Android Auto and Sirius

[ctdodge]

I have a 2017 1500 Laramie with the 8.4" Alpine system. I am considering upgrading my head unit to the new UAS system with Android Auto, but I have a question I haven't been able to find the answer to.

Will this new system play the built in Sirius XM radio WHILE Android Auto is hooked up and running? In other words, can I have Android Auto Waze on my screen and still be listening to my Sirius XM? If so, will the volume of Sirius be muted when Waze is giving me directions? I'm sure I can play Sirius through my phone but that would require an extra cost addition to my Sirius subscription and would use more data.

Thanks for your help
Stan

 

[PowrRam]

I have a 2017 1500 Laramie with the 8.4" Alpine system. I am considering upgrading my head unit to the new UAS system with Android Auto, but I have a question I haven't been able to find the answer to.

Will this new system play the built in Sirius XM radio WHILE Android Auto is hooked up and running?

Yes.

In other words, can I have Android Auto Waze on my screen and still be listening to my Sirius XM?

Not sure about Waze, but with Google Maps on the screen I can still listen to Sirius XM.

If so, will the volume of Sirius be muted when Waze is giving me directions?

Again, not sure about Waze, but yes, the volume of Sirius XM is muted when Google Maps/Navigation gives directions.

A couple of things you need to be aware of before you jump to the 2018 head unit.

1. When Google Maps navigation voice gives directions the voice is EXTREMELY LOUD! I'm constantly turning the volume down when the voice comes on. I mean I'm turning it down to 1 or 2. I typically listen to the radio at a volume setting of 15 or so. I listen at a setting of 20 if I'm listening to music (sometimes 25). But when that Google voice comes on, whether for reading texts, giving directions, giving notifications, it is LOUD. The suggested solutions by UConnect techs and the dealership don't work.

2. The Panasonic head unit in the 2018 vehicles received an over the air update back in September that ruined the equalizer. The radio sounds extremely bass heavy and muffled. For example, before the update I had my tone controls at Bass +1, Mid 0, Treble 0, after the update that wrecked my stereo I have my equalizer set at Bass -6, Mid +1, Treble +7, and it sounds like garbage.

I haven't really listened to music since the update was forced on my truck. It's been almost 3 months now.

I don't think you would be able to avoid receiving the update. There is an entire thread about this here:
https://www.ramforum.com/threads/uconnect-software-update-received-whats-in-it.126015/

 

[ctdodge]

[QUOTE="PowrRam, post: 1858801, member: 65265"

Thanks much for the information!

1. When Google Maps navigation voice gives directions the voice is EXTREMELY LOUD! I'm constantly turning the volume down when the voice comes on. I mean I'm turning it down to 1 or 2.

Turning down media volume or Maps - Settings - Navigation Settings - Guidance Volume - Soft doesn't do anything? I can see how that would be annoying.

2. The Panasonic head unit in the 2018 vehicles received an over the air update back in September that ruined the equalizer. The radio sounds extremely bass heavy and muffled. For example, before the update I had my tone controls at Bass +1, Mid 0, Treble 0, after the update that wrecked my stereo I have my equalizer set at Bass -6, Mid +1, Treble +7, and it sounds like garbage.

I thought I read somewhere that there was a subsequent OTA update that fixed that - I guess not.

I haven't really listened to music since the update was forced on my truck. It's been almost 3 months now.

I don't think you would be able to avoid receiving the update. There is an entire thread about this here:
https://www.ramforum.com/threads/uconnect-software-update-received-whats-in-it.126015/[/QUOTE]

 

[PowrRam]

1. When Google Maps navigation voice gives directions the voice is EXTREMELY LOUD! I'm constantly turning the volume down when the voice comes on. I mean I'm turning it down to 1 or 2.

Turning down media volume or Maps - Settings - Navigation Settings - Guidance Volume - Soft doesn't do anything? I can see how that would be annoying.

Ahh...thank you! I did not know that setting existed. I've turned it to "Softer" from Normal.

2. The Panasonic head unit in the 2018 vehicles received an over the air update back in September that ruined the equalizer. The radio sounds extremely bass heavy and muffled. For example, before the update I had my tone controls at Bass +1, Mid 0, Treble 0, after the update that wrecked my stereo I have my equalizer set at Bass -6, Mid +1, Treble +7, and it sounds like garbage.

I thought I read somewhere that there was a subsequent OTA update that fixed that - I guess not.

It's being worked on. It's supposed to be released "this fall". Hasn't gone out yet.

 

[dexter]

I have a 2017 1500 Laramie with the 8.4"
Stan

Site said works with 2018.
https://www.android.com/auto/ram/

 

[ctdodge]

Site said works with 2018.
https://www.android.com/auto/ram/

That's correct - Android Auto was introduced to the Ram in the 2018 model year. That's why I am thinking about a UAS unit upgrade. The UAS is the 2018 head unit that DOES support Android Auto

 

[dexter]

That's correct - Android Auto was introduced to the Ram in the 2018 model year. That's why I am thinking about a UAS unit upgrade. The UAS is the 2018 head unit that DOES support Android Auto

Seems like a lot of work just for the app.

You still run the app just on your phone while in the car.

 

[ctdodge]

Seems like a lot of work just for the app.

You still run the app just on your phone while in the car.

It runs on my phone but shows up on the 8.4" screen. Things like Google Maps or Waze, texting and a few others work with Android Auto. In any event, right now I'm only considering it

 

[PowrRam]

It runs on my phone but shows up on the 8.4" screen. Things like Google Maps or Waze, texting and a few others work with Android Auto. In any event, right now I'm only considering it

Some thoughts having had a 2015 with the UConnect subscription service and now the 2018 with Android Auto.

If you use Waze or Google Maps a lot, you want to be able to see the maps on the 8.4 screen. As far as audibly composing free lance texts (i.e. not using the canned UConnect phrases) I slightly prefer the UConnect subscription service. However, the cost was not worth it for me to pay for it once my trial period expired. Listening to music--depends on how you do it. I use a USB stick loaded with songs so UConnect was the way to go. If you stream music through your phone, Android Auto is the way to go.

 

[dexter]

It runs on my phone but shows up on the 8.4" screen. Things like Google Maps or Waze, texting and a few others work with Android Auto. In any event, right now I'm only considering it

Are you good with programming?