Satellite Confusion

[brad.cogar]

I just got my first Mazda -- I love it so far! I got the Limited model and I've noticed that there is a satellite radio button. I was going to get a subscription. I tried to get the radio id number and I can't seem to find it. I've Google it, went to the Sirius website, and perused my owner's manual. I've followed the instructions and I still can't get the radio id.

I am getting the feeling that the car doesn't have satellite despite the labeled buttons on the stereo. Is that a possibility? Or am I missing something? Thanks for any info!

 

[bufffan]

Brad, is there a small black box glued to the upper edge of the windshield, just to the right of the rear-view mirror? It may have a small antenna poking out each side. That's the satellite antenna. If that's there, your car should be Sirius/XM capable. And, your stereo should have the tuner.

Can you manually tune it to channel 0 while in SAT mode? That's typically where the Radio ID pops up. My 2012 Touring has the NAV unit and that's how I was able to kick off the 3 month free trial when I bought new. (It actually lasted a little over a year before they finally turned it off!)

BuffFan

 

[Bob2525]

Not to confuse the issue... but the antenna for the satellite is on the roof near the rear of the vehicle. The black box near the rear-view mirror is for the remote start.

Good luck

 

[tex2670]

I just got my first Mazda -- I love it so far! I got the Limited model and I've noticed that there is a satellite radio button. I was going to get a subscription. I tried to get the radio id number and I can't seem to find it. I've Google it, went to the Sirius website, and perused my owner's manual. I've followed the instructions and I still can't get the radio id.

I am getting the feeling that the car doesn't have satellite despite the labeled buttons on the stereo. Is that a possibility? Or am I missing something? Thanks for any info!

That's definitely a possibility. I have a '12 GT, and it came with a free trial subscription. Not sure what the '11 Touring had. I also just got a BMW CPO, and the satellite wasn't active when I bought it, but sat channel 184 -- SXM Preview -- still worked.

 

[bufffan]

Not to confuse the issue... but the antenna for the satellite is on the roof near the rear of the vehicle. The black box near the rear-view mirror is for the remote start.

Good luck

Interesting...I don't have anything near the roof or rear window (2012) so I assumed the thingy up front was the sat antenna. Is it one of those small shark fin looking things? I do have a rather large box behind the rear view mirror against the windshield, wonder if it's in there? I no longer use the sat so never crossed my mind. Thanks for setting me straight!

 

[Bob2525]

I had a 2012 before I got the 2013, both GT's, and the satelite on both is on the rear portion of the roof, and it looks like a little "puck" - not like a shark fin. And it is off-center to the right side of the roof ( I never could get anyone to answer why they dont put it in the center.....) The black box behind the rear-view mirrir was where the rain sensor and mirror electronics are. If you have the black box mounted to the upper windshield to the right of the mirror, with 2 antennas, that should be the remote start receiver.

Hope that helps

 

[brad.cogar]

Thanks for all the input! I found that it doesn't have satellite despite the satellite button. I was a little disappointed but it also saves me money (lol). It is interesting they put the button on the radio if the antenna wasn't going to be factory installed.

 

[cpb406]

( I never could get anyone to answer why they dont put it in the center.....)

I believe it is to the side because the satellite receiver is in the right side rear fender well area. They saved a few inches of wire putting it off to the side! (cheers2)

 

[tonyj]

^^^^that and the fact if you have a Thule or Yakima box up there, it would get blocked and you would have NO signal at all... Mazda thinks of everything.

 

[Ridgerunr]

The way it was told to me was the XM sat, was. a dealer added option. It would use the sat. Button on the radio, or via the mode button on the steering wheel. You can buy the kit from a dealer, and have them do the install, $$$ or what I'm looking at is a XM onyx add on receiver, that hooks up to you're radio. Them can be found on eBay for about $25, plus XM subscription fees.