diff --git a/core/service/src/androidMain/kotlin/org/meshtastic/core/service/MeshServiceNotificationsImpl.kt b/core/service/src/androidMain/kotlin/org/meshtastic/core/service/MeshServiceNotificationsImpl.kt
index bc982fa25..37764047f 100644
--- a/core/service/src/androidMain/kotlin/org/meshtastic/core/service/MeshServiceNotificationsImpl.kt
+++ b/core/service/src/androidMain/kotlin/org/meshtastic/core/service/MeshServiceNotificationsImpl.kt
@@ -920,7 +920,10 @@ class MeshServiceNotificationsImpl(
                 PendingIntent.FLAG_UPDATE_CURRENT or PendingIntent.FLAG_IMMUTABLE,
             )
 
-        return NotificationCompat.Action.Builder(android.R.drawable.ic_menu_add, label, pendingIntent).build()
+        return NotificationCompat.Action.Builder(android.R.drawable.ic_menu_add, label, pendingIntent)
+            .setSemanticAction(NotificationCompat.Action.SEMANTIC_ACTION_NONE)
+            .setShowsUserInterface(false)
+            .build()
     }
 
     private fun commonBuilder(
diff --git a/feature/auto/build.gradle.kts b/feature/auto/build.gradle.kts
index 54a33c302..692285118 100644
--- a/feature/auto/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/feature/auto/build.gradle.kts
@@ -23,10 +23,6 @@ plugins {
 android {
     namespace = "org.meshtastic.feature.auto"
     resourcePrefix = "auto_"
-
-    // Car App Library requires API 23+; bump above the app's default minSdk
-    // so we can use conversation shortcuts and LocusId APIs cleanly.
-    defaultConfig { minSdk = 23 }
 }
 
 dependencies {
diff --git a/feature/auto/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml b/feature/auto/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml
index 8cf24a494..e9fbb05ec 100644
--- a/feature/auto/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml
+++ b/feature/auto/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml
@@ -17,16 +17,12 @@
   -->
 <manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android">
 
-    <!-- Android Auto: declare as a messaging/communications app -->
+    <!-- Android Auto Car App Service for browsable messaging UI -->
     <application>
-        <meta-data
-            android:name="com.google.android.gms.car.application"
-            android:resource="@xml/auto_app_desc" />
-
-        <!-- Android Auto Car App Service for browsable messaging UI -->
         <service
             android:name="org.meshtastic.feature.auto.MeshtasticCarAppService"
-            android:exported="true">
+            android:exported="true"
+            android:permission="androidx.car.app.CarAppService">
             <intent-filter>
                 <action android:name="androidx.car.app.CarAppService" />
                 <category android:name="androidx.car.app.category.MESSAGING" />
diff --git a/feature/auto/src/main/kotlin/org/meshtastic/feature/auto/CarScreenDataBuilder.kt b/feature/auto/src/main/kotlin/org/meshtastic/feature/auto/CarScreenDataBuilder.kt
index fa6a883ae..49e701ff0 100644
--- a/feature/auto/src/main/kotlin/org/meshtastic/feature/auto/CarScreenDataBuilder.kt
+++ b/feature/auto/src/main/kotlin/org/meshtastic/feature/auto/CarScreenDataBuilder.kt
@@ -55,12 +55,18 @@ internal object CarScreenDataBuilder {
      *
      * @param resolveUser Returns the [User] for a given node-ID string. The caller is responsible
      *   for providing a null-safe fallback (typically [NodeRepository.getUser]).
+     * @param channelLabel Produces the display name for a channel given its index.
+     *   Defaults to `"Channel N"`; callers can supply a localised string.
+     * @param unknownLabel Fallback display name when neither long name nor short name is available.
+     *   Defaults to `"Unknown"`; callers can supply a localised string.
      */
     fun buildCarContacts(
         merged: Map<String, DataPacket>,
         myId: String?,
         channelSet: ChannelSet,
         resolveUser: (String) -> User,
+        channelLabel: (Int) -> String = { "Channel $it" },
+        unknownLabel: String = "Unknown",
     ): List<CarContact> {
         val all = merged.map { (contactKey, packet) ->
             val fromLocal = packet.from == DataPacket.ID_LOCAL || packet.from == myId
@@ -72,11 +78,11 @@ internal object CarScreenDataBuilder {
 
