I just purchased a 2005 LS430. I thought it had the XM radio set up - when I hit Sat on the radio I get 3 different screens to save stations. The Lexus maintenance records refer to Satellite radio. However, there is no separate antenna (I.e. on trunk). Am I set up for XM or not? How do I test it before subscribing?

 

Do you get the SiriusXM preview channel 001? If yes you are set up. The antenna is small almost square often located near the rear window next to the Center High Mount Stop Lamp (CHMSL) and sometimes on the deck lid. (The antenna on the roof is for Lexus Link and anymore does basically nothing.)

The antenna looks something like the one below ...

 

The satellite radio is an optional item for the LS430. Attached are the installation procedures for satellite radio. Please take a look at them for tell-tale signs to determine if your car is equipped with one.

 

I found the antenna mounted near the rear view mirror. When I select SAT, it shows “antenna” blinking and each preset is CH001. How do I get the preview to work?

 

Lexi were "Satellite Ready" until 2010 when it became standard.
Satellite Ready meant there was a proprietary jack on the back of
the radio head unit and a "Sat" button on the front. If you paid the
extra $600 to have a tuner installed and an antenna hooked up you
were good to go. Lexus has not made the tuner since about 2012
so you are going to have to get one from Crutchfield or Amazon.

430SLOwner is correct, it you press "Sat" and see either Channel 000 or 001
you have a tuner and can sign up online or call. (Calling lets you bargain
the rate considerably BTW, online is just outright theft) If you do not see
any frequencies then you just saved $14.95/month!

 

You found your GPS navigation antenna....

 

A SiriusXM vehicle antenna is required as mcomer correctly wrote. SiriusXM CH001 will play and can be heard from your audio system without a subscription, but not without an antenna and tuner.

 

Double check yourself but this looks like it'll work for your year and model. You likely need a tuner and antenna. I've found that sirius/XM will give you the basic package for $5 + tax per month for a set period. (typically 6 months in my case).Then the fee automatically goes up unless you call them and ask for the discount price again. It's been this way for years. Not difficult, just need to remember to do it before rollover date. Crutchfield techs are very good and helpful. If you've had XM before, you know if it'll be worth the investment and effort. Personally, I'd stick with FM and other media for my music if I was faced with this decision.

Crutchfield for $250. Be sure to read all info about it on Crutchfield site as it isn't as full featured as you might expect.
Vais Technology SL3sat-L Adapter Use SiriusXM's satellite radio tuner with the factory radio in select Lexus models

It's possible there are other units out there with more features.

 

btw Some dealers installed the antenna in areas that were not ideal for good reception. If so may be reason for blinking. The Lexus dealer who delivered the car when newly purchased should be able to tell you if there was an installation and if so where it may have placed the antenna....

 

Here is a picture of the antenna next to my rear view mirror. Would this be the GPS antenna or the XM antenna?

 

That's the rain sensor for your intermittent wiper control.

 

Ok thank you

 

If you do get your XM working, there is a free used car trial. That's how I started. After that I wanted to cancel it. A person asked me how much I'd be willing to pay, I said $20 for 5 months, after all taxes and fees. She gave it to me. I've been doing it ever since and ready to cancel any time they won't give it to me, which might be in August. Last time the guy played a game with me, I said I won't pay a penny more than $4/mo. So he said how about $24.01 for 6 months, which I took. So we both won.

edit On my wife's which we had since 2011, I did the same thing. Make it $4/mo. after taxes and fees. This past April they said no. So we canceled after 8 years. Probably they will do it on the LS430 as well, but good riddance! lol (but I listen at home online I admit)

 

This vehicle had XM (is noted in Service history on Lexus.com). For some reason the antenna was removed which I will investigate with dealer. Aside from the antenna, am trying to determine if the XM module is still installed. How can I determine that? Since the SAT screen comes up on the display and the antenna light is blinking, can I asssume that all is needed is the antenna?

 

That is not an antenna. The GPS navigation antenna may be below your mirror under the top of dash near the center of the top of the dash....

Have