Engaging the parking brake must be done using the switch on the console. As far as I know there is no way to override that (unless you want to get cute with wiring). It will auto-disengage with the seatbelt(s) fastened, reverse selected, and a certain RPM. I think it's about 1700?

Edit: I think it disengages at about 1250-1300 RPM.

 

I do not think there's a way to make it auto-engage but it will always auto disengage if the following conditions are met:

• Driver seatbelt is on.
• Foot on brake - Shift from Park to Reverse or Drive
• Remove foot from brake and move throttle pedal with your foot (it can be a very slight tap)

 

Auto-engage: enable hill holder.
Auto-disengage: just accelerate.

 

Not quire the same thing. I believe, however, that if you unbuckle your seatbelt and open the door the parking brake will engage automatically if the engine is running (might have to be in drive), but I don't recommend this. It's not too difficult to engage it manually. And yes, the auto disengagement works, but it's not as smooth as when AVH releases.

 

Have not tested this on the Subaru, but our CRV will engage the parking brake if you are in drive and take the seatbelt off. (Like in line for gas ).

 

There are also times it will engage itself when you put it in Park, kind of a self-test. Possibly related to the use cycles.

 

Yeah I wish it auto engaged and disengaged, I don’t see a reason why you’d want to be in park, but with the parking brake off.

it is possible to do with some sort of canbus intercepter, since the parking brake can be controlled over the canbus but I’m not sure if the parking brake is one of the authenticated canbus modules on newer cars, and you’d need somewhere on the body control canbus to tap into as well so you can tap into it, behind the eyesight camera is easiest to access, but also complicated wiring.

if it is authenticated, which it probably is on new cars then you’d probably be best taking the center console apart and tapping in under the parking brake controller, I’d say chances are there is a module nearby that reads from the canbus to control the LED on the parking brake button, as well as send the deactivation signal when you press the button