Subaru Ascent 2018-2026 Owner's Manual: Electronic parking brake

1. Parking brake switch
2. Indicator light
3. Release the electronic parking brake
4. Apply the electronic parking brake

WARNING

• Before leaving your Subaru Ascent, always make sure the engine is completely turned off.

  If the engine remains on, the electronic parking brake could release unexpectedly, creating a serious risk of vehicle movement and potential accidents.

• If the brake system warning light illuminates in your Subaru Ascent, it may indicate a malfunction in the electronic parking brake system.

  Stop the vehicle immediately in a safe place, secure it using wheel chocks, and contact a SUBARU dealer without delay.

• If the electronic parking brake is operated while the brakes are overheated or when the Subaru Ascent is parked on a steep incline, the indicator light may flash.

  In such cases, the vehicle may not remain stationary. Always use additional safety measures such as wheel stops to prevent unintended movement.

CAUTION

• If the electronic parking brake system in your Subaru Ascent fails and the brake cannot be applied, contact a SUBARU dealer immediately.

  If it is necessary to park the vehicle under these conditions, follow these precautions:

  • Park the Subaru Ascent on a flat and stable surface.
  • Shift the transmission into the "P" position. If shifting into "P" is not possible, perform a shift lock release procedure.
  • Place wheel chocks or stops under the tires to prevent the vehicle from rolling.
• Never drive the Subaru Ascent with the electronic parking brake engaged.

  This can lead to excessive brake wear and potential damage to the braking system. Always confirm that the parking brake is fully released and that the warning light is off before driving.

The Subaru Ascent is equipped with an advanced electronic parking brake system that allows the driver to apply or release the brake using a simple switch instead of a traditional mechanical lever.

To apply the parking brake in the Subaru Ascent, press the brake pedal and pull up the parking brake switch.

To release the parking brake, press the brake pedal and push the parking brake switch down firmly while the ignition is in the "ON" position.

When the parking brake is engaged in the Subaru Ascent, both the indicator light on the instrument panel and the light on the switch itself will illuminate, confirming activation.

NOTE

• The electronic parking brake in the Subaru Ascent will not release under the following conditions:
  • The ignition switch is in the "ACC" or "LOCK"/"OFF" position.
  • The brake pedal is not being pressed.
• Because the Subaru Ascent electronic parking brake uses electric motors, you may hear mechanical sounds during operation. These sounds are normal and indicate that the system is functioning correctly.
• If the parking brake switch is operated under certain abnormal conditions, a warning tone may sound and the indicator light may flash.
  • This may occur if the system detects a temporary restriction in operation.
  • It may also indicate a malfunction within the electronic parking brake system.
• If the Subaru Ascent parking brake cannot be released due to a malfunction, do not attempt to force the system. Contact a SUBARU dealer for proper diagnosis and safe release.
• If the parking brake switch is operated too slowly or released midway, the system may interpret this as an error and activate the brake system warning light.

  Always operate the switch smoothly and decisively to ensure correct function.

The Subaru Ascent electronic parking brake system enhances convenience and safety, but correct operation and awareness of its behavior are essential for reliable performance in all driving and parking conditions.

However, in the Subaru Ascent this behavior should not be considered a malfunction if the brake system warning light turns off after operating the switch. The system may perform brief checks that momentarily trigger indicators without indicating any fault.

Automatic release function by accelerator pedal

The Subaru Ascent is equipped with a convenient automatic release feature that disengages the electronic parking brake when the accelerator pedal is pressed. This allows for smooth vehicle movement without requiring manual release.

However, this automatic release function will not operate under the following conditions:

• Any door of the Subaru Ascent is open.
• The driver’s seatbelt is not fastened.
• The select lever is in the "P" or "N" position.

If the parking brake is released automatically, both the electronic parking brake indicator light and the switch indicator will turn off, confirming that the Subaru Ascent is ready to move.

Auto Vehicle Hold function

The Auto Vehicle Hold function in the Subaru Ascent is designed to maintain braking force automatically when the vehicle comes to a complete stop. This is particularly useful in traffic situations, such as at traffic lights or during stop-and-go driving, as it allows the driver to release the brake pedal without the vehicle moving.

WARNING

• Do not rely on the Auto Vehicle Hold function of the Subaru Ascent when driving on steep slopes or slippery surfaces.

  The vehicle may still move under certain conditions, which could result in serious accidents or injuries.

• Never use the Auto Vehicle Hold function as a substitute for parking the Subaru Ascent.

  Always shift the transmission to the "P" position and apply the electronic parking brake in the following situations:

  • When parking the Subaru Ascent
  • When passengers are entering or exiting the vehicle
  • When loading or unloading cargo
• When activating the Auto Vehicle Hold function, do not release the brake pedal until the indicator light confirms activation.

  Releasing the pedal too early may cause the Subaru Ascent to move unexpectedly.

• Deactivate the Auto Vehicle Hold function in the following situations to avoid unintended vehicle movement:

  Failure to do so may result in hazardous conditions.

  • When using an automatic car wash
  • When the Subaru Ascent is being towed

CAUTION

• When stopping the Subaru Ascent on a steep incline with the Auto Vehicle Hold function active, the electronic parking brake may engage automatically.

  In this case, the parking brake indicator may flash. To maintain control, keep the brake pedal firmly depressed while the vehicle is stationary.

The Subaru Ascent electronic parking brake and Auto Vehicle Hold systems are designed to enhance driving comfort and safety, especially in urban conditions, but they must always be used with full awareness of surrounding conditions and proper driving techniques.

