What happens when you drive a Subaru through the car wash?

Starting in 2020, Subaru made the eyesight safety system standard on all models but the manual transmission Subarus. Many people ask about what they should do when taking their Subaru through the car wash, so in this I show you exactly what you can expect.
Previous car wash video: • Driving My 2023 Subaru...
Comment below with any questions you have!
🥾 Best Outdoor Equipment:
🚲 Best Subaru Bike Rack: bit.ly/3nzLQdS
🤑 Save money shopping online with Honey: joinhoney.com/ref/q21uily
🚘 CAR WASHING ITEMS
Pressure Washer: amzn.to/3MLaaDy
Soap: amzn.to/3L2cLaV
Short pressure washer nozzle/Foam cannon combo: amzn.to/3oGjRsZ
Wash mitt: amzn.to/40h5lF7
Microfiber cloth: amzn.to/3mEhjLi
Interior detail spray: amzn.to/40cxrkY
Tire Shine: amzn.to/3Ij9XBY
Bucket: amzn.to/41rjxfK
Chamois cloth: amzn.to/3upp7Rh
Thanks for watching!
Instagram: @alex_pmo
For business inquiries: [e-mail]
As an Amazon Associate & partner for other affiliate programs I earn from qualifying purchases

[@longmuirj]

Subaru should create a "car wash" button like they have a "Valet" button so it turns off all of the systems that need to be turned off in the car wash (just to be safe) and so you can easily turn them back on with one button after the car wash. I see other people also saying that, and it should be an easy thing for Subaru to do since it just has to be programmed.

[@judih.8754]

Great idea! Sort of like the valet button.

[@Bush_Fam]

I like that. Should be easy through an update

[@snapon666]

Totally agree ...Subaru's are too complicated for old people ..do you think I can remember all this crap once a month that I wash the car ? also HATE the 'driver assist' where I live the yellow lines are NOT straight especially at intersections where they jog all over the place and when the steering tries to 'correct' I automatically yank the wheel in the opposite direction from 50 yrs of driving in the snow ...don't like the auto braking either it goes off when parking the car in my garage where there is no room in front of the car but I have fixed wheel chocks to stop from hitting the shelves ..very annoying

[@DrewLakebrink]

I have 2 physical buttons on my '22 Forester to turn off the automatic features. I forgot to do that for the last car wash, but nothing happened. It's probably a concern for older eye sight versions but not the current iteration.

[@robertknight4672]

I just use a touchless car wash where the wash moves around a stationary car.

[@DuaneTanTC]

Alex, u should be awarded as Subaru best salesperson of all time! love your enthusiasm !

[@alexpmo]

Hey, thank! I appreciate that! 😃

[@nevermonday7897]

Hint: drive your new Subaru straight to your local car wash and get a subscription. Keep your car clean, vacuumed and spotless. My 24’ Outback is showroom new after 4 months. Best money I ever spent. Thanks Alex, Roman, and Bachman Subaru!

[@seanmccutchan2361]

Congratulations on 100k subscribers. Well deserved. Thanks for all your tips.

[@alexpmo]

Thank you! 😊

[@soul_libre]

just got my 24’ Outback. Its my first Subaru. Got the limited. Im stoked! Really dig it. Much appreciate your videos. They have been very helpful.

[@MyDigitalDisorder]

Every time I take my 2021 Outback touring XT, i have to disable the auto-breaking. I learned the hard way when taking it to a local car was that pulls you through. The employee kept yelling at me to put the car in neutral and take my foot off the break. I was frantically trying to figure out how to turn it off lol

[@alexpmo]

I did the same with my auto vehicle hold. It was embarrassing lol

[@MyDigitalDisorder]

@alexpmo haha love it! Thanks so much for your videos. I've learned a lot "all things Subaru".

[@joanborden434]

I had a similar incident in my 2021 Forester. The attendant told me several times to put my car in neutral, but I had. My car apparently jumped the roller and the car behind me bumped into my car. They said I hit the bake, but I didn’t. I never had a problem before, but my car wash was sending in the cars really close. Now I know to turn off the braking system. Thanks Alex

[@55mblindy]

😂

[@MechayaAlta]

Hey Subaru, A car wash icon would be nice! Why shut off braking system if the car is in neutral?

[@KaladasOldSchool]

I also always turn off the rear gate sensor. I haven't had the trunk pop open yet, but wouldn't want to risk it.

[@joelc2348]

Great vides Alex. Can you do a video specifically on the intelligent / manual speed limiter?

