Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with car and ipod

Ice Ice Ipod, too cold? Too cold?

arniec — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:15:32 -0800

How bad is it for me to leave my iPod classic in the car all the time? I live in the Midwest where in the coldest parts of winter temperatures average about 17 degrees F (although they can and do drop below zero regularly) and our highs in the hottest months average in the mid 80s though we do have our post 100 degree days.

I park my car outdoors in the sunshine during the day, indoors in a standard garage during the night. In the garage items like bottled water and soda rarely freeze, but have on a few occasions. (Likewise soda stupidly left in the trunk of my car has frozen and left me some burst cans full of slush).

Given all of this, how bad is it for my iPod to be left in the car at all times? My iPod is a hard drive based iPod classic that I only use in my car. My dock for the iPod is in my glove box and it's somewhat inconvenient to remove from the car regularly, and I only take the iPod with me when I want to update the music.

But I am a computer guy and part of me knows that it's unsafe to use devices that have been in the cold, and that I should worry about condensation as the item warms up, etc, etc, etc. Of course, that being said, condensation is also likely to form as I take it from warm buildings to cold outdoors to a cold but rapidly heating car, right?

If the problem is specific to the hard drive would I be better off getting an iPod Nano or something not hard drive based? Or is the problem to the electronics?

Thanks in advance for settling this issue between my wife and I (she is constantly taking it out of the car, and thus constantly leaving me music-less as I don't expect to go to the car and my iPod to be missing)

Geez, is the example title really "How to get an iPod to work in my car?"

Overzealous — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 20:43:45 -0800

Looking for some audio whiz that can confirm that this particular iPod adapter and car stereo will work. Dazzle me with your knowledge and experience! I'm looking to figure out a way to hook my first gen iPod Touch directly into my factory installed car stereo. It is a 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser with an RBQ radio (six disc changer, no cassette deck, and looks like this:) The end result doesn't need to look flashy, charge my iPod, or use the head unit to control the tracks. A simple aux jack tucked away somewhere would suit me fine. I am not interested in hearing about FM transmitters or modulators -- I've tried them with no real success, but thank you.

The PIE CHRY02-AUX Auxiliary input adapter for select 2002-06 Chrysler radios which seemed most promising boldly says "NOT COMPATIBLE with Chrysler's 6-disc in dash radio (i.e “RBQ”)." The one that is a Mopar product really only talks about model years 2006 and newer.

Is there a solution that will work for me? Does the Mopar OEM iPod Interface Kit work with a 2003 Chrysler RBQ 6-disc changer radio?

Vehicular smash-n-grab and Einstein's definition of insanity

SeanCier — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:50:17 -0800

How can I avoid having my car broken into -- again? I've had a GPS and an iPod stolen out of my car twice in the past three months. Assuming I buy replacements for one or both, how do I avoid going through this yet again in another three months? What have others found to be effective or ineffective, and are there any relevant stats or studies on any of this? My current best plan is to simply remove both from my car every time I get out (except in my garage); that'll be a PITA, but manageable. Are thieves going to see the mounts and break in anyway? If I leave them locked in the glove compartment instead, are they significantly less safe than on my person? If I simply mounted the GPS somewhere other than the windshield, as suggested by the office taking the report the second time, is that enough to make a difference? This past weekend marked the second time in three months that I've had a car broken into and electronics stolen. First time was in a hotel parking lot in the middle of the night in Orlando, and they were morons who started by trying to pry the door open with a crowbar before eventually smashing the window and taking the dashboard-mounted iPod and windshield-suction-cup-mounted GPS. It was somewhat distressing, moreso because we discovered it just before checking out of the hotel to take the 9-hour trip home.

Second time was the middle of the day, closer to home: a restaurant parking lot in a Raleigh suburb. The car next to mine was broken into as well, as were apparently another half-dozen or so cars in the area that afternoon. They once again got an iPod and a GPS (different car, same setup). Fortunately they just smashed the window and didn't do any further damage, meaning it'll be much less of an ordeal to have fixed. This time, it was more annoying that distressing -- even my kids seemed used to it*.