Otherwise, the Subaru Ascent may begin to move unexpectedly, which can create a hazardous situation if proper precautions are not taken.

NOTE

For improved control, especially on inclines, it is recommended to activate the Auto Vehicle Hold function in the Subaru Ascent. If the system is turned off, the vehicle may roll backward when starting from a stop on a slope.

To turn on/off the Auto Vehicle Hold function

Auto Vehicle Hold indicator light

The Auto Vehicle Hold feature in the Subaru Ascent can be activated or deactivated through the center information display, allowing the driver to easily control this function depending on driving conditions.

NOTE

• If a malfunction occurs in the electronic parking brake system while the Auto Vehicle Hold function is active in the Subaru Ascent, a warning chime will sound, the Auto Vehicle Hold indicator will turn off, and the brake system warning light will illuminate.
• Each time the engine of the Subaru Ascent is restarted, the Auto Vehicle Hold function is reset to the OFF state and must be reactivated if needed.

To operate the Auto Vehicle Hold function

Bring the Subaru Ascent to a complete stop by pressing the brake pedal while ensuring all required conditions are satisfied. Once these conditions are met, the Auto Vehicle Hold function will automatically engage.

• The driver’s door is securely closed.
• The driver’s seatbelt is properly fastened.
• The select lever is set to a position other than "P".

Auto Vehicle Hold indicator light

While the Subaru Ascent is being held stationary by the Auto Vehicle Hold system, the indicator light will flash, confirming that braking force is being maintained automatically.

To release the Auto Vehicle Hold function

The Auto Vehicle Hold function in the Subaru Ascent can be disengaged using any of the following actions:

• Press the accelerator pedal to move forward.
• Press the brake pedal again.
• Activate the electronic parking brake.
• Shift the select lever to the "P" position while pressing the brake pedal.
• Turn off the Auto Vehicle Hold function via the center information display while pressing the brake pedal.

Once the Auto Vehicle Hold function is released, the indicator light will change from flashing to a steady illumination, indicating that the hold condition has ended.

Under certain circumstances, the Auto Vehicle Hold function in the Subaru Ascent will automatically disengage, and the electronic parking brake will be applied to ensure safety.

• The system has been holding the vehicle for approximately 10 minutes.
• The driver’s seatbelt is unfastened.
• The ignition switch is turned to the "LOCK"/"OFF" position.
• The vehicle is stopped on a steep incline.
• A malfunction in the Auto Vehicle Hold system is detected.

In these situations, the Auto Vehicle Hold indicator will turn off, and the electronic parking brake indicator will illuminate, confirming that the parking brake has taken over.

Tips

• When the electronic parking brake is automatically applied while the Subaru Ascent is held by the Auto Vehicle Hold function, release the parking brake before driving by performing one of the following actions:
  • Press the accelerator pedal while ensuring the seatbelt is fastened and all doors are closed.
  • Press the electronic parking brake switch while pressing the brake pedal.
• In some situations, including system malfunctions, a warning buzzer may sound and a message will appear on the Subaru Ascent instrument display. Always follow these warnings carefully to maintain safety.
• On steep inclines, the Auto Vehicle Hold function may not be sufficient to keep the Subaru Ascent stationary. In such cases, keep the brake pedal firmly pressed.
• When stopped on a steep slope with Auto Vehicle Hold active, the electronic parking brake may engage automatically, and the indicator may flash. In this situation, maintain pressure on the brake pedal to ensure the vehicle remains secure.

The Subaru Ascent Auto Vehicle Hold system is designed to enhance driving comfort and reduce driver fatigue in traffic conditions, but it should always be used with full awareness of vehicle behavior and surrounding road conditions.

If this precaution is ignored, the Subaru Ascent may begin to move unintentionally, creating a potentially dangerous situation.

When exiting the Subaru Ascent, always ensure the vehicle is positioned on a flat and stable surface, and apply the electronic parking brake securely before leaving the cabin.

Emergency brake

CAUTION

The emergency brake function in the Subaru Ascent should be used only in critical situations where normal braking is unavailable.

Frequent or improper use of the emergency brake can accelerate wear of brake components and may reduce braking effectiveness due to overheating.

NOTE

When the emergency brake is activated in the Subaru Ascent:

• The electronic parking brake indicator light and the switch indicator will illuminate, accompanied by an audible warning tone.
• You may hear mechanical sounds originating from the engine compartment. These are normal operational sounds generated by the braking system and the Vehicle Dynamics Control system and do not indicate a malfunction.

If the standard foot brake system in the Subaru Ascent fails, the vehicle can still be brought to a stop by pulling and holding the electronic parking brake switch continuously.

While using the emergency braking function, the Subaru Ascent will activate both visual and audible alerts, including illumination of the parking brake indicators and a warning chime, confirming that emergency braking is in progress.

Electronic parking brake system warning

CAUTION

If the brake system warning light illuminates in the Subaru Ascent, this may indicate a malfunction within the electronic parking brake system.

In such a situation, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe location and contact a SUBARU dealer for professional inspection and repair.

If a failure occurs in the electronic parking brake system of the Subaru Ascent, the brake system warning light will remain illuminated. For further details, refer to the section "Electronic parking brake indicator light" to better understand warning indications and required actions.

The Subaru Ascent braking system is engineered with multiple layers of safety, including emergency and electronic backup functions, but proper usage and timely maintenance remain essential for optimal performance and driver safety.