2023 Outback - Battery

[Navrig]

I have a 2023 Outback.  In January I will be acting as support to a cycling team doing a relay, 24 hour event.  It's a circular route meaning I will be static.  I am working out the logisitics for providing shelter and hot food for the 2 participants who are resting at any given time.  One option is to put the back seats in the Outback down and have a bed they can use to rest/sleep.  However I am concerned about the impact on the Battery of having the tailgate open all the time or it being opened and closed over a 24 hour period.  Hot food will be via a gas stove and flasks so no impact on the car.

Any thoughts or comments?

[Justin Time]

On 11/3/2025 at 2:56 PM, Navrig said:

I have a 2023 Outback.  In January I will be acting as support to a cycling team doing a relay, 24 hour event.  It's a circular route meaning I will be static.  I am working out the logisitics for providing shelter and hot food for the 2 participants who are resting at any given time.  One option is to put the back seats in the Outback down and have a bed they can use to rest/sleep.  However I am concerned about the impact on the battery of having the tailgate open all the time or it being opened and closed over a 24 hour period.  Hot food will be via a gas stove and flasks so no impact on the car.

Any thoughts or comments?

I regularly slept in the back of my OB (Gen 5) on long distance fell running trips to Scotland and such, camping out.  If you search on line you'll come across various versions of the 'carabiner trick' - it works.

Here's what I've been doing successfully for years.

You need a small thin - the cheap zinc plated ones you find in hardware shops is fine - carabiner to hand.

Open the boot with the fob, or button, until it's fully open.  Then click close, so the boot starts to descend.  Hold the carabiner firmly in the path of the metal lock on the underside of the boor lid.  The lock will 'envelop' the loop of the carabiner.  And the boot will stop moving - you'll hear the lock click and the motor will stop whirling. 

The car now thinks the  boot is locked, whereas it's only part way closed.  Slowly lift the boot lid manually to fully open  (or as high as you need it).  Check the dome light is out (caution, this light can sometimes be easily switched on by accident if you're moving in the back- some people tape over it to keep it closed). 

If you need further reassurance, check the instrument panel to see that there are no doors open (or the boot lid) to confirm if you're unsure.

Now you're sorted for as long as needed.

To close.  Gently pull the boot lid down to about where you first inserted the carabiner.  Now, press the open button, above the number plate (NOT the close / lock button on the underside of the lid), and the lock will release; the carabiner will fall out (catch it); and the boot will open to full, stop and bleep, as it believes there's an obstruction (that because it's not opened as far it believes it should) and it will close and return to usual closed position. 

There are several other methods, not involving a carabiner, but using keys or similar to press the lock closed, but I'v not tried those.  The above method works well for me.   I've yet to try it on my new Gen 6 I acquired last week. Can't see why it wouldn't work. I don't know if Subaru have fixed this issue, and don't have the desire to just leave the boot open for a long period and see if the Battery has drained!

If you need a quick Battery check, and don't have a meter, here's another hint.  With the ignition on, press and hold down the blue and red heater control buttons on one side of the main screen (doesn't matter which side).  While holding these down, press and release the volume or tune buttons twice (you'll enter 'factory mode' - and 6 presses leads to 'dealer mode'),  In these 'hidden settings' you'll see the charing rate or Battery voltage level). 

Enjoy your event. 

 

[Navrig]

On 11/4/2025 at 6:47 PM, Justin Time said:

I regularly slept in the back of my OB (Gen 5) on long distance fell running trips to Scotland and such, camping out.  If you search on line you'll come across various versions of the 'carabiner trick' - it works.

Here's what I've been doing successfully for years.

You need a small thin - the cheap zinc plated ones you find in hardware shops is fine - carabiner to hand.

Open the boot with the fob, or button, until it's fully open.  Then click close, so the boot starts to descend.  Hold the carabiner firmly in the path of the metal lock on the underside of the boor lid.  The lock will 'envelop' the loop of the carabiner.  And the boot will stop moving - you'll hear the lock click and the motor will stop whirling. 

The car now thinks the  boot is locked, whereas it's only part way closed.  Slowly lift the boot lid manually to fully open  (or as high as you need it).  Check the dome light is out (caution, this light can sometimes be easily switched on by accident if you're moving in the back- some people tape over it to keep it closed). 

If you need further reassurance, check the instrument panel to see that there are no doors open (or the boot lid) to confirm if you're unsure.

Now you're sorted for as long as needed.

To close.  Gently pull the boot lid down to about where you first inserted the carabiner.  Now, press the open button, above the number plate (NOT the close / lock button on the underside of the lid), and the lock will release; the carabiner will fall out (catch it); and the boot will open to full, stop and bleep, as it believes there's an obstruction (that because it's not opened as far it believes it should) and it will close and return to usual closed position. 

There are several other methods, not involving a carabiner, but using keys or similar to press the lock closed, but I'v not tried those.  The above method works well for me.   I've yet to try it on my new Gen 6 I acquired last week. Can't see why it wouldn't work. I don't know if Subaru have fixed this issue, and don't have the desire to just leave the boot open for a long period and see if the battery has drained!

If you need a quick battery check, and don't have a meter, here's another hint.  With the ignition on, press and hold down the blue and red heater control buttons on one side of the main screen (doesn't matter which side).  While holding these down, press and release the volume or tune buttons twice (you'll enter 'factory mode' - and 6 presses leads to 'dealer mode'),  In these 'hidden settings' you'll see the charing rate or battery voltage level). 

Enjoy your event. 

 

Justin - fabulous response.  Many thanks.  I'll try it on the driveway first.

FYI the event is the Strathpuffer!