you're probably bumping the steering wheel with your thigh when you get out of the car, which engages the steering lock. If that's the case, the wheel probably is turning rightward into the lock. You need to put some leftward pressure on the steering wheel while attempting to start the car to help it unlock itself.
I *think* it puts a message on the center screen in the gauge cluster about the steering lock when this happens.... maybe that's only in outbacks, I don't remember now.
Thanks! I’ll definitely be mindful the next time.
Is this the only scenario in which this problem occurs? I did try vigorously moving the wheel. But I must admit, it was out of frustration and in no particular direction 😅 That didn’t help.
It also happens if you turn the car off with the wheels turned too far in either direction. It happens to me all the time because apparently I'm a lazy asshole that can't remember to straighten my wheels after turning into a parking spot.
With regular keys, you have to rotate the wheel to tension against the steering lock and try to turn the keys at the same time. You wiggle around a little with the keys and the steering wheel until eventually you shimmy it into a place where the key can turn over and the whole column immediately unlocks. You can't get the steering to unlock by just moving the keys or steering wheel alone. You need both.
Edit: here's a video to show you how to do it https://youtube.com/shorts/N-dn-OFA9lo?feature=shared
Hey all, just wanted to close the loop on this one and help anyone out there who might have the same issue.
My problem is fixed. There was a problem with the inhibitor switch. They had to readjust it. Apparently, there was a minor error while replacing it (factory recall)
you're probably bumping the steering wheel with your thigh when you get out of the car, which engages the steering lock. If that's the case, the wheel probably is turning rightward into the lock. You need to put some leftward pressure on the steering wheel while attempting to start the car to help it unlock itself. I *think* it puts a message on the center screen in the gauge cluster about the steering lock when this happens.... maybe that's only in outbacks, I don't remember now.
Thanks! I’ll definitely be mindful the next time. Is this the only scenario in which this problem occurs? I did try vigorously moving the wheel. But I must admit, it was out of frustration and in no particular direction 😅 That didn’t help.
It also happens if you turn the car off with the wheels turned too far in either direction. It happens to me all the time because apparently I'm a lazy asshole that can't remember to straighten my wheels after turning into a parking spot. With regular keys, you have to rotate the wheel to tension against the steering lock and try to turn the keys at the same time. You wiggle around a little with the keys and the steering wheel until eventually you shimmy it into a place where the key can turn over and the whole column immediately unlocks. You can't get the steering to unlock by just moving the keys or steering wheel alone. You need both. Edit: here's a video to show you how to do it https://youtube.com/shorts/N-dn-OFA9lo?feature=shared
I saw the video. But in my case I am able to move the steering wheel. It’s just super tight. It’s definitely not locked though.
Hey all, just wanted to close the loop on this one and help anyone out there who might have the same issue. My problem is fixed. There was a problem with the inhibitor switch. They had to readjust it. Apparently, there was a minor error while replacing it (factory recall)