First Time Jeep Owner Here - Radio Question

[WILDHOBO]

Thanks again all for the replies. Like I said, I'm having a really hard time accepting this whole radio thing. Just doesn't make sense to me. If the last thing I was playing was Bluetooth, start next time with Bluetooth. Anyone know why they decided to configure it this way? I assume it's about money.

Thanks again.

It is true that it’s the base model, so has less functionality than the 7” and 8.4. I personally hope you keep it, as it’s a great vehicle. But it’s yours, so do what makes you happy.

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[IRQ]

Get a USB flash drive, transfer your audio files to it and you will accomplish auto play.

I use a 128GB drive, searching for specific artists or albums is easier using the knobs, alternately you set it to go through all of your music via songs.

 

[Savage1]

A brand new Ram Bighorn or Tradesman has this same 5" screen too. It's just the base FCA screen, for most of their vehicles. It sounds like you traded a well-equipped Ram for a less-optioned Jeep. It's a question of trim and packages, not model year. You bought the base radio. Just get an aftermarket radio for the autoplay thing, if it's that big of a deal. Or upgrade to the factory 7 inch or 8.4 (I'm sure someone is selling a used one). That's much cheaper than trading in a vehicle because you don't like the stereo. It's a shame the dealership didn't explain it to you, but there's a reason it's the base system.

You can't permanently disable the engine auto shutoff thing, because that's against the EPA rules for manufacturers to allow. If they do, they have to claim the lower city mpg that would result. New Rams have it too, and it also can't be permanently shut off.

Actually, most new cars have it. You can disable it aftermarket, but Jeep/FCA/Stellantis can't help you.

The new ones have a disable button for the stop/start. First thing I push when I get in lol

 

[NachoRuby]

Thanks again all for the replies. Like I said, I'm having a really hard time accepting this whole radio thing. Just doesn't make sense to me. If the last thing I was playing was Bluetooth, start next time with Bluetooth. Anyone know why they decided to configure it this way? I assume it's about money.

Thanks again.

It's been a while for me since I traded in my Compass, but I think it has to do with timing. It checks for a connection as soon as you turn on the vehicle, and when it doesn't find one (because Bluetooth can take a minute to connect), it automatically switches to radio. Yes, it's stupid. Annoyed me on the compass too, but that's not why I traded it haha. If you use wired, it won't do it. If it really bothers you, look into aftermarket radios or a used OEM 7" or 8.4"

 

[dcmdon]

Hey all, thanks for the replies. I am finding it very hard to believe the radio won't just auto play my phone when the car starts. I had a 2016 RAM that did it perfectly...hard to believe a car made 5 years later would have less functionality.

Thanks again. If this is true, I'll have to rethink keeping this vehicle, as that could very well be a deal-breaker. I also haven't found a way to permanently disable the silly engine shut-off function when the Jeep is stopped. I find this feature to also be quite annoying and unwanted.

Thanks again.

Normally I'd say you were insane to consider selling a car because of that minor issue.

Spending $6k to fix it is dumb. You are better off having an after market installed.

BUT THESE AREN'T NORMAL TIMES - Who knows. You might be able to sell it to Caravana and make some money and then buy for 7% off invoice from Gupton. It might not cost you a dime. Ha. Strange times.

 

[mdyucca]

Tazer is great if you want to do a bunch of other customization to the electronics. But, if you only want to eliminate the Start/Stop "feature" there are devices for doing only that out there that are about a third the cost of a Tazer. And an upgrade to a used 7" or 8.4" radio might be a worthwhile investment in the long run. WMMV

Your right the Taser is a bit pricey. However, with all that it can do it may be worth the price to some. I'm thinking I may get one just for the Auto Start Stop and Led light changes. I also like that you can program your tire sizes with it. You know how people with Jeeps change tire sizes.

 

[NachoRuby]

Your right the Taser is a bit pricey. However, with all that it can do it may be worth the price to some. I'm thinking I may get one just for the Auto Start Stop and Led light changes. I also like that you can program your tire sizes with it. You know how people with Jeeps change tire sizes.

Remember, you just need the Tazer lite for that stuff. It's much cheaper than paying for the full version, and if you decide you want more features later, you can pay the upgrade fee.

