Best way to play an iPod through your car stereo system

How to play an iPod in a car.

Have your whole music collection at your fingertips while driving with your iPod and your car stereo. Here are some ways you can listen to your iPod through your car stereo system.

Since driving with your iPod earbuds in is both dangerous and illegal in most states, you'll want to use one of the following methods to listen to your tunes safely and through your car stereo system. You don't have to spend a lot to get set up either.

Use a cassette adapter:

Originally designed to allow you to hook up a cd player to your car stereo, if you have a tape deck in your car stereo then you can use an adaptor. Just plug the cable end into your iPod headphone jack and pop the cassette end in the tape deck and you are ready.Of course the audio quality won't be the best, but this can be a cheap and easy way to play your MP3s over your old car stereo.

Use an FM transmitter:

These small devices are growing in popularity because they are easy to use, compact, and offer decent audio quality. You can purchase them in a wide range of electronics stores and they are even popping up in non-electronics stores as well.

They plug into the docking slot of your iPod and transmit a short range FM signal to your car stereo. All you have to do is plug it in to your iPod and tune your FM radio to the dial number indicated on the transmitter's packaging. Some are powered by battery while others will be powered by your iPod. Some will plug into your cigarette lighter for power.

Use a direct connection:

As MP3 players have grown immensely in popularity, makers of car stereos have taken notice. Many new car stereos come with auxiliary (AUX) jacks on the front of the faceplate. Often these are displayed as direct connection inputs or simply headphone jacks.

If your stereo didn't come with a male-male cable you can purchase one for a few dollars at any electronics store. The standard headphone jack is usually 3.5 mm so you'll want a male-male direct audio cable with that size.

Some car makers and car stereo makers have even started to include iPod ready systems that are designed to work seamlessly with your iPod with the first use.

Use these options to connect your iPod to your car stereo system safely and easily. Never drive a vehicle with your iPod earbuds in as this is extremely dangerous and often illegal. You can do any of the above options as a low cost way to access all your MP3s while driving.

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