[@cvt902]

A little word of caution for anyone who hasn’t experienced this yet. I have a ‘24 Legacy Limited. Have had it for 4 months after regretfully trading in an ‘11 Legacy. The other evening I opened my electric garage door and proceeded to drive in. Despite being clear in MY opinion to drive forward, Eyesight caught the door on the way up and presumed something was in the way. A warning alarm came on and the car slammed to a stop nearly giving me whiplash 😂 While it’s nice to have safety features and other newer features, I miss simplicity! I hate the push button start, too. Door locked one time when I got out in my garage to make sure the car cleared a door - music blaring, car running, key FOB, phone, etc. inside. I thought - “no problem, I’ll just go inside and get the spare” Yeah. Trial by fire, I guess! Thank you for all of YOUR videos Alex - I know right where to turn when I have a question!

[@alexi5140]

Never seen a car wash like this before. I always have to put it in neutral here in Michigan....bizarre!

[@alexi5140]

@@nolamar1 thank you for the explanation! I learned something new today

[@janahydeneugebauer3366]

Common at gas stations

[@richardkirchknopf2215]

thanks. my Forester is still on the boat from Japan and 5 or 6 weeks out. But now I know which buttons to be aware of.

[@tobylopez445]

thank you! excellent video.

[@DruckPlaysEverything]

Thank you for making this video. I was nervous about bringing my Crosstrek through a car wash all this time lol

[@rupaa62]

thank you for this information on this, now I can go to the carwash knowing what to turn off and what to turn back on after I have gone through it.

[@kimq1513]

Thank you.. Very helpful

[@bvk15]

I had the rear windshield wiper come off once. I was able to put it back together fortunately. A car wash attendant once put a little bag over my rear wiper and said they can come off in their car wash

[@darrellsephus5378]

Bought the 2024 Outback this month. Merry Christmas to me... Have been through the car wash two times and so far no problems. I did turn off the lift gate just in case.

[@alexpmo]

Congrats on your new Outback!

[@Cookie217]

Good to know. I just bought my outback end of last month

[@1949LA-ARCH]

Thanks Alex 😊

[@jereXIX]

Yeah….I’ll just keep it off because in a belt driven carwash I could imagine things getting nasty if the car starts breaking. If I forget and there’s no problem then cool but I’m not rolling those dice; and there’s already one comment here from someone who did have it engage.

[@Its_Me0000]

I purchased a 2024 Subaru Forester, partly because of your videos. Question - if I install a device to make the auto stop/start disabled all the time, so I don't have to push the button every time I start the car - will it void my Subaru warranty (as the dealer stated when I picked up my new car)? Thank you and congratulation on 100,000+ subscribers. Thank you so much.

[@paulpuglia8480]

I have a 2022 forester Sport. My dealership told me to make sure those sensors are off when you go through a car wash. My issue is backing up with a trailer on the back of my car the rear sensors sense the trailer and the brakes apple and it doesn't matter if I turn the sensors on or off when the trailer is hitch to the car. Please do a video on backing up with a trailer hitch on the back without the sensors applying the breaks thank you.

[@ronsilva4615]

I found this out the hard way. LOL! By the way, tomorrow I'm going to my local Subaru dealer (Subaru of Georgetown) Texas to test drive the 2024 Forester Wilderness. My wife and I are going to trade in our 2022 Forester Premium for this. I'm excited.

[@user-kx2uw2vl3d]

Any chance you can do a video about how to get updates if you don’t have WiFi. I have a 2022 forester with no maps and only WiFi hotspots option in my settings. Thanks your videos are great you helped me set up my garage door opener and the tailgate button to open the car

[@Kopernicus67]

Ha! It happens in other situations too. I tried to drive my wife's Ascent onto the Rhino Ramps to do an oil change, and the car wouldn't move! Ordinarily I do the work outside the garage, but this time (it is winter here in NW PA) I wanted to do it in the garage and the Ascent I guess read the wall ahead.

[@randylivengood3112]

I’ve never seen a car wash like that before!

[@robertknight4672]

me neither. I've seen car washes that move a around a stationary what car with both touchless and soft touch systems.

[@phillipwernick697]

Will you please explain and demonstrate the rear AEB on the new Forester. I have a 2015 Without this feature.

[@Amberdogproductions]

Been nervous about this.

[@alexpmo]

Hopefully this helps ease your nerves!

[@nancynow123]

Thank you. My manual says to turn it off before car washes and I can never remember how to do it. Good to know it might not be necessary. I have a 2021 Outback

[@alexpmo]

Happy to help!

