Install an iPod in Your Car

SKILL LEVEL 2

by Dave Toht

Got the car-radio blues? Perhaps you’re on a road trip and tune in a great station, only to lose it in a sputter of static. Or you can’t take another motor-mouth morning radio personality during your commute. Or maybe you’re just tired of punching station buttons at every commercial. You long to tap into that wonderful reservoir of self-curated music, the iPod.

You have options: ear buds (not strictly legal), a little plug-in transmitter that plays the iPod on FM (nifty, but not great sound quality), a cassette adapter (alas, with cassette-like fidelity). But to truly integrate an iPod into your car stereo, consider an adapter attached to the back of your car stereo. It connects to an iPod stashed in the glove compartment, letting you select play lists right on your stereo. Here’s how to install it yourself.

Dave Toht is a former carpenter and car geek with more than 60 DIY books to his credit.

2 Skill level
2 out of 5
5 Steps
7 Materials

Step 1 Find an interface adapter

Equipped with your car’s make, model and year, visit a car audio shop or search online for “iPod interface adapter.” Some suppliers have a search engine that matches your car to the right adapter. These devices are made for most cars, but older models might be out of luck.
Step 2 Remove the radio
- If there are obvious holes near the front of the radio, buy radio release keys for your car's year, make and model from the dealership or online (search under "radio removal keys"). A car needs two to four removal keys. Some look like keys, others are U-shaped rods. Following the instructions provided with the keys, insert them in the holes near the radio. When all are engaged, gently pull the radio out from the dash.
- If the front of the radio has no keyholes, use a small plastic pry bar to remove the trim. Then remove the bolts that hold the radio in place.
Step 3 Attach the interface adapter

Follow the manufacturer's instructions for connecting the adapter. Typically, its input cord attaches to the CD changer jack on the back of the radio. Use the screws or double-sided tape provided to attach the adapter to the dashboard's interior or to the firewall, where it won't interfere with reinstalling the radio.
Step 4 Make a hole in the glove compartment

Clear out the glove compartment and make a hole for the iPod connection cable. Often enlarging the back of the hole where glove compartment light inserts is the best bet. Run the cable into the compartment and attach it to the dock connector on your iPod.
Step 5 Play some music!

Follow the manufacturer's instructions for dialing up your iPod on the receiver. Typically, when the receiver shows "CD-CH" (CD changer), the iPod is selected as the source. The receiver displays play lists.
Don’t worry about your iPod running out of juice; this setup recharges as it plays.