Hey all,
So I went to the audio place today... this is the audio place my local dealer uses for satellite and remote-start installs and the dealer still owed me the remote start, so I went directly over to the audio guys to get it installed, as well as some other things done
Satellite:
First, as I said in another post I wasn't happy with the antenna placement. They had installed it above the windshield, in the corner close to the top of the door on the passenger side. If my car was a dark color or black it probably wouldn't have bothered me, but seeing as it's white, it was noticeably out of place.
Pro guy said that's where they do all the installs and he wasn't sure if the dealer kit gave them enough wire to run it to the back (next to the factory antenna). I told him I had read the instruction book that came with the satellite kit and that it indicated there was enough wire for rear placement so he said he'd have the installer look and do it if possible. It was possible, and was not a problem, and when done, we ALL agreed how much better it looks mounted in the back.
Tint:
They asked me if I wanted to tint the front windows to match (the rears) and I said absolutely. He reminded me that it's a little too dark to be compliant with NYS law but most people don't have a problem -- if I was concerned he'd only do it to legal limits (35%). I said go ahead and tint them to match (20%). I also had the top 6 inches of the windshield tinted -- I had this on my last car and LOVED it (it really cuts down on glare from the sun).
The car looks AWESOME... so much better than with the mismatched windows. I'll try to post some pictures tomorrow.
edit: Click here to see pictures
Remote Start:
This was the adventure - LOL
First, when they were done and brought me the car there was an additional set of remotes (I have the flat-type advanced keyless entry/ignition). He showed me how to lock and unlock the car with the new remote-engine remotes and how to start the car from afar. All seemed to work great. He also said the advanced keyless entry and ignition would still work (if I didn't remote-start the car).
Well I got it home, locked it using the typical way (with advanced keyless) and went in the house. Came out 5 minutes later to show husband how it all works. It wouldn't start remotely. I tried from all different angles, distances, etc. and it didn't work. The remote-start remotes also weren't unlocking the car.
So I went back to the audio guys and explained. He explained to me that the factory advanced keyless was canceling out the remote-start system. Another installer was standing there and said he had tried to figure out disarming it correctly and couldn't get the remote start to work with the factory remotes because if the theft system is alarmed it will not allow starting of the car. Guy #1 got online and looked up information and printed it out. He was convinced they could get it to work correctly.
And they did!
The remote-engine remotes still work if I want to use them... but I won't be using those.
This is how it works now with the factory advanced keyless remotes: On the advanced keyless remote, if I hit the lock button 3 times the horn sounds briefly and the lights flash... 3 seconds later the car unlocks itself and starts, then relocks all the doors. When I approach the car the advanced keyless entry works as normal (press button on door handle to unlock and enter). Turn keyless ignition to "on" position, tap brake and I'm ready to go!
Hurray!
The guys at the audio place were great. Very friendly and wanted to see me leave satisfied. They were determined to figure it out and were very happy I came back. They had been setting all the remote systems up the first way and are now glad to know how to set it up to work with the factory remote. I guess no one at the dealership ever had a problem or complaint, or there's just not a lot of people getting remote-start on the CX-7.
As for iPod... I talked to the guys about it and they have no doubt some kind of splitter will become available in the near future (so satellite AND iPod can work properly with the nav/bose system). We talked about the splitter available for the Mazda 3 and that soon enough someone will make one for the CX-7... whether it's an aftermarket company or Mazda is yet to be seen. They were equally floored that the car didn't at least come with an Auxillary jack. I think we'll all be happy when a GOOD solution becomes available!
So I went to the audio place today... this is the audio place my local dealer uses for satellite and remote-start installs and the dealer still owed me the remote start, so I went directly over to the audio guys to get it installed, as well as some other things done
Satellite:
First, as I said in another post I wasn't happy with the antenna placement. They had installed it above the windshield, in the corner close to the top of the door on the passenger side. If my car was a dark color or black it probably wouldn't have bothered me, but seeing as it's white, it was noticeably out of place.
Pro guy said that's where they do all the installs and he wasn't sure if the dealer kit gave them enough wire to run it to the back (next to the factory antenna). I told him I had read the instruction book that came with the satellite kit and that it indicated there was enough wire for rear placement so he said he'd have the installer look and do it if possible. It was possible, and was not a problem, and when done, we ALL agreed how much better it looks mounted in the back.
Tint:
They asked me if I wanted to tint the front windows to match (the rears) and I said absolutely. He reminded me that it's a little too dark to be compliant with NYS law but most people don't have a problem -- if I was concerned he'd only do it to legal limits (35%). I said go ahead and tint them to match (20%). I also had the top 6 inches of the windshield tinted -- I had this on my last car and LOVED it (it really cuts down on glare from the sun).
The car looks AWESOME... so much better than with the mismatched windows. I'll try to post some pictures tomorrow.
edit: Click here to see pictures
Remote Start:
This was the adventure - LOL
First, when they were done and brought me the car there was an additional set of remotes (I have the flat-type advanced keyless entry/ignition). He showed me how to lock and unlock the car with the new remote-engine remotes and how to start the car from afar. All seemed to work great. He also said the advanced keyless entry and ignition would still work (if I didn't remote-start the car).
Well I got it home, locked it using the typical way (with advanced keyless) and went in the house. Came out 5 minutes later to show husband how it all works. It wouldn't start remotely. I tried from all different angles, distances, etc. and it didn't work. The remote-start remotes also weren't unlocking the car.
So I went back to the audio guys and explained. He explained to me that the factory advanced keyless was canceling out the remote-start system. Another installer was standing there and said he had tried to figure out disarming it correctly and couldn't get the remote start to work with the factory remotes because if the theft system is alarmed it will not allow starting of the car. Guy #1 got online and looked up information and printed it out. He was convinced they could get it to work correctly.
And they did!
The remote-engine remotes still work if I want to use them... but I won't be using those.
This is how it works now with the factory advanced keyless remotes: On the advanced keyless remote, if I hit the lock button 3 times the horn sounds briefly and the lights flash... 3 seconds later the car unlocks itself and starts, then relocks all the doors. When I approach the car the advanced keyless entry works as normal (press button on door handle to unlock and enter). Turn keyless ignition to "on" position, tap brake and I'm ready to go!
Hurray!
The guys at the audio place were great. Very friendly and wanted to see me leave satisfied. They were determined to figure it out and were very happy I came back. They had been setting all the remote systems up the first way and are now glad to know how to set it up to work with the factory remote. I guess no one at the dealership ever had a problem or complaint, or there's just not a lot of people getting remote-start on the CX-7.
As for iPod... I talked to the guys about it and they have no doubt some kind of splitter will become available in the near future (so satellite AND iPod can work properly with the nav/bose system). We talked about the splitter available for the Mazda 3 and that soon enough someone will make one for the CX-7... whether it's an aftermarket company or Mazda is yet to be seen. They were equally floored that the car didn't at least come with an Auxillary jack. I think we'll all be happy when a GOOD solution becomes available!
Last edited:
