How To Turn On High Beam Assist on Subaru Forester

The Subaru Forester offers the High Beam Assist feature, which allows drivers to maximize usage of their headlight's high beam safely and conveniently. If you're a Forester owner, then you might be wondering how to turn this feature on. We've compiled our findings for your information.

To turn the Subaru Forester's High Beam Assist feature on, you will need to select "Auto" on your headlight selector and then push the turn signal lever forward.

The instructions seem very simple, right? However, aside from learning how to turn the High Beam Assist feature on, drivers must also understand how the feature works. If you would like to know more about Subaru's High Beam Assist, then do read on and we will do our best to help.

How Do I Turn On High Beam Assist On My Forester?

Your Forester's turn signal combination switch/lever, which is located on the left side of your steering column, controls many of the functions of your vehicle's exterior lights. These include your headlights, daytime running lights, parking lights, and turn signals.

The High Beam Assist is among Subaru's advanced and automated lighting features. To turn this feature on, you will need to do two simple steps:

1. On the tip of the turn signal lever, twist the headlight function selector to the "Auto" position
2. Push the turn signal lever forward

Once turned on, the High Beam Assist indicator light will illuminate in the driver's instrument cluster, near the speedometer and tachometer. The High Beam Assist indicator looks like the normal high beam indicator, but the former has an "A" inside the logo.

What Is Subaru High Beam Assist?

The High Beam Assist feature automatically activates and deactivates the high beam headlights based on the vehicle's driving conditions. This feature allows you to use your Subaru's high beams as often as needed without blinding other drivers.

Subaru's High Beam Assist feature uses sensors to detect natural (e.g. sunlight) and artificial (e.g. lamp post) ambient light, as well as preceding and incoming vehicle lights. With this information, your Subaru's headlights will automatically turn on/off or switch between high and low beams. 

Because High Beam Assist automatically manages your headlight operations, you can keep your hands on the steering wheel. Thus, Subaru's High Beam Assist feature helps keep you safer on the road.

How Does High Beam Assist Work?

When activated, Subaru's High Beam Assist feature enlists the help of two of its sensors.

To turn the vehicle's headlights on or off automatically, Subaru uses a light sensitivity sensor to monitor the natural or artificial ambient light outside the car. This sensor sits on the passenger-side dashboard near the base of the windshield.

To shift the headlight to low beam or high beam automatically, Subaru uses its two EyeSight stereo cameras. These cameras monitor the car's immediate forward environment (people, road, objects, vehicles, as well as headlights and tail lights).

The EyeSight cameras are mounted near the rearview mirror, on the overhead console beside the front map lights. These cameras provide a 180-degree view in front of the vehicle.

When Will High Beam Assist Turn My High Beam On?

When activated, Subaru's High Beam Assist will turn the high beam on when all of the following conditions are met.

1. The driven vehicle's speed has reached 20 mph (32 km/h) or more.
2. There is no oncoming and no preceding vehicle.
3. The area in front of the vehicle is dark.
4. The road does not have a sharp curve.

When Will High Beam Assist Turn My High Beam Off?

When activated, Subaru's High Beam Assist will switch the headlights from high beam to low beam when any of the following conditions are met. We would like to emphasize the term any here.

1. The driven vehicle slows down to 10 mph (16 km/h) or less.
2. The area in front of the vehicle is bright.
3. There is an oncoming or a preceding vehicle.
4. The EyeSight system is temporarily disabled or is malfunctioning.

Should I Depend On High Beam Assist?

Although High Beam Assist offers a degree of safety and convenience, Subaru owners should not depend too much on this feature. During some conditions, the EyeSight cameras may fail to monitor the car's environment properly.  Furthermore, the EyeSight system may malfunction sometimes.

Below are some instances when the High Beam Assist feature may not work properly.

• During bad or inclement weather (e.g. fog, snow, heavy rain, sand storm)
• If the windshield is fogged, dirty, or damaged
• When the stereo cameras are dirty, deformed, or damaged
• If some ambient lights appear similar to vehicle headlights or tail lights.
• When an oncoming vehicle's headlights are turned off, dirty, discolored, aimed incorrectly or damaged
• If a preceding vehicle's tail lights are off, dirty, discolored, or damaged
• When there is a rapid change in brightness outside the car (e.g. consecutive lightning, fireworks, outdoor LED billboards, etc.)
• When the road has many slopes or consecutive curves
• If there are many reflective surfaces bouncing the headlight back to the vehicle (e.g. metal container trucks, metallic signs, road mirrors)
• When the vehicle's own headlights are dirty or damaged
• When the vehicle's engine has just started

What Should I Do If High Beam Assist Does Not Work?

When the High Beam Assist feature does not work properly, you should control your vehicle's headlights manually.  To revert to manual headlight operation:

1. Pull the turn signal lever back to its center position.
2. Twist the headlight selector switch away from the "Auto" and into the "On" position.
3. Manipulate the lever as needed for low beam, high beam, or flasher.

Which Subaru Forester Has High Beam Assist?

What Is Subaru Eyesight?

Subaru's EyeSight Driver Assist Technology is an advanced vehicle safety system that embodies all the safety knowledge and expertise of Subaru engineers. This system's core component is the pair of EyeSight stereo cameras that monitor pedestrians, vehicles, traffic movement, and more.

The information sent from the cameras provides guidance for the vehicle's advanced driving assistance and collision avoidance systems. These systems include the following:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Forward-collision warning
• Automatic emergency braking
• Lane departure warning
• Lane-keeping assistance
• Pre-collision throttle management
• High Beam Assist

To date, Subaru has sold well over a million models with EyeSight systems. As the brand and its customers say, EyeSight is like an alert front-seat navigator. This navigator helps you notice and avoid potential dangers, and if need be, it can bring your Subaru to a full stop.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that Subaru's EyeSight technology has reduced Subaru vehicles' rate of rear-end crashes with injuries by up to 85%. Moreover, the same organization concluded that EyeSight could reduce vehicle-related pedestrian injuries by up to 35%.

Is Subaru Forester A Safe Car?

Although many Subaru owners and enthusiasts swear by the vehicle safety of their beloved "Subies," we'll also present the official ratings of recognized vehicle safety organizations.

The IIHS chose the 2022 Subaru Forester as one of the awardees for the institution's Top Safety Pick+(plus). This award has the strictest standards in the organization's vehicle safety categories. 

Moreover, the 2022 Subaru Forester earned a perfect 5 out of 5 stars overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). These ratings apply to all 2019 to 2022 Subaru Foresters.

Based on the official safety ratings, the Subaru Forester is indeed a safe vehicle. This crossover's multi-awarded vehicle safety is yet another representation of Subaru's "All-Around Safety" philosophy.