Subaru Eyesight Not Working (Causes & Solutions)

With the help of its dual cameras mounted at the back of the windshield and facing the front side mirror or rearview mirror, the Subaru EyeSight system helps assist you when you drive.

The cameras help detect anything that can lead to accidents on the road while driving.

The driver is then provided with audible and visual warnings and can even apply brakes automatically when necessary to stop a collision.

By using the same menu, you can disable the system. You can also do this when you press and hold the button of the EyeSight located at the steering wheel or within it.

What is the Subaru Eyesight Systems

This system is known as a technology that provides support for drivers’ safety as they drive. The system is like an extra eye for the driver as he drives on the road so that he can easily avoid any crash and have smooth traffic.

The Subaru EyeSight system helps enhance your driving experience and makes you more comfortable as you drive your vehicle.

The Subaru EyeSight system is made up of two cameras that are strategically placed within the rearview mirror.

To detect the distance and obstruction, it will have to capture the scanning of your vehicle’s front.

The central processor will then start processing the information captured by the cameras and then quickly analyzes the information for the situation to be evaluated in microseconds using a process known as a synopsis. And will also carry out safety measures programmed to happen in such cases.

Why Is Subaru Eyesight Not Working?

Due to some reasons, the Subaru EyeSight system can fail to work or properly function.

1. Faulty sensor.

When there is any dirt or blockage in any of the cameras, EyeSight will make it unable to detect or notice any object well. This can cause malfunctioning of the system. Properly clean the lenses if you notice any dirt or blockage in them.

2. Weather conditions.

It will not be easy for the system to see objects properly if the environment is foggy or when it is raining or snowing, and this can cause it to be disabled.

When you see or notice a message that reads “Eyesight temporarily unavailable” on the instrument panel, it is affected by the weather condition.

The Subaru eyesight should automatically start clearing up when the weather becomes better.

3. Dead battery.

If you park your car in a space that is enclosed, for example, a garage, in such a situation the light is not enough for the cameras to see objects, it can cause the system to constantly run the batteries and lead to it eventually dying.

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Does Subaru Eyesight Work at Night?

Subaru Eyesight Not Working

So far that there’s available lighting, regardless of if it is coming from oncoming vehicles’ headlights. The Subaru EyeSight system will work at night.

The system won’t be able to work or function only when there is a total or full eclipse, and you have to reset it when the light comes back.

What Triggers Driver Focus Distraction Mitigation System?

By using a camera that can track the movement of the driver’s eyes and even the expression on his face, the driver focus & distraction mitigation system will help the drivers avoid any form of distraction on the road so that they can be focused as they drive.

The audible system will provide audible and visual alerts or warnings if he notices that a driver has lost focus on the road in order to draw his focus back.

Sometimes the system will have to turn on the steering assist feature or braking so that the vehicle does not lose the direction it is moving.

Types of Subaru Eyesight Problems

With each upgrade, there is an improvement in the technology of the Subaru EyeSight system.

With each new upgrade, we see that the problems or limitations the previous or older version used to have has been improved or are no longer there.

Those who use Subaru vehicles can testify to its driver’s safety assistance benefits and limitations.

Although we see great improvement with each new model, some problems still have not been solved.

Below are a few of them:

1. Brake light Defective Sign When Eyesight System is Off

The first Subaru Vehicles with the EyeSight system kept the brake light switched on if the eyesight system was off while driving.

According to some Subaru owners, the driver’s assist system does not work when switched on as it does in advertisements.

 2. The Dysfunction of the Eyesight Detection & Traffic Control

If the eyesight isn’t able to detect a vehicle that is stopping, the traffic slow & traffic move function and the pre-collision control will not be able to work.

It is not working to prevent the possibility of any crash, but this can cause or contribute to a crash if an intrusion you didn’t anticipate occurs and you are relying on the system.

Car users won’t appreciate any technology that malfunctions in traffic or don’t function.

