Have you ever been stranded because your Subaru key fob suddenly stopped working? It’s a frustrating situation, especially when you’re in a hurry. Modern Subaru vehicles come with sophisticated key fobs for convenience, but like any electronic device, the battery can die, leaving you wondering how to start your car. The good news is that Subaru has предусмотрено backup methods to ensure you’re never truly locked out or unable to start your vehicle. This guide from Keyfobx.com will walk you through exactly how to start your Subaru even when your key fob battery is dead.
Understanding the Emergency Key in Your Subaru Fob
Most Subaru key fobs contain a hidden mechanical key, often referred to as the “emergency key” or “valet key”. This key is designed precisely for situations like a dead key fob battery or a dead car battery. It’s easily removable and provides a traditional way to unlock your car door.
Alt: Close-up of a Subaru key fob showing the easily removable emergency key, highlighting its function for manual door unlocking.
To access the emergency key, look for a small release button or latch on your key fob. Push or slide this release, and the mechanical key will slide out. This key will always work to unlock your driver’s side door, regardless of your fob’s battery status or even your car battery condition.
Starting Your Subaru with the Push-Button Start and a Dead Key Fob
Even with a dead battery, your Subaru key fob is still equipped with a transponder chip that the vehicle can detect. This allows you to start your Subaru, even with a non-functioning fob battery, using the push-button start. Here’s how:
- Enter your Subaru using the emergency key: Use the mechanical key to manually unlock your driver’s side door. The alarm might sound, but don’t worry, it will stop once the car starts.
- Locate the push-button start: This is usually located on the dashboard, near the steering wheel.
- Position the key fob correctly: Hold your Subaru key fob close to the push-button start. In some models, you might even need to touch the key fob directly to the button. The optimal position is usually indicated in your owner’s manual, but generally, holding it against the start button works.
Alt: Image showing a hand holding a Subaru key fob near the push-to-start button in a Subaru vehicle, illustrating the process of starting the car with a dead fob battery.
- Press the start button: While holding the key fob in position, firmly press the push-button start as you normally would when starting your car.
- Start your engine: The car should recognize the transponder chip in the fob and start the engine.
Once your Subaru is running, the car’s alternator will power the vehicle, and you can drive normally. This method bypasses the need for the fob’s battery to send a signal, relying instead on close proximity and the passive transponder.
Managing Your Subaru Key Fob Battery and Preventing Issues
To avoid being caught off guard by a dead key fob battery, consider these preventative measures:
- Regular Battery Checks: While key fob batteries typically last a year or two, it’s good practice to have them checked periodically, especially if you notice the range of your remote functions decreasing.
- Carry a Spare Fob Battery: Keep a spare CR2032 or CR2025 battery (check your owner’s manual for the correct type) in your glove compartment or wallet. Replacing the battery is usually a straightforward process.
- Disabling a Key Fob for Storage: If you have a spare key fob that you don’t use regularly, you can disable it to conserve battery life. As mentioned in the original text, you can often disable a fob by pressing and holding the lock button while pressing the unlock button twice. The LED blinking four times usually indicates successful deactivation. Pressing any button will reactivate it.
Alt: Step-by-step image guide demonstrating how to open a Subaru key fob and replace the internal battery, emphasizing ease of maintenance.
- Utilize Subaru Starlink (if applicable): If your Subaru is equipped with Starlink, you may be able to use your smartphone app to unlock and even start your car in emergencies, depending on your subscription and model features.
Emergency Situations and the Hidden Key Fob
The emergency key isn’t just for dead fob batteries. It’s also crucial in situations where your car battery is completely dead and you can’t use electronic methods to unlock your car. It ensures you can always access your vehicle to pop the hood for a jump start or retrieve items from inside.
Additionally, for valet situations or when you need to secure your glove box, the emergency key can be removed and kept with you, preventing access to the glove compartment while still allowing the valet to park your car.
Conclusion: Stay Prepared with Your Subaru Key Fob
Knowing how to start your Subaru with a dead key fob is essential for every Subaru owner. By understanding the functions of your emergency key and the push-button start system, you can confidently handle situations where your key fob battery fails. Regular maintenance and being aware of these backup methods will ensure you’re never stranded due to a simple key fob issue. Keep this guide from keyfobx.com handy, and you’ll always be ready to get back on the road.
