HD radio 2017

[shtaka]

I was looking at the 2017 brochure and it clearly states that HD radio should come with my car, but it doesn't. Anybody know the history of why it wasn't included?

[bbf2530]

1 hour ago, shtaka said:

I was looking at the 2017 brochure and it clearly states that HD radio should come with my car, but it doesn't. Anybody know the history of why it wasn't included?

 

Hi shtaka. What trim level is your MKZ (Premier, Select, Reserve)? Did you purchase new or used?

 

Off the top of my head, I can think of four possibilities:

1- Your trim level did not come equipped with HD Radio.

2- There is an issue with your MKZ's audio system.

3- The previous owner modified the audio system.

4- The brochure had incorrect information.

 

Is your 2017 MKZ still within the 4 year, 50,000 mile New Car Warranty? If yes, bring this to the attention of the Service Department of your Lincoln Dealer.

 

Let us know what you find out and good luck.

Edited December 25, 2020 by bbf2530

[shtaka]

It's a reserve with the technology package. I bought it used but still under warranty. Brochure doesn't differentiate trim levels. Probably brochure error, but I will contact concierge before I go to dealer.

[Chris109]

To definitely know, you need to have FM radio on.  If it's not on, you won't get the tab in settings.

1.  Go to Settings  (button all the way to the right on the bottom of the home screen)

2.  Go to Radio (2nd row, lower left)

3.  Top of menu it should say FM HD (not sure exactly what it says).  Slide the button to the right.

 

Of course IMHO, there isn't anything worth listening to on local radio.  That's why God made portable hard drives and audiobooks.

Edited December 25, 2020 by Chris109

[kramf411]

Or the OP is not in an area where FM stations are broadcasting in HD - just a wild guess, though

[drolds1]

  Which audio system do you have?  In 2017, you had to have at least the 14-speaker Revel upgrade to get HD radio.  Reserve and Technology Package notwithstanding,  the Revel audio system was a stand-alone option unless you ordered the Luxury Package or Black Label, which got the Revel Ultima system.  This is shown in the 2017 brochure.  Attached is a copy of the window sticker from my 2017 Reserve with Technology, Driver's Sport and Climate Packages.  As you can see, the Revel system (with HD) was a separate option @ $1180.  If you have the standard system, you don't have HD radio.  If you have the Revel and no HD, either there's a malfunction or there are just no HD stations in your area, as kramf411 suggests.  To find stations in your area go to HDradio.com and enter your ZIP code in the appropriate box.

 

2017WS.pdf

Edited December 25, 2020 by drolds1

[leftoverture]

19 hours ago, drolds1 said:

  Which audio system do you have?  In 2017, you had to have at least the 14-speaker Revel upgrade to get HD radio.  Reserve and Technology Package notwithstanding,  the Revel audio system was a stand-alone option unless you ordered the Luxury Package or Black Label, which got the Revel Ultima system.  This is shown in the 2017 brochure.  Attached is a copy of the window sticker from my 2017 Reserve with Technology, Driver's Sport and Climate Packages.  As you can see, the Revel system (with HD) was a separate option @ $1180.  If you have the standard system, you don't have HD radio.  If you have the Revel and no HD, either there's a malfunction or there are just no HD stations in your area, as kramf411 suggests.  To find stations in your area go to HDradio.com and enter your ZIP code in the appropriate box.

 

2017WS.pdf

This is ridiculous. Actually, all American car companies are rather ridiculous when it comes to HD radio. Almost all foreign brands have HD radio standard in all but their most base models. My 2014 Reserve has HD radio but somehow in 2017 they dropped HD radio unless I pay extra for a stereo upgrade? Sheer stupidity. 

 

I will never again buy a car without HD radio. All the good stuff on over-the-air radio is on the HD channels. It is a must have feature on any vehicle for me. That a luxury brand like Lincoln doesn't have HD radio standard on all models is a disgrace to the entire Ford Motor Company.

Edited December 26, 2020 by leftoverture

[shtaka]

I have the base audio which explains, I guess, why I don’t have HD. It does seem like Lincoln was behind the curve. Three audio options really doesn’t make sense.
 

Too bad, because I’m in Boston which has a variety of good HD stations.

