Lost your key fob or need to program a new one for your 2013 Subaru Forester? Don’t worry, you might be able to do it yourself at home without a trip to the dealership. This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to program your key fob for your 2013 Subaru Forester, potentially saving you time and money. While these instructions are designed to be straightforward, carefully read through each step before you begin.
What You’ll Need
Before starting, you’ll need a couple of things:
- Your 2013 Subaru Forester: Obviously, you’ll need your vehicle to program the key fob to it. Ensure all doors, including the trunk, are completely closed before you begin.
- Your Key Fob: You’ll need the key fob you intend to program. If you have a new, unprogrammed fob, make sure it’s compatible with your 2013 Subaru Forester. You may need to remove the back cover of your key fob to locate an 8-digit ID number inside. Depending on your key fob style, this might involve using a small bladed screwdriver or a Phillips head screwdriver.
Alt text: Locating the 8-digit identification number inside a Subaru Forester key fob remote, essential for programming following DIY instructions.
Once you have gathered these items, you are ready to proceed with the programming steps.
Step-by-Step Programming Guide
Follow these steps carefully to program your 2013 Subaru Forester key fob:
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Get in and Prepare: Sit in the driver’s seat of your 2013 Subaru Forester and close the driver’s side door. Ensure all other doors and the trunk are also securely shut. This is crucial for the programming sequence to work correctly.
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Enter Programming Mode: This step needs to be performed quickly. Turn the ignition key from the “LOCK” position to the “ON” position rapidly ten times within 15 seconds. If done correctly, your Subaru Forester will signal that it has entered programming mode. You should observe the lights flashing and hear an audible tone. If you don’t see the lights or hear a tone, exit the vehicle and repeat this step again from the beginning.
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Door Confirmation: Open and then close the driver’s side door. This action confirms to the vehicle that it should remain in programming mode. You should hear the audible tone continue, indicating successful entry into programming mode.
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Enter the ID Code: Locate the 8-digit ID number inside your key fob remote. With the tone still audible, use the power door lock button on the driver’s side door panel to input this code. For each digit of the 8-digit code, press the “LOCK” button the corresponding number of times, followed immediately by pressing the “UNLOCK” button once to move to the next digit. For example, if the first digit of your code is ‘1’, press “LOCK” once, then “UNLOCK”. If the next digit is ‘2’, press “LOCK” twice, then “UNLOCK”, and so on, for all eight digits. After entering all eight digits, press the “UNLOCK” button one final time.
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Code Re-entry: You must repeat step 4 again. Re-enter the same 8-digit ID code using the “LOCK” and “UNLOCK” buttons as described. After you finish entering the 8th digit for the second time, you should hear a tone that lasts for approximately 30 seconds. This tone indicates successful programming of your key fob.
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Program Additional Remotes (Optional): If you have additional key fobs to program, repeat steps 2 through 5 for each additional remote.
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Exit Programming Mode: Once you have programmed all desired key fobs, remove the key from the ignition. The programming process is now complete. Test each key fob to ensure it correctly locks and unlocks your 2013 Subaru Forester.
Troubleshooting Tips
- No Programming Confirmation: If you don’t get the light flashes or audible tone in step 2, ensure you are turning the ignition quickly enough and within the 15-second time limit. Double-check that all doors are fully closed.
- Code Entry Issues: Make sure you are accurately counting the “LOCK” button presses for each digit and pressing “UNLOCK” to proceed to the next digit. Double-check the 8-digit ID code inside your remote.
- Still Not Working? If you have followed these steps carefully and your key fob still does not program, it’s possible there may be an issue with the key fob itself or the vehicle’s receiver. In such cases, it is recommended to consult with a qualified mechanic or your local Subaru dealership for further assistance.
By following these instructions, you should be able to program your 2013 Subaru Forester key fob yourself. This DIY approach can save you the cost and inconvenience of dealership programming.
