Auto Stop/Start System ► feature discussion ONLY (merged thread)

Question for the new owners.
Is the auto start/stop feature defeatable through the onscreen menus, or are you stuck with it?

zcrow said:

One major issue that seems to come up quite a bit is the battery. The battery seems under powered for a car with an auto stop/start system, especially if driven mostly in the city. The "smart alternator" doesn't charge the car as well when not driving at highway speeds. I ended up getting a battery conditioner and leaving the car plugged into that all the time when not driving and a lithium battery pack for jump starting. And I have permanently disabled the auto stop/start.

Click to expand...

Is Subaru still supplying those low CCA Panasonic batteries in their latest models?
I replaced my stock '18 Forester battery after just 1 year, with a Walmart EverStart 35N (N for North version).
It hasn't let me down, but I do use a maintainer on it in the winter.

I don't think it's just the battery that's the issue.
I believe there are design issues with either parasitic draw, or the charging system, or both.
If I didn't use a maintainer in the winter I would have to boost after 2 weeks of inactivity.

Good info to know.
I'm glad my NOCO and CTEK maintainers support EFB's.

FelineFreddie said:

I would suggest taking that battery advice with a grain of salt.

People consistently replace EFBs with AGMs on Subarus equipped with start/stop with no issue at all, other than getting longer life and better service. I’m one of them.

My advice: Do your own research on batteries and not simply bite on a single piece of advice you read on the Internet. And, that includes any advice I post as well.

Click to expand...

I would think if the 22 Foresters can only use EFB’s, it would say so very emphatically in the owner’s manual.
Any indication of this?

auntiesuebee said:

I would suggest taking everyone's advice on an internet forum with a grain of salt.
Far too many don't know what they don't know.

Click to expand...

I will always take the owner's manual's advice before ANYTHING I read on this forum.
If the subject isn't covered in the owner's manual, then I'll read here with the salt shaker in hand.

auntiesuebee said:

As I've mentioned numerous times, my son is a Subaru service advisor.

Click to expand...

My experience with service advisors is that they are just regurgitating something on their computer screen filtered down from head office.
And if it's not on their screen, they have no clue.
The last service advisor I talked to (4 years ago) suggested making an appointment to have the power windows "fixed" after my door panels were taken off for some work by an auto body shop.
I was at home on the phone with him.
After a 30 second Google on my part I found the solution myself how to do a power window reset.
No disrespect intended on my part, but your son is not the guy who wrote the owner's manual.

@auntiesuebee,

I perused the '22 owner's manual, and there was NOTHING in it about any special battery recommendations.
I went to the NHTSA website, and looked for complaints registered for any Subaru vehicle for battery fires or electrical failures caused by replacing the OEM battery with a non-recommended replacement. NOTHING.
I Googled Subaru battery replacement for '19-'22 looking for warnings. NOTHING.
If your son works at a Subaru dealership, I would expect he would have access to a TSB or any warning from head office that this electrical danger/fire hazard exists.

So, I will assume your son 's dealership had a 1 off caused by who knows what.
But to make a blanket statement that non-OEM battery replacements will cause any Subaru with auto start/stop to have an electrical problem and/or fire is a knee-jerk unsubstantiated statement that is nothing more than sensationalism.
If you can link to ANY proof-substantiating evidence, I will certainly offer up a sincere apology.

Only during the warranty period.
After that, get out your credit card.

Kevin said:

In relation to start/stop battery this may be worth a read: EFB or AGM – Which battery do I need?

Click to expand...

Interesting read.
That article sends the message that an AGM battery is superior in performance to an EFB, regardless of application, for a vehicle with stop/start.
AGM's have been used for years as OEM for motorcycles.
The new generation Goldwing with a boxer 6 cylinder engine and 1833 cc has stop/start tech, and uses an AGM.

Black21Limited said:

At idle is when the PCV usually pulls from the valve covers more than driving in a lower manifold vacuum situation.

Click to expand...

From memory when cars had actual vacuum gauges, I believe max vacuum was produced when coasting down from higher rpm with the throttle plate fully closed, and idle vacuum wasn't far behind.
I agree that heavy start stop driving in hot weather would be the only benefit of any substance to an owner, in terms of reduced PCV fumes depositing on the back of the intake valves.
However, an oil vapour catch can would be an even better solution than start/stop IMHO, but a catch can would be breaking a law or two in some jurisdictions.

bman400 said:

I am the guy in front of you on my BMW R1200RT you just rolled into so it's not just a scuff, you better be prepared to lift 600lbs that is now pinning my leg to the ground ,😉

Click to expand...

And buy you a new R1250RT because a scratch or two and some scraped panniers means a write-off LOL

I just read post #488 with the copy/paste from the owner's manual.
You can also defeat auto-stop by turning the steering slightly left or right from straight ahead once you stop.
That's a pretty easy one-time solution in addition to lightly holding the brake pedal.

Yes, E8 is your socket.
You will need that little adapter in the top row, far right, to attach E8 to your ratchet.
I can see why you've never used the set before.
Rows 2 and 3 are pretty much unneeded for regular home maintenance.
You will likely never use the bottom row.
E6 through E12 are typical sockets used on bolts found on appliances, small machinery, but the rest are rather specialized.
If you have a motorcycle or bicycles, the 6 sockets on the middle row right side would be handy.

For those inquiring about the Autostop Eliminator, model AE022, for RAB equipped Foresters, it is compatible with the model year '23's as well.
I just installed one, and it functions just as it does and should on the '19-'22's.
I didn't expect any issues, as there were no changes in the cars for '23.

I did have a tough (impossible) time getting my fingers under the cover lip of the black box to disconnect the harness.
So I removed the two 10mm nuts holding the box to the floor and once the box is free to manipulate, it's a 30 second job unplugging the harness and splicing the Eliminator in to the circuit.
Unless you have tiny hands, wrists, and fingers, I would suggest not even attempting to proceed without loosening the box from the floor first.