             val displayName = if (toBroadcast) {
                 channelSet.getChannel(packet.channel)?.name?.takeIf { it.isNotEmpty() }
-                    ?: "Channel ${packet.channel}"
+                    ?: channelLabel(packet.channel)
             } else {
                 // userId can be null for malformed packets (e.g. both `from` and `to` are null).
                 // Fall back to a broadcast lookup which returns an "Unknown" user rather than crashing.
-                user.long_name.ifEmpty { user.short_name }.ifEmpty { "Unknown" }
+                user.long_name.ifEmpty { user.short_name }.ifEmpty { unknownLabel }
             }
 
             // Mirror ContactsViewModel: prefix received DM text with the sender's short name,
@@ -125,21 +131,31 @@ internal object CarScreenDataBuilder {
      * - `"Offline · <time ago>"` when [Node.lastHeard] is set
      * - `"Offline"` otherwise
      *
+     * @param labelOnline  Localised "Online" label; defaults to English.
+     * @param labelOffline Localised "Offline" label; defaults to English.
+     * @param labelDirect  Suffix appended when [Node.hopsAway] == 0 (include leading " · ");
+     *   defaults to `" · Direct"`.
+     * @param labelHops    Produces the hop-count suffix given the count (include leading " · ");
+     *   defaults to `" · N hops"`.
      * @param formatRelativeTime Converts a millis timestamp to a human-readable "X ago" string.
      *   Defaults to [DateFormatter.formatRelativeTime]; injectable for testing.
      */
     fun nodeStatusText(
         node: Node,
+        labelOnline: String = "Online",
+        labelOffline: String = "Offline",
+        labelDirect: String = " · Direct",
+        labelHops: (Int) -> String = { " · $it hops" },
         formatRelativeTime: (Long) -> String = DateFormatter::formatRelativeTime,
     ): String = buildString {
         if (node.isOnline) {
-            append("Online")
+            append(labelOnline)
             when {
-                node.hopsAway == 0 -> append(" · Direct")
-                node.hopsAway > 0 -> append(" · ${node.hopsAway} hops")
+                node.hopsAway == 0 -> append(labelDirect)
+                node.hopsAway > 0 -> append(labelHops(node.hopsAway))
             }
         } else {
-            append("Offline")
+            append(labelOffline)
             if (node.lastHeard > 0) {
                 append(" · ${formatRelativeTime(node.lastHeard * 1000L)}")
             }
@@ -166,27 +182,34 @@ internal object CarScreenDataBuilder {
      * Returns the message preview line for a contact row (Text 1 in the Car UI row).
      *
      * Mirrors `ChatMetadata`'s `lastMessageText` display: shows the last message text
-     * (with sender prefix for received DMs), or `"No messages yet"` for empty channels.
+     * (with sender prefix for received DMs), or [noMessagesLabel] for empty channels.
+     *
+     * @param noMessagesLabel Localised empty-state label; defaults to `"No messages yet"`.
      */
-    fun contactPreviewText(contact: CarContact): String =
-        contact.lastMessageText?.takeIf { it.isNotEmpty() } ?: "No messages yet"
+    fun contactPreviewText(
+        contact: CarContact,
+        noMessagesLabel: String = "No messages yet",
+    ): String = contact.lastMessageText?.takeIf { it.isNotEmpty() } ?: noMessagesLabel
 
