Hi All,
On my 2006 Forrester, I just noticed last night that when I press the "lock" button on my key chain, that a red light titled "Security" starts flashing on my dash below my odometer. If I push my "Unlock" button, the security light stops flashing. I draw a blank in my owners manual. How do I turn this thing off?
Many thanks,
-T
That is your vehicle's 'alarm' system. Most people consider it a desirable feature and not a problem. Unless you're saying the flashing or operation has changed recently. Sometimes the system gets accidentally placed in 'valet mode'. Your manual should cover this - or visit the dealer perhaps and they can disable the alarm system, maybe by just pulling a fuse or some other method. You didn't mention if it beeps when you press the buttons. Once for engaged, twice for disengaged i think.
Hi 1 Lucky,
Thank you.
I wonder if this light has been going off for the last three years and I never noticed it. Hmmmmm.
My worry was that it would drain the battery if left parked for a week or so.
And, when the lamp burns out, that would stop the flashing.
-T
I suspect this has been flashing this way all along and you never noticed it. I have a 2010 Outback and earlier this year I took some friends camping, and I gave them one key incase they needed something from the car in the middle of the night. I got up first and wanted something from the car, and I didn't want to sound the horn by unlocking the doors with the buttons, so I physically put the key in the lock and turned. The horn alarm went off and attempted to wake up the entire campground. (I actually had the Valet key, so no buttons. I was standing there wondering how I was supposed to turn off the beeping! I had to turn the ignition to turn the beeping off!)
So that's when I decided to learn how this works. It's in my manual, and you can turn it off, and I doubt you will drain the battery with it.
I'm not sure I agree with the logic of the system, but I left it as it was (I turned it off for the duration of the camping trip!). If I have an actual key, why does the alarm go off? If I am a thief with an actual key, I can just push the button to unlock the car. The alarm makes it impossible to silently open the car, although the one beep from key fob is not a lot of noise.
It isn't uncommon for thieves to pick locks.
But learning how to enter and exit 'valet mode' might be a good idea for folks camping or coming and going at odd hours in a quiet neighborhood - or for handing the car off to a valet!
(but really - it's a Subaru. chances of theft reduced by styling department at FHI)
MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.