Subaru Solterra 2023-2026 Owner's Manual: Driving assist systems

In the Subaru Solterra, a range of advanced driving assist systems work seamlessly in the background to enhance safety, stability, and overall driving performance. These systems automatically respond to changing road and driving conditions; however, they are designed to support the driver and should never replace attentive and responsible vehicle operation.

Summary of the driving assist systems

■ ECB (Electronically Controlled Brake System)

The Subaru Solterra utilizes an electronically controlled braking system that precisely generates braking force based on pedal input, ensuring smooth, responsive, and efficient deceleration under various driving conditions.

■ ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)

The ABS system in the Subaru Solterra helps prevent wheel lock-up during sudden braking or when braking on slippery surfaces, allowing the driver to maintain steering control and directional stability.

■ Brake assist

When the Subaru Solterra detects an emergency braking situation, Brake Assist automatically increases braking force beyond the driver’s input, helping to reduce stopping distance and improve safety during panic stops.

■ VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)

Vehicle Stability Control assists the driver in maintaining control of the Subaru Solterra during sudden maneuvers or when cornering on low-traction surfaces by reducing skidding and improving stability.

■ Enhanced VSC (Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control)

Enhanced VSC in the Subaru Solterra integrates multiple systems, including ABS, TRAC, VSC, and EPS, to provide coordinated control. This ensures improved steering response and helps maintain intended vehicle direction, especially on slippery roads.

■ Trailer Sway Control

This feature helps stabilize a trailer being towed by the Subaru Solterra by automatically applying braking force to individual wheels and reducing motor torque when trailer sway is detected, enhancing towing safety.

■ TRAC (Traction Control)

The TRAC system supports the Subaru Solterra by preventing excessive wheel spin during acceleration or when starting on low-traction surfaces, helping maintain optimal grip and forward motion.

■ Active Cornering Assist (ACA)

Active Cornering Assist improves handling by applying braking force to the inner wheels when accelerating through a turn, helping the Subaru Solterra maintain a stable trajectory and reducing outward drift.

■ Hill-start assist control

This system prevents the Subaru Solterra from rolling backward when starting on an incline by momentarily maintaining brake pressure, allowing for smoother and more confident hill starts.

■ EPS (Electric Power Steering)

The electric power steering system in the Subaru Solterra uses an electric motor to reduce steering effort, providing a lighter feel at low speeds and improved stability at higher speeds.

■ The Secondary Collision Brake (Secondary collision reduction at the time of a frontal collision)

In the event of a collision detected by the SRS airbag sensors, the Subaru Solterra automatically activates braking and brake lights to reduce vehicle speed and help minimize the risk of a secondary impact.

■ When the TRAC/VSC/ABS/Trailer Sway Control systems are operating

While any of these systems are actively intervening, the slip indicator light will flash on the Subaru Solterra instrument cluster, informing the driver that traction or stability control is in operation.

■ Disabling the TRAC system

If the Subaru Solterra becomes stuck in conditions such as mud, snow, or loose dirt, the TRAC system may limit motor output, which can make it harder to free the vehicle. Temporarily disabling TRAC can allow controlled wheel spin and help regain traction.

Pressing to turn the system off may assist in rocking the Subaru Solterra back and forth to escape from difficult terrain.

To deactivate TRAC, quickly press and release .

A message indicating "Traction Control Turned OFF" will appear on the multi-information display of the Subaru Solterra, confirming the system status.

Press again to restore normal TRAC system operation.

Understanding how and when to use these driving assist systems in the Subaru Solterra can significantly enhance both safety and confidence, especially when navigating unpredictable road conditions or challenging environments.

■ Turning off both TRAC, VSC and Trailer Sway Control systems

In the Subaru Solterra, it is possible to deactivate the TRAC, VSC, and Trailer Sway Control systems simultaneously when specific driving conditions require more direct control. To do this, press and hold for more than 3 seconds while the vehicle is completely stopped.

Once deactivated, the VSC OFF indicator will illuminate, and a confirmation message stating "Traction Control Turned OFF" will appear on the multi-information display of the Subaru Solterra, clearly indicating the system status.*

To restore normal operation, press again, and all systems will be reactivated to provide full driving assistance.

*: When these systems are turned off, the PCS (Pre-Collision System) functionality is also partially disabled. Only pre-collision warnings remain active, while automatic braking support is suspended. The PCS warning light will illuminate and a notification will be shown on the Subaru Solterra display.

■ When the message is displayed on the multi-information display showing that TRAC has been disabled even if has not been pressed

If this message appears without manual input, it indicates that the TRAC system in the Subaru Solterra has been temporarily deactivated by the vehicle due to current driving conditions or system protection logic. If the message persists, it is recommended to have the vehicle inspected by an authorized SUBARU service center.