     /**
      * Returns the secondary metadata line for a contact row (Text 2 in the Car UI row).
      *
      * Mirrors ContactItem's unread badge + date header:
-     * - `"N unread"` when there are unread messages
+     * - [unreadLabel] result when there are unread messages
      * - Formatted short date of the last message otherwise
      * - Empty string when there are no messages at all
      *
+     * @param unreadLabel  Produces the unread-count label given the count.
+     *   Defaults to `"N unread"`; callers can supply a localised format string.
      * @param formatShortDate Converts a millis timestamp to a short date string.
      *   Defaults to [DateFormatter.formatShortDate]; injectable for testing.
      */
     fun contactSecondaryText(
         contact: CarContact,
+        unreadLabel: (Int) -> String = { "$it unread" },
         formatShortDate: (Long) -> String = DateFormatter::formatShortDate,
     ): String = when {
-        contact.unreadCount > 0 -> "${contact.unreadCount} unread"
+        contact.unreadCount > 0 -> unreadLabel(contact.unreadCount)
         contact.lastMessageTime != null -> formatShortDate(contact.lastMessageTime)
         else -> ""
     }
diff --git a/feature/auto/src/main/kotlin/org/meshtastic/feature/auto/MeshtasticCarAppService.kt b/feature/auto/src/main/kotlin/org/meshtastic/feature/auto/MeshtasticCarAppService.kt
index b6bd73793..cc1a82ce2 100644
--- a/feature/auto/src/main/kotlin/org/meshtastic/feature/auto/MeshtasticCarAppService.kt
+++ b/feature/auto/src/main/kotlin/org/meshtastic/feature/auto/MeshtasticCarAppService.kt
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ class MeshtasticCarAppService : CarAppService() {
             HostValidator.ALLOW_ALL_HOSTS_VALIDATOR
         } else {
             HostValidator.Builder(applicationContext)
-                .addAllowedHosts(androidx.car.app.R.array.hosts_allowlist_sample)
+                .addAllowedHosts(androidx.car.app.R.array.hosts_allowlist)
                 .build()
         }
     }
diff --git a/feature/auto/src/main/kotlin/org/meshtastic/feature/auto/MeshtasticCarScreen.kt b/feature/auto/src/main/kotlin/org/meshtastic/feature/auto/MeshtasticCarScreen.kt
index 43fee316e..d84ab2ad2 100644
--- a/feature/auto/src/main/kotlin/org/meshtastic/feature/auto/MeshtasticCarScreen.kt
+++ b/feature/auto/src/main/kotlin/org/meshtastic/feature/auto/MeshtasticCarScreen.kt
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ package org.meshtastic.feature.auto
 import androidx.car.app.CarAppApiLevels
 import androidx.car.app.CarContext
 import androidx.car.app.Screen
+import androidx.car.app.constraints.ConstraintManager
 import androidx.car.app.model.Action
 import androidx.car.app.model.CarColor
 import androidx.car.app.model.CarIcon
@@ -88,6 +89,16 @@ class MeshtasticCarScreen(carContext: CarContext) :
 
     private val scope = CoroutineScope(Dispatchers.Main + SupervisorJob())
 
+    /**
+     * Per-host list item cap, retrieved once on first template render via
+     * [ConstraintManager.getContentLimit]. Replaces a hardcoded constant so that
+     * hosts that allow more than the minimum 5 items are fully utilised.
+     */
+    private val listContentLimit: Int by lazy {
+        carContext.getCarService(ConstraintManager::class.java)
+            .getContentLimit(ConstraintManager.CONTENT_LIMIT_TYPE_LIST)
+    }
+
     private var activeTabId = TAB_STATUS
     private var connectionState: ConnectionState = ConnectionState.Disconnected
 
@@ -105,10 +116,14 @@ class MeshtasticCarScreen(carContext: CarContext) :
     private var contacts: List<CarContact> = emptyList()
 