[leftoverture]

On 12/26/2020 at 2:28 PM, shtaka said:

I have the base audio which explains, I guess, why I don’t have HD. It does seem like Lincoln was behind the curve. Three audio options really doesn’t make sense.
 

Too bad, because I’m in Boston which has a variety of good HD stations.

What's really sad is you could have spent alot less on a Ford Fusion Sport or Titanium model (basically that same car as the Mkz) and you would have HD radio.  How does that make sense?

[shtaka]

I'll trade the HD radio for 400hp anytime.

[drolds1]

1 hour ago, shtaka said:

I'll trade the HD radio for 400hp anytime.

?

[bbf2530]

3 hours ago, leftoverture said:

What's really sad is you could have spent alot less on a Ford Fusion Sport or Titanium model (basically that same car as the Mkz) and you would have HD radio.  How does that make sense?

 

HI leftoverture. Just as an FYI for those interested: That is incorrect. HD radio was not standard equipment on the 2017 Fusion Sport. To get HD radio, you had to order the relatively expensive "V6 Sport Upgrade Package", which also included a lot of other equipment, much of which is already standard equipment on an MKZ...:

 

Fusion V6 Sport Upgrade Package
- (2) 4.2” Driver Configurable LCD Display in Instrument Cluster
- 10-Way Power Passenger Seat (fore/aft, up/down, tilt, recline, 2-way
power lumbar)
_ Ambient Lighting
- Climate Control – Dual-Zone Electronic Automatic Temperature Control
(DEATC)
- Reverse Sensing System
- Sony® Premium Audio w/12 Speakers & HD Radio™
- SYNC® 3
– Enhanced Voice Recognition Communications and Entertainment
System
– 8” LCD Capacitive Touchscreen in Center Stack with Swipe Capability
– Pinch-to-Zoom capability included with available Voice-Activated
Touchscreen Navigation System
– AppLink™
– 911 Assist®
– Smart-Charging USB ports – two (2)

 

And while HD radio was standard equipment on a 2017 Fusion Titanium, the available powertrains and vehicle itself is no way comparable to an MKZ (as others have mentioned above).

 

By the time a 2017 Fusion Sport or Fusion Titanium is optioned up to have relatively comparable equipment as a base 2017 MKZ, the prices are nearly equivalent (+/-, since they can not be exactly matched).

 

Although things like this are always in the "eye of the beholder", neither the Fusion Sport or Fusion Titanium is "basically the same car as an MKZ".

 

In my case, I extensively test drove the 2018 versions of the MKZ, Continental and Fusion Sport before deciding which one to purchase (the Fusion Titanium, with it's 2.0 EcoBoost was never a consideration). Which is why I ordered a 3.0T AWD MKZ Reserve over a 2.7 EcoBoost Fusion Sport. The Continental was a beautiful car, but bigger than my wife and I needed. The Fusion Sport was a beautiful car, but the power, ride, luxury, features, material quality etc were no match for the MKZ. Even my wife, who is not known for her automotive opinions, commented on how much nicer the MKZ was than the Fusion Sport.

 

Woah...I got way off the HD radio subject towards the middle there. Sorry shtaka. But I needed to correct the HD radio information, and lost my train of thought. ?

 

Good luck.

 

Edited March 18, 2021 by bbf2530

[leftoverture]

My main point is that HD radio is standard equipment on many foreign car brands, even lower level models, where as the American manufacturers treat it like a high line option....if they offer it at all.  Even many very inexpensive aftermarket radios have HD. The American makes are ridiculous in this aspect.  Further,  go to a dealer and ask about HD radio.  Most of the sales people don't even truly know what it even is.  So stupid.

 

And yes,  it was an option on the Fusion Sport but almost every one you find will have it and they sell for much less than MKZ. Yes, the 3.0 V6 is not available in the Fusion, but make no mistake both cars are built on the same platform. To offer a car like the MKZ, at that price point, without HD radio is just plain stupid.  GM is worse.  Many of their models don't even have it as an option. 

 

If you have never experienced HD radio.... you should.  Most major stations have 2 or 3 HD channels with a broad variety of offerings.  I consider it a must have feature. 

[bbf2530]

2 hours ago, leftoverture said:

My main point is that HD radio is standard equipment on many foreign car brands, even lower level models, where as the American manufacturers treat it like a high line option....if they offer it at all.  Even many very inexpensive aftermarket radios have HD. The American makes are ridiculous in this aspect.  Further,  go to a dealer and ask about HD radio.  Most of the sales people don't even truly know what it even is.  So stupid.