3. Disability by Weather Conditions

Your EyeSight tech depends on the camera’s visibility. As a result, the enhancement of eyesight has enjoyed both the development’s imperfections as well as the driver safety & assistance advantages.

The difficulties you will face in bad weather conditions are the same for the system.

Rain, dust, fog, or bright sun can affect the visibility of the cameras.

4. The Black and White signals

Older Subaru models with eyesight were programmed to accept only black and white pictures and react only to pre-collision braking & pre-collision brake assist below 20mph to 31mph.

This won’t give you the additional eyes you need like the one that was promised.

5. The Reverse Direction Movement

The pre-collision will not work when the direction of the vehicle is in the reverse direction. This, however, provides the needed assistance for the driver as he drives in reverse because driving in the reverse direction is not as easy as moving in the front directly.

6. Front View Obstruction with Bulky Dual Camera

The driver’s view can be blocked as he drives by the dual cameras because they are bulky.

7. Unclear Lane & Warning Problems

If the lines of the lane are not well-drawn or if they are not clear, it can cause problems for the system that monitors the lane because they are very sensitive.

This will cause the system to keep warning signals as you drive, even if the vehicle is maintaining its lane.

And it also causes the yellow lights, which show when the lane assist is switched off. Again, it makes drivers very uncomfortable as they drive and lose focus.

8. Limited Camera Coverage

The camera won’t capture further distances because its range has limits.

The eyesight may not work well at high speeds in detecting far-distance obstruction.

You might meet an obstacle easily at a far distance at high speed.

9. Expensive Technology

The type of cars that have expensive technology eyesight systems are very expensive and can only be afforded by those who are very rich or wealthy.

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How to Troubleshoot the Subaru Eyesight System

There are a couple of things you have to do to fix your system.

  1. The whole fuse should be checked, ensuring it is well-tightened. Look for any corrosion, & if you find any, clean it off.
  2. The control unit of EyeSight should be located. You will find it usually at the back of the center console, which is close to the stereo system. Check your owner’s manual if you don’t see it there.
  3. The system’s fuse should be removed. Doing this will make the system to be disabled, making you able to fix it when the system is not active.
  4. All linkages to the control unit of EyeSight should be checked well. Ensure that they are free from any corrosion and are tight.
  5. The EyeSight system’s fuse should be replaced. It will make the system re-enabled and help you know whether the issue has been settled.

How to Disable the Subaru Eyesight System

In order for the system to be disassembled, the button for the EyeSight on the steering wheel will be pressed and held for like 5 secs. The EyeSight system will then enter a standby mode with all the audible and visual warnings disabled.

After this, the Subaru EyeSight system will be disassembled completely. It is important to note that some of your car’s features may not properly function without the system.

Subaru Eyesight Not Working

How to Turn Eyesight Back on Subaru

Turning off the system of your vehicle can be due to some reasons. For example, if the difference in speed between your car and an obstruction or another car is excessive, it can cause it to turn off.

If you follow the procedure below, you’ll be able to put your car’s EyeSight on again.

  1. Put your car in park with your shifter.

When you look at the left side of your car’s steering wheel, you will find a control button that is multi-functional. Use it to open the LCD, which you will find between the gauges of the Subaru. The LCD should be toggled till you see, on the menu, the i/set switch.

  1. After you open the menu for the setting, the i/SET from the control button, which is multi-functional, should be pulled and held.
  2. The up & down toggle should be used until you see the eyesight on the menu for the setting.
  3. Hold the switch of the i/SET to select the volume warning.
  4. In order for the warning setting to modify the EyeSight to either minimum, medium, or maximum (the three(3) pre-set options), you will have to use the Up and Down buttons.
  5. Pull and hold the i/set so the alert volume can be switched to the one you chose.

You can enjoy the system’s benefits and personalize the driving with the help of the i/SET setting menu.

How Do You Clean Subaru Eye Lenses?

