XM SUV Installation

Sedan & Coupes | Convertibles | SUVs | Pick-up Trucks

XM Standard Magnetic Mount Antenna:

If you are installing the Standard XM Mount Magnetic Antenna, the antenna should be located on the roof of the SUV. The best location would be at the rear center of the roof as shown. If another antenna is already mounted in this location, mount the antenna a minimum of 3 inches away from the other antenna.

XM SkyDock Magnetic Mount Antenna:

If you are installing the XM SkyDock Mount Magnetic Antenna, the antenna should be located on the roof of the SUV. The best location would be at the front center of the roof, just above the windshield as shown. If another antenna is already mounted in this location, mount the antenna a minimum of 3 inches away from the other antenna. Finding the Right Location to Mount the Antenna: Do's and Do Not's.

✓DO: Mount the antenna on the SUV's roof, just above the rear window or front windshield.

✓DO: Mount the antenna on the roof where it has a clear view of the sky in all directions.

✗DO NOT: Don't mount the antenna inside the SUV, for example, on the dashboard.

✗DO NOT: Don't mount the antenna on any of the SUV's front, side or back pillars.

✗DO NOT: Don't mount the antenna close to a roof rack. Adjust the rack so it's further away from the antenna. If the rack isn't adjustable, refer to the section on Pickup Trucks for positioning.

✗DO NOT: Don't mount the antenna close to another antenna. Mount it at least 3 inches away.

Routing the Antenna Cable:

- From the Rear of the Roof (XM Standard Magnetic Mount Antenna only)

- From the Front of the Roof (XM Standard Magnetic Mount Antenna and XM SkyDock Magnetic Mount Antenna)

- Troubleshooting Tips for Common Signal and Audio Reception Problems

Routing the Antenna Cable Rear of the Roof (XM Standard Magnetic Mount Antenna Only) Here's how to route the antenna cable from the XM Standard Magnetic Mount Antenna to your XM Radio in an SUV. See the detailed explanations below the main illustration. You can also view the detailed break-out illustrations for each major step by clicking on the link that is highlighted in blue in each section.

1. Feed the antenna cable underneath the rubber weather stripping of the rear tailgate window/door and route the cable along the rear hatch. Lift the weather stripping from the opening and tuck the cable inside it. Then replace the weather stripping. Pull the cable out from weather stripping and route it into the cabin under the interior trim. Avoid hinges or gears that could crimp or cut the cable. 
   
2. Route the cable through the SUV's main cabin area under the interior trim, towards the front of the vehicle. Use a plastic putty knife to lift the plastic trim just enough to tuck the cable underneath. Avoid side airbag locations on back pillars and above the doors. (Airbag locations are marked with "SRS" logos.) Be careful not to crimp or cut the cable. 
   
3. Bring the cable out from the trim near the dashboard and route it under the carpet toward the dashboard or console. Coil any excess cable in a hidden location, such as under the carpet, keeping it away from any vehicle pedals or controls. Secure the excess cable with wire ties. 
   
4. Bring the end of the cable out at the XM Radio location. Leave yourself enough cable so you can easily connect it to the antenna connector (sometimes marked ANT, ANT IN, or ANTENNA) of the XM Radio or Vehicle Dock.

Routing the Antenna Cable From the Front of the Roof (XM Standard Magnetic Mount Antenna and XM SkyDock Magnetic Mount Antenna) Here's how to route the antenna cable from the Magnetic Mount Antenna to your XM Radio in an SUV. See the detailed explanations below the main illustration. You can also view the detailed break-out illustrations for each major step by clicking on the link that is highlighted in blue in each section.

1. Use a plastic blunt putty knife, a credit card, a plastic knife, or similar blunt tool to lift the rubber molding around the windshield and tuck the antenna cable underneath it. 
   
   
2. Continue tucking the cable underneath the windshield molding around the windshield to the lowest corner.
3. At the lowest corner of the windshield, route the cable out of the windshield molding and into the rubber weather stripping around the door opening. Lift the weather stripping from the opening and tuck the cable inside it. Then replace the weather stripping. Run the cable inside of the weather stripping to the bottom of the door opening. 
   
