Hidden Vehicle Settings on the Subaru Forester and Subaru Crosstrek 

For all these software options Subaru can build into their cars that most people likely don’t care about or take the time to adjust, wish the ability to permanently disable auto start stop was one of them.

OMG!!! Found it!!!! My subaru retailer sent me off with absolutely NO intel on all the specs…..😱😅. They, themselves had no idea 😳You ll never know just how much these recap tutorials are appreciated and enormously helpful!!!! I would not have known and believe me, i looked for it. ♥️🌹👠

Great information. I’m sure many dealers can offer this information, but having your videos makes it much more comfortable than having a salesperson sit in your car with you while you try to figure things out or do what they are “teaching” you.

Great video, as always. As a new Subaru owner, your videos are absolutely essential, and should be mandatory! Subaru SHOULD have you go around to the dealerships to teach the salesforce how to teach the new owners! You're a natural-born teacher.

Hi Alex. From the U.K. I’d just want to let you know that your videos have been really helpful to me in choosing to purchase a new Subaru Outback. Although your dealership won’t have any benefit from my purchase at least there’s another Subaru owner in the world! Cheers Alex and much appreciated.

How refreshing to watch a video and actually take something from it.

This is the best video I've seen!! I'm getting ready to pickup my 2023 limited in less then 2 weeks and never knew there were that many settings 😅 it's going to take me hours to connect my phone and go through the many settings on the three different screens!

I'm pretty sure that the Left and Right options for the lane centering control whether the Eyesight system prefers "hugging" the left side or the right side of the lane. Above notwithstanding, I've learned so much from your channel! I think my new 2024 Forester Touring appreciates you too.

Thank you for the information! I got my 2023 crosstrek last Monday, and didn't know about a lot of this

Excellent video Alex…in all the Subaru tutorials available yours is the only one that thoroughly explains that function…..are there any unknowns in the Multi-function display?

Great video as always, learn so much from you, keep doing them!!!!

Thank you! I had no clue that some of those adjustments were possible and this was exceptionally helpful!

Just ordered a 2023 Forester, great information, thank you!

Hi Alex, we just got our new Forester! And we love it!! Thanks for the video and all the info.

Thank you! I watched to learn how to change my tire pressure display to PSI, but I learned a few other helpful tips as well. You're the best!

Excellent. This was something I didn't even know existed. Now I'll have to play and change some of the settings you showed in your video tutorial. Thanks for showing us all the settings it has. What a beneficial feature to have.

Thank you for that disassembling I have been wondering about changing the bulbs behind those projection lenses, and now that I have seen what is behind those projection lenses I am not going to worry about attempting that thank you so much

Great channel Alex, learning soooo much about the used forester I just purchased

Knew some of these were there but having a detailed video on them was really helpful man!

I love these videos because my 2023 Forester settings are overwhelming to 'discover'.

Thank you so much for making these videos. Lifesavers.

Thank you for going into detail about this menu. I accessed it shortly after getting my Forester, but quickly backed out because it felt a bit much. I'm definitely going to turn the eye sight car detection beep off. It's pretty annoying, distracting, and sounds just like the alert beep. My biggest question is why can't I do this from the larger screen? All 3 screens have their own menu system when it could all be controlled on the one screen. Touch controls and bigger screen for more details would be nice. It would also take care of some of the duplicate menu options.

Very helpful video, thanks!

Eagerly awaiting delivery of my 2023 Ascent. Your videos have been helpful in making me feel like I'll have half an idea of what's going on with all my new tech. 😅 Thanks for the clear and thorough information, as always!

Hi Alex! Great content as always 👍 Thank you! -Vicky from Cali

Wow! Found this vid by accident. Never realized these features existed. Thnx.

Alex, thanks for the info presented here: most useful when getting used to my 2023 Forester Premium here in Australia. The RADIO: is there a setting which will keep it playing for longer than 1-2 minutes after you switch off the ignition, but remain in the car...i.e. listening to an interview or music as you sit there. After it goes off (too soon!) a double press of the ignition button seems not to always work.

Thanks for the video, super helpful! Do you have any idea if it’s possible to disable the small screen staying on if one of the doors is open? This would be nice to disable while camping as I like to keep my doors open when arriving to camp but don’t want to risk draining the battery. Thanks!

Thanks, Alex - this information is like gold for new owners. I realize it's likely all in the manual, but listening to the information also is very helpful.

Love your videos - very easy to follow and implement. Do you happen to have a video showing how to update the navigation system map for a 2019 Forester?

In regard to disabling the auto stop start I have managed to do this on my 2018 Crosstrek/XV. Stop start is disabled while towing by a magnetic switch in the trailer light flap as part of the Subaru dealer towbar setup. I simply put a dummy trailer plug in my trailer light socket and no more stop start. This wire for this switch must be present in all cars but you would need a wiring map to check which wire it is if you don't have a towbar and trailer light socket.

You can turn off the auto door lock through the big screen as well. I didn't know about the auto tilt mirror in reverse I'll try that out.

