How do I change the clock shown on my car's infotainment display?
Quick answer
Open the infotainment settings and look for clock, date, or time options; the exact menu path depends on the vehicle, so check its owner’s manual. If automatic time updating is on, switch it off before trying manual time entry, if your manual instructs you to. If available, check the time-zone setting too: manual selection may be unavailable while automatic time-zone selection is on. Confirm the display after changing a setting.
The question, the details, the next step.
The clock on my car’s infotainment display is wrong. Where should I start?
Start in the infotainment settings, looking for a section named something like “Time,” “Clock,” or “Date and Time.” Treat those as search terms, not guaranteed menu labels: the path and available controls vary by vehicle. Your owner’s manual is the right guide for the exact steps.
Once you find the clock controls, check whether automatic time or date updating is enabled. The 2020 Chevrolet infotainment guide documents automatic updating and manual time entry; for the system it covers, manual entry is unavailable while the corresponding automatic setting is on. It also says menus and options may differ in other vehicles. [S1]
If you want to set the time yourself, check your manual to see whether automatic updating needs to be turned off first. Don’t assume every infotainment system has the same controls.
I can see a time field, but it won’t let me edit it. What should I check?
Look for an automatic time or automatic date/time control in the same settings area. If it is on, the system may be managing the value rather than allowing manual entry. For the Chevrolet system covered by the guide, manual time entry is unavailable while automatic time updating is on. [S1]
If your vehicle’s manual says to disable automatic updating to enter the time, follow that vehicle-specific instruction, then return to the time field. Use the displayed controls to enter the value and confirm or save if the system offers that option. If the field remains unavailable, check the manual’s clock section for a different mode or feature limitation rather than guessing at other settings.
The displayed time is still off by an hour. Should I change the time zone?
Check whether your system has a time-zone option and whether it is set to automatic or manual. The Chevrolet guide documents automatic or manually selected time zones where equipped, and says manual time-zone selection is unavailable while the corresponding automatic setting is on. [S1] That does not establish that a time-zone mismatch is the cause of your clock being off, or that your vehicle has this feature.
Use your owner’s manual to identify the correct setting and any prerequisite for changing it. If the display offers a time-zone choice, compare the selected option with the location you intend to use; don’t pick a zone simply to compensate for an unexplained clock error. You can note the current display and settings before making a change.
What’s a simple way to check the result and remember what I changed?
After changing a setting, return to the normal display and check whether the clock shows the time you intended. If it still looks wrong, record what the screen showed and which options were enabled instead of repeatedly changing settings at random. Then consult the owner’s manual for your vehicle’s exact menu path and available modes.
You can copy and fill in this note:
“Vehicle: [year, make, model]. Clock shown: [displayed time]. Intended time: [time]. Automatic time/date updating: [on/off/not shown]. Time-zone option: [automatic/manual/not shown]. Change made: [setting and value]. Result: [what the display shows now]. Manual section checked: [title or page, if known].”
These observations can help keep troubleshooting focused. The Chevrolet guide describes options for one infotainment system; it does not establish the correct menu, settings, or solution for other vehicles. [S1]
A practical checklist
Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual for the infotainment clock menu.
Note the displayed time and the time you intend the clock to show.
Check whether automatic time or date updating is enabled.
If using manual entry, follow the manual’s instructions about automatic settings first.
Check a time-zone option only if your system provides one, and record the result after a change.
A few more useful answers
Does every infotainment system have a manual time setting?
No. Available options and menu paths depend on the vehicle. Check your owner’s manual rather than assuming another vehicle’s instructions apply.
Why might a time or time-zone control be unavailable?
On the Chevrolet system described in the guide, the corresponding manual control is unavailable while its automatic setting is on. Other systems may differ. [S1]
What if the clock is still wrong after I change a setting?
Record the displayed time and the settings you checked, then review your vehicle’s manual for its specific instructions. The Chevrolet guide does not establish a fix for every vehicle or clock issue.
Sources
References used for this guide.
- [S1] 2020 Chevrolet Infotainment System Owners Manual chevrolet.com · Checked