     /**
-     * True until the first [collect] emission arrives from the repository flows, preventing a
-     * flash of an empty/disconnected screen on Car API ≥ 5 hosts.
+     * True until the first combined emission from all repository flows arrives.
+     *
+     * On Car API ≥ 5 this prevents a flash of empty content before data loads by showing a
+     * [MessageTemplate] loading spinner. On older API levels the loading spinner is unavailable
+     * so [isLoading] starts as `false` and the fallback [ListTemplate] handles the empty state
+     * with [ItemList.Builder.setNoItemsMessage].
      */
-    private var isLoading = true
+    private var isLoading = carContext.carAppApiLevel >= CarAppApiLevels.LEVEL_5
 
     init {
         lifecycle.addObserver(this)
@@ -123,68 +138,67 @@ class MeshtasticCarScreen(carContext: CarContext) :
     }
 
     private fun startObserving() {
-        // Observe the contact list (channels + DMs) with reactive unread counts.
+        // Build the contacts sub-flow independently so it can feed the outer combine below.
+        val contactsFlow = combine(
+            nodeRepository.myId,
+            packetRepository.getContacts(),
+            radioConfigRepository.channelSetFlow,
+        ) { myId, rawContacts, channelSet ->
+            // Channel placeholders are always included so every configured channel is
+            // visible even before any messages have been sent/received.
+            val placeholders = CarScreenDataBuilder.buildChannelPlaceholders(channelSet)
+            // Real DB entries take precedence over placeholders when present.
+            val merged = rawContacts + (placeholders - rawContacts.keys)
+            CarScreenDataBuilder.buildCarContacts(
+                merged, myId, channelSet,
+                resolveUser = { userId -> nodeRepository.getUser(userId) },
+                channelLabel = { carContext.getString(R.string.auto_channel_number, it) },
+                unknownLabel = carContext.getString(R.string.auto_unknown),
+            )
+        }
+            .distinctUntilChanged()
+            .flatMapLatest { baseContacts ->
+                if (baseContacts.isEmpty()) {
+                    flowOf(emptyList())
+                } else {
+                    val unreadFlows = baseContacts.map { contact ->
+                        packetRepository.getUnreadCountFlow(contact.contactKey)
+                            .map { unread -> contact.copy(unreadCount = unread) }
+                    }
+                    combine(unreadFlows) { it.toList() }
+                }
+            }
+
+        val favoritesFlow = nodeRepository.nodeDBbyNum
+            .map { db -> CarScreenDataBuilder.sortFavorites(db.values) }
+            .distinctUntilChanged()
+
+        // All three data sources feed a single combined collector so that each batch of
+        // repository changes produces exactly one invalidate() call, avoiding unnecessary
+        // template rebuilds and staying well within the host's update-rate budget.
         scope.launch {
             combine(
-                nodeRepository.myId,
-                packetRepository.getContacts(),
-                radioConfigRepository.channelSetFlow,
-            ) { myId, rawContacts, channelSet ->
-                // Channel placeholders are always included so every configured channel is
-                // visible even before any messages have been sent/received.
-                val placeholders = CarScreenDataBuilder.buildChannelPlaceholders(channelSet)
-                // Real DB entries take precedence over placeholders when present.
-                val merged = rawContacts + (placeholders - rawContacts.keys)
-                CarScreenDataBuilder.buildCarContacts(merged, myId, channelSet) { userId ->
-                    nodeRepository.getUser(userId)
-                }
-            }
-                .distinctUntilChanged()
-                .flatMapLatest { baseContacts ->
-                    if (baseContacts.isEmpty()) {
-                        flowOf(emptyList())
-                    } else {
-                        val unreadFlows = baseContacts.map { contact ->
-                            packetRepository.getUnreadCountFlow(contact.contactKey)
-                                .map { unread -> contact.copy(unreadCount = unread) }
-                        }
-                        combine(unreadFlows) { it.toList() }
-                    }
-                }
-                .collect { updated ->
-                    contacts = updated
+                serviceRepository.connectionState,
+                favoritesFlow,
+                contactsFlow,
+            ) { connState, favs, ctcts -> Triple(connState, favs, ctcts) }
+                .collect { (connState, favs, ctcts) ->
+                    connectionState = connState
+                    favorites = favs
+                    contacts = ctcts
                     isLoading = false
                     invalidate()
                 }
         }
-
-        // Connection state is observed separately since it only affects the Status tab.
-        scope.launch {
-            serviceRepository.connectionState.collect { state ->
-                connectionState = state
-                invalidate()
-            }
-        }
-
-        // Favorite nodes — filter to isFavorite only, sort alphabetically.
-        scope.launch {
-            nodeRepository.nodeDBbyNum
-                .map { db -> CarScreenDataBuilder.sortFavorites(db.values) }
-                .distinctUntilChanged()
-                .collect { nodes ->
-                    favorites = nodes
-                    invalidate()
-                }
-        }
     }
 