 

And yes,  it was an option on the Fusion Sport but almost every one you find will have it and they sell for much less than MKZ. Yes, the 3.0 V6 is not available in the Fusion, but make no mistake both cars are built on the same platform. To offer a car like the MKZ, at that price point, without HD radio is just plain stupid.  GM is worse.  Many of their models don't even have it as an option. 

 

If you have never experienced HD radio.... you should.  Most major stations have 2 or 3 HD channels with a broad variety of offerings.  I consider it a must have feature. 

 

Hi leftoverture. I have HD radio in my MKZ. In my case, it is nice to have, but not as important to me as it is to you. I have other features that are far more important. However, I respect your right to want it. So then you must be sure you buy a car that has it.

 

And I understand what your main point was. However, your example was incorrect, so I was simply providing the correct information that HD radio was not standard on the 2017 Fusion Sport, as you first stated. It was part of a quite expensive option package that brings the price of a Fusion Sport with HD radio quite close to an MKZ (that has more features than that Fusion Sport with HD radio).

So although HD radio is very important you, any price comparisons can not just be based on what has HD radio.

 

As an analogy...Many foreign brands, European and Asian, did not have CarPlay or Android connectivity until more recently, when many US vehicles already did. I can name more equipment disparity examples, on both sides. The point being that just because something is important to me does not mean it is important to everyone. So we can't fixate on one or two features that I/we want.

 

And if your understanding of what was standard in a Fusion Sport was incorrect, then it is also possible that not as many cars, foreign or domestic, came standard with HD radio back in 2017 or 2014 (when you purchased your MKZ) as you thought?

 

As far as the two cars being on the same platform, that is not news and is irrelevant. A Camry and a Lexus Whatever are on the same platform. An Accord and an Acura Whatever are on the same platform. Nissan and Infiniti, same story etc, etc. and so on.

 

Heck, the Ford Fusion, Ford Edge, Lincoln MKZ and Lincoln MKX/Nautilus are all on the same platform, but they are certainly not "the same car". It is the changes and improvements from the "platform" up that differentiate the less expensive mainstream models from the luxury models. Just like the Fusion and MKZ.

 

And yes, HD radio is far more prevalent in newer models than several years ago. However, you have a 2014. The OP has a 2017. What was standard back then and now is very different and can not be compared. Same with aftermarket units.

 

I'm not going to get into pricing discussions or every one of your new points, because that is all easily available information on the Internet. I will state that if I want information about a car, one of the last places I will usually ask is a salesperson (there are competent salespeople who are an exception). And that goes for domestic and foreign Dealerships. I can usually get more information from a sales brochure or the manufacturers website.

 

I am here to help others with the correct information. So that is all I and others were doing when we answered the OP's question and corrected any accidentally incorrect information.

 

Hope that makes my replies more understandable.  Good luck. ?

Edited March 18, 2021 by bbf2530

[leftoverture]

8 hours ago, shtaka said:

I'll trade the HD radio for 400hp anytime.

Well...yea. But my point is any car at the Lincoln price point should have HD radio standard.  It's like back in the beginning of the 70's (yes...I'm that old) when most cars only had AM radio and they started adding FM radio.  You would've just expected it in a premium brand.  And once you drove a car with FM you wouldn't want to go back to an AM radio only situation cause FM was so much better. 

[shtaka]

Yes, I agree. That's why I was surprised to find out my car didn't have it.

[kramf411]

17 hours ago, shtaka said:

I'll trade the HD radio for 400hp anytime.

nah..?

[bbf2530]

Hi gang. For shtaka (the OP), here is a link to the 2017 Lincoln MKZ brochure: https://cdn.dealereprocess.org/cdn/brochures/lincoln/2017-mkz.pdf

It does differentiate equipment and features by trim levels. And it shows that HD radio was not available on the Premier trim level.

HD radio was available on the Select trim level with the Revel audio sound system option.

You stated you have the MKZ Reserve. HD radio was available on the Reserve models as part of either the Revel or Revel Ultima audio options, or the "Luxury Package" (which included the Revel Ultima system). So if you don' have either Revel system, you would not have HD radio.

