Keep Your Car Battery From Dying | "Carabiner Trick" | Wilderness Offroad

[@killersushi99]

*On newer Subarus you can hold the lock button and double press the unlock button and the fog goes into sleep mode. Hit any button to wake it back up. The carabiner trick is also very easy and quick to do. Thanks for sharing info to the Subaru community.*

[@wendeemason6268]

I don’t use a carabiner, I use an Allen wrench. I put the Allen wrench up against the lock and push it up. The lock closes and there’s nothing in the lock to get caught. Although I can’t use it to hang a lantern, I never have to worry about getting it out. When I leave the campsite or want to close the door, I push the door all the way down manually, then I push the button and the door pops up and acts normal once again. I always keep an Allen wrench in the back cubbyhole next to my very large battery pack. I recommend you get the largest battery pack you can afford as the smaller ones won’t jump your car. The best thing I did was order a cut off switch for my battery from Amazon. I installed it on the negative post and when I want the card to be disengage from the battery, I can just turn the dial, and it cuts the battery off completely. That is saved me a lot of headaches. When I want the battery to be engaged again, I just turned the dial back and re-engage the battery and start ups the computer again. Best $15 I ever spent. Alternatively, you can disengage the battery post from the post clamp when you go camping. You can’t drain what you don’t have.

[@Dirka41]

that will reset everything in the vehicle.

[@ladytrader688]

@@Dirka41 I agree, I don't want to disengage and reengage battery in these new computer heavy cars. Had an issue with that when they changed a truck battery at the dealership and did not reset the computers.

[@edwardbyrd7667]

Question: Could you use the 12 Volt socket to “backfeed” a 12 V power supply into the Car’s system to supplement / protect the starter battery or even allow for it’s disconnection while preserving the computer’s settings?

[@taraconoff6727]

I have a 2022 outback wilderness and I had to do mine a little differently to unlock the hatch when it was in the open position. I unclipped my carabiner and took it out, then had to manually bring my door all the way down until it touched the hatch loop, then I could press the button by the license plate and it would unlock and open up. Thank you for this great carabiner idea!

[@spencerboaz2385]

The 2024 has a sensor that tells the hatch is open . The hatch has to close not just the latch . I just bought a Hatch Catch from Etsy for $19.99 that allows the hatch to almost close so that the latch and sensor sense the door is closed . I'm not sure about the 2023 I think it's all the models with the 11,5" display . My sister has the 2017 and it is the same hatch system you have and the carabiner works for hers . The newest ones are made different . With the carabiner the 2024 can't close enough for the system to sense the door is closed and doesn't turn off the light and hatch system . Good thing to know for people new to Subaru camping whatever model you have . Great video you have a blessed one .

[@Maria-yf8fp]

Super helpful, I get so stressed when camping because of this. Going to buy a battery pack also.

[@08carbonslvr]

I appreciate the well throughout explanation of all this. I look forward to more content from you.

[@arlenenolte8475]

Thank you for this video. I am a new Subie owner and I had wondered why people were doing this. You explained it so well :)

[@notme3252]

I never would have thought of drawing the battery down at camp 🤦🏼‍♀️ Just brought a ‘23 wilderness and can’t wait to get out there!

[@CaliVapor]

I just hold the Subaru and lock button and it turns it off so i can lock the key in the car. To unlock i put in the code on the hatch. I use that feature to go swimming where i cant take the key. Also i just flip the latch mechanism when the tailgate is open then close it by hand and it doesn’t latch and i press the open hatch buttons.

[@Zanderthelab]

Where is the keypad? Does it come standard?? What do you mean by the last sentence?

[@CaliVapor]

@@Zanderthelab I think it is standard. The keypad is a single button to the right of the hatch open button outside of the vehicle. You’ll need to program it first. What I mean by the second sentence is there is electric parasitic draw when hatch is open and it drains the battery faster than I want, so they make a clip tool carabiner thing. Or what I do is just flip it with a finger.

[@Zanderthelab]

@@CaliVapor so it’s next to the open button on the hatch?

[@CaliVapor]

@@Zanderthelab to the right, a small square black rubber button on my 2021 onyx

[@PCL73314]

Came here to say the same thing.. it's somewhere in this vid: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3OudmqVjtNmr5I

[@quanyiwang2623]

Doesn't work for 2023 outback. Sadly, I have to go to the service department. Trunk won't open.

[@Engine19_Squad2]

Thanks man did this on my Toyota RAV4 2016 really helped used my magnet hanging flashlight to hold it up

[@richardshansky3040]

I always leave a jumper pack in each of our cars, whether camping or not.

[@HomesteadOnThePreserve]

Unfortunately my 2022 Outback Wilderness still has a draw with the carabiner trick. The 2 buttons on the hatch (close&lock and close) continue to glow red and never shut off. That means theres even more of a draw from sensors and stuff so its more than just a couple "low glow" LEDs. Guess it's fuse pull time.

