Another foolish question from newbie...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,208
Likes: 320
From: “Out there”
Another foolish question from newbie...
With the new Corvette (2011 1LT) comes 3 months of XM radio. Is there something I need to do to activate it? I hit both bands, and all I get is the introduction channel. I hit scan, and it takes me to another similar station. Then back. Just those two. It really is no big deal, since I seldom (never) used it on the other car, and let the subscription expire. But I am curious as to what I am doing wrong. I went to their web site, and they want a credit card number for renewal. Don't want that. I apologize in advance if the answer is "read the operators manual", though I doubt it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,142
Likes: 78
From: Rancho Santa Margarita California
It was just "on" on my 2011 delivered 9 days from coming of the BG plant's line. I never did anything....wouldn't know if it's still working, haven't checked in months....not interested in it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 799
Likes: 9
From: Long Beach CA
Mine worked immediately upon delivery from the dealer. I would call your dealer and ask if they have to activate it with XM.
For heaven's sake, DO NOT give your credit card information to XM. Their "Automatic Renewal" is universally reviled, and most, if not all, of us have XM send us a paper bill if we still want the service. You will find many threads on here about negotiating the bill down to $77 or thereabouts when it is time to renew. Then you send a check, not a credit card! The service is not worth $144 or whatever to me, but it is worth $77. If it didn't have the "Margaritaville" channel, it wouldn't even be worth that!
For heaven's sake, DO NOT give your credit card information to XM. Their "Automatic Renewal" is universally reviled, and most, if not all, of us have XM send us a paper bill if we still want the service. You will find many threads on here about negotiating the bill down to $77 or thereabouts when it is time to renew. Then you send a check, not a credit card! The service is not worth $144 or whatever to me, but it is worth $77. If it didn't have the "Margaritaville" channel, it wouldn't even be worth that!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 24,977
Likes: 2,690
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Enjoy your new car!
Even if you pay by check, their terms of service (last time I checked) allow them to automatically and with no notice, to sign you up for another year at full price ($200+).
If that happens and you protest, they may give you a better deal or allow you to cancel (but still pay the high rate for months used).
Sometimes, they just tell you to pay up, period. If you don't, they send it to a collection company and ding your credit rating. You are not dealing with a reputable company.
I bought an Ipod; much better audio quality, no annoying DJ's, and I like every song.
Even if you pay by check, their terms of service (last time I checked) allow them to automatically and with no notice, to sign you up for another year at full price ($200+).
If that happens and you protest, they may give you a better deal or allow you to cancel (but still pay the high rate for months used).
Sometimes, they just tell you to pay up, period. If you don't, they send it to a collection company and ding your credit rating. You are not dealing with a reputable company.
I bought an Ipod; much better audio quality, no annoying DJ's, and I like every song.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 12,122
Likes: 418
From: Cold Hell, Minnesota...for now
St. Jude Donor '15 thru '26
Not a foolish qustion at all. Very rare for me to ever even tune to mine. I enjoy MY CHOICE of music, on CD, and its sound quality much more. 
Have had my share of vehicles with XM, and usually just let the introductory subscription expire.
That being said, you are entitled to your preview.
Have had my share of vehicles with XM, and usually just let the introductory subscription expire.That being said, you are entitled to your preview.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 799
Likes: 9
From: Long Beach CA
It's GREAT having Brent monitor the Forum for issues and then helping!By the way, Brent, have you seen the new thread about "Carlisle Blue"?....... Might want to pass along (some of) our observations......
Bring back JSB!!!!
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 424
Likes: 19
From: Taylor Mill KY
You can call them directly and they will ask you for your radio number. It is displayed on the radio. I bought mine used and they had no issues letting me try it out for 3 months even if the original owner had done the same.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 968
Likes: 2
From: Indio (near Palm Springs) Ca
had Sirus and XM when they were different companies, now they are the same, was a diehard for many years, use to be free on Direct TV, no more, but then they started to ding me for royalty fees for the artists, and they started commercials, small personal subliminal comercials. drop them like a bad habit, or maybe a hot potato, i still have bad habits. don't use them anymore, stuck my 11,000 songs on a memory stick and pluged it into my head unit, all songs all the time, no comercials. like it better..
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 968
Likes: 2
From: Indio (near Palm Springs) Ca
With the new Corvette (2011 1LT) comes 3 months of XM radio. Is there something I need to do to activate it? I hit both bands, and all I get is the introduction channel. I hit scan, and it takes me to another similar station. Then back. Just those two. It really is no big deal, since I seldom (never) used it on the other car, and let the subscription expire. But I am curious as to what I am doing wrong. I went to their web site, and they want a credit card number for renewal. Don't want that. I apologize in advance if the answer is "read the operators manual", though I doubt it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,709
Likes: 1
From: Pacific Northwest
St. Jude Donor '06
The OP is asking about XM not OnStar.
The dealer can activate it for you. It was likely just an oversight.
I had the same thing happen on a car I recently purchased (not a Corvette) and the dealer re-activated it as soon as I called them.
The dealer can activate it for you. It was likely just an oversight.
I had the same thing happen on a car I recently purchased (not a Corvette) and the dealer re-activated it as soon as I called them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,098
Likes: 8
From: Dayton Ohio
If this ever happens, the first thing to try is to have XM send your radio a "refresh" signal. You can do this on-line and it will take a couple of minutes.
Click on link below...
Send a Refresh Signal to My XM Radio
Click on link below...
Send a Refresh Signal to My XM Radio
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,013
Likes: 79
From: Manitoba/San Jose del Cabo
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '11
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,213
Likes: 17
With the new Corvette (2011 1LT) comes 3 months of XM radio. Is there something I need to do to activate it? I hit both bands, and all I get is the introduction channel. I hit scan, and it takes me to another similar station. Then back. Just those two. It really is no big deal, since I seldom (never) used it on the other car, and let the subscription expire. But I am curious as to what I am doing wrong. I went to their web site, and they want a credit card number for renewal. Don't want that. I apologize in advance if the answer is "read the operators manual", though I doubt it.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,013
Likes: 79
From: Manitoba/San Jose del Cabo
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '11
with the new corvette (2011 1lt) comes 3 months of xm radio. Is there something i need to do to activate it? I hit both bands, and all i get is the introduction channel. i hit scan, and it takes me to another similar station. Then back. Just those two. It really is no big deal, since i seldom (never) used it on the other car, and let the subscription expire. But i am curious as to what i am doing wrong. I went to their web site, and they want a credit card number for renewal. Don't want that. I apologize in advance if the answer is "read the operators manual", though i doubt it.