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Everything you need to know about the latest and best in-car technology.
THESE DAYS, your car is more than just a machine that takes you from home to work to school and everywhere in between. Today’s vehicles also are mobile communication stations, information hubs, and entertainment centers, making your time on the road more informative and enjoyable. Here’s everything you need to know about the latest and best in-car technology, whether you’re shopping for a new car or upgrading your current vehicle by visiting an aftermarket retailer.
Selecting factory-installed audio and visual components for your new car has its advantages, as does choosing aftermarket systems. Automaker-installed stereo systems are likely to be under warranty, and many automakers have incorporated audio controls into the steering wheels, making them easier and safer to operate while you’re driving. If you’re not an audiophile, choosing a factory-installed system takes the guesswork out of the equation, and high-end brand-name audio receivers and speakers have been expertly designed to deliver the best sound possible for your specific car. Choosing an aftermarket audio system allows you to tailor your receiver and speakers to your exact audio needs. You have more options at more price points, and an audio specialist can give you personalized recommendations on how best to configure your system for the best possible sound.
Music and driving go together like sunshine and sand. Nearly all new cars have standard CD receivers with AM/FM radio pre-installed, with premium systems made by well-known brands such as Pioneer, Sony, JVC, Bose, Rockford Fosgate, Bang & Olufsen, or harman/kardon. If you want to upgrade your factory setup, pay a visit to a bricks-and-mortar retailer like Best Buy, or go online at Crutchfield.com to choose a new receiver, speakers, or sound enhancers such as tweeters, equalizers, and subwoofers. To bring your favorite music with you on the road, select a factoryinstalled or aftermarket stereo system with a USB port, an MP3 plug-in, or a built-in hard drive. Then all you have to do is plug in your iPhone, iPod, or MP3 player, or download your own music, and you’ve got a personal jukebox at your fingertips. Pyle, Scosche, iSimple, and PAC make aftermarket iPod adapters for factory stereos, with Kenwood, Pioneer, and Rockford Fosgate offering cable connectors for their stereos. For those who like a huge variety of entertainment, satellite radio is a great option. SiriusXM, the biggest name in satellite radio, gives you immediate access to about 100 channels of music, talk, sports, and entertainment, many of them commercial-free, via monthly subscription. SiriusXM also offers real-time instant traffic and weather for major metropolitan areas. Another in-car radio option is HD radio, which gives you access to free digital FM stations if you have an HD receiver. Many car stereos come with built-in HD radio tuners, or you can add a receiver to your existing system.
Once you’ve picked the perfect receiver, you’ll want the best sound quality possible, and that means high-quality speakers. The audio systems that come standard in your car might have a setup of as few as two or four basic speakers, while luxury car factory systems from Bose, Mark Levinson, or harman/kardon offering upwards of 18 expertly engineered speakers and optimal surround sound power precisely tuned through subwoofers, amplifiers, and equalizers. You’ll swear you’re in a concert hall instead of stuck in traffic. There are ear-pleasing aftermarket systems aplenty, such as Sony’s latest Digital Link Sound System, a component system that works with your preinstalled audio system to deliver remarkably clear sound via a 12-inch subwoofer, an amplifier, and a remote commander. Pioneer’s TS-A and premier TS-W speakers and components hone in on the subtleties of treble and bass for a full, dimensional sound.
In-car video systems are especially popular in minivans and SUVs—instead of asking “Are we there yet?” every five minutes, kids can enjoy a movie, watch satellite TV, or play video games on long road trips. There are several DVD options. All-in-one DVD players with video screens can be mounted in the rear of each of the front-seat headrests, or a screen can be mounted to the headrest with the DVD player hidden beneath the front seat or in the center console. Another way to go is a roof-mounted, fold-down overhead monitor, making it easy for everyone in the backseat to see the screen. Screen sizes range from around 7 inches for headrest screens as big as 20 inches for roofmounted screens, and wired or wirelessheadphones are available for most systems. Many systems are dualzone, so front-seat passengers can listen to a CD or the radio while rear-seaters enjoy a movie. Some in-dash monitors do play DVDs, but only when the vehicle is parked with the emergency brake on, so as not to distract the driver. Aftermarket brands to consider include Alpine, Audiovox, Clarion, and Power Acoustik. If you have game-crazy kids, be sure to choose a DVD system with a dedicated game console input so they can plug in their Xboxes or PlayStations for hours of on-road fun—and peace and quiet for you.
In-car connectivity has made huge strides in the past few years. The capability of each automakersourced or aftermarket system is different, but features run the gamut from Internet access to hands-free communication, turn-by turn navigation and real-time traffic info, entertainment recommendations, up-to-the-minute sports scores, and more, accessible via touch screen or by voice command. One popular feature is the ability to make hands-free cellphone calls on Bluetooth-enabled phones, using simple voice commands, conforming to many states’ hands-free mobile phone usage laws. Some systems, such as Ford’s Sync, also let you choose an album or song from your playlist, or will read your text messages or e-mails aloud. Restaurant ratings, Internet radio streaming, movie times, and nearby gas stations and shopping are just some of the information available. Aftermarket stereo systems from Parrot and Monster also work with your Bluetooth-enabled phone and let you play MP3s. Pioneer’s new App Radio is the first aftermarket system made specifically for the iPhone4, and lets you access all the data and apps on your iPhone 4, via a 6.1-inch touch screen, for easily accessible information, entertainment, and navigation. Speaking of navigation, today’s systems are getting more and more helpful and user-friendly, thanks to faster real-time traffic information, comprehensive, easy-to-read maps and touch-screen programming. They can either be factory-installed, or you can get a portable unit. Well-known aftermarket brands include Garmin, TomTom, and Magellan.
No matter how careful you are, accidents do happen. In-vehicle safety systems such as OnStar can instantly tell if your automobile has been in a crash, and will immediately connect you to an operator who will call 911 for you if needed. You also can press an SOS button to have emergency help sent to an accident you’ve passed on the road, or to have an operator alert the authorities if you’ve seen a vehicle flagged in an Amber Alert. Locked yourself out? An operator can remotely unlock your car. Wondering if your car needs an oil change? Automatic vehicle diagnostic systems will keep track, letting you know via e-mail when it’s time for routine maintenance. Formerly only found in GM vehicles, OnStar can now be purchased as an aftermarket addition for virtually any new or used vehicle. Another useful feature is a rearview camera or set of cameras showing the car from different angles, which can simplify parking in tight spaces or help you avoid colliding with an object or person behind you as you’re backing up. Depending on the setup, the image from the camera or cameras can be seen on your in-dash monitor screen, or in your rearview mirror.
Photo Gallery: Your Complete Guide to In-Car Technology