XM reception

I do not have a dealer install, simply purchased an XM receiver and stuck it on the center console, ran the (really thin) wire out the hatchback and have never had a reception problem except when the local terrestrial repeater is down. Many urban areas have the terrestrial repeaters, a list is at xm411.com - What is and where are the Ground Repeaters?

 

Greetings from a fellow Minnesotan. I installed the official Toyota XM kit myself, but mounted the antenna on the roof as per the Sirius instructions. You can remount your antenna very easily. (or ask your dealer to do it). Here is the thread you want that has the detailed installation and cable routing instructions in pdf attachments:

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-audio-electronics/46073-2006-toyota-xm-sirus-install-sheets.html

In a nutshell: The XM receiver box is mounted under the rear seat on the passenger side, and the antenna cable plugs into that. Just remove the antenna from the dash (the cable is most likely routed from the dash, along the passenger side floor trim, to the box under the rear seat cushion) -- and reroute the antenna and its cable from under the seat to the roof.

That said, even with the antenna on the roof, to me the signal dropouts "seem" more frequent in the Prius than in my other vehicles with XM (a Toyota Highlander and a Chevy Suburban). I think this is just a function of the Prius being a relatively low profile vehicle, that is more likely to have its signal blocked by tall vehicles or obstructions. Remember that the antenna needs a clear view to the southern sky. So for example, if you are driving eastbound in the left lane and a semi truck is to your right in the right lane, he may be blocking the antenna's view to the south no matter what. Still, such occurrences are pretty rare, and go away when the clear view to the south is restored.

Good luck and cheers,

Dave