How To Turn Eyesight Off Subaru: Complete Step-by-Step Disablement Guide

To turn off Subaru EyeSight, press and hold the Pre-Collision Braking and Lane Departure Warning overhead toggle buttons for 3 to 5 seconds on older models until the amber warning lights illuminate on the dashboard. On newer models with the Starlink touchscreen display, navigate to Settings, select Car Settings or Driver Assist, and toggle Pre-Collision Braking and Lane Departure Prevention to OFF. These safety overrides automatically reset to default active status every time the engine ignition is cycled.

Pre-Disablement Verification & Safety Benchmarks

Subaru EyeSight is an advanced driver-assist safety suite utilizing stereo cameras mounted behind the rearview mirror to monitor traffic, optimize cruise control, and mitigate collisions. While EyeSight provides essential active safety coverage, specific operational environments necessitate manual system disablement. Drivers frequently need to bypass the system when entering automated drive-thru car washes, dyno testing facilities, off-roading through dense foliage or deep snow, towing trailers, or driving with a damaged windshield.

Understanding the specific layout and software generation of your Subaru vehicle ensures you perform the disablement process safely without causing permanent diagnostic fault codes in the electronic control unit (ECU).

Hardware & System Control Checklist

• Primary System Control Interface: Overhead physical switch panel (2012–2019 models) or the 11.6-inch / 8.0-inch Starlink touchscreen multimedia system (2020+ Subaru Global Platform models).
• Prerequisite Knowledge: Identification of your vehicle's specific EyeSight hardware tier (EyeSight v2, EyeSight v3 overhead twin-camera modules, or EyeSight 4.0 flush-mounted wide-angle windshield systems).
• Required Vehicle Status: Vehicle stationary in Park (P) with the ignition switch set to ON or the engine actively idling.
• Execution Benchmark: Overall procedure duration ranges from 10 to 30 seconds. Financial cost is $0 for DIY manual override.

Deactivating Subaru EyeSight: Generation-Specific Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Disabling EyeSight via Overhead Physical Switches (Legacy, Outback, Forester, Crosstrek 2012–2019)

1. Park the vehicle safely on a level surface and leave the engine idling or switch the ignition to the ON position.
2. Locate the overhead console located between the map lights directly above the rearview mirror.
3. Identify the two dedicated EyeSight toggle switches: the Pre-Collision Braking OFF button (depicting two cars colliding) and the Lane Departure Warning OFF button (depicting a car drifting out of lane lines).
4. Press and hold the Pre-Collision Braking OFF button continuously for 3 to 5 seconds.
5. Listen for a single audible chime from the instrument cluster. Observe the Multi-Information Display (MID) behind the steering wheel to confirm that the amber indicator icon displaying PCB OFF or a yellow car collision warning icon illuminates continuously.
6. Press and hold the Lane Departure Warning OFF button continuously for 3 to 5 seconds until a second audible chime sounds and the amber LDW OFF icon illuminates on the instrument cluster.

Warning: Disabling these systems manually turns off automated emergency braking interventions and lane-keeping nudges. Physical button overrides will automatically reset back to active status as a standard safety protocol every time the engine ignition is turned off and restarted.

Step 2: Disabling EyeSight via Touchscreen Starlink Infotainment (2020+ Models)

1. Start the vehicle engine or set the ignition mode to ON (press the Push-Button Start twice without depressing the brake pedal).
2. Allow the center Starlink multimedia system to complete its initial boot sequence.
3. Tap the Settings gear icon located on the bottom toolbar or main home menu screen.
4. Select the Car Settings tab or navigate directly to the Driver Assist tab along the top horizontal menu bar.
5. Locate the Pre-Collision Braking menu option and tap the toggle switch to change the setting from ON to OFF.
6. A confirmation prompt will appear on the display; tap Yes or Confirm to authorize the override.
7. Scroll down to Lane Departure Prevention or Lane Departure Warning and switch the toggle from ON to OFF.
8. Verify that the system has successfully disengaged by inspecting the digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel. A yellow warning notification and text banner confirming driver assist system deactivation will remain visible in the center display area.

Pro-Tip: On 2023 and newer Subaru Outback, Legacy, Forester, and Crosstrek models running updated Starlink software, you can program a custom quick-access shortcut tile directly to the home screen. This bypasses multi-tier sub-menus and allows single-tap disablement of Pre-Collision Braking before entering a car wash.