Both times the damage was covered under insurance, and the electronics were not (given the deductible on my homeowner's, they weren't worth claiming under that). The second GPS was actually covered under AmEx's automatic 90-day coverage, so that's not out-of-pocket.

I know: fool me twice, shame on me. It was, ah, lacking in wisdom to assume the first incident was a fluke (it was the first car break-in I'd suffered in over three decades of life, so I thought that was a fair assumption at the time) and to leave the items visible the second time. What's even dafter, though, is that I'm going to give them the opportunity to do it again. Maybe it's an ingrained hatred of bullies and a refusal to live like a victim. Perhaps it's the result of national "you can't change your lifestyle out of fear, that's just what the terrorists want!" sentiment. More likely, I just don't want to go back to dealing with a CD changer and carefully preplanned trips with printed-out maps every time I take my kids to do something fun on the weekend. Either way, I'm determined to get at least a new GPS, and probably a new iPod too (though I suppose I could make-do with the GPS's MP3 capabilities).

I have to wonder, is this really that prevalent? If my sample is anywhere close to normal (yeah, I know, big "if"), most of the millions of GPS units sold annually would be stolen after a few months of ownership. Isn't the black market saturated with used GPSs by now? I thought that living in a relatively safe suburb of a relatively safe city, with cars in my garage each night, would keep them relatively safe, but obviously not.

But my real question is the one before the break: given that I'm stupid enough to mount electronics in my car again (and please don't just tell me "don't do that", I'm aware of that option), how do I avoid going through this yet again?

*I talked with my kids enough to make sure they understood what had happened both times and were okay with it. And apparently they absorbed a decent amount, driving home after the second one, my four-year-old asked "Daddy, are the bad people in the hotel now? You
know, the hotel you can't get out of? For their consequence?" I had to
suppress a laugh on recognizing the description of prison I'd provided her after the first incident.

Can I put an aftermarket stereo in a new Nissan Frontier?

jeffderek — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 08:14:39 -0800

Can I put an aftermarket stereo in a new Nissan Frontier? I'd like to purchase a 2009 Nissan Frontier. Like many cars nowadays, the stereo seems to take up the entire center of the dashboard, not a single replaceable unit. The edition I'd like to buy (SE-I4) does not have an Auxilliary input available as an option from the factory, so I'd need to put an aftermarket stereo in to get the Aux input.

Can I actually do this? Looking at the dash I don't understand how I'd replace the stereo, but I'm having trouble imagining that this is impossible. I replaced the stereo in my 2002 Saturn SL2 with no problem, but it was a more conventional stereo.

Thanks!

New car stereo solution?

ObscureReferenceMan — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:37:40 -0800

Car stereo solution for someone non-technical. I have a 1990 Acura Legend with original stereo & speakers, but the 10-disc changer my brother installed is having issues (discs aren't always recognized, and the remote is broken). And the rear speakers are buzzing. So I'm in the market for something new. I don't want to spend more than $500 (for stereo and speakers). My requirements:
- Input for iPod (will be purchasing that soon also)
- Should play at least one CD (in case on a road trip, someone brings tunes)
- Some kind of equalizer (not just treble/bass control)

My question is not so much "which unit" (but I welcome input/feedback), but "where to go?". My gut tells me BestBuy. I've browsed, and they seem to have a decent selection, and installation is minimal. Or do I go to a car stereo place? There are plenty on Long Island (suggestions for/against would also be appreciated). Would $500 get me something good?

One qualification: I do NOT want to buy individual components and install them myself (I know it's cheaper). I am NOT handy. I CANNOT do electrical installation. This is non-negotiable. Sorry.

Any other suggestions (units to be aware of +/-, forums, review sites, etc.) are welcome. Thanks!!

How to get an iPod to work in my car? (i had to use this title)

Pants! — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 14:34:17 -0800

Hooking up an iPod/amp after car stereo was stolen? My friend's car was broken into and his stereo was stolen. He'd like to know if it's possible to make a connection for an iPod without purchasing a whole new stereo system. The speakers are still there, there must be a way to access them via USB.