Excellent information - thank you.

Hi Alex! Your video's are greatly appreciated. The question I have is how do I access the messages that randomly appear over my speedometer are like ..."Your ignition has been on 2 hours"; "Stay alert" ; "Lane departure" when on a gravel backroad. There are other messages that have appeared but escape my memory at the moment!

Thx! Sure seems like it would be simpler (and easier to navigate) if you could scroll and change all that stuff under a settings menu on the infotainment screen!

I have a question Alex great video for secret options. How do I get the temperature gage to show? Does not look like it’s an option on my dash Subaru Impreza

Thanks for the detailed video. Does anyone know if there is a way to stop the horn from beeping when you use the MySubaru auto start?

This is so informative. How do I use a flash disc in my Subaru forester.?

Hi I just subscribed I love how you explain things, I have a 2018 subaru forester, I wanted to know if the side mirrors has automatic fog clearing, just bought the suv used thanks.

Hi, awesome video! I did however notice my 2022 forester wilderness did not have the last menu option for doors and mirrors where I can set it for my mirrors to tilt when in reverse! I knew about all the other features and had adjusted my settings when I got my car but never knew about this and would really love to have that function. Is this only available with the dimmable mirrors? I opted out of those, could that be the reason why I don’t have that feature?

Thanks, Alex, great and useful info. All the best! "The JJ" SW Penna

I’ve had a Subaru for two years now and I still don’t know what all these lights and symbols are. Makes me miss my Honda. It was simple and it never needed repairs.

very helpful and well explained

I appreciate this video but I wish you would show how and what levers you are touching to adjust the the settings

Alex, I just collected my ‘23 Crosstrek LTD 2 questions: 1) How do I adjust the weather location in the multi-function display on the top of the dashboard - it is not displaying the weather for my preferred location? Does the weather change with the car movement? 2) MySubaru app - is there a feature to see if all the doors/trunk/windows/sunroof are LOCKED?

Hey Alex thanks for all the useful information. I have a 2019 Forester and every time I turn the car off and open the door there's a dinging sound that continues until I close the door. Is there a way to turn that off?

Gday Alex, contacting you from Sydney Australia. Just got my 2022 forester and I find your clip very helpful I’m still learning the different functions and I appreciate your assistance, much better than the salesman. Is there a mute button on the info screen so I can hear/talk while the radio or media is playing Thanks

Got a 2022 Subaru Forester touring 2 months ago, love it. Yesterday driving out of town. Had a flat tire in the interstate, push the SOS button, Subaru help came within 10 minutes, that was great. The spare tire should be a full size not a donut, after the tire was replaced have to find a tire shop so they can fix the tire or buy a new one, I was lucky that they were able to fix it, have to wait about 1/2 for the tire to be fix. But so glad that I got the help that I need it from Subaru STARLINK .

Thanks for the video. Is there an audible alarm option in addition to the visual when the turn signal is activated and a vehicle is in the blind spot for the Outback and Forester?

Thanks Lots of settings!

Maybe covered on another video but one feature the CRV has is each one of the two key fobs can be programmed to have its own seat settings. Very convenient when two drivers desire different driver positions. The driver’s seat automatically adjusts when the driver’s door opens with that respective fob.

Thanks alot very helpful

Thank You Alex. You're the best

Thanks for this tip. Question: how do I keep the radio from coming on when I start the 2019 Crosstrek?

Thank you so, so, so much for posting this.

Alex, please do a video on the differences in the fuel consumption figures on the Combination Meter Display and the Multifunction Display including Trip A and B. Why did instance does one display show a different fuel consumption figure than the other display?

Thank you Alex!!! Much needed information. BTW, where is the setting for high beams to auto change? Mine seemed to lose it's auto low - high beam function somewhere in the system.

Very helpful!

Thanks Alex, i will check those settings on my 2020 WRX 👍 Au

Your videos are great for me to learn about my new Forester. I was wondering if there was a feature to auto lock all the doors when we walk away with the key fob. Help? Thank you!

Thank you!

I have the same model but I do not have some settings under keyless entry like audible signal and rear gate/trunk unlock and auto light sensor. :(

Could you do a video on how to remove the rear seat cushion on the Outback?

I havea 2020 Forester. Is there a Happy Birthday setting? I love that feature on my 2014 Forester.

Subaru Forester high spec is my dream vehicle

Alex, I have found more about the FAB from you, than I did when I picked up my Forester from my dealer in Brisbane (Aus).Love your work, thanks.

Thank you so much for the information. I "custom built" my very first Subaru in Feb 2022. I chose the Forester Wilderness Edition with all the bells and whistles that I could add, including the tow hitch and auto dimming mirrors with approach lighting. I took my paperwork to my "local dealership" 68 miles from my house, put down my deposit on March 1st 2022 and waited and waited and waited until Aug 27th 2022. I chose the wrong dealership. Absolutely the worst vehicle buy experience ever. Took their decal and license plate frame off immediately!!! But, I must say that I LOVE my new Subaru Forester Wilderness Edition 2022. However the brick vehicle manual is taking me a long time to read everything cover to cover and I'm the person who does this more than once. So I really appreciate your info videos. I REALLY wish I could have purchased from you!!! But I live in Ga, USA to clarify. Thank you so much for your information. And to everyone with their new vehicles, don't forget to get your 5 free badges from Subaru for your new vehicle purchase!

