For owners of older Toyota Tundra models, the absence of modern infotainment features like Android Auto can be a real drawback. If you’re looking to bring your trusty Tundra into the 21st century without replacing the entire head unit, a Carabc unit might be the perfect solution. This guide shares a firsthand experience of installing a Carabc unit in a 2016 Toyota Tundra Platinum with the JBL system, offering insights into the process, usage, and overall satisfaction.
Straightforward Installation in Your Auto Toyota Tundra
The Carabc unit arrives with minimalist packaging – just the unit itself and necessary cables, notably lacking any printed instructions. However, don’t let this deter you. The installation process is surprisingly intuitive, especially with the aid of online resources. A quick search for YouTube videos on removing the lower trim pieces of your Toyota Tundra will provide ample visual guidance.
One common concern mentioned in online forums is the need to remove the XM unit located beneath the head unit. Fortunately, this is unnecessary. The Carabc unit is compact enough to fit snugly to the left side of the head unit, with abundant space available for cable management behind the dash. Mounting tape can be helpful to secure the unit in place and prevent rattling.
The provided wire harness adapter is well-designed, ensuring a foolproof connection. It’s designed to fit only one way, eliminating guesswork and the risk of incorrect wiring. For this particular installation, the USB/Camera harness was not utilized as the focus was on wireless Android Auto functionality, and there was no need for a secondary camera input.
Carabc unit and wiring harness for Toyota Tundra installation
Navigating the Carabc Unit Interface in Your Toyota Tundra
Initial usage of the Carabc unit requires a slight learning curve, but the benefits quickly outweigh the minor adjustment period. Post-installation, your Toyota Tundra head unit will operate in two distinct modes: “classic mode” and “AUX/hijack mode.” Classic mode retains the original factory system functionality, while AUX/hijack mode hands control over to the Carabc unit for enhanced features.
Switching between these modes is easily accomplished in two ways. The first method involves holding the talk button on your steering wheel for approximately three seconds. This might initially trigger the Entune voice prompt, but it will seamlessly transition to the Carabc unit interface. Alternatively, you can switch to the “AUX” input within classic mode. If you are already on the AUX input, simply toggle to another input and then back to AUX to activate the Carabc unit.
The backup camera functionality remains consistent with the original system. The only minor difference is a slight delay of about two seconds when shifting into reverse, allowing the Carabc unit to boot up before the camera feed is displayed. Regardless of the operating mode (classic or hijack), the camera engages and disengages as expected when shifting in and out of reverse.
Upon entering Hijack mode for the first time, you’ll encounter a basic black and white interface. This interface is primarily for initial setup, allowing you to pair your smartphone and configure a few basic settings. It is recommended to unpair from the original Entune unit to streamline connectivity. Once you’ve paired your device and configured Android Auto to automatically launch upon connection, you’ll largely bypass this basic interface in regular use.
Android Auto interface on Toyota Tundra screen after Carabc unit installation
Android Auto Integration and Minor Drawbacks in Auto Toyota Tundra
The integration of Android Auto is a significant upgrade. The display quality is commendable, closely approaching the crispness of the original system’s classic mode. Voice recognition performance is notably improved compared to the factory Entune system, offering more accurate and responsive voice commands. Steering wheel controls for call management (answer/hang up) and media playback (skip tracks, volume) are fully functional within Android Auto, enhancing driver convenience and safety.
The primary drawback identified is the necessity to manually switch from classic mode to hijack mode each time you start your Toyota Tundra. While this is a minor inconvenience, it’s a step to be aware of in your daily usage.
Conclusion: Elevate Your Toyota Tundra with Carabc Android Auto
Overall, installing a Carabc unit is a worthwhile upgrade for older Toyota Tundra owners seeking Android Auto integration. The installation is user-friendly, the Android Auto experience is seamless and feature-rich, and the system retains essential factory functionalities. Despite the minor inconvenience of manual mode switching, the enhanced infotainment experience significantly modernizes your Auto Toyota Tundra, making it a recommended DIY project for tech-savvy owners.
