Signal Transfer: Four ways to play your iPod through your car stereo

There are four different ways to connect your iPod to your car stereo: iPod adapters, auxiliary input adapters, FM modulators, and cassette adapters. Each solution offers a different level of sound quality and installation difficulty, along with different requirements for making the audio connections.

You will need to remove the factory radio to connect a factory iPod adapter to your car stereo.

iPod adapters

You'll find two types of adapters that are designed specifically for connecting your iPod to your car stereo: factory stereo adapters and brand-name stereo adapters. The former type connects your iPod to the stereo that came with your car, while the latter connects your iPod to a brand-name (or aftermarket) stereo. Either type provides a direct audio connection for the best possible sound quality.

Factory stereo iPod adapters

To connect your iPod with a factory stereo iPod adapter, you will need to access the CD changer port on your factory stereo. Factory stereo CD changer ports are usually located on the rear of the stereo — in which case you will use your Crutchfield MasterSheet™ to remove the factory stereo from the dash to access the port. Some vehicles come with a pre-installed CD changer cable in the trunk — in these vehicles, you will need to disconnect the changer (if installed) and plug the adapter into the cable in the trunk (see photo).

In some vehicles, the factory CD changer connections are made in the trunk.

Once you have connected the adapter to the factory stereo CD changer port, simply plug the other end of the cable into your iPod (most factory stereo iPod adapters work only with iPods with a dock connector). Now that you have the iPod connected to your stereo, find a good place to mount the adapter box with self-tapping screws, velcro strips, or zip ties. Good locations include behind the dash, under a seat, or in your glove compartment or center console.

Factory stereo iPod adapters give you control of the iPod from your car stereo — even your steering wheel stereo controls. Most of these adapters will also charge the iPod when connected, so you don't have to worry about running down your batteries or using a cigarette lighter power adapter.

Brand-name stereo iPod adapters

If you have replaced your factory radio with a brand-name car stereo, chances are that the same company that made your stereo offers an adapter that will let you connect and control your iPod from the stereo.

A brand-name radio iPod adapter connects to your radio's CD changer port and the iPod.

These adapters will install just like a factory stereo iPod adapter: you will have to remove the stereo from the dash, connect a cable to your CD changer port, and connect another cable to your iPod. Mount the compact hideaway box in a convenient location and secure it with self-tapping screws, velcro strips, or zip ties. Some of these aftermarket iPod adapters will offer a "pass-through" connection, so you can keep your changer or other audio device connected to your stereo in addition to your iPod. Like factory stereo iPod adpaters, aftermarket adapters will charge the iPod when connected.