Bluetooth has become a standard feature in almost every modern car. However, if you own an older model, it may not have this feature. Fortunately, there are a few ways to add Bluetooth to any car. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the three best ways to add Bluetooth to your car without having to buy a brand new head unit.
The easiest and most common way to add Bluetooth to a vehicle’s radio is by using a Bluetooth receiver. You can pair your phone to the Bluetooth receiver and any audio you stream from your phone will be sent to the receiver. Then, it plugs into the 3.5-millimeter input jack or the auxiliary in in your vehicle. Usually, this is found around the center controls or inside the center console. Switch the audio source on the radio to aux in and you should hear your music. Bluetooth receivers come in a few different configurations: some are 12-volt or USB powered, and others are battery-operated. If you have an auxiliary import that’s near the 12-volt socket or USB port, it’s best to go with the former. If not, the cords may not reach, and you’ll need a 3.5-millimeter extension cord or a battery-operated Bluetooth receiver, which you will also need to keep charged.
If your car or radio doesn’t have an auxiliary input, you’ll be better off with an FM transmitter. The FM transmitters of today are also Bluetooth receivers. Instead of sending the audio to the stereo through an auxiliary cable, it broadcasts it over an open FM radio frequency. Then, you tune your stereo’s FM tuner to the correct frequency, and you should hear the music being streamed from your phone. A big boon for the FM transmitter is the lack of wires. However, depending on which one you buy, you might also suffer the occasional audio dropout or static.
If you don’t mind not being able to stream your music through your car’s stereo and you just want to make hands-free calls, you can opt for a dedicated Bluetooth speakerphone. However, in a lot of cases, these are more expensive than the other two options. They clip to the sun visor above the driver and pair to your phone like any other Bluetooth speaker. When you answer a call, both the audio and microphone input are handled by the visor-mounted speakerphone.
In conclusion, adding Bluetooth to your car is easy and affordable. While the cost depends on the specific method you choose, you can expect to pay around $15 to $75. For more tips and tricks and other how-to’s, be sure to check out cnet.com/how-to.