■ Operating conditions of hill-start assist control

The hill-start assist system in the Subaru Solterra will automatically engage when all of the following conditions are satisfied, helping prevent rollback when starting on an incline:

• The shift position is set to a driving gear other than P or N when starting uphill or downhill
• The Subaru Solterra is fully stopped
• The accelerator pedal is not being pressed
• The parking brake is released
• The power switch is in the ON position

■ Automatic system cancelation of hill-start assist control

The hill-start assist function in the Subaru Solterra will automatically disengage under the following conditions:

• The shift position is moved to P or N
• The accelerator pedal is pressed
• The brake pedal is pressed while the parking brake is engaged
• Approximately 2 seconds have passed after releasing the brake pedal
• The power switch is turned OFF

■ Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, brake assist, VSC, Trailer Sway Control, TRAC and hill-start assist control systems

• During operation of these systems in the Subaru Solterra, you may hear sounds from the motor compartment, especially when repeatedly pressing the brake pedal, starting the EV system, or immediately after the vehicle begins to move. These sounds are normal and indicate that the systems are functioning correctly.
• Additional sensations may also occur during system intervention. These include:
  • Noticeable vibrations transmitted through the vehicle body or steering wheel as the Subaru Solterra actively stabilizes traction
  • Operational sounds that may continue briefly even after the vehicle has come to a complete stop

■ ECB operating sound

The Electronically Controlled Brake system in the Subaru Solterra may produce audible sounds under certain conditions. These are normal and do not indicate a malfunction.

• Sounds generated from the motor compartment when the brake pedal is applied
• Sounds heard shortly after the EV system has been turned off, typically within one to two minutes

■ Active Cornering Assist operation sounds and vibrations

When Active Cornering Assist is active in the Subaru Solterra, slight noises and vibrations may be noticeable due to brake modulation. This is expected system behavior and confirms that the feature is actively enhancing vehicle stability during cornering.

■ Automatic reactivation of TRAC, Trailer Sway Control and VSC systems

In the Subaru Solterra, even if TRAC, VSC, or Trailer Sway Control systems are manually turned off, they may automatically reactivate depending on driving conditions or system requirements. This ensures that safety and stability are restored whenever necessary, providing an additional layer of protection during unexpected driving scenarios.

Maintaining awareness of these system behaviors allows the driver to better understand how the Subaru Solterra adapts to changing environments, improving both confidence and control behind the wheel.

In the Subaru Solterra, once the TRAC, Trailer Sway Control, and VSC systems have been manually disabled, they are designed to automatically restore functionality under certain conditions to maintain optimal safety and stability.

• All systems will be reactivated when the power switch of the Subaru Solterra is turned OFF and then restarted
• If only the TRAC system has been deactivated, it will automatically turn back ON as the vehicle speed increases

  However, if both TRAC and VSC systems are turned OFF simultaneously, they will not automatically reactivate based on speed increase and must be manually re-enabled

■ Operating conditions of Active Cornering Assist

The Active Cornering Assist system in the Subaru Solterra becomes operational when specific driving conditions are detected, enhancing stability and directional control.

• TRAC and VSC systems are active and capable of operating
• The driver accelerates while turning the steering wheel
• The system identifies outward drift from the intended path
• The brake pedal is not being pressed

■ Reduced effectiveness of the EPS system

To protect the electric power steering system in the Subaru Solterra from overheating, its assistance level may be temporarily reduced if frequent or aggressive steering inputs are made over a prolonged period. During this time, the steering wheel may feel noticeably heavier.

If this condition occurs, it is recommended to reduce steering input or safely stop the Subaru Solterra and switch off the EV system. Normal steering assistance should return within approximately 10 minutes once the system has cooled down.

■ Secondary Collision Brake (Secondary collision reduction at the time of a frontal collision) operating conditions

The Secondary Collision Brake system in the Subaru Solterra activates automatically when the SRS airbag sensors detect a collision while the vehicle is in motion. This feature helps reduce the risk of additional impacts by applying braking force. However, the system will not function if critical components have been damaged during the initial collision.

■ Secondary Collision Brake (Secondary collision reduction at the time of a frontal collision) automatic cancellation

The system will automatically deactivate in any of the following scenarios to ensure proper control of the Subaru Solterra:

• When the vehicle speed decreases to approximately 0 mph (0 km/h)
• After a certain period of system operation has elapsed
• When the accelerator pedal is pressed significantly by the driver

WARNING

■ Situations where the ABS may not function effectively

• When tire grip limits are exceeded, such as when using worn tires on snow-covered or icy roads in the Subaru Solterra
• When hydroplaning occurs while driving at higher speeds on wet or slick surfaces

■ Stopping distance when the ABS is operating may be longer than expected

The ABS system in the Subaru Solterra is designed to maintain steering control during braking, not to reduce stopping distance under all conditions.