Where's the simplicity?

dance — Sun, 11 May 2008 14:18:51 -0800

Swapping a car's stereo head unit: I would really like to replace my car's ailing Blaupunkt CD player with a more modern head unit, ideally one with a front aux-in for my iPhone. Before I embarked on this I thought it would (should!) be as simple as popping out the old HU, slotting the new one in and simply reconnecting the connector block. But it seems the process is rarely that simple. My car, a 96 Mazda 626, does not seem to have the pretty wiring harnesses to be seen in many online tutorials. It looks exactly like this.

A friend said that all aftermarket stereos connect to the car's wiring harness via an ISO connector so I presumed that as my stereo is almost certainly aftermarket the hard work was already done for me. But having bought the removal keys and had a look behind the stereo it doesn't look like it.

What are my options? I would dearly love to avoid soldering, splicing and dicing and have a nice clean solution involving adaptors or the straightforward swap I hoped for.

I guess if I buy another Blaupunkt then I can just swap head units? There are two connectors even though only the brown topmost can be seen in the picture. Do Blaupunkts continue to use this setup?

I've tried asking at the12volt and installdr, but without much success!

Any help appreciated!

Have iPod. Will travel?

tcv — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 21:19:51 -0800

I'd like to start listening to my podcasts in m'car. So, I have a lot of options, but I'm just not sure on which option I should pull the trigger.

FM Transmitter: When I subscribed to Sirius, I used the FM transmitter in the tuner and it was just OK. At the time I lived in Boston, I never found a clear channel that let me roam around the entire metro area without running into some serious interference. I live in Houston now, but, more to the point, the one transmitter for iPod I have used was either terrible or there ain't no free channels on my dial. Perhaps there's a better product?

Manual AUX hookup: Unfortunately, the stock Scion xB radio doesn't have a front-facing AUX port. In the back there is an AUX port and there is a way to hook up a device that would allow me to run a headphone jack to the front. I'd have to pull apart more stuff than I am comfortable with pulling apart. What's more, to make it look neat, I'd have to drill a hole in the back of a small compartment so I could run the cable to the front. I am not handy and am nervous I'd break something.

New radio: I could purchase a new radio with a front aux jack, have it installed. I just don't know what to buy and who to trust for installation. Plus, well, wouldn't this route cost hundreds of dollars?

My limited mental faculties lead me to believe I have the following options:

1. A better FM transmitter for the iPod.

2. Paying for a cheap radio, having it installed by Big Box and hoping for the best.

3. Getting out the drill (rrrrr, rrrrr). (I'd also have to hunt down the old instructions I put SOMEWHERE on that old Scion forum...)

iPod + car charger = BZZZZZZ???

steveminutillo — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 12:43:33 -0800

How can I listen to and recharge my iPod at the same time in my car without the audio quality sucking? I have a 2nd generation iPod and a car with an aux input for the stereo. I can plug my iPod into this input and listen to it though the car speakers and it works great! The problem comes when I want to recharge it while listening.

First I bought a DC to AC inverter at Radio Shack, and then plugged the iPod's AC adapter into it. The iPod was able to recharge, but when I listened to music while charging a loud and annoying HUMMMMMMMMMMMMMM sound came through the car's speakers.

I thought maybe the problem had something to do with the ridiculously overcomplicated DC/AC/DC conversion, so I went for the direct route: I bought this car firewire charger. This worked a little better, but instead of a loud hum, I get a BUZZZZZZZZZ sound which seems to go up and down in frequency in sync with the engine revolutions!

So where am I going wrong? Has anybody done this without causing audible interference?

Where can I find a Car Stereo Installation Guide for a 1999 Mitsubishi Mirage?

willnot — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 10:52:44 -0800

Where can I find a Car Stereo Installation Guide for a 1999 Mitsubishi Mirage? I bought a Sony Xplod back in February of this year. The Auxiliary jack on the front that I plug my iPod into has already broken so that I only get audio out of one channel. It's still under warranty, but the store that sold it to me has washed their hands of it, and Sony wants me to send the thing back to them at a shipping cost of about 10% of the value of the radio (to say nothing of whatever hassle is involved in getting it out of there and being without a stereo for who knows how long).

