With this age of fast-paced technology, truck manufacturers and producers keep up and adapt innovations to make driving more accessible and enjoyable.
But sometimes, it is hard for drivers, especially those not technology savvy, to follow these trends.
Bluetooth, for example, has been around for how many years already. And it is already a norm for trucks to have Bluetooth as it aids in navigation and other wireless applications.
Connecting a phone to your truck’s Bluetooth is much easier than driving your truck, so we assure you that you can do it yourself!
A Short Answer on How to Connect Phone to a Semi-truck Bluetooth:
To connect your phone to your truck’s Bluetooth: first, turn on the Bluetooth of the truck; second, Turn on the Bluetooth of your phone; and lastly, pair your phone with the truck’s Bluetooth. If Bluetooth connection is unsuccessful, clear obstructions, forget and reset, and check device distance.
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Why Connect Phone to Semi-truck Bluetooth?
What’s in it if you connect your phone to your truck’s Bluetooth? Well, there are a lot of reasons such as but here are three top reasons:
- Connecting your phone is essentially for your safety. Using your phone to text, call, or chat with someone can cause accidents on the road. Linking your phone directly to your truck makes it easier to control and access information on your phone without opening it.
- It is for easy-control entertainment and contact. While listening to the local radio is also fun, there are times when you want a particular song or playlist. Plus, you can directly answer calls without opening your phone.
- It preserves the phone’s battery. Using Bluetooth to connect your phone to your truck removes the cables while preserving your phone’s battery. You now don’t need to bring wires to connect your phone because Bluetooth is wireless.
Can All Phones Connect to Semi-truck Bluetooth?
Your phone is probably compatible with the Bluetooth of your semi truck since almost all phones are now updated with the latest technology.
However, it might need Bluetooth if you still have phones for texts and calls.
On the other hand, while you can connect your phone to your truck’s Bluetooth, the apps will also be limited to what your phone has.
Be sure to download the apps or music you need before connecting your phone to your semi.
How to Connect Phone to Freightliner Bluetooth?
Freightliners recently are producing trucks with stereos and control units with a visible Bluetooth button.
So, for more recent semis, these are the following steps to pair your phone with your truck:
- Press and hold the Bluetooth button
- If it is your first time adding your phone, scroll over the volume button to the “add phone option” and press the scroll button.
- On your phone, open your Bluetooth settings and look for the truck’s device. It commonly has a “radio” on its name.
- Still, on your phone, click on the truck’s device.
- If a pop-up question appears, click “Pair.”
- You must click phone and choose your device if many devices have been connected to the truck.
The Bluetooth menu might be hard to find for older trucks as it needs to be visible. Follow these steps instead:
- Click the “source and power” button until you get to Bluetooth.
- Then hold down one of the buttons on the bottom of the stereo to add a device. Wait until you see “new paring” on the screen.
- On your phone, open your Bluetooth settings and look for the truck’s device.
- Still, on your phone, click on the truck’s device.
- If a pop-up question appears, click “Pair.”
When you have previously connected your phone, you need to press and search your device via the screen and connect it.
Once you’ve successfully connected, it is easier to reconnect again next time since it has already been paired.
How to Connect Phone to Volvo Truck Bluetooth?
Connecting your phone to the Volvo truck’s Bluetooth is similar to the one above. Here are the steps:
- Press and hold the Bluetooth/call button, usually located on the upper left of your stereo. If you see “BT disabled” on your screen, press the volume button to enable it.
- Scroll until you reach “add phone,” and click the volume button.
- On your device, turn on your Bluetooth and open its settings. Look for your truck’s device name.
- Still, on your phone, click on your truck’s device.
- If a pop-up question appears, click “Pair.”
If you have previously connected your phone to the truck, choose “connect phone.” And that’s it! Easy peasy for everyone.
How to Connect Phone to International Truck Bluetooth?
For International truck users, don’t worry because you’re the next. To connect your phone to your truck:
- Press the green phone button placed on the lower left of the stereo.
- Scroll and press the “pair device” option. The name of the truck’s device will be flashed on your screen.
- On your phone, turn on your Bluetooth and open its settings. Look for your truck’s device name.
- Still, on your phone, click on your truck’s device.
- If a pop-up question appears, click “Pair.”
- Once it is successfully connected, there will be a message on the truck’s stereo verifying the connectivity. Just press the okay button.
If you’ve already previously paired with the stereo, then instead of “pair device,” scroll and choose “connect device.”
How to Connect Phone to Kenworth Bluetooth?
For Kenworth trucks, this is how to connect your phone to the truck’s stereo device:
- Press and hold the Bluetooth/call button on the upper left of your stereo. If you see “BT disabled” on your screen, press the volume button to enable it.
- Scroll until you reach “add phone,” and click the volume button.
- On your device, turn on your Bluetooth and open its settings. Look for your truck’s device name.
- Still, on your phone, click on your truck’s device.
- If a pop-up question appears, click “Pair.”
If you have previously connected your phone to the truck, choose “connect phone.” This is the same guide for Volvo trucks.
Typical Problems When Connecting Phone to Semi-truck Bluetooth?
Connecting your phone to your semi truck is relatively easy.
However, there can still be problems, especially if you connect your phone for the first time, if the truck is second-hand, or if it is different from your usual truck.
One is the problem of finding the Bluetooth device of the truck. It is hard to determine the device name of the truck, especially when there are many devices around you. T
To solve this, try to connect your phone to a place away from places with many people. If too many devices are connected to the truck, drivers cannot connect a new device.
Truck stereos have maximum device pairing. To avoid problems like this, better clear the devices on the truck before pairing or connecting your device.
What Can You Do for Better Bluetooth Connectivity?
Unlike phones that have a lot of screens and a lot of settings, trucks only have limits. So, it can be frustrating if a problem can’t be solved.
If the problems still occur, you can connect your phone to your truck through these tips!
- Clear obstructions. Objects above or between the phone and the stereo can block the Bluetooth connection. Make sure to keep the space around them neat and unblocked for an uninterrupted link.
- Turn off other devices. This is also mentioned earlier. Sometimes it is hard to find the device because many Bluetooth devices are turned on. Make sure to turn off the Bluetooth of your other devices to avoid confusion.
- Check the distance of your device. Although Bluetooth is wireless, there is a limit to it. If your phone is too far, it cannot detect the Bluetooth of the truck stereo. Pairing your device while in the truck for easier connection is better.
- Avoid pairing only once. If you will use the truck regularly, avoid pairing it just once and make it a trusted connection. This will automatically connect your phone to the truck’s Bluetooth whenever it detects it.
- Forget and reset. If all else fails, forget your truck’s device, disconnect the phone on the truck, and pair it again, just like the first time.
