About Car Stereo Installation
When you are cruising down the street, you probably enjoy the sounds of your favorite tunes, whether it is pop hits by Justin Beiber, rock classics from the Grateful Dead or hip hop artists like Lil' Wayne. For the best sound quality, install a car stereo. However, there are some things you need to know about the car stereo installation process.
Information
Installing a new car stereo allows you listen to music while you travel and usually with better sound quality than your factory stereo system. Unlike many upgrades and fixes you must complete in a car, connecting a new stereo a relatively easy process.
Equipment Needed
When you work on your car's stereo system, acquire the tools needed to complete the job before you begin. You need a screwdriver, wire cutters, wire strippers, electrical tape or a soldering iron and a new head unit.
Out with the Old
Disconnect the negative battery cable from the negative battery terminal. Remove the old car stereo, by first taking out the dash panel covering the stereo. Your vehicle's user manual has specific information on how to do this. Unscrew the screws holding in the head unit in place. Detach the head unit from its current location to expose either one single connector or a variety of wires. If you have a variety of wires, wait until you begin installing to disconnect each wire one at a time. Your stereo might also hook up via a wiring harness, which requires you to detach the stereo from the harness.
In with the New
Plug in the one connector, if you only have one. For wire harness setups, you need to connect the stereo back to the wiring harness. You might have to purchase a new wiring harness, if the old does not work with the new stereo. For a setup with various wires, you need to disconnect one wire at a time, and connect one wire at a time to the new device. Place the wiring harness and the stereo in the designated slot. Use mounting bolts to connect the head unit. Reconnect the dashboard by using the instructions in your car's manual.