New (2025) push button remote start does not work if car is not locked

[Cushlomockree]

I live way out in the country on a private road far away way from any public traffic--one of the reasons for Subarus. We have never locked our cars. Almost no cell signal, so we opted for the older push button remote vs. cell-phone dependent Remote.
I have a 2019 Touring 3.6R with the same kind of remote. It works fine whether doors are locked or unlocked.
The 2025 Touring XT will remote start ONLY if the doors are locked.
This is a big pain.
Does anyone know of a setting, or after-market solution so I'm not always locking my car in the driveway or garage when the wind chill is -18F?

 

[piste]

how does it function on your remote? What is the button sequence?

 

[Cushlomockree]

Two presses to start. One long press 2s to stop.
The remote start fob now requires you to use the key fob to lock the car (if you haven't locked it while, for example, unloading groceries) before.

 

[piste]

Ditch that remote. I have it set up on my primary lock/unlock remote. Two quick presses of lock button...then press and hold lock button to start. Not sure how to stop. But that don't solve your problem. Dealer told me to ditch that remote you are using when I bought the car.

 

[Cushlomockree]

That works on my 2019, not on the 2025.

 

[Cushlomockree]

Just tried it again with the other (Primary?) key fob--It works!
Thanks!
However, it still entails locking the car, which is why I posted.

 

[piste]

true....but at least ya can dump a fob!! Good luck.

 

[joepilot]

Every remote start vehicle I have ever had required a press of the lock button before hitting the remote start, even if the vehicle is already locked. This seems to be universal, so I am pretty sure yours is functioning properly.

 

[Cushlomockree]

My 2019 Outback, does not have to be locked for the remote start fob vs. the remote key fob to perform this function.
On the 2019 remote start fob, you just press it twice and the car starts locked or unlocked.
You are right, it is functioning "as designed", but my reason for posting is that the design has changed since 2019, and I was wondering if there is a setting or after-market modification that can disable or override the new requirement that it must be locked.
Thanks

 

[Outbacker]

I tried the following which did not work for me on my 2025 Outback TourIng XT:
1. Press lock
2. Press lock
3. Press and hold lock for 2 seconds

Tried increasing the Press and hold for more than 2 seconds, did not work .

 

[piste]

I tried the following which did not work for me on my 2025 Outback TourIng XT:
1. Press lock
2. Press lock
3. Press and hold lock for 2 seconds

Tried increasing the Press and hold for more than 2 seconds, did not work .

maybe they changed the process??? Did you get a beep after each press one and two? then third press my horn beeps and car starts...2016...same in 2018 xtrek

 

[Cushlomockree]

RE: Outbacker with 2025 Outback TourIng XT
Looks like:
1) you don't have a remote start fob AND, additionally, a remote key fob
or
2) if you have both, you're are using the wrong key fob to attempt remote start ( they give you 2 key fobs, but only 1 is enabled for remote start...I have to take my 2025 Outback TourIng XT into service to have the second key fob programmed for remote start. One works, the other does not as delivered.

 

[TonyN2KI]

Ditch that remote. I have it set up on my primary lock/unlock remote. Two quick presses of lock button...then press and hold lock button to start. Not sure how to stop. But that don't solve your problem. Dealer told me to ditch that remote you are using when I bought the car.

How did you set that up? I am not using a remote start fob but I do use the MySubaru app to remote start occasionally. Being able to remote start via the fob can be convenient from time to time.

 

[Cushlomockree]

Ordered it as an option: "Remote Engine Starter Push Start" with the car. I did not want something that depended on cell phone because of lousy service where I live. Once the receiver part of the the remote start is installed in the car, they enable (program) one of the remote key fobs to also be able to perform remote start.
I believe you can have your dealer's service dept. install it. It's also a one-time purchase, which does not turn into a subscription after a few years.

 

[piste]

Ordered it as an option: "Remote Engine Starter Push Start" with the car. I did not want something that depended on cell phone because of lousy service where I live. Once the receiver part of the the remote start is installed in the car, they enable (program) one of the remote key fobs to also be able to perform remote start.
I believe you can have your dealer's service dept. install it. It's also a one-time purchase, which does not turn into a subscription after a few years.

Thats what i did

 

[TonyN2KI]

Ordered it as an option: "Remote Engine Starter Push Start" with the car. I did not want something that depended on cell phone because of lousy service where I live. Once the receiver part of the the remote start is installed in the car, they enable (program) one of the remote key fobs to also be able to perform remote start.
I believe you can have your dealer's service dept. install it. It's also a one-time purchase, which does not turn into a subscription after a few years.

Got it, thanks!