[@joannaa.5101]

​@@alexpmo I have a '22 crosstrek same rules for auto car washes?

[@Quince828]

Does the pre-collision braking system retain whatever distance setting you select when the car is shut off, or do you have to reset it every time you restart? We have a 2019 Forester and it’s terrible that Subaru has gone to more functions hidden in the touchscreen rather than retaining the physical buttons for simple straightforward actions.

[@TazerFace13]

My 23 OBW recently had to have a camera replaced due to a fault which was causing the RAB to error and shut off the entire eyesight system. Hopefully this is just a random occurrence. So far the replacement is working great.

[@Glashutte-zp1yh]

I have a problem with my Outback 2023. The problem is that when I drive through a car wash and get to the exit, the gearbox slips. I have to rock the car by alternately putting it in reverse and driving and giving a lot of gas and I get out after 10-15 seconds. Before I drove in, I switched off Eyesight with all start and stop etc. during the washing program, the gear is in N position. Have any of you experienced the same thing. Is the gearbox broken or something wrong with the software? The car is only 2 months old and only driven 200 miles.

[@bendyparanormal]

I’ve got a 2023 Forester. I’ve had two other Foresters and my last car was a 2021 CrossTrek. I go through the car washes with the belt and I have to have my car in neutral. Up until recently, I’ve not had to turn off the auto breaking in the car washes, though the dealership warned me that I would need to. It was never necessary with the other Subaru models I’ve had. However, with my 2023, every third or fourth time I go through the car wash, (I always go through the same one near my house), I get the beeping warning and everything is triggered, as I scramble to turn it off, (as breaking in those belt driven ones can shut the whole thing down). Now I’m trying to get in the habit of turning it off in the car wash…but then I have to remember to turn it back on. I don’t know why it stays engaged and will brake when the car is in neutral. It shouldn’t, and it should be fine through the car wash if it’s in neutral; but 25% - 33% of the time, the automatic braking system gets triggered; which makes no sense and is kind of annoying.

[@l.w.s2970]

I’d love a bit on how to update the car toichscreen software. I got an email telling me there was an update. Though I don’t have a ‘WIFI’ menu option, which is what the instructions say to use. (2021 forester). Thanks!

[@billlaird7332]

Has Subaru taken a step backwards? I love Automatic Vehicle Hold and hate Automatic Stop Start. I have a 2020 Outback and when it was delivered new, you had to go through a couple of menu levels to turn on AVH and turn off AVS. I got a software update a couple of years ago where dedicated software buttons were added to the home screen to do both of those functions. I see the AVS button on the home screen in your video, but the AVH button is missing. On my Outback, the AVH button appears on the home screen between the AVS button and the Car button to the left of the AVS button.

[@hphillips7425]

We were putting a forester wilderness on ramps for an oil change and the automatic braking kept coming on preventing driving up onto the ramps. So we will have to turn that off for oil changes and car washing

[@joannaa.5101]

That vehicle hold switch is that the same as the emergency parking break? So it is okay to use the automatic car wash just turn off eyesight first?

[@nancynow123]

When driving on the highway w my sister in her Wilderness, a plastic bag went floating across the lanes. Her car basically suddenly stopped in the middle of the highway. It was terrifying. Luckily no cars were close behind. I worry about that feature since that happened.

[@rallysauruswrex]

had similar situations in mine and eyesight never reacted. Strange that yours stopped on the highway because I know it'll never come to a complete stop unless the object stays where it is

[@nancynow123]

@@rallysauruswrex the bag was slowly floating so basically it was staying in one place for awhile. Enough for the warning sounds and auto breaking. High traffic Chicago tollway. Can’t believe traffic was light at that moment.

[@mstickmanp]

My 21 Crosstrek did the same. I was going 75+ mph and it put the brakes on when a bag was floating towards my car. Luckily it didn’t stop completely but it was terrifying going that fast only for it to put the brakes on out of nowhere.

[@berjbasmadjian1314]

Same here in my 2023 Outback.

[@Amberdogproductions]

Off topic, but those of us that got early wilderness crosstrek models, will they make the gold shifter avaliable?

[@dannarsavage2920]

Is there no way to turn off the automatic braking permanently? I was in traffic in my 2019 Ascent recently (new to me a couple weeks ago), traffic ahead slowed suddenly, and I braked as I typically would to soak up the buffer that I had ahead of me. I was well in control of the situation, but the collision detection system cut in and stopped me far faster than needs be & just about caused me to be rear-ended. I'd like that to happen exactly zero more times.

