Thread Edit: Oct 15 2013 - Added Wish List Items / Updated known issues
Descriptions and Features
The RA3 and RA4 Radios, what are they?
These radio options are commonly referred to as an Infotainment system as they are a combination of radio tuners (AM-FM-XM), a media player (iPod or various memory devices) as well as a control interface for the vehicle. Depending on the model of radio they support different features which I will explain later in this post. All of the 8.4" units have some common features among them such as how they interact with the vehicle.
Each radio has a common software loaded onto it that is shared among many platforms of vehicle. The software is able to "talk to the vehicle" and find out what type, and trim level the vehicle is and display information and interact with various parts of the vehicle based on what that vehicle has in it. I use the words "talk to" for a reason because the software on the radio and the radio itself are not related to very many operational items in the vehicle. For example, you may be able to save the seat seatings, or change a comfort feature on the radio screen, but the radio is not actually "controlling" that device itself. The radio receives the input from you the user, then tells the seat module to save the setting and maybe the HVAC (Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning) module that you want a certain temperature maintained. For those of you who may have experienced a setting that unchecked itself, this is usually cause by the module not acknowledging the change you made and often nothing to do with the radio.
The actual "Head Unit" itself as the radio is often referred to may be configured with different optional cards to support different features. The radio code of RA3 refers to the head unit that does not have navigation, however there are also other optional components at both the RA3 and RA4 that may be different based on your region. For example, not all regions get SiriusXM which can be identified as by the build code "RSD". The software can tell if the head unit has this component and adjust the available inputs accordingly. There are various other features that are available including UConnect Access which is a Cellular Card built into the head unit allowing independent access to data and cell networks. You would need to refer to the options built in your specific vehicle for all of the details.
A brief note on UConnect Access which I will expand upon later... It uses a Sierra wireless card in order to receive commands that can tell the head unit to perform actions such as initiate a remote start. It can also be asked to send a diagnostic report, download new information or applications and can initiate calls for emergency or service related items. At this time, updates for the base software in the radio cannot be downloaded via the Sierra card or via any mobile data connection directly to the car. I will be noting some more information about the software updates and version in Post #2
The RA3 and RA4 Radios, what are they not?
As mentioned earlier on the head unit really only contains its own communications pieces and the audio playback components (the amplifier components are located elsewhere). This means that the modules located throughout the vehicle like HVAC, Seats, Lighting and Collision Mitigation systems are not in any way physically part of the head unit. This means that software changes on the head unit cannot upgrade features of the vehicle. It has been discussed a few times about temperature sensors, climate control or even air suspension not operating as expected. If there is an update released that changes or corrects something such as the temperature that is recalled when you remote start a vehicle, this is not related to the head unit in almost all cases. These type of changes are firmware that needs to be loaded directly onto the module and in my example the HVAC module. At time of posting this there is still a reported issue of the outside temperature not being accurate, again this is a module update and not related to the radio.
Detailed Descriptions for all 2014 8.4" or 5" Radios
An excellent resource for all thinks WK2 is WK2Jeeps.com. There are complete vehicle specification and detailed "how to". For a complete listing of all of the North American radio features please see here: Jeep Grand Cherokee WK2 - 2014 model year radios
This site is a fantastic resourse, I recommend you browse the table of contents, there is a lot of useful information there.
Descriptions and Features
The RA3 and RA4 Radios, what are they?
These radio options are commonly referred to as an Infotainment system as they are a combination of radio tuners (AM-FM-XM), a media player (iPod or various memory devices) as well as a control interface for the vehicle. Depending on the model of radio they support different features which I will explain later in this post. All of the 8.4" units have some common features among them such as how they interact with the vehicle.
Each radio has a common software loaded onto it that is shared among many platforms of vehicle. The software is able to "talk to the vehicle" and find out what type, and trim level the vehicle is and display information and interact with various parts of the vehicle based on what that vehicle has in it. I use the words "talk to" for a reason because the software on the radio and the radio itself are not related to very many operational items in the vehicle. For example, you may be able to save the seat seatings, or change a comfort feature on the radio screen, but the radio is not actually "controlling" that device itself. The radio receives the input from you the user, then tells the seat module to save the setting and maybe the HVAC (Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning) module that you want a certain temperature maintained. For those of you who may have experienced a setting that unchecked itself, this is usually cause by the module not acknowledging the change you made and often nothing to do with the radio.
The actual "Head Unit" itself as the radio is often referred to may be configured with different optional cards to support different features. The radio code of RA3 refers to the head unit that does not have navigation, however there are also other optional components at both the RA3 and RA4 that may be different based on your region. For example, not all regions get SiriusXM which can be identified as by the build code "RSD". The software can tell if the head unit has this component and adjust the available inputs accordingly. There are various other features that are available including UConnect Access which is a Cellular Card built into the head unit allowing independent access to data and cell networks. You would need to refer to the options built in your specific vehicle for all of the details.
A brief note on UConnect Access which I will expand upon later... It uses a Sierra wireless card in order to receive commands that can tell the head unit to perform actions such as initiate a remote start. It can also be asked to send a diagnostic report, download new information or applications and can initiate calls for emergency or service related items. At this time, updates for the base software in the radio cannot be downloaded via the Sierra card or via any mobile data connection directly to the car. I will be noting some more information about the software updates and version in Post #2
The RA3 and RA4 Radios, what are they not?
As mentioned earlier on the head unit really only contains its own communications pieces and the audio playback components (the amplifier components are located elsewhere). This means that the modules located throughout the vehicle like HVAC, Seats, Lighting and Collision Mitigation systems are not in any way physically part of the head unit. This means that software changes on the head unit cannot upgrade features of the vehicle. It has been discussed a few times about temperature sensors, climate control or even air suspension not operating as expected. If there is an update released that changes or corrects something such as the temperature that is recalled when you remote start a vehicle, this is not related to the head unit in almost all cases. These type of changes are firmware that needs to be loaded directly onto the module and in my example the HVAC module. At time of posting this there is still a reported issue of the outside temperature not being accurate, again this is a module update and not related to the radio.
Detailed Descriptions for all 2014 8.4" or 5" Radios
An excellent resource for all thinks WK2 is WK2Jeeps.com. There are complete vehicle specification and detailed "how to". For a complete listing of all of the North American radio features please see here: Jeep Grand Cherokee WK2 - 2014 model year radios
This site is a fantastic resourse, I recommend you browse the table of contents, there is a lot of useful information there.