Ever found yourself stuck because your Subaru key fob decided to quit just when you needed it most? It’s a common hiccup, but thankfully, Subaru has designed its vehicles with backup plans to get you on your way even when your key fob battery is flat. This guide will walk you through exactly how to start your Subaru with a dead key fob, ensuring you’re never stranded.
Understanding Your Subaru Key Fob and Emergency Key
Modern Subaru key fobs are more than just simple lock and unlock devices. They use sophisticated two-way communication with your vehicle, which, while convenient, can drain the battery faster than older, simpler fobs. Within your key fob is a hidden gem: the emergency key, also known as a valet key or mechanical key. This traditional-style key is designed to manually unlock your car door when electronic methods fail, such as when your car battery is dead or your key fob is unresponsive.
Step-by-Step: Starting Your Subaru with a Dead Key Fob
When your key fob battery dies, don’t panic. You have a couple of straightforward methods to start your Subaru:
1. Using the Emergency Key to Access Your Vehicle
The primary purpose of the emergency key is to get into your Subaru when the central locking system is disabled due to a dead car battery or a non-functional key fob.
- Locate the Emergency Key: First, you’ll need to remove the emergency key from your key fob. There’s usually a small release button or latch on the fob. Refer to your owner’s manual if you’re unsure how to detach it.
- Manually Unlock the Door: Insert the emergency key into the driver’s side door lock cylinder and turn it as you would with a traditional key. This will unlock the door, allowing you to access the vehicle.
2. Starting the Engine with a Dead Key Fob Battery
Once inside, even with a dead fob battery, you can still start your Subaru engine thanks to the push-button start system’s built-in backup.
- Position the Key Fob: Get into the driver’s seat and hold your key fob close to the push-button start button. The optimal spot is usually directly touching the start button or being within a very close proximity, as indicated in your Subaru owner’s manual.
- Press the Start Button: With the fob held in position, press the start button as you normally would when starting your car. The vehicle’s system is designed to detect the key fob’s presence even when the fob battery is dead, allowing the engine to start.
- Start the Engine: Keep your foot on the brake pedal and press the start button again. The engine should now start.
3. Alternative Methods: PIN Code and Starlink
For some Subaru models equipped with Subaru Starlink, there might be additional methods to unlock and potentially start your car if you’ve set up a PIN code or have an active Starlink subscription. These methods usually involve using your smartphone app to send a remote unlock command to your vehicle. However, these are dependent on the car’s battery having some charge and the Starlink service being active.
Pro Tips for Key Fob Management and Emergencies
- Conserve Fob Battery: Modern key fobs can drain battery faster. To extend battery life for a fob you don’t frequently use, you can deactivate it. Press and hold the lock button, then press the unlock button twice. Release both. The red LED blinking four times confirms deactivation. Pressing any button reactivates it.
- Spare Fob Strategy: While you can’t lock an active fob inside the car, you can deactivate a spare fob as described above and hide it within your vehicle for emergency situations, like accidentally dropping your primary fob down a drain while traveling.
- Valet Situations: For valet parking or similar situations, you can detach the emergency key and keep your key ring with you, ensuring the valet cannot access your glove box or other secured areas if you have used the mechanical key to lock them.
- Emergency Key Blank: Consider purchasing a blank emergency key online. You can insert it into your fob, providing an attachment ring without giving away a functional key for valet parking scenarios.
Conclusion
Knowing how to start your Subaru with a dead key fob battery ensures you’re prepared for unexpected situations. The emergency key is a reliable mechanical backup, and the push-to-start system is designed to work even with a dead fob battery when held in close proximity to the start button. Familiarize yourself with these methods and your Subaru owner’s manual to handle key fob issues confidently and keep your journeys uninterrupted.