 

[Beemer533]

Hey all, thanks for the replies. I am finding it very hard to believe the radio won't just auto play my phone when the car starts. I had a 2016 RAM that did it perfectly...hard to believe a car made 5 years later would have less functionality.

Thanks again. If this is true, I'll have to rethink keeping this vehicle, as that could very well be a deal-breaker. I also haven't found a way to permanently disable the silly engine shut-off function when the Jeep is stopped. I find this feature to also be quite annoying and unwanted.

Thanks again.

This is exactly why I really don't like the lower end uconnect systems. The behavior you describe drives me nuts. If I put the input on bluetooth it should stay on that input.

I had the 8.4 system in my Ram and it did stay on the input you set it, but I didn't want to spend the $2k as I just not a fan uconnect regardless.
I specifically got my Mojave with the 7" so I could upgrade to aftermarket.

For the ESS your 2 options are a tazer or cable.

 

[NachoRuby]

This is exactly why I really don't like the lower end uconnect systems. The behavior you describe drives me nuts. If I put the input on bluetooth it should stay on that input.

I had the 8.4 system in my Ram and it did stay on the input you set it, but I didn't want to spend the $2k as I just not a fan uconnect regardless.
I specifically got my Mojave with the 7" so I could upgrade to aftermarket.

For the ESS your 2 options are a tazer or cable.

I think the 7 inch stay put too. But it's a non issue on the 7 inch and 8.4 inch either way, due to the Android Auto and Apple Carplay support.

 

[Nubs]

Thanks again all. I wound up buying an aftermarket radio on Amazon and will swap the existing one out.

Thanks for posting the link to the previous thread. I suppose it's good to know I'm not the only one who thinks this functionality is totally stupid.

I'm shaking my head about it and I really don't think I should have to spend MORE money on a new car just to get the stupid radio to work properly. I'm normally a very reasonable, patient, and understanding guy, but when something like this comes up, I just can't and won't let it go.

Even after I swap out the radio, I'm still gonna complain about the stock one. It's dumb. Totally dumb. Why wouldn't they just make all of their radios function the same way?

I won't sell the Gladiator as overall, I like it too much. But this really gets to me and it's dumb.

 

[NachoRuby]

Thanks again all. I wound up buying an aftermarket radio on Amazon and will swap the existing one out.

Thanks for posting the link to the previous thread. I suppose it's good to know I'm not the only one who thinks this functionality is totally stupid.

I'm shaking my head about it and I really don't think I should have to spend MORE money on a new car just to get the stupid radio to work properly. I'm normally a very reasonable, patient, and understanding guy, but when something like this comes up, I just can't and won't let it go.

Even after I swap out the radio, I'm still gonna complain about the stock one. It's dumb. Totally dumb. Why wouldn't they just make all of their radios function the same way?

I won't sell the Gladiator as overall, I like it too much. But this really gets to me and it's dumb.

What aftermarket radio did you get? Not all will control all the settings that are accessed through the head unit. They discontinued that radio now, by the way. The 5" is gone for 2022 (on Gladiators/Wranglers... it's still on base Rams). The base radio is the 7 inch now.

But I guess the main reason they do it is... To make you upgrade. Also, many people, especially on jeeps, purposefully buy the most basic vehicle that they can so that they can customize everything (including the radio). Build a Wrangler once... Air Conditioning is still optional!

 

[Jbruner]

Hi all, first time owner here with a nice 2021 Gladiator Willys. Traded in my 2016 RAM 1500 for it and it's a great vehicle and a lot of fun so far!

Had a question about the radio. I have my phone synced to the radio and exclusively play music via Bluetooth. However, each time I start the Jeep, the radio defaults to FM instead of Bluetooth. Every time I get in the Jeep, I have to tap the media button, then Bluetooth, then select my phone, THEN it will play. Kind of a PITA really. My Jeep has the small display and it seems there is somewhat limited settings and functionality with it compared to videos I have seen.

How can I configure the radio to autoplay the music on my phone when the Jeep starts? I have searched the settings with no luck.

Thanks!

If you long click the media button on bottom, you can drag it to the far left side. Whatever is on the left is default. Even after doing do, mine still wants to default to USB even when my phone is currently connected and playing though, if anyone has a solution for that let me know.

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