock them all in order for the remote disable to work.
Probably the best instructional video on PIN code access I have seen
Very good instructions, easier to follow than reading the manual.
It is important not to hesitate when programming the pin code. If you wait more than a couple of seconds between entries, you will need to start over.
Great video, well explained. Now I can actually use this feature! Couldn't figure it out from the manual and nobody at my dealership knew how to use it either. Thank you for posting this.
Very clear and concise. Had the Ascent for 4 months and now will try it out!
Brilliantly clear. You've solved a major problem of mine.
you rock! not even my dealership could help me do this and the Subaru manual instructions are really hard to follow.
new information about my outback. It's always good to know features.
Thanks, I was having trouble with the owners manual instructions and your video nailed it!
Thanks for making it easy to understand! I.just picked up my new forester about an hour ago!
i just put my key in a bag or back pocket if i go hiking/biking/kayaking/camping/swimming, but this was a very simple explanation of what that other button does, thanks!
Correction on the video, at 2:10 mark into the video, Josh says the "this key is now disabled, it won't start the car, it will still unlock it but it won't start the car". This is not accurate, at least on my 2019 Crosstrek. You CAN START THE CAR with the fob if you hold the disabled fob to the ignition/start button to enable the car and fire up the engine. True, you can leave the disabled fob in the car and lock it inside as he describes, but if you choose to take the key with you instead, the disabled fob WILL NOT UNLOCK THE CAR as stated in the video. Also note, if you start the car by holding the fob against the start/ignition button, it will disable the PIN access too, so if you lock it again don't leave the key inside since you will need the physical key in the fob to get in. Good news is that the fob re-enabling as he describes restores all key-less functions and the PIN.
Very insightful Sir. As I am new to the Subaru family, what would you think of having an extra no battery (non-powered) key fob hidden inside the vehicle (should my keys be lost/stolen) then I could use the access code to get back in and put the non-powered fob next to the button to start the car and get home? 🏹🤠👍
Excellent video. Very helpful, thank you!
Thanks for this, very easy to follow.
Nice! Makes me want a Subaru Outback even more!
Put the fob in aluminium foil and remove the emergency manual key from the fob. Then the fob can be locked in the car and the emergency key used to lock and unlock the car.
works great - code has to be at least 5 digits
Thank you for the detailed instruction.
we need you! amazing job.
Thank you. Very easy to follow. The manual is so unclear!
So much easier to understand than the manual! You missed only one important thing. BEFORE you actually lock the key in the car for the first time set it 10+ feet away (out of range) and make sure you can comfortably unlock and relock the car. Especially important to do this if you're out in the wilderness without a cell signal. Otherwise you're going to end up having to smash your window! (Of course if you have the second key handy go ahead and just lock it inside).
you can not lock the key inside, unless you first put in sleep mode.
Good video and to the point 👍🏻
Thanks! This really cleared things up for me with my 2016 Impreza.
thanks very easy and complete
On my car, that method of disabling the key didn't work, but holding the lock button then pressing the unlock button twice works. Then to wait it up, just press any button.
The de-activation of the FOB is much easier (maybe prone to accidentals) on the 6th Gen. By click and holding the lock and pressing the unlock 2 times, the Fob will flash twice in 2 successions, 4 in total. To re-activate the Fob all you have to do is press any key and that's the part I don't like. It can accidentally unlock your car when you don't want it to if it's still on you.
Great video. Thank you for showing us every step
It worked thank you sir. 🏹🤠👍
Holy Crap, that is the first time I heard about this!!
Actually it's good if not everyone knows because then people might start assuming there's a key locked inside!
Thanks
What about a 2015 outback how do i find the key code to proggrame it to my key that the locksmith just kut it will unlock the car but wont start tha ignition???
Good clear instructions. However, I would NOT lock the key in the car. I think the point of the "key disable" feature is that you can disable the key, and TAKE THE FOB WITH YOU. Then, when (if) you lose your fob, it makes it difficult for someone to both identify your car (they can't walk through a parking lot and spam the unlock button) and the "auto interior lights on" feature is disabled when they walk past the car.