I think I should be able to plug the iPod into the back of the thing, but I'm not sure how to get all the plastic trim stuff off to expose the guts of the wiring in a way that would allow me to put it all back the way I found it.

Seems like there should be a guide of some kind on the internet, but I haven't been able to find one yet. This Question mentioned Dr. Install, but they don't have a guide for a Mirage.

The "Ultimate Roadtrip Playlist" Is Ready, Now I Just Need a Rental Car That Will Play It!

phixed — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 09:57:30 -0800

Help me find a rental car company that allows me to reserve a car with an auxiliary input to the stereo! My wife and I are going on a two week road trip at the end of next of month and would like to make sure the rental car we select has an auxiliary input in the stereo system so we can plug in our iPod and not have to use the crappy radio adapter for hours every day. I know there must be some company that allows this but I've been to most of the major ones and haven't found anything so far.

Please help as multiple 7 hour days of driving without a decent iPod connection could ruin our vacation!

iPod-compatible car audio vs cassette adapters

neilkod — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 10:21:52 -0800

Do iPod-compatible car decks sound THAT much better than using a cassette adapter? Also, will a new deck interface with my steering-wheel controls and factory cd-changer? 2001 VW Passat here.

I'm no audiophile but I like my music to sound crisp and have range. When I use my cassette adapter, the music sounds a lot flatter and more bass-heavy, even when using the car's EQ and the bass reducer/treble enhancer settings on the iPod.

I also notice that a playing a cd made from my mp3s sounds much crisper (both the highs and lows) than listening to the same files on the iPod.

So I'm sure a direct-line iPod adapter will sound better but is it enough to justify the cost of a new deck?

Additionally, my Passat has some audio controls on the steering wheel and a factory cd-changer. Will after-market car audio decks be able to utilize those?

A Car Mounted iPod Hi-Fi?

JPowers — Fri, 02 Jun 2006 15:20:58 -0800

I want to get a decent stereo system in my car (an Isuzu Rodeo). Nothing too fancy, but decent. I got to thinking: could I just stick the iPod Hi-Fi in my back seat? How would that sound? Any ideas on positioning, or mounting? Also, is this the lamest idea ever?

Hard-wiring iPod to car?

cahlers — Wed, 24 May 2006 05:03:09 -0800

Best hard-wired solution to connect an iPod to my car? I'd like to connect my iPod to the CD changer port on my factory-installed, '98 Honda CRV radio. I know there are several, if not many options for this available. I have read similar threads on AskMeFi but have not found a comprehensive review of hard-wired options. I'm not interested in the iTrip for reasons detailed in the other threads.

What has been your experience with these units? Is there one which is better than another? I would like the option of controlling the iPod directly "direct mode", as well as from the radio (usually requires flipping a switch on the coinverter unit).

I am not talking about a charger or a mount, I realize these are separate pieces of hardware, although many of the units I'm talking about have charging capabilities.

Overnight charger hacks?

ab3 — Fri, 17 Mar 2006 11:59:46 -0800

My new car won't charge my ipod or phone when the car is turned off. Is there anything I can do to change that? The new vehicle is a Nissan Murano, and it obviously turns power off to the cigarette lighter jacks when the car is off. My old vehicle, a Ford Explorer, allowed me to charge my ipod 24/7, on or off. Is there any product i can buy or any kind of hardware hack that will let me keep power on to the jacks when the engine is off, without draining the battery?

iPod Dock in Cars

freshgroundpepper — Mon, 21 Jun 2004 14:29:14 -0800

Ugh..after holding my breath to see the iPod integration with BMWs, only to find out that it's a "cable securely integrated into your BMW’s glovebox", and by "securely integrated" they mean 12" of loose cable so my iPod can fly freely around the glovebox. Why can't someone make a car stereo that lets you slide in your iPod (or other device) as if it were an 8 track tape?

Is there some reason that car stereo's seem to lag so far behind other consumer devices in quality and features?