Hello. I just purchased an 08 HHR LT. I have the premium radio with AM/FM, CD player & MP3. My HHR did not come with XM radio but I believe it has the feature. When I click on CAT, the info displays "XM FEATURE". Does that mean I have it? I press BAND but it only switches between AM/FM. If I subscribe to XM, would I then have the option to switch past AM/FM or do I need a whole seperate unit you buy at Best Buy, Circut City, etc?

 

Doesn't sound as if you're set up for XM. You'd be getting some kind of free trial (3 months) w/ the new car.

If your radio was outfitted w/ XM, the bands would change from AM/FM/XM. When the band is on XM, it would have maybe 3 stations for sampling, and that is where you would need to be to get the radio ID for XM subscription.

 

Check your window sticker to see if XM is listed as an option that was installed....... That should tell you if you are supposed to have it or not.

 

It means that you have the proper stereo unit that will support the XM module, but the module isn't actually installed. You can get the OEM XM module, but you're actually much better off going with an aftermarket XM unit like mine:



It was only $40 and I get a nice big display high up on the dash and a remote control.

 

That's exactly what I did for XM also, a unit that can be moved from vehicle to vehicle depending on what I take out of town. Also, if it breaks (not likely but can happen) it's easy to replace. I got a Roady II for $10 and bought several of them so I would have the antennas and power cords to install in several vehicles.

 

That's actually a pretty cool idea.

I've seen our radios with the XM option on ebay that go for around $150 - $600 in used condition.

 

I just stumbled upon this thread,

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/audio-video-17/xm-radio-solution-all-11960/

Some say you need to hook up the antenna, some say you dont. Has anyone gotten the OEM XM module part #17800594 and installed it? Does the dealer need to reprogram your radio?

 

When I ordered my car the dealer told me XM was standard on every GM model. Boy was that a dissapointment. If it says XM Feature you do not have XM. I talked to the GM Parts depot and I was told that it would take about a week to get the part at a cost of $320. They said there were only about 5 modules in the whole country. I just got the same XM reciever pictured above and mounted it to the left of the rear window wiper controls so it is out of the way with no wire leading everywhere.