Alexa Built-In
If you enjoy using Amazon Alexa at home, you can also use it in your properly equipped vehicle to play music, place calls, get directions and more.
About Alexa Built-In
Alexa Built-In,* part of your infotainment system,* offers many of the same skills and features as Alexa in your home. You can choose to set Alexa as the default voice system in the vehicle.
In addition to a properly equipped vehicle, you’ll need an eligible active service plan* or trial and an Amazon account. Eligible plans include the Premium, Connected Vehicle and App Access plans.
Getting started
Before using Alexa in your vehicle:
- If you don’t have an Amazon account, create one at amazon.com
- For best results, download the Amazon Alexa mobile app to your phone, which allows you to access linked accounts and media services. You can find it in the Google PlayTM* or Apple App Store®*
- Download the associated skills and link accounts to the media services you’d like to access in the Alexa mobile app in Settings> Music & Podcasts (e.g., Spotify,* Audible,* iHeartRadio* or Amazon Music)
- If you are currently listening on a home device using the same account, no action is required and your skills will be available in your vehicle
- Pair your phone with the vehicle via Buetooth*
- Complete the in-vehicle setup process and link your applicable accounts
- Tap on the in-vehicle Alexa app to complete the in-vehicle setup process or by scanning the QR code and signing in to your Amazon account
Using Alexa
To wake Alexa, simply say “Alexa” and a command (Google built-in only). Alternatively, you can press and release the Push to Talk button on your steering wheel or tap the Alexa button on the center display.
Making phone calls
- Your phone must be Bluetooth®* paired in order to make phone calls and access your phone contacts
- After waking Alexa, say “Alexa, call...” followed by the name of a contact or phone number (e.g., “Alexa, call John Doe” or “Alexa, call 313-665-2000”)
*Apple CarPlay must be disconnected in order to make calls with Alexa.
Navigation and location details
- With embedded navigation, you can ask Alexa to navigate by address, business name, contact name, home or work. Plus, easily search points of interest and add them as stops along the way
- Say “Alexa, show me nearby coffee shops,” and Alexa will provide a list of the closest options on your center display which you can then navigate to
- If you don’t have embedded Navigation or Turn-by-Turn Navigation, you can ask for route overview or traffic information (e.g., “Alexa, how long will it take me to get to work?”)
Streaming media
- To play music, say “Alexa, play” followed by the name of an artist, song, album, playlist, channel, podcast, book, AM/FM radio station or SiriusXM®* station name or number (if your vehicle has SiriusXM)
- Alexa will play content from the sources linked on your Alexa account (such as Spotify, Pandora,* Audible, iHeartRadio or Amazon Music), or through your vehicle’s radio tuner
- Example: “Alexa, play Z100 New York on iHeartRadio”
- You can control playback using commands such as “Pause,” “Skip,” “Next,” “Previous,” etc.
- Additional controls may be available for certain channels and service providers, including “Thumbs Up,” adding a station, adding songs to a playlist, etc.
Climate control
- To control the temperature, say “Alexa, set temperature” followed by the desired driver, passenger or rear temperature. Auto mode can be set for front and rear temperatures
- Example: “Alexa, set driver-side temperature to 68”
*Note: Climate Control is not available in vehicles with Google built-In
Volume control
- To control volume in your vehicle, say “Alexa, set volume” followed by your desired volume level. You can also turn volume down through voice commands
- Example: “Alexa, increase/decrease volume”
- To mute/unmute volume in your vehicle, say “Alexa mute/unmute volume”
*Not available on Google built-In
Additional Alexa functionality
- If you link your account, you can use most of the functionality available on devices in your home with Alexa Built-In (select “Things to try” from the Alexa Settings menu to learn more), including:
- Find your nearest GM Dealership or auto service center
- Find the nearest gas station
- Control your compatible smart home devices*
- Ask for the time, calendar information, weather, facts, etc.
- Visit amazon.com/alexa-auto to learn about additional functionality
- Find your nearest GM Dealership or auto service center
For your security, please don’t include personal info such as phone number, address or credit card details.
Q&As
Looking for something else?
To find out if your vehicle has this feature, contact your dealer or refer to your vehicle’s equipment list. Please check your vehicle Owner’s Manual for more information about features.