How to keep Subaru Battery from Dying: Simple Fix

Subarus are great, but they really missed the mark with mirror approach light feature on the 2014-1018 Outbacks. If you have spent any extended time with your tailgate open you've likely experienced the excitement of finding your battery dead when you go to start your car. This happened to me multiple times when building my car camper, so I looked for a solution. The last thing you want is to be stranded while camping without someone to jump your car or cell service to call for help. Here's how you can prevent it. 

While you could pull a fuse to deactivate the lights, this can cause other features to be affected and is not the most simple way to deal with the problem. I found the easiest method is to use a carabiner to imitate the latch point on the tailgate to trick the computer into thinking the tailgate is closed, which in turn will shut the lights off after about 20 seconds.

To retrieve the carabiner and close the tailgate simply reach up to the “gate open” button above your license plate and push it. It will then eject the carabiner and begin the closing process. It may act funny when closing and take a few button presses, but it can be closed.

Also, I highly recommend carrying a set of jumper cables and if you will be out in the mountains or just away from people and cell service I’d also recommend carrying a battery jump pack. This is the one I use and have had goog success. I charge it while driving using my 12v outlet and it is ready to go and in a nice small bag for storage.  

Jump Pack: https://amzn.to/3eCjG9s

Jumper Cables: https://amzn.to/32PiyKi

A “light off” switch would have certainly been easier but since that's not an option, this trick works just fine. Hope that helps!