Always maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle ahead, especially in the following situations:

• Driving on dirt, gravel, or snow-covered surfaces
• Driving with tire chains installed
• Driving over uneven road surfaces or bumps
• Driving on roads with potholes or irregular terrain

■ Situations where TRAC/VSC may not operate effectively

Even with TRAC and VSC systems active in the Subaru Solterra, maintaining full control and traction may not always be possible on extremely slippery surfaces.

Drive with increased caution in conditions where traction, stability, and control may be compromised.

■ Situations where Active Cornering Assist may not operate effectively

• Do not rely entirely on Active Cornering Assist in the Subaru Solterra, as its effectiveness may be reduced when accelerating downhill or driving on highly slippery roads
• If the system is activated repeatedly within a short period, it may temporarily suspend operation to protect the braking, TRAC, and VSC systems and ensure consistent performance

Understanding these operational limits and behaviors in the Subaru Solterra allows drivers to better anticipate vehicle responses and maintain a higher level of safety across varying driving conditions.

■ Hill-start assist control does not operate effectively when

• Do not place excessive reliance on the hill-start assist control system in the Subaru Solterra. Its performance may be limited on very steep gradients or on surfaces with extremely low traction, such as icy or heavily snow-covered roads.
• Unlike a conventional parking brake, hill-start assist control in the Subaru Solterra is not designed to удержувати the vehicle stationary for extended periods. Attempting to use it as a holding mechanism on inclines may lead to unintended vehicle movement and increase the risk of an accident.

■ When the TRAC/ABS/VSC/Trailer Sway Control is activated

When any of these systems engage in the Subaru Solterra, the slip indicator light will flash to inform the driver that traction or stability correction is taking place.

Pay close attention whenever the indicator light is flashing, as it signals that the vehicle is actively compensating for reduced traction or stability.

■ When the TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sway Control systems are turned off

If these systems are disabled in the Subaru Solterra, extra caution is required. Always adjust your driving speed and behavior to match current road conditions, as key stability and traction support functions will no longer be assisting the vehicle.

Trailer Sway Control is integrated within the VSC system. Therefore, it will not function if VSC is turned off or if a system malfunction is present in the Subaru Solterra.

■ Replacing tires

Ensure that all tires installed on the Subaru Solterra match the specified size, brand, tread design, and load rating recommended by the manufacturer. Proper tire inflation must also be maintained at all times to ensure safe operation.

For detailed guidance regarding tire or wheel replacement, always consult an authorized SUBARU dealer to maintain optimal system performance and safety.

■ Handling of tires and the suspension

Using damaged, worn, or unsuitable tires, as well as modifying the suspension system of the Subaru Solterra, can negatively impact the performance of driving assist systems and may result in system malfunctions or reduced vehicle stability.

■ Trailer Sway Control precaution

The Trailer Sway Control system in the Subaru Solterra is designed to assist in stabilizing trailer movement, but it cannot eliminate sway in all situations. Its effectiveness depends on various factors, including vehicle load, trailer configuration, road conditions, and driving behavior.

For safe towing practices, always refer to the trailer manufacturer’s manual and follow recommended guidelines to ensure proper setup and operation.

■ If trailer sway occurs

Follow these safety precautions immediately if trailer sway is detected while driving the Subaru Solterra.

Failure to respond correctly may result in serious injury or fatal consequences.

• Hold the steering wheel firmly and maintain a straight driving path.

  Avoid attempting to counteract the sway by turning the steering wheel, as this may worsen instability.

• Gradually ease off the accelerator pedal to reduce speed in a controlled manner.

  Do not accelerate further and avoid sudden braking, as abrupt inputs can increase trailer oscillation.

If no sudden steering or braking corrections are made, the Subaru Solterra and attached trailer will typically regain stability naturally as speed decreases.

■ Secondary Collision Brake (Secondary collision reduction at the time of a frontal collision)

The Secondary Collision Brake system in the Subaru Solterra is intended to help minimize the risk of additional impact following an initial collision. However, its effectiveness varies depending on the situation, vehicle condition, and surrounding environment.

Do not rely solely on this system for safety. Overdependence on automated braking features may lead to serious injury or fatal outcomes if the driver does not remain fully attentive and prepared to take control.

Maintaining full awareness and proper driving technique in the Subaru Solterra is essential, as even the most advanced safety systems are designed to assist—not replace—the driver’s responsibility.