How to Enable or Disable Reverse Automatic Braking (RAB) in Your Subaru
Serving Salt Lake City, Park City, Midvale, Murray, Holladay, West Valley, Taylorsville & Nearby Utah Communities
Brought to you by Mark Miller Subaru
Subaru’s Reverse Automatic Braking (RAB) system is a smart safety feature designed to help you avoid accidents while backing up. It automatically applies the brakes if it detects an obstacle behind your vehicle and you don’t respond quickly enough.
But there may be times when you need to temporarily disable this feature—like when backing into a tight garage, using a car wash, or towing something behind your vehicle.
Whether you're driving through the streets of Salt Lake City, parking in a tight Park City driveway, or navigating snowy conditions in Holladay or Murray, here’s how to easily turn Subaru's RAB system on or off.
How to Enable or Disable RAB (Reverse Automatic Braking)
For Newer Subaru Models with a Touchscreen
(Most 2018+ Outback, Forester, Crosstrek, Ascent, Legacy, etc.)
- Turn on your Subaru (ACC mode or full ignition).
- Tap the Home button on the touchscreen.
- Go to Settings (gear icon).
- Select Driver Assistance or Safety and Driving Assistance.
- Tap on Reverse Automatic Braking.
- Use the checkbox or toggle switch to enable or disable the system.
- Exit the menu—your preference will be saved automatically.
Note: If RAB is turned off, a yellow icon may appear on your dashboard.
For Older Subaru Models Without a Touchscreen
(Some earlier models with physical controls)
- Shift into Park and turn on the ignition.
- Locate the RAB OFF button (usually near the steering wheel or center console).
- Press and hold the button until the RAB warning light appears—this confirms the system is off.
- To re-enable it, press and hold the button again until the light disappears.
When Should You Disable Reverse Automatic Braking?
While it’s recommended to leave RAB enabled for daily driving across West Valley, Taylorsville, and the rest of the Salt Lake area, here are times you might choose to turn it off:
- Going through a car wash
- Backing into a tight garage
- Towing a trailer or bike rack
- Performing a manual parking maneuver in narrow spaces
Don’t forget to turn it back on afterward for maximum safety!
Need Help with Subaru Safety Features?
Whether you're in Salt Lake City, Sandy, Midvale, or anywhere in Utah, the Subaru experts at Mark Miller Subaru Midtown and South Towne are here to help.
We can walk you through the Reverse Automatic Braking system and all other Subaru EyeSight® features—ensuring you're confident behind the wheel in any Utah weather.
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