2006 Avalon, Xm Radio Installation - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

rdeckelman · 10-05-2005, 08:39 PM

I am going to buy a 2006 Avalon with XM radio. I want the it installed by the factory, not the dealer. Does anyone know where the factory mounts the antenna? I don't care for the looks of the antenna mounted on the deck lid which is where the dealers install them. any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Rob

Touring-Mark · 10-06-2005, 12:56 PM

The antenna is mounted in the same place from the factory, you could possibly move it to the center of the lid by the third brake light???

preskev · 10-06-2005, 08:17 PM

I don't think the factory installs these. You have to purchase the parts from the Dealer, then you can have either the dealer install it (Very expensive) or the dealer can subcontract the installation out.

I had the XM installed from the dealer. You can only purchase the adapter cable to hook up to your Toyota Head Unit through the dealer. They ended up subcontracting the installation out to some local radio shop they use. The normal Toyota installation instructions tell them to install the antenna on the R/H side of the trunk lid. The toyota instructions also tell them to pull out the entire trunk and mount the receiver between the rear seat and the trunk lining. It takes all day to get access. The stereo shop they selected for me installed the Antenna anywhere I wanted (Center of the Trunk Lid, FWD) and they installed the reciever on the R/H aft wheel well in the trunk area with epoxy/resin. I've had it in my car in June through months of 115 degree heat and it has not budged. Total Installation time for the subcontractor was 30 minutes and alot less money.

I believe I just paid the dealer and they transfer whatever money was required to the subcontractor.

preskev · 10-06-2005, 08:22 PM

Just to clarify, I believe the cars are shipped to the dealer without the receiver, antenna, and cable installed. The dealer selects which cars they will install them on and do so before they hit the lot. They then add the price to the sticker.

dshahs420 · 10-06-2005, 10:19 PM

I just ordered my '06 avalon limited and the dealer told me that the best install is with Sirius satellite and not xm and a whopping price of $370 which is part only and no labor. Ouch stealerships!!!

preskev · 10-07-2005, 09:58 PM

I ended up paying 650 for parts and installation on mine. The 370 sounds right for the parts.

preskev · 10-07-2005, 09:58 PM

And I like the selection XM gives me over sirius. I've had XM for 2 years now.

dshahs420 · 10-08-2005, 05:19 PM

I like xm too but sirius has this special for 500 dollars you get a lifetime subscription. Cant beat that.

preskev · 10-08-2005, 11:39 PM

Its a great deal as long as they stay in business.

Touring-Mark · 10-09-2005, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by preskev

Just to clarify, I believe the cars are shipped to the dealer without the receiver, antenna, and cable installed. The dealer selects which cars they will install them on and do so before they hit the lot. They then add the price to the sticker.

Not true, they are "Port installed". Even though they are us built, they are shipped to a distribution point or "Port", Than minor options are completed. My car had it on the window sticker, and showed as an option on the locate sheet.

preskev · 10-10-2005, 09:45 PM

Could be, the dealer told they installed all of the XM systems or had there third-party guys do it at the owners options. When I was looking at the Avy they had none on the lot that had XM's installed, and that was some 20 cars.

Utopia33 · 11-10-2005, 01:21 PM

Hi! I am new to TN.

I bought an 05 Limited Avalon this past June and I love it. The only problem I am having is poor XM reception. I have had the person from the so called port come to my house and relocate the antenna and I am still having the same problem. I had called the installer back and he said Toyota told him that my poor recetion problem is caused by Pine Trees. Has anyone on this forum have any problems with poor reception with their XM? If so what was done about it?

I did called Toyota customer service they said that there was a difference from the factory installed XM and the port installed XM. The is also a difference in the size on the antenna. The factory one is bigger.

Toyota customer service recommended that I bring the car back to the dealer to have them look at it. I did take the car back and the service manager said that there is nothing he can do about it.

Does anyone have a factory installed XM in their car? I would like to know if the factory installed XM antenna is any different.

Thanks!

mhachtel · 11-12-2005, 02:29 AM

My '06 has factory installed XM, the antenna is located under the rear windshield, just to right of the HMSL. It's a small black flat 3x3 inch unit, very different from the black boxes I've seen mounted on the trunk lid.

It appears that the voice commands are not yet integrated with the head unit supporting satellite, I haven't found a command to switch the mode to sat, like I can with other audio commands, like when you say CD, it switches to a CD from FM, etc.