If someone gets into your car, and the fob is inside, they can easily google how to unlock the fob and just drive off.
Q: why my doors won't close after I place disengaged key inside forester my21. I do step by step after Joshua and can't lock my car without engaged key.
GREAT. Programming the pin code is only needed once, right? Not each time you go hiking, biking or kayaking?
Yes just once to program. But don't forget your 5 digit code to unlock after disabling the key
thanks for sharing ，how to reset the code for used car？
You look like my old boss! 😂😂😂
Hi Joshua, thanks for the instuctions. I was able to set a pin and able to unlock the car with it. However, when i locked all doors, left the key inside and closed the driver door. All the doors are lcoked, except the driver door. What should i do?
Exactly my problem (2021/2022 Outback) as well. Same issue on by brother’s Forester. No matter what you do, the driver door will NOT lock with the key fob inside the car, whether it is disabled or not.
@@bernardlinde hi Bernard, Ive figured it out (someone has commented below). When all doors are locked, You will need to pull and hold the exterior door handle from the driver side, then close the driver door. Once the door is closed (make sure it's closed properly), then you can let go of the exterior door handle. The door will be locked. Hope it works for you
@@makoruah Fantastic, thanks! Will try!
@@makoruah It works indeed. This also works if you just put the key in sleep mode. Don’t have to disable keyless completely.
professional
Can you use the pin code to open any doors if you don't have the key fob with you
Yea on US models. Once the pincode is setup you can use anytime to unlock the vehicle.
Does disabling the fob also disable the spare fob?
I don't think it does... I have not tried that. Good thought! ☺️
BTW you CAN lock an active key IN the car by locking the car with the MySubaru app on your phone.
does this feature apply to 2018 outback premium model
Only models with a push button start. I cannot remember if that was an option in that year.
Seems like the fab needs to be in sleep mode and near the car or it won't work or am I doing something wrong.
Shouldn't need to do anything special with the fob. After 15 days of no use the proximity sensor shuts down in the BIU as a battery saver. Otherwise shouldn't cause you any grief. Make sure your fob battery is in good condition.
Can you wrap the key in foil after “disabling “ it and will car still open ?
That's a great question. Yes you can wrap in foil. that is a work around for not using the pincode access at all. However it will not re-enable system with tinfoil. Wrapping you key in tinfoil will block the key signal and alow you to lock your key in the vehicle without the pincode access process. I do NOT recommend this but it is possible.
Joshua Moroni Gathercole This I tried locking car with fob wrapped in foil but it would not work. I tried locking all doors then opening driver door with manual key, then wrapping key in foil, then locking door from inside , then shutting , but door just doesn’t lock
@@gbthrylos it may take several layers of tinfoil. Also make sure your spare key isn't in the vehicle. This method is not optimal. I hope it works out for you
If you enter the wrong pin code 3 times you get locked out. Does anyone know how long this lockout lasts.
....yes
Two questions
1-Will this work on a Crosstrek?
2022 Crosstrek Limited
OK, very good, but suppose I take the key with me and lose it ? The PIN lets me in the car, but I cannot start the engine, and the key pad is no help - it just sets off the alarm.
Don't lose your key.
Indeed easier than in manual, thanks!
However, I stuck at the step - locking the car: I press lock button and close the door, then driver's door opens once shut... Can't figure out how to lock it ... Any clue? Thank you!
If I understand you properly the door is not remaining locked with the key inside? There's a couple things that could be happening either the PIN code didn't take ,or haven't disabled the key. there is a slight possibility that your ECU has gone bad.
On my Outback (Australian MY15 3.6R) I had to do this. To lock FRONT doors: Open the door; lock all doors; and HOLD the exterior door handle (in the pulled position) as you close the front door(s), otherwise the front door(s) will unlock automatically. This is due to the anti-lock-out feature (which is great to have normally). Please note that the rear doors will lock WITHOUT holding the handle, so be careful, OR take advantage of it.
@@rodneyodonohoe9910 Yep that fooled me for a while too! Great feature once you crack the code!
