Don't lose the radio code! If the code for the original OEM radio went missing you could call AoA and give them your VIN# and the SN from the radio and they'd be able to get the code for you. That won't be true anymore when you replace the radio, even though it's a factory unit.

Also, I've found that the best place to get radio keys is Wal-Mart. They take ages to ship from Amazon or eBay and anybody that says "you need these special $40 radio removal tools because Audi" is full of ****. The keys you need look like this:



You'll be using the longest side, and it helps hook the releases easier if you bend them slightly inwards towards the center of the radio.


BTW, YGPM re: your username.

 

what do you mean by radio code? i can't just plug in the new one, and it'll work just fine?

 

when you got the replacement one did it come with a code? i know these radios have codes and if you dont have it youll just have a fancy brick, i personally went with a pioneer and i love the sound quality

 

^Correct. Your new radio should come with a 4 digit numerical code that you'll need in order to unlock the radio so you can use it. Our radios have an anti-theft feature called "Safe Mode" that renders the radio useless when 12v+ is disconnected from the head unit. The up side is that if somebody steals your radio they won't be able to use it. The down sides are

1. What thief actually knows this or cares?
2. If you accidentally disconnect the 12v+ from the radio for any reason, you'll need the code to unlock it.
3. As I said above, if you lose the code to this new radio, AoA can't help you get it back.

 

ugh. i'm guessing there is no code on the actual unit for me to check, right? cause i'll look, but i don't think i got a code with it. in case i didn't get a code, and the seller (from china or korea) doesn't have it, i'll just have to buy an aftermarket head unit, right? the only reason i chose to get an oem stereo replacement is cause i couldn't find a head unit with "controls cd changer" in teh description. i even looked last night again for a head unit that controls a cd changer, but no dice.

 

Where did you buy it from? When I got mine from ECS the code was taped to the side of the radio. The original code was on a business card sized piece of paper and should have been in your owner's manual if you got one.

 

i'll look when i get home. i still have everything that was sent with it.