[@toddgiambruno]

Thank you for this video Alex. Don't like car washes with any brushes. Too many scratches inflicted on paint. The brushes are never completely clean. Good info though.

[@sopwithsnoopy8779]

A question not related to this video, but maybe one for a future video: Can new Subarus play music from a usb stick? I've seen reddit threads where people that bought a newer Subaru that cant get the car to recognize music from a usb stick/memory card reader. Or if it does read the stick, only the first 5,000 tracks, or only reads FAT32, etc. My current car, an older Chevy, just plug in a usb stick with music and it works. No track limit or other limitations. And everything reads up on the (small) infotainment system. Why cant a new car (Subarus) do the same? Why the track limit, etc? I am considering buying a new, small compact car in 2024 and would consider an Impreza, but if it wont play my music, I will have to look elsewhere.

[@garypolonetsky5712]

I go threw a carwash at least once a week,but I leave it in neutral and it pushes me threw I have never shut anything off except AVH

[@SubaruAmbassadorRobert]

Sadly, it's not simply a matter of better detection - it's also a matter of how much soap and water is on the windshield. All Eyesight systems, including the new Gen 4, use 3D point parallax calculations to detect objects, determine distance and to try to determine what the object is. When that much "stuff" is covering the windshield, it really can't tell much of anything. Subaru's ADAS engineers recommend turning off pre-collision braking and Auto Vehicle Hold in all Subies (including those with Gen 4 Eyesight), when going through a car wash where the vehicles moves under its own power or by being pulled in neutral (yes, Eyesight will still jam on the brakes in neutral). AVH is of course especially important in the ones with "valets" that drive it into a tunnel where the car is pulled, because, when they take their foot off the brake, it may remain on. Auto wipers should also be turned off, of course.

[@claudesalazar6214]

if the car still in drive mode it will continue to activate the braking sensors. Why would you go through a Car Wash where you keep the car in Drive Mode?. I had a 2021 Ltd Crosstrek. Never had any issues.

[@roycelyngray4447]

Yes! This happened to me!!!!

[@beckymurphy4714]

Just took my '21 Forester through the car wash for the second time; didn't have any problems either time. I just drive in slowly until the sign tells me to stop, then I put it in park (as the sign says) and pull out slowly when the wash is done.

[@beney2k]

Do you know why some car washers requiere you to fold mirrors in?

[@razorbackbowser]

Been through a couple times in our 24 forester. Have not done anything different or had any issues.

[@alexpmo]

That's good to hear! Should be the case for most people.

[@mariovazquez3874]

I use a contactless pressure based car wash. Car stays still for the whole wash and dry cycle, and never had an issue.

[@pauldesigncomics2625]

It cleans the underside too?

[@robertknight4672]

​@@pauldesigncomics2625 Most touchless washes I've been to have undercarriage wash. Usually the cheapest wash package doesn't include undercarriage. Most do the undercarriage wash as you drive into the bay.

[@DBartWest]

I haven't had any problem running either of my Outbacks (20 and 22) through any car wash. I do have a problem if someone is turning off the road infront of me. The car does not see the same distance as I do. It thinks the car will not clear the path in time and I have had the car begin the brake system.

[@Memacis1995]

YES, but I have had mine slam the brakes on!

[@chachie6347]

what about the door boot door? should we turn it off as well? ive seen videos boot door just open automatically driving through car wash.

[@alexpmo]

The auto opening of the hatch should only work when the car is off and the key is near the rear hatch.

[@billreynolds6347]

The vehicle hold definitely needs turned off. We had this happened yesterday. Belt started to never, steering wheel started to spin clockwise. They reset careash and we turned off vehicle hold. All is good.

[@jamtraveler1]

Don't forget the water sensing windshield wipers..

[@Doc1855]

I always have to turn mine off when in my Forester

[@FLtrailblazer]

It’s best to hand wash a lot of these car washes will scratch your car maybe I’m wrong but I like the feeling of just washing it by hand without a brush and just use soap and high pressure.

[@maryl9601]

I have been concerned about going through the car wash. Scared. I have a Crosstrek Premium 2023

[@lynellethompson5521]

I use the Touch Free car wash.

[@joannaa.5101]

Do you have to turn the eyesight off?

[@lynellethompson5521]

@@joannaa.5101 I never have.