What mods did you do to windows and tail-lights?
Transparent vinyl. I can't remember the brand. Want to say it was 60% transparent smoke though. That seems like another life when I did that. Windows where 3M 5% rear and 50% front two.
@@JoshuaMoroniGathercole thanks, do you remember what you did for windshield and rear glass?
@@imaan6816 I don't remember any modifications to the windshield. Rear glass was 3M tint 5%
Does the pin have to be six digits or can it be four?
@@JoshuaMoroniGathercole But the guy in this video uses 5 digits! Do yo mean 5?
@@paulvachier sorry for my last reply it is actually 5 digits. 🤪
How do you reset the pin code?
I'm not aware of any way to reset the pincode. You can always change it by following the setup process though. I've had some problems in the past changing it. Some gremlins may pop up. *However a reset by disconnecting the battery terminals and touching them together for 10 seconds will reset the ECM and will fix. (*disclaimer: I will not be held responsible for you following my instructions. Please consult a Subaru dealer for concerns about your vehicle.)
Where does the pin code come from?
Not sure what you mean? The pin is a 5 digit code you choose.
Edit: looks like you can't do this unless you're subscribed to Starlink at the higher level that allows remote starting, etc.
Cannot get this to work. Other people have done it, so I am guessing that there is some menu setting in the vehicle that is preventing this programming. It would be nice to identify that. I also want to point out that several of the most-watched YT videos on this programming have inconsistent preliminary/set-up steps.
As a second comment, none of the other videos, including the Subaru instructions, go through the procedure to deactivate the key fob. Since I can't get this programmed I don't know whether it would work without those steps, but if all of that is required the comment below about way too many steps is totally correct - which is obviously totally not your issue! :-) The Subaru engineers who designed this need some remedial training. :-(
I got it to work after 20 minutes. It does require as least 5 #'s. I still can't disable my fob though.
I try many times but it doesn't work. If I hold the RC button and hold the button on the car, nothing happens.
It may not be an available function on your vehicle. Sorry your having troubles. I'd recommend visiting your closest retailer to have them check it out.
@@JoshuaMoroniGathercole Thank you for your answer, currently my Outback is in Poland, do you think that a Polish dealer can fix an electro-defect in a car from the USA?
I am inclined to say yes. We have had Subaru's from other countries serviced. Usually not much difference.
Still so much more complicated than Ford's securi-code keypad. I think Subaru makes a better vehicle, at least now, but just use a keypad. Even GM offers this option as an accessory on some buicks.
What happen if your car battery die with your key lock inside.
So, you are off fishing in the mountains with Subaru Forester and loose your key fob, you are royally screwed. That is because it's my understanding that the rear hatch pin will unlock the car but it looks like Subaru engineers not smart enough to program the computer to allow the car to start. They were smart enough to allow it to be driven off if you forget to turn the car off and dash into house or store.
I know I'm late, but for anyone reading:
1) The key can easily be disabled to keep in the car while you go on an adventure. Then access by pin on the trunk, enable the key, get going. Pin access is great when I'm by the car without the key to grab something quick, or when I'm traveling so I can just leave the key with the car.
2) That's how many push button start cars work. It cannot be turned back on without the key, and Subaru Starlink Security package includes gps location for a stolen vehicle and remotely immobilizing it from being turned on again if the thief does have the key.
@@procrastinator0219 "Pushbutton" start cars. I went one better,....a manual transmission LoL 😂....🏹🤠👍
I’m sorry what are you doing ?
Pressing that thing a couple of times with your finger?
This is way too many steps to be practical. I have keypad entry on my 2005 Ford Freestyle and it takes literally 5 seconds to open the door with a 5 digit combination. I never take my keys with me. I'm looking for another car with keypad entry.
I believe Ford owns the patent for keypad entry. Other manufacturers have had to get creative. I will admit this system is not the best method out there. However I think it gets the job done. :)
Ford does have the best, but until their patent \expires Subaru has been quite creative.
If you can remember all this bull that comes with your Subaru then you need to get a better day job!