Just got an '05 TL and despite reading the instructions, I cannot seem to get XM to change music channel from the steering column. When I do, it just gives me a bunch of preview channels that are slectable like 1-1, 1-2, etc. I can easily change channels using the radio's silver knob -- but not on the steering column. What am I doing wrong? Thanks in advance!

 

Attorney,
I had the same "problem" when I furst got my Accord. In fact, you cannot change stations with the steering wheel buttons. You can only change presets. Here is what you do: Manually tune to your AM, XM, and FM stations that you want to listen to. If you have navigation, go to the audio screen (Press the "Audio" button), and you should see the presets. Press each preset until you hear a beeping sound. Now the radio station is stored. After you do this for all the stations you want to listen to, you can now use the "channel" button on your steering wheel to change between presets. Hope this works for you!

 

If you have Navi, just tell it the channel number you want. I spell out the numbers for it--e.g., every time I leave home in the morning I tell it "XM channel two-one-four" to avoid it misunderstanding whether I want 214 or 240 (not sure there is a 240, but you get the idea).

Still worth programming the presets so that you can flick through them with the steering-wheel buttons. Remember you have two sets of XM presets that you can switch between using the "MODE" button.

 

It was still an "oversight" by Honda/Acura to not be able to chnage stations individually using the sterring wheel controls. Oh well, I'll still live.

 

Thanks for the informative replies. I like to channel surf, so I'm a bit disappointed that I cannot use the steering column's channel button to cruise through the all the channels - not just pre-sets. Still, it's no big deal to use the radio channel knob. I'm feel more like spoiled brat every day with this TL. I would have never thought that I would be complaining about a steering column channel switching "inconvenience." Also, I'll try the XM voice-entry command. Sheesh...I didn't even know I could do that!

 

Yup, all XM channels can be voice-tuned as "XM channel ###." All FM or AM channels can be tuned via "Radio ### FM/AM." All CDs/DVDs can be tuned via "CD Play Disc # [optional followup: Track #]."

Don't know if the cassette can be voice-operated since I haven't used the cassette. Anyone know?

 

One cool thing that I've noticed is that the TL's voice command is smart enough to figure out whether or not you want AM or FM, simply by the number range. In other words, if you say, "Radio 107.3," it will know that there is no such AM channel, so will automatically repeat "Radio, 107.3 FM". Ditto for AM stations: "Radio 1040" will elicit a response of "Radio 1040 AM".

For accurate XM response, I've found it best to say "Radio XM Channel x", but for AM/FM stations, I have no problem using the above shortcut.