4. Pull the cable out of the weather stripping at the bottom of the door opening and route it under the carpet toward the dashboard. Coil any excess cable in a hidden location, such as under the carpet, keeping it away from any vehicle pedals or controls. Secure the excess cable with wire ties. 
   
5. Bring the end of the cable out near your XM Radio location. Leave yourself enough cable so you can easily connect it to the antenna connector (sometimes marked ANT, ANT IN, or ANTENNA) of the XM Radio or Vehicle Dock.

Troubleshooting Tips for Common Signal and Audio Reception Problems Here are ways to identify and correct some of the common signal and audio reception problems you may encounter:

• PROBLEM: XM RADIO DISPLAYS "CHECK ANTENNA" or "CHECK ANTENNA CONNECTION" or "ANTENNA"
• Possible cause #1: The antenna is not properly connected to the Radio or Vehicle Dock, or the connection has become loose.
• Solution: Check the antenna connection to the XM Radio or Vehicle Dock and make sure it has a good, snug fit.
• Possible cause #2: If the antenna is properly connected to the XM Radio or Vehicle Dock, there may be a break in the antenna cable, or a problem with the antenna.
• Solution: Replace the Magnetic Mount Antenna.
• PROBLEM: XM RADIO DISPLAYS "ACQUIRING SIGNAL" or "NO SIGNAL"
• Possible cause: The Magnetic Mount Antenna is not receiving a satellite signal.
• Solution 1: Make sure the vehicle is outdoors with a clear view of the sky.
• Solution 2: Make sure the antenna is mounted on the outside of the vehicle in an optimal location. (Follow the mounting tips described earlier for your vehicle type.)
• Solution 3: Move the vehicle away from any obstructed area. For example, if you are parked in an underground garage, you should receive a signal after leaving the garage.
• PROBLEM: There is static or loss of clarity in the XM Radio's audio
• Possible cause #1: If you have connected the audio of your XM Radio to your vehicle's FM radio using the FM transmitter, the FM channel you have selected is most likely being used by an FM radio station. This interferes with the audio of the XM Radio.
• Solution: You'll need to find an available FM channel. An available FM channel is one that's not being used by an FM radio station in your area. When you tune your FM radio to an available channel, you should only hear static or silence - not talk or music. We recommend one of the following methods to find an available FM channel:
  
  • Use the SIRIUS|XM FM Channel Finder at www.siriusxm.com/fmchannel. Go to the website and enter your zip code. The Channel Finder will suggest a list of available FM channels in your area. For convenience, write down or print out the list.
  OR
  • Manually tune through your local FM channels on your vehicle's FM radio. Locate and create a list of channels that aren't being used by any FM radio station. Write down the list. Once you have created your list of available FM channels, you will need to find the one that provides the best match for your XM Radio.
  TIP! You'll need to use the 'Manual' tune function on your vehicle's FM radio to tune through every FM channel one-by-one. Turn on your vehicle's FM radio. Start at 88.1 and use the 'Manual' tune function on your vehicle's FM radio to tune through each FM channel one-by-one (88.1 followed by 88.3 etc.) to locate channels that aren't being used by a local FM radio station. Write down each FM channel that has only static or silence on it, until you reach 107.9, which is the highest FM channel on the vehicle FM radio.
  
  Pick the first FM channel from your list. Turn on your vehicle's FM radio (if you have not already done so) and tune it to this FM channel.
  
  Turn on your XM Radio and then set it to transmit on the same FM channel as your vehicle's FM radio. Refer to your XM Radio User Guide for detailed instructions on how to do this.
• Possible cause #2: If you have connected the audio of your XM Radio directly to your vehicle's stereo system using the AUX or AUX IN, or LINE IN jack, the Aux In Cable may not be properly connected.
• Solution: Make sure the Aux In Cable is properly connected; one end to the AUX or AUX IN, or LINE IN jack on your vehicle's stereo system, and the other end to the "AUDIO" or "AUDIO OUT" connector on your XM Radio or Vehicle Dock.
• Possible cause #3: If you have connected the audio of your XM Radio directly to your vehicle's stereo system using the AUX or AUX IN, or LINE IN jack, you may not have selected the proper input source on your vehicle's stereo system.
• Solution: Set your vehicle's stereo system to play input from the auxiliary input source.