Thanks, Alex. It’s good to know there are so many settings that you can modify to your own liking. Have you been able to take your new car home yet?

My 2022 Forester was made in Thailand for Vietnam market. Setting looks a little bit different from your car. Just simply question, anyway to keep the "Side View Monitor" be always Display when I press "View" Button? In my car, sometimes it keeps displaying but in most cases, it will automatically stop after several seconds. Thank for great information.

Thanks for the info Alex. I tried accessing the mirror fold and it didn't appear. Is it safe to assume that I have to have that feature on my model. I have the limited. The other question I have is, is there any hidden compass feature on the vehicle as I don't have the mirror with the compass. Thanks

Can you share how to use the fog light and wipers? And how to open the engine cover to refill water for the wipers plss

On the 2023 Crosstrek there is a bar for fuel. Are there any other options such as how many litres are left, kms left till empty, etc.?

I have a 22 WRX. I love the “welcome” feature. Can I do that with the WRX?

For the Forester 2023 What does the "set" button inside the glove box do? As you open the glove box its on the left side. Thanks

Excellent video - very useful! But I have a question. I have a 2023 Forester. How do I turn off the headlights and daytime running lights completely? I sometimes work at an astronomical observatory. Keeping the environment as dark as possible there is mandatory. Sometimes people have to drive away during the night and only parking lights are permissible when leaving the parking area, including me. So far I can't figure out how to turn off all the lights (parking lights excepted) on this car. Every other type of vehicle I've come across at the observatory allows the driver to do this.

I have a 2015 forester and on the left on steering wheel there is a “mode” button and I can’t figure out what it does. Thank you for your help.

thank you i got 23 forester sport model/and sadly i dont have tire pressure

Are there any setting changes one can do to get better mileage on the Forester 2023. Thanks

I have a '19 premium CrossTrek and I tried to follow your directions to set the door locks to lock when put into gear. I was able to get to vehicle on the screen but that was it, was not able to get to set the door locks. Any help you can render? I think was in another video and I will try to find that one.

Not sure if new ones have this but my 16 legacy does. This has more though.

What about the really secret menu that you get pressing Homr + right knob twice? I see you can tweak the rear camera guidelines but also many other things. It would be great to know what each of these are.

I was told there was an option or function to change the dash gauge light color. Is this feature not on the 2023? If so, where is it found? I am inquiring about the 2023 Subaru Impreza Sport model.

I just want to know if there is a way to remove the 5 MPH increments during cruise control. Three quick clicks takes me from 75 to 90 mph, SMH… and holding down the increment toggle requires eyes off the road to see the 1mph increments.

Hi With the 2023 subaru forester sport in australia , how does the front passenger airbag light work please . Thanks

Have they fixed the SOS yet? My '23 Touring XT is slated to get to the dealership by Mid-November. Hopefully I'll be able to take it off the lot..

Just bought my first Subaru (2016 outback)--does anyone know if the reverse beeping needs to be set through this? Mine doesn't make ANY noise if I get close to anything while in reverse...

I have a 2021 Subaru Forrester. How do I keep the headlights from coming on when the switch is in the off position

2023 crosstrek base 6speed manual - cruise control - arriving mid December (I hope as promised) Cruise Operation? what is "X" mode - is there a way to get 12vdc power port to the rear storage are and will a FULL SIZE Spare find in the donut hole compartment?? thx

hi Alex and everyone here. I am looking at buying a 2022 or 2023 Forester. just curious if u guys know whether the battery drain issue is fully resolved and new battery that comes with new forester no longer need to worry about this?

Does the 2023 forester wilderness have the mirror adjustment feature? I followed you video for the hidden features but I can’t seem to find it. Thanks.

great video..........on the center console is a place where even in the video a tiny red light went on. what is this?

Please make a video how to set autofold mirrors in subaru forester 2023 limited

Is there a way to remove the trip odometer A and B from the dash display? I want to be able to run it on and off as needed. Otherwise I do not need to look at it. The display is much too cluttered already.

this isn't hidden. it says right on the display, hold select for menu

Hi Alex, Do you have video for ascent onyx 2023?

The buttons in my Forester, like the tailgate button and door lock/unlock buttons are lit up when I'm driving, but go dark when I put the car in Park, precisely the time when I need to use them. Any way to keep them lit?

Is there anyway to roll windows up or down without turning the car on? Or with the key fob? If not they need to add this on the next model.

i have a 2024 crosstrek what do you recommend to clean the radio/ options front computer screen. are those tv/computer wipes you can buy ok on it

still waiting on the sos recall so I can pick up my outback!

Is there an auto start on the outback 2017 3.6R model? How do you turn it on?