Step 3: Preparing the Vehicle for Automatic Car Washes and Towing Operations

1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop inside the car wash staging zone or flatbed loading position and shift the transmission into Park (P) or Neutral (N) as directed.
2. Execute the steps detailed above to turn off Pre-Collision Braking to prevent the stereo cameras from interpreting mechanical wash brushes, hanging cloth curtains, or winching cables as solid crash obstacles.
3. Turn off Auto Vehicle Hold (AVH) using the dedicated dashboard button or touchscreen toggle to ensure wheels roll freely on conveyor systems.
4. Turn off Rear Automatic Braking (RAB) by pressing and holding the RAB button on the touchscreen park assist menu until the yellow icon displays OFF.
5. Turn off automatic rain-sensing wipers by rotating the right-hand steering column stalk down to the OFF position (do not leave in AUTO) to prevent mechanical arm damage from rotating car wash equipment.

Subaru EyeSight System Architecture and Disablement Specifications

EyeSight System Faults & Disablement Failure Troubleshooting

Scenario 1: EyeSight disables itself automatically while driving and displays a yellow warning icon without user input.

• Root Cause: Environmental vision blockages. High condensation, windshield interior fogging, heavy rain, snowpack covering the glass in front of the optical lenses, direct low-angle sunlight blinding the sensors, or severe mud buildup will force the system into a self-protective standby mode.
• Actionable Fix: Engage the front windshield defroster on high heat to evaporate internal glass moisture. Operate the windshield wipers with washer fluid to eliminate exterior road grime. In extreme cold weather, allow the HVAC system to warm up the upper interior cabin space; EyeSight will automatically restore active functionality once optical clarity is regained.

Scenario 2: Pre-Collision Braking indicator light stays continuously illuminated amber after an engine restart and cannot be reset through the touch screen.

• Root Cause: Stored Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) within the EyeSight ECU resulting from blown brake light fuses, altered vehicle suspension height causing pitch angle misalignment, an uncalibrated aftermarket windshield installation, or a damaged brake light switch sensor.
• Actionable Fix: Connect an OBD-II diagnostic scanner to check for active chassis and body codes (such as C0057 or C1422). If windshield glass was recently replaced, the stereoscopic cameras must undergo target-board static and dynamic recalibration using the official Subaru Select Monitor (SSM4) diagnostic system at a qualified service station.

Scenario 3: The touchscreen menu or overhead switch refuses to disable Pre-Collision Braking.

• Root Cause: Attempting to alter core active safety functions while the vehicle is moving above threshold speed limits or while Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is currently actively engaging throttle and braking functions.
• Actionable Fix: Bring the vehicle to a complete standstill. Cancel Adaptive Cruise Control by pressing the CANCEL button on the right side of the steering wheel or tapping the main cruise master switch off. Once cruise mode is deactivated, perform the manual touchscreen or physical switch override procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Subaru EyeSight be permanently turned off?

No, Subaru EyeSight cannot be permanently disabled through standard vehicle settings menus or owner-accessible toggles. Federal automotive safety regulations and Subaru engineering standards mandate that all primary active safety suites (including Pre-Collision Braking and Lane Departure Warning) automatically default back to the active "ON" state every time the engine ignition switch is cycled.

Will turning off Subaru EyeSight void my vehicle warranty or insurance coverage?

Manually disabling Subaru EyeSight using the official owner-accessible dashboard buttons or touchscreen sub-menus will not void your factory vehicle warranty. However, if you are involved in a traffic collision while the system is manually switched off, insurance adjusters may evaluate driver responsibility based on vehicle event data recorder (EDR) telemetry logs indicating safety system overrides.

How do I turn off Subaru EyeSight for a drive-through car wash?

To turn off Subaru EyeSight for an automated car wash, stop the vehicle and navigate to the touchscreen Settings menu, select Driver Assist, and switch Pre-Collision Braking to OFF (or hold down the overhead car collision button for 3 seconds on older models). Additionally, switch off Auto Vehicle Hold (AVH), Rear Automatic Braking (RAB), and set rain-sensing wipers to the OFF position.

Does turning off EyeSight disable the vehicle's airbags or Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)?

No, turning off Subaru EyeSight only deactivates optical camera-based active driver assistance features, including Pre-Collision Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, and Lead Vehicle Start Alert. Traditional passive safety systems, including supplementary restraint system (SRS) airbags, Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS), Traction Control (TCS), and Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC), remain fully operational.

Why does Subaru EyeSight turn off by itself during heavy rain or snow?

EyeSight relies on optical stereoscopic cameras that function similarly to human vision. When heavy rainfall, blinding snow, dense fog, or excessive windshield grime obstructs the camera lenses' view of road markings and surrounding vehicles, the system safely disengages and illuminates an amber indicator light until clear optical visibility is restored.

Professional Subaru Diagnostic & Calibration Support

When custom suspension upgrades, lifted vehicle setups, or factory windshield replacements alter your vehicle's factory camera alignment parameters, professional diagnostic calibration is required. Consult a certified Subaru technician equipped with factory SSM4 software to perform precision static optical target alignments and ensure your safety systems operate within specification.