     // ---- Template building ----
 
     override fun onGetTemplate(): Template {
-        // MessageTemplate.setLoading() requires Car API 5+. On older hosts fall through
-        // to the ListTemplate fallback (StateFlows emit their cached state near-instantly).
-        if (isLoading && carContext.carAppApiLevel >= CarAppApiLevels.LEVEL_5) {
-            return MessageTemplate.Builder("Loading…")
+        // MessageTemplate.setLoading() requires Car API 5+. isLoading is only ever true
+        // on ≥5 hosts (see initialisation above), so no additional level check is needed here.
+        if (isLoading) {
+            return MessageTemplate.Builder(carContext.getString(R.string.auto_loading))
                 .setHeaderAction(Action.APP_ICON)
                 .setLoading(true)
                 .build()
@@ -213,21 +227,21 @@ class MeshtasticCarScreen(carContext: CarContext) :
             .setHeaderAction(Action.APP_ICON)
             .addTab(
                 Tab.Builder()
-                    .setTitle("Status")
+                    .setTitle(carContext.getString(R.string.auto_tab_status))
                     .setIcon(carIcon(R.drawable.auto_ic_status))
                     .setContentId(TAB_STATUS)
                     .build(),
             )
             .addTab(
                 Tab.Builder()
-                    .setTitle("Favorites")
+                    .setTitle(carContext.getString(R.string.auto_tab_favorites))
                     .setIcon(carIcon(R.drawable.auto_ic_favorites))
                     .setContentId(TAB_FAVORITES)
                     .build(),
             )
             .addTab(
                 Tab.Builder()
-                    .setTitle("Messages")
+                    .setTitle(carContext.getString(R.string.auto_tab_messages))
                     .setIcon(carIcon(R.drawable.auto_ic_channels))
                     .setContentId(TAB_MESSAGES)
                     .build(),
@@ -254,7 +268,7 @@ class MeshtasticCarScreen(carContext: CarContext) :
 
     private fun buildStatusTemplate(): ListTemplate =
         ListTemplate.Builder()
-            .setTitle("Status")
+            .setTitle(carContext.getString(R.string.auto_tab_status))
             .setSingleList(ItemList.Builder().addItem(buildStatusRow()).build())
             .build()
 
@@ -268,27 +282,35 @@ class MeshtasticCarScreen(carContext: CarContext) :
      * - **Text 2**: battery percentage and short name — mirrors the battery row and node chip.
      */
     private fun buildFavoritesTemplate(): ListTemplate =
-        buildListTemplate("Favorites", favorites, "No favorite nodes") { buildFavoriteNodeRow(it) }
+        buildListTemplate(
+            carContext.getString(R.string.auto_tab_favorites),
+            favorites,
+            carContext.getString(R.string.auto_no_favorites),
+        ) { buildFavoriteNodeRow(it) }
 
