Needless to say, using headphones to listen to your MP3 player while you’re driving simply isn’t a good idea. But you can still listen to your favourite digital tunes. Here’s a look at your options, along with the pros and cons of each.
FM transmitters
FM transmitters work by letting your MP3 player broadcast tunes over your radio on an FM frequency. The transmitter simply attaches to your MP3 player’s headphone jack and allows you to find an unused FM “station” (one that would normally give you nothing but static) to broadcast your tunes over that station. You use the controls on the MP3 to select songs.
Advantages: Available at your local electronics store, FM transmitters are relatively inexpensive, wireless, and there’s no installation required. They can also be used outside of your car so that you can broadcast your tunes to any FM radio.
Disadvantages: You may not be able to find a free station and, even when you do, there may be so much “competition” for that signal that sound quality is compromised.
Smart tip: Look for an FM transmitter that allows you to broadcast over a large number of frequencies.
Cassette adapters
These adapters look like a standard cassette tape. An external wire connects to the MP3 player’s headphone jack. You use the MP3 controls to select tunes.
Advantages: Inexpensive and easy to use. The sound quality is usually better than the FM transmitter option.
Disadvantages: If your car doesn’t have a cassette player (and many models no longer do), you’re out of luck.
Wireless FM modulators
Using wireless technology, a transmitter is installed in your car, normally somewhere in the dashboard. It sends a wireless signal to your MP3 player allowing you to broadcast over an unused FM station.
Advantages: “With their greater transmitting strength, high-end wireless modulators offer better fidelity than the inexpensive plug-in models,” explains Daniel Sadan, president of Ultracar in Montreal, specialists in modified luxury and exotic cars.
Disadvantages: Professional installation is needed, although the cost should be relatively low.
Auxiliary inputs
Also known as “aux-in ports,” these are the red and white inputs that you’ll find on your home stereo receiver or boombox. It’s possible to adapt these ports to connect to your MP3 player.
Advantages: Great sound, since your MP3 player becomes a direct extension of your audio system.
Disadvantages: “The ports are often located in the back of a vehicle’s trunk,” says Sadan, “and can be difficult to reach.” You’ll want a professional installer to set it up for you.
CD changer port
If you car’s audio system has a CD changer or stacker (meaning you can insert and listen to more than one CD), then an adapter can be used to connect the CD changer port to your MP3 player. You use the controls on the MP3 to make selections.
Advantages: “This is another way to adapt your existing system without changing it,” says Sadan, “especially for older cars.”
Disadvantages: If your car doesn’t have a CD stacker, you’ll need a different solution.
After-market systems
“For older cars with less sophisticated factory-installed radios, you could replace the original with one of the newer after-market systems that allow you to download the songs that you want from your MP3 player or from traditional CDs,” says Sadan.
Advantages: The sound is great, and even the most basic system will allow for about six hours of downloaded music.
Disadvantages: Higher cost; lack of portability; and you’ll have to take the time to download songs again directly onto the system.
On a final note, Ultracar’s Sadan advises, “It’s worth the time to research the best alternatives for your car. Especially today with so many devices hitting the market, it’s getting less expensive for drivers to convert their cars into the perfect listening environment.”
Smart tip: It's important to contact your insurer when the value of the system installed is $1,500 or more or when you install your digital music system after you purchased your car. Coverage is only applicable when the system is fixed to the car.