Your Subaru eye lenses should be cleaned on a monthly basis, if possible more than once a month. The steps are as follows:

  • Your vehicle should be parked in an area that is well-lit, and then your engine should be turned off.
  • The parking brake should be applied.
  • At the back of the rearview mirror, locate the camera of the eyesight.
  • Using a dry, soft cloth, the lenses should be carefully wiped, so they don’t get scratched. A solution for cleaning lens cloth that is lint-free should be used to remove fingerprints and dirt. The cleaner should not be sprayed on the lens directly.
  • The lenses should be rinsed with clean and dried water with a dry and soft cloth.
  • Ensure any foreign object does not block the camera’s view before you drive your vehicle.

When Should I Calibrate My Subaru Eyesight?

Whatever modifications you make to your car can affect the performance of the system and call for recalibration.

You will have to calibrate the system when:

  1. When you have installed a new windshield
  2. Your Vehicle’s battery has been replaced
  3. Your vehicle has been jumping started
  4. Your Vehicle’s battery had to be disconnected and reconnected

To calibrate the Subaru Eyesight system:

  1. Your car should be parked in a well-lit area with no objects around.
  2. The accessories and light should all be turned off.
  3. The transmission should be put in the park, and the parking brake should be set.
  4. the car engine should be started for at least 1min. It should be left idle.
  5. Until the required calibration shows on the screen, the EyeSight button should be pressed and held.
  6. For another 3 secs. The button EyeSight should be pressed and held. The EyeSight system will start to calibrate, and Calibrating System will appear on the screen. This process might take up to 10 mins.

‘Eyesight System Ready’ will be displayed once the calibration is done.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do you reset your EyeSight?

Dr. Veteto said that if we reset our eyes from close up to far off, it will help them rest and also help in resetting our focus.

The 20/20/20 recommended by the Mayo Clinic says that for every 20 mins. You spend looking at your device or computer; you should shift your gaze to something else that is away from you by 20 feet for 20 sec.

How Much Does It Cost to Calibrate Subaru Eyesight?

The cost to calibrate eyesight will vary depending on the dealership; calibrating your eyesight system will cost around $200 to $300. If your Eyesight system develops a problem, you can fix it yourself before you take it to be calibrated, you can fix the problem yourself.

Does Subaru EyeSight stop amd go?

Automatically, the Subaru eyesight will keep up a set or fixed following distance, with slowing down of traffic will braking smoothly, and when moving well again, will accelerate back to the speed you set.

You just have to let EyeSight carry out its duty; you do not need to make use of the gas and brake. Even in stop-and-go traffic on the highway, the adaptive cruise control will carry out its duty well.

At what speed does Subaru EyeSight work?

The system can detect pedestrians in your vehicle’s path if you are traveling under 19mph so as to avoid any collision.

How does Subaru recalibrate vision?

Using the LCD screen and multi-control button, you will be able to reset the Subaru Eyesight system, which can also be used to refresh it & make it function properly. You can also use the same menu if you want to disable the system; the EyeSight system will be disabled if you press and hold the button on the EyeSight located at the steering wheel or around it.

Where is the Subaru EyeSight camera?

Behind your car’s windscreen are dual color cameras that face straight on the sides of the rearview mirror. The cameras are what Subaru EyeSight uses. They help monitor traffic situations, identify lane marks, and activate or adjust functions of EyeSight.

Does Subaru EyeSight keep you in the lane?

You can select what you want your desired car distance from the vehicle in your front to be and remain safely in your lane through the help of the Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control available on select models.

EyeSight observes your car position on the road & will tell you immediately if you are straying out of the lane you are supposed to be in.

Final Thoughts

It is very beneficial to have an eyesight system in your car as this can enhance the driving experience.

If we are to compare Subaru vehicles with radar or sonar driver-assistant systems, the Subaru eyesight system comes first. It is a safety function that is designed for Subaru vehicles.

Although there are a lot of problems your car’s Subaru eyesight system can develop, its advantages can help enhance your safety as you drive.

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