     /**
      * Builds the Messages tab content: channels first (always present, even if empty), followed
      * by DM conversations sorted by most-recent message — identical to the phone's Contacts screen.
      */
     private fun buildMessagesTemplate(): ListTemplate =
-        buildListTemplate("Messages", contacts, "No conversations") { buildContactRow(it) }
+        buildListTemplate(
+            carContext.getString(R.string.auto_tab_messages),
+            contacts,
+            carContext.getString(R.string.auto_no_conversations),
+        ) { buildContactRow(it) }
 
     /**
      * Fallback for Car API level 1–5 hosts that do not support [TabTemplate].
      *
      * Shows a status row, then favorite-node rows, then conversation rows, all capped at
-     * [MAX_LIST_ITEMS] total — matching the three-tab content in a single list.
+     * [listContentLimit] total — matching the three-tab content in a single list.
      *
      * The remaining slots after status are split evenly: half for favorites, half for messages.
      * This prevents a long favorites list from crowding out all conversation entries.
      */
     private fun buildFallbackListTemplate(): ListTemplate {
         val items = ItemList.Builder()
-        var remaining = MAX_LIST_ITEMS
+        var remaining = listContentLimit
         items.addItem(buildStatusRow())
         remaining--
         // Give each section at most half the remaining space so neither dominates.
@@ -300,15 +322,18 @@ class MeshtasticCarScreen(carContext: CarContext) :
         contacts.take(remaining).forEach { contact ->
             items.addItem(buildContactRow(contact))
         }
-        return ListTemplate.Builder().setTitle("Meshtastic").setSingleList(items.build()).build()
+        return ListTemplate.Builder()
+            .setTitle(carContext.getString(R.string.auto_fallback_title))
+            .setSingleList(items.build())
+            .build()
     }
 
     private fun buildStatusRow(): Row {
         val statusText = when (connectionState) {
-            is ConnectionState.Connected -> "Connected"
-            is ConnectionState.Disconnected -> "Disconnected"
-            is ConnectionState.DeviceSleep -> "Device Sleeping"
-            is ConnectionState.Connecting -> "Connecting…"
+            is ConnectionState.Connected -> carContext.getString(R.string.auto_status_connected)
+            is ConnectionState.Disconnected -> carContext.getString(R.string.auto_status_disconnected)
+            is ConnectionState.DeviceSleep -> carContext.getString(R.string.auto_status_sleeping)
+            is ConnectionState.Connecting -> carContext.getString(R.string.auto_status_connecting)
         }
         val deviceName = nodeRepository.ourNodeInfo.value?.user?.long_name.orEmpty()
         return Row.Builder()
@@ -327,10 +352,19 @@ class MeshtasticCarScreen(carContext: CarContext) :
      * - Text 2 → battery level + short name chip equivalent (matches NodeItem battery row)
      */
     private fun buildFavoriteNodeRow(node: Node): Row {
-        val name = node.user.long_name.ifEmpty { node.user.short_name }.ifEmpty { "Unknown" }
+        val name = node.user.long_name.ifEmpty { node.user.short_name }
+            .ifEmpty { carContext.getString(R.string.auto_unknown) }
         return Row.Builder()
             .setTitle(name)
-            .addText(CarScreenDataBuilder.nodeStatusText(node))
+            .addText(
+                CarScreenDataBuilder.nodeStatusText(
+                    node,
+                    labelOnline = carContext.getString(R.string.auto_node_online),
+                    labelOffline = carContext.getString(R.string.auto_node_offline),
+                    labelDirect = carContext.getString(R.string.auto_node_direct),
+                    labelHops = { carContext.getString(R.string.auto_node_hops, it) },
+                ),
+            )
             .addTextIfNotEmpty(CarScreenDataBuilder.nodeDetailText(node))
             .setBrowsable(false)
             .build()
@@ -349,8 +383,18 @@ class MeshtasticCarScreen(carContext: CarContext) :
     private fun buildContactRow(contact: CarContact): Row =
         Row.Builder()
             .setTitle(contact.displayName)
-            .addText(CarScreenDataBuilder.contactPreviewText(contact))
-            .addTextIfNotEmpty(CarScreenDataBuilder.contactSecondaryText(contact))
+            .addText(
+                CarScreenDataBuilder.contactPreviewText(
+                    contact,
+                    noMessagesLabel = carContext.getString(R.string.auto_no_messages),
+                ),
+            )
+            .addTextIfNotEmpty(
+                CarScreenDataBuilder.contactSecondaryText(
+                    contact,
+                    unreadLabel = { carContext.getString(R.string.auto_unread_count, it) },
+                ),
+            )
             .setBrowsable(false)
             .build()
 
