Update a Toyota Corolla Car Radio

The main source of entertainment for most drivers is their music. Through the years, the way people listen to music has changed dramatically. For this reason, standard vehicle equipment does not always match the latest media technology taking the world by storm. If you find yourself in the situation where you can’t play your music through your stereo, fear not. You can upgrade your stereo technology with relatively little hassle.

Steps

Upgrading to an Aftermarket Stereo Head Unit

  1. Select the replacement head unit. You can obtain an mp3 and WMA player from for as little as $89. The most important features are the ability to play mp3 and WMA format files burnt on a CD but also from a USB drive (thumb drive or removable hard drive). Another important thing to consider when upgrading your head unit is what aftermarket unit will fit best.
    • Head units come in three sizes - Single DIN, DIN and a half, and Double DIN. If your unit is Single DIN it will likely be compatible with most aftermarket head units. Otherwise you may need a mounting kit for your vehicle.[1]
  2. Get a wiring harness or adaptor. This will allow the car radio wiring to plug into the back of the new radio. These can sometimes be found for $4.99. Make sure that the plug is compatible with your car (check the list on the back of the box).
  3. Connect your new radio to the wiring harness. Twist the correct wires together and then solder them (or use wire nuts if you do not have soldering equipment). Cover the exposed wire with electricians tape or heat seal tape.[2]
  4. Remove the factory installed radio. This will likely consist of having to pry away a plastic cover panel on the front of the radio and take out two screws. This will then allow you to slide the radio out of the dash. If you are unsure how your radio comes out, you should consult a service manual for your specific model.
  5. Remove the antenna wire from the back of the radio. This will be easily done once you slide the radio head out of the dash.
  6. Remove the wiring harness plugs. These plugs go to the back of the radio and can be released by pressing the release tab and pulling out.
  7. Remove any mounting brackets. If the sides of the radio have mounting brackets, remove them from the factory radio. make sure that you mark which one goes to the left of the radio and which one to the right.
  8. Plug the wiring harness adaptor into the wiring harness. This will allow you to fit your wiring harness to your new aftermarket stereo head.[2]
  9. Plug the other end of the wiring harness adaptor into the radio. There is a place on the back of the radio head for a plug. That is where you will plug the adaptor in.[2]
  10. Plug in the antenna wire. Do not forget to plug the antenna wire into the large round hole in the back of the radio head. This will allow you to pick up AM/FM stations.
  11. Test the radio. Be sure that you can hear sound through the speakers. See if the radio lights come on. This indicates that power is getting to the radio. Also confirm that the antenna is plugged in properly by tuning to different FM and AM stations.
  12. Slide radio into the head unit slot. Mount the new radio with the same screws as you took out of the old head unit, unless you had to use a mounting adaptor. Now you have installed your new stereo head unit.
    • For most Toyota models, including Corolla, you will need to use a dash install kit for single or double DIN stereos.[3]
  13. Reinstall any panels or pieces of dash that were removed. This step varies by model, so be sure to consult your service manual if you are unsure about how to proceed.

