How to Hook Up Your Ipod to Your Car Stereo

There are three primary ways if you want to know how to hook up your iPod to your car stereo. Two are very simple, and one is complicated and probably just not worth the trouble and the time. All three of the ways to hook up your iPod to your car stereo will probably cost at least fifteen or twenty dollars, so you might want to get a spare Andrew Jackson out before you get ready to hook up the iPod. Unless your car is very new, because then it will have a line-in, mp3 player or iPod jack built right into it. Let's assume that this isn't the case, since you want to know how to hook up your iPod to the car stereo. Here are the three ways to do it if your car is slightly older:

1. Buy an iPod Cassette Tape Adapter. This is the safest and easiest way to hook your iPod up to your car stereo. An iPod cassette tape adapter can be bought in a variety of places for the modest sum of fifteen dollars. The problem is that you need a tape player for it to work, and most newer cars don't have tape players. If you are one of the chosen few, simply load the cassette into the tape player, take the cord hanging from it, and plug it into your iPod's earphone jack. Play the tape and you will hear your iPod.
2. Buy an iPod Wireless FM Transmitter. This is your only easy and cheap option if your car doesn't have a tape player. An iPod wireless FM transmitter can also be bought for fifteen or twenty dollars. Take the cord of the transmitter and plug it into your iPod's earphone jack. Then, the fun begins. Basically, the transmitter emits your iPod's music to certain radio stations, usually stations like 88.9 FM. Turn on your car radio, play your iPod, and read the instructions to find out which radio station should now be playing your music. The problem with these transmitters is the sound is usually very grainy and you get a lot of static, simply because it's the radio. These devices are getting better, and they're still a lot easier than anything other than the tape adapter, but the sound quality definitely takes a hit.
3. The RCA Port. If your car has a CD player, that means that there's an RCA jack in the back of the car stereo. The problem is that you have to remove the stereo from the car to use it. Make sure to get the directions on how to remove the stereo from your car elsewhere, so you don't risk permanently damaging anything. Once you've removed the car stereo, you will see the familiar, color-coded, red/white input jacks. Buy an RCA-to-headphone cord and plug the red/white ends of this cord into these input jacks and the other end into the iPod's earphone jack.

A key thing to remember is not to fall for name brand devices if you are using methods one or two above, since any tape adapter or wireless transmitter will accomplish the same function. For the third method, remember to meticulously research how to remove your stereo before attempting to do so.