 

And for those who consider HD radio to be an absolute must have as standard equipment, check here before purchasing your next car: https://hdradio.com/get-a-radio/new-cars/

 

It lists those vehicles where it is available on some trim levels/models (usually as an optional audio system upgrade), and those that have it as standard equipment on all trim levels/models. It is not completely current and up to date on manufacturer models (obvious on the Lincoln vehicles listed), but since it is an HD radio site, it is probably the best we can do for now. If anyone finds a more current and up to date site, feel free to add it.

 

Or alternately, look in the vehicle brochure for the standard/optional features and/or check the manufacturers website for the same information on a vehicle you are interested in, before purchasing.

 

Hope this helps save some of us from a life of non-HD misery.

 

drolds1 posted most of this information previously, but I thought I would reiterate it and also post the link to the 2017 MKZ brochure.

 

Again, I am not arguing with anyone over their opinion whether HD radio should or should not be standard on Lincoln or other vehicles. That is an opinion, and everyone has their right to an opinion on the subject. I am simply providing the correct information.

 

Good luck. ?

 

 

Edited March 19, 2021 by bbf2530

[shtaka]

I bought mine used and honestly, HD radio wasn't on my must have list. What would it take to upgrade to a unit that supports HD?

[bbf2530]

58 minutes ago, shtaka said:

I bought mine used and honestly, HD radio wasn't on my must have list. What would it take to upgrade to a unit that supports HD?

 

Hi shtaka. Honestly, it is something you would need to give a lot of thought to.  Especially if HD radio is not exactly a "must have" for you.

 

I am not an audio expert, but here is what I know: The audio system is tied directly into SYNC 3, the Navigation system (if you have it) etc. So replacing the head unit with an HD capable one would probably not be a simple swap out like in the old days. You would likely either need to source the head unit from a Revel system, or replace the entire head unit with an aftermarket one (which could then lead to SYNC issues/incompatibility/loss of some SYNC 3 functions etc.).

 

I am not even sure if a Revel head unit would be plug and play or you would need to source and install other electronics/cut and splice etc. It would definitely not be something I would recommend while still under the 4 year/50,000 mile New Car Warranty or an ESP Plan that covers the electronics/audio/SYNC systems, since it could/would lead to warranty claims denials for almost anything SYNC/audio/electronics related in the future.

And an aftermarket unit would very likely not be plug and play, and would have its own set of SYNC compatibility and warranty issues.

 

There is a thread or two posted by members with more audio expertise, who have upgraded their systems. You should be able to find them if you search the audio sub-forum. Or if I have a chance to look, I will post back with links.

 

Good luck.

Edited March 19, 2021 by bbf2530

[leftoverture]

Yes,  I would agree with BBF here.  In the old days,  a head unit swap was easy peasy. Now days,  it is generally not recommended,  and it gets very complicated.  I do know with Chrysler's U Connect system there are some plug and play options (they aren't cheap) but I haven't looked into any for the Sync system. I'm pretty bummed right now because my HD radio quit working. 

Edited March 19, 2021 by leftoverture

[esqueue]

On 3/19/2021 at 7:02 AM, shtaka said:

I bought mine used and honestly, HD radio wasn't on my must have list. What would it take to upgrade to a unit that supports HD?

I purchased my 2017 Reserve but it came with every option but massaging chair, driver package and tech package. All the others like Pano, v6 AWD, auto parking and others are there along with pointless things here in Southern California like the Climate package. . I did miss a few things that I wanted like the Technology package, 
I did lots of research and have already upgraded the HID head lights to LED but every part on this car needs lots of programming.

I've already researched and purchased the parts needed to add HD radio to my car. Since the Ultima systems would require too much parts the only reasonable  option would be to get the upgraded audio from the Fusion. All I need was a rear center speaker, an ACM from a 2017-2020 MKZ,  A Sony amplifier (preferably with cut harnesses), lots of wires and harness and a way to program the ACM and APIM yourself. I'm sure that I forgot to list everything but I am just too damn lazy to get to it. I even got many harness to that very minimal cuts will have to be done to the car's existing wires.  

I plan on installing it along with my 2 channel dashcam and a LiFePO4 backup battery to record when the car off and not drain my battery or confuse the car's Battery Management System. I really with I wasn't so lazy.