Adapting Your Current Stereo to Meet Your Needs

  1. Consider your specific needs. Do you need the ability to play CDs? Do you want to hook up an MP3 player? The type of media that you wish to play will be crucial in helping you decide the best kind of adaptor to buy.[4]
  2. Know your adaptor options. There are several types of accessories and adaptors available to allow you to listen to a more varied media collection.[4] The most popular are:
  3. Use an FM Transmitter to play music through your FM radio. This is likely the most universal adaptor since most cars are equipped with FM radios. The transmitter identifies an FM frequency that is not being used (at least near your) and casts music from your device over that frequency. The car radio can then pick up the waves and play the music just like any other radio station.The downside is that they are prone to interference.[4]
    • If you choose to use the FM transmitter, you will have to set your radio to the same station the the adaptor is transmitting rather than plugging it into the radio directly.
    • Though models vary depending on your accessories package, Corollas before 1999 may only have an FM stereo.[5]
  4. Use a cassette tape adaptor for a cassette deck. If you want to avoid the interference of random FM waves but have a very old sound system with only a tape deck, a cassette tape adapter will be your best friend. These adaptors are made to fit into a cassette player on one end and plug into another device at the other end. The music from your device can then be played straight through your tape deck as if it were a cassette.[4]
    • From 1999 to 2009 the base model Corolla was equipped with a cassette deck.[5]
  5. Use a CD adaptor just like a cassette tape adaptor. Like the cassette adaptor, the CD adaptor is made to go into a CD player and allow you to play non-CD media. This also avoids the interference of FM waves. You will usually have a need for this if your car’s sound system was built after cassettes when out of style and before MP3 players were popular.
    • In 2009, the base model Corolla was upgraded to a CD player.[5]
  6. Use an auxiliary or USB cord to connect any compatible media to your stereo. If you have a place to plug in other media, you only need an auxiliary cord or USB cord that fits your stereo and your media device. These cords became popular when car stereos were not equipped to play media from all devices, but manufacturer’s wanted to provide options to their clientele. It is the most ideal adaptor if your stereo is equipped with an auxiliary (aux) port.[4]
    • Also starting in 2009, the base model Corolla was equipped with an auxiliary audio jack.[5]
  7. Purchase the appropriate adaptor. All of these adaptors are readily available and fairly inexpensive. You can usually find them at any store that with an electronics section.
  8. Plug in the adaptor. You will need to plug the cord of the adaptor into your media device, whether it’s a CD player, MP3 player, or other device. Then, insert the adaptor into your radio. Once your media is plugged into your radio, sit back and listen.

Updating Your Entune Software

  1. Check to see if your vehicle is Entune capable. Toyota debuted Entune software in their cars with the 2012 prius. Any toyota built from that point forward might be Entune capable. If you are unsure if your vehicle has this software capability or not, contact your dealer or Toyota customer service.
  2. Use a flashdrive to download the Entune update. Unfortunately, your Toyota isn’t yet connected to wifi. You will need a way to transfer the update file from a computer to the car.[6]
  3. Name the file. It is ideal to name the file the same way that Toyota names it. “FAT32” is the name Toyota uses when they send out the Entune update files.[7]
  4. Turn on the car. Start your car, but keep it in park. Also, do this in a well ventilated area. It is dangerous to leave a car running in a closed space.
  5. Insert the flashdrive into the car’s USB port. If your car does not have a USB port, it is not likely Entune capable.[7]
  6. Select ‘YES’ when prompted to update the software. When your system recognizes the Entune update file, it will ask you to confirm the update.[6]
  7. Allow the update to complete. Do not turn off the car or drive until the update is complete. Once it displays on the screen that the update is complete, you can remove the flashdrive and turn off or drive the car.[6]

Tips

  • You might be able to have your dealer install the Entune software/upgrades.
  • You should have a service manual ready if you plan to change radio heads.
  • If you choose to update the sound equipment, you may find that your battery/alternator cannot handle the load. If this is the case you should install a capacitor to supplement your electrical system.

Warnings

  • Disconnect the ground from your battery before changing radio heads.
  • Do not leave any wires exposed. This can cause problems in your car’s electrical system and can be a fire risk.

Things You’ll Need

  • Upgrading to an Aftermarket Head Unit
    • Aftermarket Stereo Head Unit
    • Wiring Harness Adaptor
    • Wire Cutters
    • Electrical Tape
    • Basic Wiring Tools
    • Service Manual
  • Adapting Your Current Stereo
    • Suitable Adaptor
    • External Media Player
  • Upgrading Entune Software
    • Flash Drive
    • Entune Capable Toyota

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.carstereohelp.com/aftermarket.htm
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 http://ncstereoman.com/info/1279/
  3. ↑ http://www.crutchfield.com/S-ALU7Zh6on4X/learn/2003-08-toyota-corolla.html
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 http://www.crutchfield.com/S-pQJPNxPGiBZ/learn/learningcenter/car/oem/connections_sound_quality.html
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 http://www.edmunds.com/toyota/corolla/history/
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 http://www.autoevolution.com/news/how-to-update-toyota-entune-system-video-59588.html
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/new-entune-3-1-update-info.310397/
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