Safari-west Posted May 15, 2023 Report Share Posted May 15, 2023 I recently bought a used 2020 Ford Explorer xlt. I have AM/FM and satellite but no HD radio option. I checked in the radio settings and there's nothing in there for HD radio. Today, I installed the newest Sync 3 update hoping that might have some impact. But still no HD radio. I bought this car used so I don't know if the previous owner did something to it. Because I can't imagine HD radio is not standard in this day and age. Is there some magic way to get HD radio? Do I have to take the car into the dealership for service? I desperately need HD radio. Radio sucks nowadays without accessing HD stations and I don't drive enough to justify paying for satellite radio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzicman61 Posted May 17, 2023 Report Share Posted May 17, 2023 As far as I know, if you have HD radio and you tune to an HD station, you will see the HD logo show up on the screen. I would think a 2020 XLT would have it, but the owners manual says... HD radio, if available. Which might actually mean 'if stations in your area are available'. Why is it you believe you have no HR radio? What did you try? Do you know the HD stations in your area? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alcohenusa Posted May 18, 2023 Report Share Posted May 18, 2023 On 5/15/2023 at 3:43 AM, Safari-west said: I recently bought a used 2020 Ford Explorer xlt. I have AM/FM and satellite but no HD radio option. I checked in the radio settings and there's nothing in there for HD radio. Today, I installed the newest Sync 3 update hoping that might have some impact. But still no HD radio. I bought this car used so I don't know if the previous owner did something to it. Because I can't imagine HD radio is not standard in this day and age. Is there some magic way to get HD radio? Do I have to take the car into the dealership for service? I desperately need HD radio. Radio sucks nowadays without accessing HD stations and I don't drive enough to justify paying for satellite radio. I would NOT assume that HD was standard in the XLT. You can ask a dealer to check your VIN and they should be able to tell you if it is equipped with HD Radio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Safari-west Posted May 18, 2023 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2023 You are correct. I found out HD radio is not in the XLT. I was shocked and surprised a $40,000+ vehicle doesn't come with HD radio in 2020. My 2012 Camry came standard with HD radio. I just assumed in this day and age HD radio was standard, as most of the radio stations transitioned to digital years ago. Well my solution to this problem is I got the Wi-Fi hotspot (which I was considering getting anyway) so I can use some free radio apps. That also allows me to play my favorite music app, Music Choice, via Bluetooth from my phone. Not ideal because I can't easily change stations while I'm driving, but it solves the problem of listening to lackluster sounding, 6 station analog radio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Multitask Posted May 27, 2023 Report Share Posted May 27, 2023 There is a way to gain the HD ability, but it means swapping the ACM (part that has the CD player and radio) out for one that has HD capabilities.... Some programing might be needed to let the vehicle know you did that car-parts.com , see if there is one there from a newer vehicle, and either do it yourself, or pay to get it done.. and then once you update that part, you might not be able to update based on the VIN, .... Don't know if Dan needs to get involved for that... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Safari-west Posted May 27, 2023 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2023 Thanks for your suggestion, but that's way too technical for me. I've endured what I have. My workaround is I got the Wi-Fi hotspot and I play stations via the music choice app. It's not ideal, not having integration with the car system. I have to control everything from my phone, and only able to change channels at stoplights. My only hope is Music Choice will make a car app I'm extremely disappointed this vehicle doesn't have what I consider standard HD radio these days. My jerry-rigged system gets the job done but it is not befitting for $40 to $50,000 vehicle. This is my first American car and we'll, it's lacking as compared to my Honda's and Toyota. Imagine my disappointment when I discovered my car doesn't have home link garage door openers either. Again something standard in my Camry. Nevertheless I love my Explorer, even if is a bit more Bare Bones than what I'm used to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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