Sometimes you want to lock your car but have nowhere to put your keys. You might want to avoid taking them to the beach, out for a run, or into war. Several automakers have tried to solve this problem, but I like the clever way that Subaru did it. Ford is known for the work it has done in this area. Toyota’s SecuriCode B-pillar enter keypad has been on the market for a long time, and GM has recently added a similar feature to its cars. But Subaru didn’t want a keyboard sticking out of the outside of its vehicles because it would be too obvious. Instead, it lets you use the button for the trunk latch to enter a number code, which makes it much easier to get in without being seen. Since proximity keys are standard these days (many new cars open when the key is close by), you must first turn off keyfob access to use Subaru’s PIN-code entry method. If the key was left in the car, anyone could get in. This is done by locking the doors by hand and hitting a button combination on the key fob. To get back into the car, press the button for the back hatch and type in a five-digit PIN. Since there is no keyboard, the code is put in by pressing the button over and over again. For the number “32121,” for example, the first digit would be entered by pressing three times; then a chirp would tell the user to enter the next digit, and so on. Even though it is more complicated than a simple keyboard, there is no doubt that it is functional. Subaru drivers don’t have to hide their keys in their shoes at the beach, which is a big deal. It’s also great for activities like mountain biking or swimming, where the key fob is likely to get broken. Subaru drivers are known for loving the outdoors, after all. It’s a great example of a feature with minimum development lift. The car already has everything you need to enter a PIN code. The car’s body computer only needs a few lines of code to read the code from the trunk button and open the doors. Surprisingly, the area no longer has these cute little Easter eggs. We wonder why more people don’t know about this option. One source says that since 2015, this feature has been available on all Subaru cars with Keyless Access technology. It shows that one of the best ways to learn about your vehicle is to read the owner’s instructions. Leave your comments below you’ve used the method.