@@ -362,7 +406,8 @@ class MeshtasticCarScreen(carContext: CarContext) :
         apply { if (text.isNotEmpty()) addText(text) }
 
     /**
-     * DRY helper: builds a [ListTemplate] from a list of items, capping at [MAX_LIST_ITEMS].
+     * DRY helper: builds a [ListTemplate] from a list of items, capping at [listContentLimit]
+     * (the per-host limit reported by [ConstraintManager]).
      *
      * Shows [noItemsMessage] when the list is empty.
      */
@@ -373,7 +418,7 @@ class MeshtasticCarScreen(carContext: CarContext) :
         buildRow: (T) -> Row,
     ): ListTemplate {
         val listBuilder = ItemList.Builder()
-        val capped = items.take(MAX_LIST_ITEMS)
+        val capped = items.take(listContentLimit)
         if (capped.isEmpty()) {
             listBuilder.setNoItemsMessage(noItemsMessage)
         } else {
@@ -386,12 +431,5 @@ class MeshtasticCarScreen(carContext: CarContext) :
         private const val TAB_STATUS = "status"
         private const val TAB_FAVORITES = "favorites"
         private const val TAB_MESSAGES = "messages"
-
-        /**
-         * Car App Library enforces a per-[ListTemplate] item cap via
-         * `ConstraintManager.CONTENT_LIMIT_TYPE_LIST`. 6 is the conservative floor across all
-         * supported hosts.
-         */
-        private const val MAX_LIST_ITEMS = 6
     }
 }
diff --git a/feature/auto/src/main/res/drawable/auto_ic_channels.xml b/feature/auto/src/main/res/drawable/auto_ic_channels.xml
index 80d446141..43962b8a3 100644
--- a/feature/auto/src/main/res/drawable/auto_ic_channels.xml
+++ b/feature/auto/src/main/res/drawable/auto_ic_channels.xml
@@ -23,6 +23,6 @@
     android:viewportWidth="24"
     android:viewportHeight="24">
     <path
-        android:fillColor="#FFFFFF"
+        android:fillColor="@color/auto_icon_color"
         android:pathData="M20,2L4,2c-1.1,0 -2,0.9 -2,2v18l4,-4h14c1.1,0 2,-0.9 2,-2L22,4c0,-1.1 -0.9,-2 -2,-2z" />
 </vector>
diff --git a/feature/auto/src/main/res/drawable/auto_ic_favorites.xml b/feature/auto/src/main/res/drawable/auto_ic_favorites.xml
index 7df47eb31..a65093ef0 100644
--- a/feature/auto/src/main/res/drawable/auto_ic_favorites.xml
+++ b/feature/auto/src/main/res/drawable/auto_ic_favorites.xml
@@ -23,6 +23,6 @@
     android:viewportWidth="24"
     android:viewportHeight="24">
     <path
-        android:fillColor="#FFFFFF"
+        android:fillColor="@color/auto_icon_color"
         android:pathData="M12,17.27L18.18,21l-1.64,-7.03L22,9.24l-7.19,-0.61L12,2 9.19,8.63 2,9.24l5.46,4.73L5.82,21z" />
 </vector>
diff --git a/feature/auto/src/main/res/drawable/auto_ic_status.xml b/feature/auto/src/main/res/drawable/auto_ic_status.xml
index 242d80eae..ee39daf2f 100644
--- a/feature/auto/src/main/res/drawable/auto_ic_status.xml
+++ b/feature/auto/src/main/res/drawable/auto_ic_status.xml
@@ -23,6 +23,6 @@
     android:viewportWidth="24"
     android:viewportHeight="24">
     <path
-        android:fillColor="#FFFFFF"
+        android:fillColor="@color/auto_icon_color"
         android:pathData="M1,9l2,2c4.97,-4.97 13.03,-4.97 18,0l2,-2C16.93,2.93 7.08,2.93 1,9zM9,17l3,3 3,-3c-1.65,-1.66 -4.34,-1.66 -6,0zM5,13l2,2c2.76,-2.76 7.24,-2.76 10,0l2,-2C15.14,9.14 8.87,9.14 5,13z" />
 </vector>
diff --git a/feature/auto/src/main/res/values/colors.xml b/feature/auto/src/main/res/values/colors.xml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..73a7e2df1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/feature/auto/src/main/res/values/colors.xml