[@WildernessOffroad]

Yeah I heard about that on some of the Facebook groups. I have no idea why and it makes no sense to me… must have some other sensors

[@HomesteadOnThePreserve]

@@WildernessOffroad You would think with all the buttons and lights and stuff Subaru would have something like a "power down" button which overrides ALL vanity lighting to OFF. This way campers would never have to worry about a dead battery in the morning from a door open, vanity mirror light, hatch light left on etc. Call the button "camping mode"

[@canlast02]

the 2 “low glow” leds on the hatch of my OBW was my concern as well. i noticed it did turn off when i hit the lock button on the fob and set the alarm with the hatch open. there was still the blinking “padlock alarm” on the dash board i’ll have to test it again to be sure tho

[@wendeemason6268]

If you’re going to keep the hatch open for a while, on Amazon, they have a battery shut off knob that you put on the negative post. It will be installed permanently. This will shut off the battery.

[@toadkillerdog6009]

Found a fix, so once the carabiner is in place, lower the back door to almost close and you'll hear it shift something, now open the door back up and the red lights are off

[@angelady6725]

Very helpful thanks for all of your time to share with us thanks again

[@DenaInWyo]

Thank you for this! It's such a simple thing, but not knowing about it could totally ruin your trip.

[@air4334]

THANK YOU GOOD EXPLANATION !!

[@robinrandolph1951]

This is exactly what I wanted to learn!! Thank you so much!

[@kenyaecho]

Does this work if you don’t have an electronic close on the hatch? How do you get the carabiner out?

[@WildernessOffroad]

I’m not sure, is the dash light still on when the hatch is open? I assume it would work similarly, but not sure. That’s something you might have to research a little more.

[@lindaabuhasou2635]

Tx 4 info. How do u like your rain guards?

[@eternallyblessed588]

Has anyone tried this on a kia soul? 2020

[@velpay]

Fuck you for making this a 13 min video but appreciate the tip nonetheless

[@WildernessOffroad]

🤣 thanks, you can always scrub the video lol

[@gwendolynmccall4746]

THANKS, I NEEDED TO KNOW THIS

[@kaydir3911]

I know this is posted a while ago, so hopefully my question will get answered. I tried the trick of pushing a little hook into the trunk latch, so the car thinks that the trunk is closed. And it worked great except now my trunk won’t open or close properly, I have to use the actual key fob to open the trunk, and even then it only opens halfway. The button on the trunk won’t open it, does anybody know why or how I can fix this?

[@WildernessOffroad]

I’m not 100% sure. If you haven’t figured out yet, I would look into the “relearn” process, kinda like the windows if you disconnect the battery.

[@mikam8801]

I just saw a video about “resetting” the hatch. Maybe that would work? I think it was hold the hatch button down for 3 or was it 10 seconds. Apparently this fixes the dreaded “3 beep and doesn’t open” problem. It was posted by a lady working at a Subaru dealership - if that helps.

[@kimberlyjohnson1024]

Thank you. Very helpful and informative

[@lindasue8719]

All the videos I see on this topic are for Subarus. I drive a Dodge Journey. I'm a little worried about the carabiner being in there and unable to remove it. Can it be opened and threaded out?

[@WildernessOffroad]

I’m not 100% sure, but I think it can since it’s pretty loose in the latch. If you afraid of getting it stuck, you could also just flip the latch with a screwdriver or something.

[@briantodd4887]

Great video- I’ll be car camping in a new Subaru Outback later this year. Could you simply unclip the caribeaner? Also, what jumper pack do you use? Do you have a second car key that you keep hidden inside the car in case you loose the primary key? If so, can ypu turn off the second key fob so it doesn’t drain battery and do you wrap it in tinfoil? Thanks!

[@WildernessOffroad]

Thanks for watching! So for the carabiner, you could unclip it but the latch needs to flip back to the “open position” before closing the hatch again. I don’t know what year you have, but keep in mind this doesn’t work for all Subarus. For the jumper pack, I use one from Foxpeed. I have a video on that as well. I’ve heard of turning the key off, you can do that for either and you shouldn’t have to use a faraday cage (tinfoil).

[@nunyabidness359]

What about a jeep cherokee 2020? work the same?

[@WildernessOffroad]

Sorry, I have no idea.. I would join a camping Jeep Cherokee Facebook group and ask.

[@terrylynnbattson7848]

Helpful

[@davidjohn9006]

Interesting … does this work, for a hatch that is not powered? My forester 2019 is not fitted with "power lift" but I’m assuming that the "hatch open" warning on the dash is current on, when open for a prolonged period, tailgating camping. So a carabiner stuck in the catch would "fool" the sensor in a similar way? 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@WildernessOffroad]

Yeah I’m not sure… I haven’t tested it before.

[@henrytoh4217]

hatch in my 2018 crosstrek premium is not powered, carabiner works, and to release carabiner, press the hatch open pad once not twice then it drops out of the latch.

[@davidjohn9006]

@@henrytoh4217 appreciate your reply … I will give this a try real soon 😉👍🏼

[@mmgrevenenterprises5625]

@@henrytoh4217 I tried this and it still wont release the carabiner. I have 2019 Crosstrek, manual hatch back. HELP!

