I appreciate the article, but cnet basically watched a review video and summarized that for their article.
Here is the actual youtube review, so we can support the people who actually rode the vehicle and made the video:
https://youtu.be/Soa-5D8AlhY
-I had a really hard time routing the cables in the area right beside the passenger seat. I ended up removing the panel beside the seat...which was fairly easy to do:
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-Don't try running the USB cables until the panel is removed. (Trust me on this one. I tries with the panel in place, also with it removed...the next point will explain why) It is way easier with it removed, and the cables can be routed in a better way. No routing under the seat rails, etc.
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-I'd recommend removing the shifter handle. So people say this isn't necessary, but for the CX-9 we need to fully remove the shifter panel, in order to remove the commander knob panel, which needs to be removed in order to remove the panel beside the seat.
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Page 9, post #128. There are all the instructions you need to do software and hardware
I just installed the Carplay retrofit kit into my 2107 CX-9....and a have a few tips to share. I ordered my parts on Friday from Priority Mazda, and they were delivered here to Ontario Canada this morning (Wednesday) No duties/taxes.
For anyone planning on doing this themselves, here are a few tips:
-I had a really hard time routing the cables in the area right beside the passenger seat. I ended up removing the panel beside the seat...which was fairly easy to do:
-Remove the central storage bin/cup holders. There are two silver screws at the back of this part. Remove those and this will just pop out.
-The panel beside the seat is held in with about 6-7 silver screws (including one at the behind the seat near the floor). After taking these screws out the panel can be lifted out vertically.
-Don't try running the USB cables until the panel is removed. (Trust me on this one. I tries with the panel in place, also with it removed...the next point will explain why) It is way easier with it removed, and the cables can be routed in a better way. No routing under the seat rails, etc.
-Double check which cable ends go to the front, and which ends go to the back, i,e, Black & Brown vs Blue & Green. I rushed the first time and got it wrong. (I couldn't get the cables out, so I ended up having to remove the panel by the seat which was a better way to go anyway)
-All of the panels/parts were easy to remove with the exception of the shifter panel. The instructions said to just lift this out by hand, but i couldn't. Pry this up gently (with a tool) from the edge closest to the commander knob. Once the two clips along that edge let go, the rest of the clips can be popped by lifting by hand. When prying, you may want to put tape on the black surface to avoid scrapes when your pry tool slips.
-There is a not a lot of slack in the cables that plug into the back of the CMU. To plug these back in, I had to rest the CMU on the dash area just in front of the screen opening. Put a small cloth under the CMU to prevent damaging the dash.
-There will be about 2ft extra cable. This can be tie-wrap, and left behind foot well panel (i.e. behind the cigarette lighter outlet).
-I'd recommend removing the shifter handle. So people say this isn't necessary, but for the CX-9 we need to fully remove the shifter panel, in order to remove the commander knob panel, which needs to be removed in order to remove the panel beside the seat.
All in, the job took me about 3hrs, and that included 1/2 hour figuring out hour to get the shifter panel out, and another 1/2 hour fixing the cables I ran the wrong way. It was way easier to put everything back together than it was to take it all apart.
I have a 2018 CX 9 GT. Talked to my dealer in US today. They said, it is not coming anytime soon. How much did it cost? Can you please share the link where you ordered the retrofit kit?
Does anyone know, if you use Google Maps through CarPlay, do you get directions on the HUD?
I think in the Mazda 6 video, the Apple Maps version did show up on the HUD. Not sure if the same thing will happen with the Google maps. I think someone did say that SIRI does not work with Google maps.
Can anyone comment on different iPhone navigation apps and their integration with the HUD? Thanks!
Thank you for the feedback!I dont get any HUD nav directions... not on the Apple maps app, not on Google maps, and not on Waze. Its totally worth it though. Ive been using mostly the Apple app with Waze running in the background.
I don*t get any HUD nav directions... not on the Apple maps app, not on Google maps, and not on Waze. It*s totally worth it though. I*ve been using mostly the Apple app with Waze running in the background.
My two local dealers had the parts, but wouldn*t sell them...so I ordered from another dealer.
Here you go:
https://www.prioritymazdaparts.com/oem-parts/mazda-smartphone-screen-mirroring-kit-00008fz34
I received it in less than a week, and that included shipping to Canada.
My guess is you put in a spoof vin of a mazda6 to get the part, correct? And do you think warranty might be a concern (since you fit a mazda6 part into a cx9)? I am genuinely curious as I have a cx9 and think this will probably be the only method to get CarPlay..
My guess is you put in a spoof vin of a mazda6 to get the part, correct? And do you think warranty might be a concern (since you fit a mazda6 part into a cx9)? I am genuinely curious as I have a cx9 and think this will probably be the only method to get CarPlay..
I got my kit from prioritymazda as well. Even though the item description says that the VIN is required, you can leave the VIN box blank at checkout and they*ll process your order no questions asked. That*s just a field you would typically use to see if the part you*re buying is compatible with your car. And I assure you that this kit is 100% compatible with 2016+ CX-9.
Warranty is absolutely NOT a concern, and trust that this is NOT a Mazda 6 specific part. All Mazda vehicles with the Mazda Connect infotainment system use this exact same USB aux/hub unit. The *Mazda 6 only* warning is just the way that Mazda NA has decided to roll this out at the moment. This is a Mazda genuine part and they can*t void your warranty for installing it yourself.
Thanks for the reply. I think you initially answered for me on the warranty before as well- thank you for answering again with more detail. As this seems to be a rather straightforward install, I will start rounding up some $$ to procure these parts..!
@chacheee, thanks for your reply below as well!