With The Wrong Wiper Blades Or Tires New Subaru Outback EyeSight Could Fail
It sounds strange, but something as simple as a windshield wiper blade can cause issues with the new Subaru EyeSight driver-assist system. If you have the new-generation safety technology on your new Subaru, you will need to change your windshield wiper blades more often and use OEM blades. Many new 2020 Subaru models like the 2020 Outback, Forester, Crosstrek, and Ascent SUVs now come standard with EyeSight.
We found out from a technical Brake and Front End service bulletin that the safety system may not work if you have the wrong wiper blades or even the wrong sized tires. EyeSight is one of the best driver-assist systems of any automaker and performs a number of functions including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and lead vehicle start alert.
2020 Subaru Outback comes standard with EyeSight driver assist safety technology
Even older models like the 2015 Outback and Legacy, 2015 Crosstrek and Impreza and 2017 Forester use the new-generation system. The system uses two stereo cameras mounted inside the vehicle near the top of the windshield. The Japanese automaker placed the system there to keep the camera eyes free of road debris, but the windshield must be kept clean.
The improved new-generation Eyesight has longer and wider detection ranges and other improvements, but is sensitive and even using the wrong wiper blades having the wrong sized tires, or even a bad wheel bearing can negatively affect the safety technology.
Having the wrong wiper blades can cause issues with EyeSight on the 2020 Subaru Outback
How can something as simple as a wiper blade cause issues with EyeSight? The owner’s manual says only to use Subaru wiper blades because using the wrong size (too small) or less than high-quality wiper blades that do not match the correct OEM size, won’t keep the area clean on the top edge of the windshield where the two stereo cameras are mounted. The report says wiper blades that are worn out and leave streaks can also impair the cameras.
Having the wrong sized tires can affect EyeSight
The Brake and Front End Report says even tires that are the wrong size or one side has excessive wear will cause a data mismatch for the wheel speeds. It says “A tire issue can also cause a steering pull. If the pull is extreme enough, the lane departure function can read the situation wrong. Since the system can’t measure tire tread depth, it sees the pull in the steering angle, yaw and camera sensors. It might interpret it as the driver is drifting into the next lane and falsely warn the driver.”
What if I need to replace my cracked or broken windshield?
A report from I-CAR says a notice placed on windshields of new Subaru models equipped with EyeSight, says a new Subaru genuine OEM windshield must be installed. Why does Subaru require this? Installing an aftermarket windshield may prevent the EyeSight from working properly.
If windshield glass other than glass specifically designed for EyeSight is used, the visibility of the camera can be blocked or the distortion of the glass can prevent the correct measurement of an object resulting in abnormal EyeSight operation.
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To keep your new 2020 and some older Subaru Outback, Forester, Crosstrek, or Ascent with EyeSight safety technology working properly, use either OEM wiper blades or high-quality blades that are the right size, run the recommended size tires for your vehicle, and use a genuine OEM Subaru windshield if you replace the glass.
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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. All of his reports are archived on our Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Subaru Report. Check back tomorrow for more Subaru news and updates at Torque News!
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Photo credit: Subaru USA
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