[@lynellethompson5521]

@@joannaa.5101 I never have. In winter I turn the engine off. I also do the recirculating air button so I don’t get chemical smells in my vehicle. When I’ve left the engine running I had no problems but the vehicle is also in Park. They close the car wash doors in winter so that is why I turn the engine off. During summer the car wash doors are always open.

[@nethoncho]

Car Questions Answered sent me here

[@ZebsterP43]

My 2020 CrossTrek Eyesight is easily interrupted by snow and heavy rain

[@bdubs1967]

why are you steering in the car wash?

[@RoSaWa386-33]

I dislike this. I did a radical crash-avoidance swerve and, while I made it clear easily, the brakes were SLAMMED ON while I was in the middle of the turn-of-wheel. WHAT A HORROR. That alone made the situation dangerous. NOT the other drivers causing the situation.

[@65Coasty]

Australia doesn't have those car washes. Ours, you drive in, and it moves around you while you're in park. You shouldn't use those washes with brushes. It is terrible for the paint. Any detailer would slap you silly.

[@robertknight4672]

We have those in the U.S. Some touchless some with brushes. I typically go to the ones that are exclusively touchless. Sometimes places with the normal belt driven tunnul wash also have a touchless that's often broken.

[@soburlvt]

I haven't finished the video yet, but please tell people to put the 'outside' air back on. Do NOT leave in recirculate. My salesman made a specific point to explain to me what recirculate means. I never use the feature.

[@philvelasco1363]

Why

[@judih.8754]

It's a great feature to use when you are in tight traffic or behind a truck so you don't get fumes in the cabin!

[@robertknight4672]

​@@judih.8754 I find it also helps heat the cabin a little quicker in the winter and once comfortable I let the fresh air in again.

[@Khaabkid]

Why do all dealerships use bristles car wash on the new cars. Smh. They basically ruining the paint or clear coat leaving scratches, swirling and halogen. Not a good thing, they should change it up to touchless wash on all new vehicles.

[@byronh60]

You mentioned in the video, that you posted a video about a year ago showing what happens when you go through an automatic car wash, the kind you put into neutral and the track pulls/pushes you along” about a year ago. I can’t find it. Please consider reposting it, or doing an updated version. Thank you.

[@alexpmo]

Here’s the video I previously made: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fniUk6KjrpqEsMksi=5Te0aWqJn-AfbzTV let me know if you have any questions!

[@MrOnlooker13]

I had no problem going through the car wash

[@mhager1978]

Why are you steering it?

[@alexpmo]

Didn't realize how much steering I was doing 😂

[@mhager1978]

@@alexpmo lol. Yea, it was like you was swerving.

[@BionicMerlin]

I just wouldn't take it in an automatic car wash. Besides the automatic braking issue, you have to avoid using the car wash "wax" option.

[@alexpmo]

I try to avoid the automatic car wash but in colder temps it's a must to get the salt off.

[@simplyfilms3153]

You should see what it does on ice.

[@Subie-Driver]

Nnoooo….😢. Never drive a car through a car wash with brushes. If there is any debris in those brushes you will tear the crap out of the paint. If you can’t go through a brushless wash…don’t go through at all. Better to go to a coin op DIY car wash. It’s a bit of work but at least you know what’s happening when the car is being washed . Best tip you could give here is that if you can, do it yourself.

[@alexpmo]

Yes, I agree! However, when a brushless option isn't available, getting out in the cold isn't feasible for everyone. I personally hand wash mine in the warmer months. But when it's cold like it is here now, I go through the automatic car wash 😬 It's not a perfect solution, but it keeps the salt off of the car.

[@bozartg]

I have to turn off my eyesight in my 2016.

[@craig1082]

If your AVH is on and you take your foot off the brake , what happens when the auto stop button shuts the car off when your foot is off the brake because you are sitting at a light? I HATE this auto start stop button! But with AVH on it sounds like a disaster could happen! How does the car restart? Your foot is already off the brake. The car starts when you are pressing on the accelerator? That is certain disaster! Especially if a car is in front of you. What idiot Subaru engineer said , ok lets start the car when it is in gear.. Stupid design!! Let us shut it off permanently and the tree huggers that want to save a few cents worth of gas or stop the car emissions at a street light, let them keep it on! A hundred bucks buys you an aftermarket device to hook into your eyesight wire harness that shuts Auto start/stop for good and it does not void any warranty.

[@gramb5611]

Those car washes ruin your paint

[@zooropa8297]

You get a scratched Subaru

[@JeffGes]

I hope Subaru owners complain about the complexity of this. I want to drive, not read screens.