Finding Your Car Radio Code
There are a few ways to locate a car radio code, but here are the main ones, in descending order of complexity and cost.
Look in the Owner’s Manual
In some cases, you might find the car radio code in the owner’s manual. This isn’t an especially secure place for it, given that most people keep their manuals in their vehicles, but some manuals have a space for it. If you bought your car used, the previous owner might have entered it there.
Check Manufacturers’ Websites
Check the sites of your automaker and the stereo manufacturer. Companies sometimes keep online databases of car radio codes. Entering info such as your vehicle identification number (VIN) or the radio’s serial number might return the code you’re looking for. In addition to OEM databases, a handful of free databases offer codes for various types of radios.
Call Your Dealer
Regardless of which dealer you bought your car from, one should be able to help. Have the make, model, year, and VIN of your vehicle handy in addition to the serial and part numbers of the radio.
Pay for a Service
If none of those options works, you’ll need to pay for a local or online service that has access to a database of car radio codes. Typically, they need the make and model of your vehicle, the brand and model of the radio, and the radio’s part and serial numbers.
Entering the Code
The procedure for entering the car radio code is specific to the make and model of the stereo. In most cases, use the volume or tuner knobs or buttons to select numbers, and then click the knob or push another button to advance. Some late-model autos and sound systems require you to press a combination of buttons rather than enter a code.
Battery Memory Keeper Devices
Memory keeper (or keep alive) devices prevent the radio from requiring a code after the battery has been disconnected. These devices typically plug into the cigarette lighter and provide limited power to the electrical system while the battery is disconnected. Although these devices typically work fine, they pose a danger to the electrical system. If you plug one of these devices in when replacing a battery, for example, the positive battery cable contacting any ground (for example, the negative battery cable, frame, or engine) will cause a short. There might be additional precautions to be aware of, so read the instruction manual carefully.
