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2017 Facelifted car, with SD card - downgrade headunit?

Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2021 9:12 pm
by Ianharbron
A question.

2017 facelifted qashqai’s have the D shape steering wheel with extra buttons but no good hands free software or option.

A thread exists for changing to the non-SD headunit but is very involved.

Is it possible to downgrade, fitting an earlier headunit 2015/2016, would this have hands free telephone options?

Re: 2017 Facelifted car, with SD card - downgrade headunit?

Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2021 7:54 am
by MikeGC
You don’t say which model you have however you should be able to play music and make & receive phone calls via Bluetooth - I certainly could in my 2017 QQ

Re: 2017 Facelifted car, with SD card - downgrade headunit?

Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2021 8:21 am
by Ianharbron
I have a 2017, 67 ref facelifted N-Connecta.

It has the D shape steering wheel and the SD card head unit.
Newer years/model have the non SD head unit and more features.
The older qashqai has the same looking SD card head unit but hands free dialling works better and I understand the voice dialling or address book works. That is the features I want.

I don’t like pressing the button to activate the phone system but then using the head unit to select the person and number.

Re: 2017 Facelifted car, with SD card - downgrade headunit?

Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2021 8:37 am
by MikeGC
I’m not entirely sure I have heard of the system you describe.
My 2014 Juke and 2017 QQ (with the wheel and connect unit you describe) both worked well using the steering wheel controls.
Incidentally, I 100% prefer the controls on the steering wheel, less time looking away from the road and no reaching over and hoping to get the "sweet spot" on the touch screen.
However, each to their own.

Hopefully, someone will be able to help.

Re: 2017 Facelifted car, with SD card - downgrade headunit?

Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2021 1:10 pm
by Weasel
Mike is correct...once your phone is connected via Bluetooth you can make and answer calls.

I have a 19 plate with the D-Steering wheel and SD Connect and to make calls I just use the "OK Google, call Rudy Giuliani" and the hands free works spot on.

Same for answering calls, when a call comes in I just press the answer button on the steering wheel and the hang up button when the call is over.

Re: 2017 Facelifted car, with SD card - downgrade headunit?

Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2021 3:40 pm
by gloucester
No one has asked that question before.

In fact I didn't realise that the deletion of the steering wheel button action came with the J11b as opposed to the new audio unit.

Re: 2017 Facelifted car, with SD card - downgrade headunit?

Posted: Mon May 03, 2021 7:47 pm
by Ianharbron
The d steering wheel has the phone buttons but pressing the call button just activates the phone system on the headunit.
The voice activated dialling does not work and I can’t control or navigate the address book. All that is by the headunit.

The steering wheel hang up phone button works, it hangs up.

I have an iPhone and don’t use Siri or Google, my phone is usually in my pocket and not accessible, the phone microphone not getting used for mobile hands free dialling or instructions.

Does anybody have hands free voice activated dialling, or a way to navigate the phone book without using the headunit?

Re: 2017 Facelifted car, with SD card - downgrade headunit?

Posted: Mon May 03, 2021 7:54 pm
by MikeGC
Until I got CarPlay I also kept my iPhone in my pocket (unless it needed charging)

I think it’s Siri that makes the call.
Mobile data on
Bluetooth on
Press and hold the button (essentially you are pressing the Home button on your iPhone)
Siri makes an electronic beep
Say "call Joe Bloggs"
Siri/phone dials
Obviously you have to allow your contacts to be downloaded into the head unit

Incidentally, you can dictate a text message using the same processes