2020 Jetta S with XM antenna but no XM

[gregk24]

Our 2020 VW Jetta has the black "shark fin" satellite antenna on the back of the roof, but VW does not offer Sirius XM on the S trim. Is there some other use for this antenna?

I know the S trim on the previous Jetta generation (2011-2018) did not include the satellite antenna, it just had a small black cap to close up the cutaway on the roof.

 

[Nick1994]

It might just be a cool looking antenna for regular radio.

 

[Jason2007]

Maybe VW will buy it back????

 

[Warstud]

I think you need to subscribe to it.... to get it.

 

[NormanBuntz]

It stinks that so many foreign carmakers make you buy their higher trims in order to have satellite radio.

 

[GSCJR]

Give Gunther a call tomorrow and find out, hopefully they can properly answer this one.

 

[97prizm]

When I worked for a VW dealership I think some of the CPO vehicles had xm free for 3 months

 

[miden851]

go to the stereo settings, it will tell you there if there is any access to it

 

[dishdude]

I'm pretty sure OP knows his car is not equipped with the hardware for satellite radio, he's just curious why the shark fin is still on the roof.

My vote is it houses the AM/FM antenna.

 

[sloinker]

Does it have the illuminated wrench above your head where the interior light controls are? VW does have satellite links with their cars.......

 

[Blinker]

XM radio was cool idk, 15 years ago. I use my phone to stream music literally everywhere.

Regarding the Jetta, it’s either a dummy antenna for looks, or it’s prewired for satellite radio.

Toyota for a few years around 2009-2011 sold some vehicles are “XM radio ready”.

 

[Hall]

the black "shark fin" satellite antenna on the back of the roof

I think those can have AM, FM, and satellite antennas in them. My car as well as my wife's have the same roof-mounted "pod" antenna and all antennas are there, to my knowledge. Neither car has regular antennas.

 

[gregk24]

Does it have the illuminated wrench above your head where the interior light controls are? VW does have satellite links with their cars.......

It does! I suppose that's what the antenna is for.

 

[kschachn]

Does it have the illuminated wrench above your head where the interior light controls are? VW does have satellite links with their cars.......

Are you sure it is satellite? Mine is 4G/LTE.

 

[PimTac]

Those shark fins are the antenna for all the radio options.

 

[atikovi]

They are supposed to look cool and reduce vandalism of conventional aerials.

 

[Greasymechtech]

Aerials work so much better.

Still haven't found a method to replace the AM/FM sharkfin with a 1/4 wave aerial without autobodyshopwelders assistance. Remove sharkfin, weld in a patch, smooth over, rust proof, paint .......autobody shop liking the idea $$$$, drill hole for real antenna.... and enjoy stations without fading. Might just leave the pathetic silly gimmick sharkfin there and drill a hole in the fender again

 

[Blinker]

They are supposed to look cool and reduce vandalism of conventional aerials.

I’m almost certain the OEM’s use the shark fin antenna because vehicles now have multiple sources of radio communication (am/fm/satellite radio/3G/4G/LTE telematics) so it makes more fiscal sense to have them all in one antenna.

 

[atikovi]

I’m almost certain the OEM’s use the shark fin antenna because vehicles now have multiple sources of radio communication (am/fm/satellite radio/3G/4G/LTE telematics) so it makes more fiscal sense to have them all in one antenna.

They could just as well use a hockey puck antenna but it wouldn't be as cool.

 

[Matagonka]

Lots of fake stuff on cars these days.