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
+<!--
+  ~ Copyright (c) 2026 Meshtastic LLC
+  ~
+  ~ This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+  ~ it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+  ~ the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+  ~ (at your option) any later version.
+  ~
+  ~ This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+  ~ but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+  ~ MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+  ~ GNU General Public License for more details.
+  ~
+  ~ You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+  ~ along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+  -->
+<resources>
+    <!-- Default fill color for Car tab icons. The CarIcon tint (CarColor.DEFAULT) overrides
+         this at runtime; the named constant keeps the vector drawables maintainable. -->
+    <color name="auto_icon_color">#FFFFFF</color>
+</resources>
diff --git a/feature/auto/src/main/res/values/strings.xml b/feature/auto/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7077a4f18
--- /dev/null
+++ b/feature/auto/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
+<!--
+  ~ Copyright (c) 2026 Meshtastic LLC
+  ~
+  ~ This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+  ~ it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+  ~ the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+  ~ (at your option) any later version.
+  ~
+  ~ This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+  ~ but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+  ~ MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+  ~ GNU General Public License for more details.
+  ~
+  ~ You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+  ~ along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+  -->
+<resources>
+    <!-- Tab titles -->
+    <string name="auto_tab_status">Status</string>
+    <string name="auto_tab_favorites">Favorites</string>
+    <string name="auto_tab_messages">Messages</string>
+
+    <!-- Template titles / loading / empty states -->
+    <string name="auto_loading">Loading\u2026</string>
+    <string name="auto_fallback_title">Meshtastic</string>
+    <string name="auto_no_favorites">No favorite nodes</string>
+    <string name="auto_no_conversations">No conversations</string>
+    <string name="auto_no_messages">No messages yet</string>
+
+    <!-- Connection status -->
+    <string name="auto_status_connected">Connected</string>
+    <string name="auto_status_disconnected">Disconnected</string>
+    <string name="auto_status_sleeping">Device Sleeping</string>
+    <string name="auto_status_connecting">Connecting\u2026</string>
+
+    <!-- Node reachability (used in the Favorites tab rows) -->
+    <string name="auto_node_online">Online</string>
+    <string name="auto_node_offline">Offline</string>
+    <!-- Leading space + bullet + space is intentional — appended directly after Online/Offline -->
+    <string name="auto_node_direct"> · Direct</string>
+    <!-- %d is replaced with the hop count at runtime -->
+    <string name="auto_node_hops"> · %d hops</string>
+
+    <!-- Messages tab -->
+    <!-- %d is replaced with the unread-message count at runtime -->
+    <string name="auto_unread_count">%d unread</string>
+    <!-- %d is replaced with the channel index at runtime -->
+    <string name="auto_channel_number">Channel %d</string>
+
+    <!-- Generic fallback label when a node has no name -->
+    <string name="auto_unknown">Unknown</string>
+</resources>