How to Install a Radar Detector on a Jetta
A radar detector picks up the signal produced by police radar scanners and warns you to take notice of your speed while driving. Before you buy and install a radar detector in your Volkswagen Jetta, check with your local law enforcement agency to ensure the use of one in your area is legal. If you install one and use it where the law bans it, you could receive a fine if caught using it.
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Instructions
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Locate a spot on your windshield free of obstructions and high enough so the front and back of the detector have an unobstructed path between the front windshield and rear window of the Jetta. The best place is directly below the rearview mirror located on the windshield. This area has minimal window tinting and helps the detector blend in with the mirror.
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Attach the suction cup windshield adapter to the detector. Attach the adapter to the detector according to the model of detector you purchased. Some detectors have a retaining clip on the back of the suction cup that snaps onto the detector. Others use a clip that slides into one end of the detector and locks in place. Refer to the owner's manual that came with the detector.
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If your detector does not have a suction cup adapter, the next best place to attach the detector is on the passenger side windshield visor. Detectors that do not have suction cups will have a visor clip that you can attach. These clips attach to the detector in a similar manner as the suction cups. Again, refer to the owner's manual for the procedure for your model. Use the passenger side visor to minimize the likelihood of signal interruption due to the driver's head being in the way.
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A third option is to use a Velcro pad to mount the detector to your dash. This is the least effective method because the detector sits too low to detect radar coming through the rear window. Make this your last choice.
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Using an alcohol rub, clean the windshield where you will suction the detector to the glass. Windshields on the Jetta often become greasy when the heater blows onto the windshield. The alcohol rub will remove this grease. If you mount the detector to your dash, use the alcohol rub to clean the dash where you plan to attach the Velcro pad. This will clean the surface of the dash to promote better adhesion. If you are mounting the detector to your visor, you can skip this step.
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Suction the detector to the windshield by pressing it in place with your hand. If you are mounting your detector to the dash, remove the adhesive cover from one piece of the Velcro pad and place it on the dash. Remove the adhesive cover from the second piece of Velcro and place it on the back of the detector. Attach the detector to the pad on the dash. If you are using a visor mount, slip the visor clip onto the passenger side visor.
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Plug the power adapter into the plug on the back of the detector and then plug the other end into the cigarette lighter adapter or the 12-volt auxiliary jack. Your choice of adapter or jack depends on the year and model of Jetta you own.
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References
- Photo Credit Police image by Zeno from Fotolia.com
