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Honda Civic Audio Questions

211 messages,  Last post on Apr 19, 2012 at 8:55 AM

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What is this discussion about? Honda Civic, Coupe, Sedan

Messages Page 19 of 22

#172 of 211 Antenna needs a boost... by redflea

May 19, 2008 (1:56 pm)

Just got a 2008 Civic LX for my son. (Though I'm finding it difficult to get my wife out of it since we got the LX, she loves the car. )
 
We live in an area where radio reception can be marginal....we're not remote, but have mountains in the area that cause the problems. The Civic appears to handle it a bit worse than our other two cars.
 
Is there a simple way to improve radio reception in the Civic?
 
Thanks in advance....

#173 of 211 Re: Antenna needs a boost... [redflea] by jet10000

May 19, 2008 (2:43 pm)

Replying to: redflea (May 19, 2008 1:56 pm)
Is there a simple way to improve radio reception in the Civic?
 
It's not really an answer to your question, but I use Sirius satellite radio when I'm driving in areas like that and get perfect reception. The satellite radio plugs into the aux jack of the Civic.
 
I can get far more stations and don't have to worry about static interference from the mountains.

#174 of 211 Re: Antenna needs a boost... [jet10000] by redflea

May 19, 2008 (3:18 pm)

Replying to: jet10000 (May 19, 2008 2:43 pm)
Thanks.... Not planning on going to Sirius or XM as we don't spend enough time in the car to make it worthwhile, and radio reception at home is fine.
 
Appreciate it if anyone else has any ideas on this. Thanks.

#175 of 211 LX - Upgrade to XM by slingshot80

Jul 04, 2008 (12:40 pm)

My daughter has the LX which doesn't have allow for the XM upgrade. Is there way to replace the entire head to get this built in look. Does someone make an after market unit that would have XM built in to the head unit?

#176 of 211 Re: LX - Upgrade to XM [slingshot80] by jet10000

Jul 04, 2008 (1:04 pm)

Replying to: slingshot80 (Jul 04, 2008 12:40 pm)
Is there way to replace the entire head to get this built in look. Does someone make an after market unit that would have XM built in to the head unit?
 
Sure. Because most after market head units are the standard rectangular shape, they make a dash adapter for the Honda Civic. It is color matched to the Civic dashboard and it allows a regular rectangular after-market unit to be installed in it's opening.
 
Here's a picture, so you can visualize how it would fit onto the Civic dashboard.
 
http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=751&i=142HA1561G&tp=3486-
 
As you can see, it's got openings to fit around the climate control knobs and buttons and one of the vents.
 
Unless, you get a really large after-market deck, generally, it will only take up half of the stereo opening, so the "pocket" that you see in the picture can be installed underneath the deck, so that there's added storage space for CD's or whatever.
 
Now as far as the head unit itself goes, they make plenty of head units that are satellite radio ready such as this one at circuit city:
 
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/JVC-HD-Bluetooth-Ready-Car-Stereo-KD-G340/sem/rps- m/oid/203022/catOid/-13089/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do
 
The actual satellite tuner is sold separately, but when they install it, they install it in a hidden place and plug it into the head unit. All of the satellite stations are controlled through the head unit and the titles will be displayed on the head unit display.
 
Hopefully that answers your questions.

#177 of 211 2008 Civic Radio Reception by civictory

Jul 08, 2008 (10:14 am)

My 2008 Civic gets horrible AM radio reception when the car is running. (FM isn't exactly great, either.) The AM reception is fine once the engine is turned off. Is this normal? The dealer seemed stumped when I inquired.

#178 of 211 Re: 2008 Civic Radio Reception [civictory] by jet10000

Jul 08, 2008 (7:14 pm)

Replying to: civictory (Jul 08, 2008 10:14 am)
My 2008 Civic gets horrible AM radio reception when the car is running. (FM isn't exactly great, either.) The AM reception is fine once the engine is turned off. Is this normal?
 
I have a 2008 with the Navigation stereo and I get both AM and FM bands really well. I do live in a metropolitan area, so I don't know if you're trying to pick up some stations at a distance. But I haven't encountered anything such as the issue you have described.

#179 of 211 Re: 2008 Civic Radio Reception [jet10000] by civictory

Jul 09, 2008 (6:09 am)

Replying to: jet10000 (Jul 08, 2008 7:14 pm)
jet10000,
 
I also live in a large metropolitan area, so it's not the distance. My other car gets great reception, as did my previous Civic.
 
Anyone else have any thoughts?

#180 of 211 Re: 2008 Civic Radio Reception [civictory] by jet10000

Jul 09, 2008 (8:15 am)

Replying to: civictory (Jul 09, 2008 6:09 am)
Well, if that's the case, I'd definitely take it back to the dealer, turn the engine on have them listen and tell them to fix it or replace it.

#181 of 211 Re: 2008 Civic Radio Reception by bluecivic

Jul 10, 2008 (4:10 pm)

Replying to: civictory (Jul 08, 2008 10:14 am)
I purchased a 2008 Civic on June 30 and am running into the exact same problem. Does your car have any tinting? I've read where metalized tinting could cause problems. I wish I had listened to the radio more before I had the tinting installed to know for sure. I'm afraid I'm going to get caught between the dealership and my tinting guy pointing fingers.

Messages Page 19 of 22

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