Bad Antenna Placement - What to Do

[CXRabbit]

I picked up my CX-7 tonight and am very pleased... well, with most things

I just realized a little while ago that the dealer placed the satellite antenna in not-so-great a spot. Instead of the typical install (out the top of the back hatch, on the roof in the middle), it's out the top of the front passenger door in the very corner where the windshield meets the top of the car. Obviously, it's not AWFUL because I didn't notice it at the dealer.

I thought about going back and making them do it right, but here's the problem -- according to the install kit it's not a magnetic mount antenna... it's mounted with double-sided adhesive.

I'm worried if I ask them to move it they'll leave behind sticky adhesive or damage the paint trying to remove it!

Advice? What would you do?

 

[CXRabbit]

crap - wrong forum... SORRY! Mods feel free to move to audio/electronics

 

[TheMAN]

that's the way it's supposed to be mounted according to the manual... it's stupid I know... yes it uses a double sided foam tape, so it's ok to take it off.... just becareful because the base of the antenna is metal (and magnetized) and can scratch paint easily

 

[cruzdreamer]

I was told that was for the remote start...shows you how much I know. Hmm... that's the sattelite radio antenna. ...I don't really notice it so that spot does not bother me.

 

[xavier]

crap - wrong forum... SORRY! Mods feel free to move to audio/electronics

Done

 

[Byrnie]

double adhesive is easy to take off. Just use a really light dose of Goo-Gone.

 

[CXRabbit]

Okay, I don't feel so bad knowing others have it mounted in the same spot.

As for it being attached with adhesive... I understand the manual says to use it, but on my other car a professional installer used a magnetized one. It NEVER falls off and is much less to worry about when going through a car wash or when it comes to removing it in the future.

I'm going to the dealer tonight with my mom to pick up her new car, so I'll mention it to them while I'm there.

 

[CXRabbit]

Went to the dealer tonight... first, they did not install the remote engine start so I'm going back Saturday morning to do it. They're sending me straight over to their audio pro guy who does the installs of remote engine and Satellite Radio.

I'll ask him if he can move the antenna to the back without much trouble -- but after seeing other cars at the dealership tonight, I realize this IS the spot they like to put the antenna.

I'll also see if he does window tint and get that done while I'm there.

And last but not least, since he IS an audio pro doing work for a Mazda dealer, I'm going to talk with him about iPod options

 

[snorris]

Went to the dealer tonight... first, they did not install the remote engine start so I'm going back Saturday morning to do it. They're sending me straight over to their audio pro guy who does the installs of remote engine and Satellite Radio.

I'll ask him if he can move the antenna to the back without much trouble -- but after seeing other cars at the dealership tonight, I realize this IS the spot they like to put the antenna.

I'll also see if he does window tint and get that done while I'm there.

And last but not least, since he IS an audio pro doing work for a Mazda dealer, I'm going to talk with him about iPod options

On my CX-7 GT (and every other one I've seen) the satellite antenna is mounted on the rear right corner of the roof just in front of the hatch opening. I personally would have preferred it to be mounted at the rear directly in line with the regular radio antenna, but maybe there's an issue with interference which is why it is mounted where it is.

 

[azcat]

I'll ask him if he can move the antenna to the back without much trouble -- but after seeing other cars at the dealership tonight, I realize this IS the spot they like to put the antenna.

Ummm...no. Mine was installed at the factory, I think, absolutely not at the dealer (maybe at the Kansas City distribution center; I say this because it was on the factory sticker), and as another poster said, it's on the passenger-side rear, with clips holding the wire, and double-sided tape. I think your dealer/installer was lazy.

Having said that, my Sirius reception in this vehicle is better than my (self-installed) XM reception in my Miata. The Sirius playlists sucks far more than the XM lists, however.

 

[CXRabbit]

Azcat - maybe so (the laziness part) but obviously others (above) have also experienced the same thing.

Big problem now is the double-sided adhesive. I'm worried if I ask them to remove it I'll risk damage to the paint, but I would DEFINITELY prefer the antenna mounted in the back.

 

[Byrnie]

i would remove it myself if i were you it's not hard just pull it off (then use a little goo gone to get the rest of the adhesive off the car...actually you might want to wait 'til spring to take it off, the adhesive will be easier to get off since it'll be hot out). <---Longest parenthesised statment ever!!!

 

[CXRabbit]

Well, I'm brining it over to the guy that did the install anyway (so he can do the remote engine and he's going to tint the front windows for me). I'll mention the antenna thing to him and see what he says.

 

[azcat]

Azcat - maybe so (the laziness part) but obviously others (above) have also experienced the same thing.

Big problem now is the double-sided adhesive. I'm worried if I ask them to remove it I'll risk damage to the paint, but I would DEFINITELY prefer the antenna mounted in the back.

OK, so maybe there's more than one lazy installer, or the dealers' mount them up front. (shrug)

Someone mentioned using Goo-Gone to get the adhesive off--I think that's a really bad idea, but if you decide to try it, try it where no one will see it first. Far better, but more expensive, is to get some 3M Adhesive Remover, which is made for automotive finishes.

 

[CXRabbit]

AZcat... I got not problem spending more money on the 3M Adhesive Remover if it protects my paint... but I'll talk to the audio guy first and see if he's even willing to move it.

 

[azcat]

AZcat... I got not problem spending more money on the 3M Adhesive Remover if it protects my paint... but I'll talk to the audio guy first and see if he's even willing to move it.

You're the customer. How a big a boy is he?

 

[TheMAN]

Okay, I don't feel so bad knowing others have it mounted in the same spot.

As for it being attached with adhesive... I understand the manual says to use it, but on my other car a professional installer used a magnetized one. It NEVER falls off and is much less to worry about when going through a car wash or when it comes to removing it in the future.

I'm going to the dealer tonight with my mom to pick up her new car, so I'll mention it to them while I'm there.

that's nice, I've seen cars with the antenna just attached using the magnetic base already and there were scratches all around that area... why? because you can still slide it around during carwash, etc... magnets keep s*** down, not from sliding like screws or tape does!

it's just ******* double sided tape right now, tons of people have removed their door mouldings on proteges, 3s, and 6s that have much stronger double sided tape and it came off fine... paint is tougher than you think.... stop whining and rip it off if you don't like it there so much

like I said, the antenna base is metal... if you care about your precious paint so much, then don't put it straight on using its magnets, use new double sided foam tape! but if you think you had no problems with just putting it straight on like your other cars, then go for it.... don't come back crying to us that someone or something bumped it and caused scratches!

 

[CXRabbit]

thanks everyone for all the info... gonna start a new thread about my adventure at the audio place.