[@cindynichols27]

What if your hatch doesn't have an auto hatch? Sorry--dumb question, but I want to be sure.

[@WildernessOffroad]

Not super sure on that. I would check to see if your dash lights still stay on. Otherwise that’ll have to be some googling

[@dianedooley2069]

My husband has a 2012-no computer and no issues-leaves the hatch open all day using the back as his tool/truck bed.

[@CountryB4Party]

Great tip! Thanks.

[@alohaXamanda]

None of these work for the Ford Escape. You literally can't get the fcking tailgate 'safety' lights to go off unless you pull the fuse.

[@davidfarrar3666]

Just use the D ring on the rear passenger seat belt, it's always there and automatically retracts when released

[@cathywild2702]

I tried the carabiner in my 2021 Subaru Outback limited and the carabiner would not come out as shown in the video. Also, the light on the dashboard never went off. We finally removed the carabiner. Phew! I called the dealer who mentioned this tip would likely not work on newer Subarus.

[@georgejones8784]

I demonstrated this "feature" to a friend on a 2020 Outback Limited. Same thing happened. The lock wouldn't open. Nor would the buttons on the door or the fob lock or unlock the gate. Fortunately, I was able to remove the carabiner and manually push the gate down, at which point it responded to lock/unlock on the fob & door buttons. This Outback had the beefier gate struts, unlike the example wilderness, if that makes a difference.

[@abinvarghese1984]

I was even thinking to get power kill switch,this is awesome.thz for sharing

[@geoffreydlin8043]

At the end, did you mean to say the dash light goes off ( I think you said “on”)

[@geoffreydlin8043]

At 11:30 or so

[@WildernessOffroad]

@@geoffreydlin8043 No, I was saying the trick was for the vehicles that kept their dash light on

[@geoffreydlin8043]

My bad. Thank you for clarifying!

[@tamirule4216]

Thanks for all the tips & demonstrating 👍🏻🤩

[@jansilloway325]

Thanks. I’ve been dealing with parasitic battery drain issues with my 2019 Outback. The dealership pulled the fuse from the Starlink satellite. I’m so tired of this. Don’t want to buy another car so soon. 😊

[@FrankGransee]

There is a recall out to fix this for free.

[@mmgrevenenterprises5625]

I have a 2019 Sabaru Crosstrek with a manual tailgate. I put the carabiner in the latch and did what you said and the car is not releasing the carabiner. What do I do now? Thank you

[@mmgrevenenterprises5625]

I just figured it out. You tap the LONG button that is next to the camera lense. The carabiner will pop out.

[@WildernessOffroad]

Glad it was figured out!

[@michaelkozak7295]

Trying this right now on 2020 Forester and can't get the latch to unlock and release the carabineer. Had to twist the carabineer out but latch won't unlock.

[@WildernessOffroad]

Hope you figured it out! My guess is that the carabiner was too large?

[@MechayaAlta]

Are you always hitting the tailgate button twice? Would a larger Subaru battery also solve this problem?

[@WildernessOffroad]

When I close it, yes I press the outer button twice. First press drops carabiner and second stops the tailgate from going up. As for a bigger battery..I don’t know, I guess it would help for a little longer. I have a backup jumper pack in case I run into that problem.

[@lizsteilkie]

Jumper pack is great unless it gets cold and is discharged by it.

[@WildernessOffroad]

That’s true! That why I always have its charge cord to plug into my jackery👌

[@AngelTorres-b6h]

Coucan this work on a 2016 highlander?

[@WildernessOffroad]

I’m not sure… that’s maybe something to ask a highland Facebook page or try yourself

[@TheWeirdWill]

Also if key fob battery is too low, nothing on car will work, nor will it start.

[@WildernessOffroad]

If it’s completely dead maybe. I’ve had my fobs battery die to point I could unlock the doors but in that case you use the key that’s inside it. Then for starting you have to put the fob up next to the push button start.

[@goneoutside1011]

I learned this the hard way 3 times.

[@VivecaV2020]

I use the carbiener.

[@JustinInMotion]

Great hack, but this video was 12 minutes too long for something so simple

[@MickeySchufman]

Super Smart!!

[@gabie4892]

Thanks 😊

[@TheDigitalGuerrilla]

You can put the fob in sleep mode

[@WildernessOffroad]

Yeah I’m not worried about it.

[@cinichol]

What if your hatch is a manual?

[@WildernessOffroad]

Not super sure what will happen

[@Balathustrius86]

This video could have been about 20 seconds long and still contained dead air. Please see the "Fast Honk" video for inspiration.

[@WildernessOffroad]

Thanks for watching!☺️

[@geoffreydlin8043]

And. Thank you.

[@franksmith9597]

Just bought a used Outback. Ran across your channel and liked your camping setup. Also thanks for tip on the carabiner trick. Good information, but presentation is to drawn out. Feel like you are talking to a grade schooler.

[@Carol-kh1gu]

Most vehicles have an override to keep lights off, read in your vehicle manual

[@WildernessOffroad]

Very nice! I’m going to do this either way, since I hang stuff off the carabiner

[@badman3355]

Just put the FAB in sleep mode