Anyone had a Mr12volt Android Auto /Carplay module fitted?

Garry1127 · March 28

Hello all,

I am interested in getting this fitted to my 2015 XK, reports look good (full Android Auto on the cars original display) but I just wondered if anyone has experience of having this fitted as I have a couple of questions.

I use my XKs USB socket to play music from a USB stick I have, can this functionality be retained with the Mr12Volt module fitted (it has a USB connection on it apparently).

The Mr12Volt installation comes with a new graphics circuit board, does this improve the brightness and clarity of the standard car display?

Ive seen reported that cars with this fitted have better audio quality, is this true?

Any other issues I should be aware of?

thanks

N6 JMX · March 28

Hi Garry, I have not installed the Mr 12 Volt system, but I know someone who has. The following is the beginning and end of their initial review - altogether favourable, but takes a little getting used to initially.

"First a few words on understanding what you are getting and how to make the best of the new ways of managing your in-car experience.

Understand that if you like to listen to the radio or your own music that everything in the car becomes redundant and gets replaced by the apps on your phone. I suggest you install Radioplayer, BBC Sounds and Global Player to cover most common radio stations or your favourite native DAB/Radio apps. If you like to listen to your own music library, make sure it is loaded onto your phone. Spotify, Apple Music or any other streaming service will also all play very well through the CarPlay system although you may want to tweak the sound with the programmable graphic equaliser. Note when in use the last three used apps always appear to the left of the CarPlay screen, and it will open your chosen maps last used sat nav automatically when you get into the car. To minimise the number of apps that will display go into your phone System Settings - General - CarPlay and clean up the display by removing any apps that you don’t want or need to be shown on the screen(s). Keep only the ones you want.......

........This installation has, in my view, brought the car back into the 21st Century by replacing the more than archaic sat nav with a system that is far more functional and versatile. It can easily be personalised and after some two thousand miles driving from Surrey to Cornwall then on to Spain and Portugal and home in the last five weeks it has just made the whole driving experience so much better. In all, highly recommended and also available for wireless Android auto for non-iPhone users."

N6 JMX

Garry1127 · March 28

Thanks Jim,

I had not heard mention before that the unit disables the jag radio in other reviews (and presumably the CD) not a complete show stopper as you say there are alternatives.

Is the USB socket in the armrest also disabled? (just wondering if it can still be used to play music from as the Mr12volt does have a usb connection though I'm not sure what's its for).

Garry

N6 JMX · March 29

Hi Garry, not sure about the USB in the armrest, but it probably will be disabled. I use that for the iPod connection, so effectively plays through the touchscreen selection screen for the audio. If no touchscreen, then you would not be able to select it.

N6 JMX

Garry1127 · 2025-05-04T08:45:45Z

Hello all, I thought I would post a quick update on the Mr12Volt installation in my XK.

I had it carried out very swiftly and carefully by Elite and Performance Jags in Derby (£575 including installation) they also managed to thread the USB cable through into the armrest box so I could run music or load firmware updates from there, which is excellent (I thought I would lose USB connectivity) you can access the USB through the old Jag screen.

For a while I had an amusing moment where in Android Auto I was playing one piece of music and then when I switched to the old Jag screen I had a different piece of music playing! That caused some confusion until I realised the Android Auto was playing music from my phone, the old Jag system from the USB stick! Problem solved by taking the USB stick out as I found I didn't need it as the car can access the music libraries stored on my phone perfectly.

A month on all I can say is that this is a superb update for my XK, Android Auto (there is also Apple carplay) it starts immediately I switch the car on and I have full access to Waze and Google maps (and music apps etc) through the standard screen (no more phones or add on screens blocking the controls or wobbling and falling off their cradles).

If you press the home button you can switch to the old Jaguar screen and back again.

Quirks? sometimes I have to restart the bluetooth on my phone to get Android Auto to connect and getting out of the car my phone remains locked to bluetooth (no sound through earpiece or phone speaker until I select it) but as soon as I walk away from the car the phone corrects itself (I think the cars bluetooth remains active for a few minutes after stopping which is useful if you just stop for a brief time such as to refuel as Waze etc. remains active and remembers its settings for a while).

Phone calls can be answered through Android Auto, Steering Wheel controls all work, sound system working perfectly (and you have more options for adjusting the sound too) reversing camera working, heated and cooled seats work, heated windscreen working and the jags nav screen has a saturation option to beef up colours and I'm sure the display is slightly sharper now.

The only issue I am really battling with is occasional echo of callers voices (they hear and echo of their own voices) I think this is an Android Auto issue but I'm still working on this.

I have also fitted a glass anti reflection screen protector (as you would on a phone) and that has really improved legibility of the screen in bright conditions, its not perfect, by I can now see the screen in daylight most of the time whereas before with my cars light beige seats the screen was basically unusable in daylight (see below photo taken in strong sunshine - much clearer).