What is a Bluetooth Car Adapter?

If your car is not equipped with Bluetooth then you need to add Bluetooth to your car. This will enable hands-free driving. In most countries, it is prohibited to use a hand held cellphone while driving. So, rather than risk the wrath of the law, make sure your car is equipped with Bluetooth technology.  Do not worry; it is cheap and easy to add Bluetooth to your car. You don’t have to buy a new car. All you need is a Bluetooth car adapter.

What is a Bluetooth Adapter?

Bluetooth adaptor(Shutterstock)

A Bluetooth adapter is a small USB thumb that comes with a Bluetooth chip that enables Bluetooth connectivity. Car Bluetooth adapters enable Bluetooth connectivity in your car and make you completely hands free while you drive. Whether your phone is in your pocket or bag, you don’t have to take it out to answer or reject an incoming call. Here are the benefits of Bluetooth hands-free driving.

Wiring Requirements for Car Bluetooth FM Transmitter

You don’t need to worry about additional wiring or aux pin when using Bluetooth car adapters. These gadgets are plug_and_play and no additional set up is needed.

Compatible Audio System for Bluetooth Car Adapters

Bluetoth car adapters work with almost all vehicles that have an FM Audio System and a 12V Car Cigarette Lighter Plug. Most cars come with Aux-input that you can use to connect you music devices audio port directly into a car Audio system. However Bluetooth car adapters work wirelessly and foes not need to use this Aux-in.

How do You Use FM Transmitter?

Bluetooth car adapters have a Bluetooth receiver and transmitter to connect with a Bluetooth enabled Smartphone. There is also an FM transmitter that transmits sounds signals to the car;s audio system.  The list below shows the hardware parts you can see on a typical Bluetooth FM transmitter.

  1. Cigarette Light Port Connector for powering the FM Transmitter
  2. LCD Display for setting up the device FM channel.
  3. Power indicator (Optional)
  4. Microphones
  5. USB Port to charge the phone device
  6. Control buttons
  7. SD card slot (Optional)
  8. USB port to play music from phone
  9. Aux port (Optional)

Benefits of Bluetooth Hands-Free Driving

  • Bluetooth Allows for Easy Phone Calls and More

With hands-free driving, you can safely converse with callers through your car’s speaker while driving. The Bluetooth Phone Book Access Profile allows you to view your contacts, call logs, and appointments in your car’s display. Imagine no more scrolling through your phonebook while driving. 

  • Stream Audio From Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora and More
Open Spotify application on a phone with a green background(Unsplash)

We often get stuck in traffic.  This can be frustrating.  Audio streaming through your car’s speakers can keep you cool.

  • Hands-free Streaming with a Bluetooth Integrated Stereo System
Up-close car stereo playing music from Spotify(Unsplash)

Bluetooth technology and your phone’s bi –directional text access means you can hear your text messages through your car’s speakers and dictate the appropriate response while driving. In a nutshell, Bluetooth promotes safe texting.

  • GPS Navigation is Easier with a Hands-Free Car Stereo

Although most countries allow the use of a cell phone’s map features without a hands-free device, using Bluetooth makes it better. You cars speakers are clearer than your phone’s.  This means you will hear the direction from a GPS Navigation more clearly. 

Reasons Bluetooth Wont Connect in Your Car

It can be frustrating when facing Bluetooth connection issues. It could be problems with Bluetooth in your car, home or elsewhere else. However, these problems can be fixed. Let’s look at some possible reasons Bluetooth won’t connect in your car.

Reasons Bluetooth Won’t Connect

When you cant connect a Bluetooth headset to a Bluetooth car kit, there are several potential causes.  The problem range from interference from other devices to compatibility issues. Before looking at these reasons further, it is always a good idea to restart your device.

  1. Incompatible Bluetooth Versions

Although Bluetooth is a universal standard, device with different versions can sometimes conflict. Although its possible that your Bluetooth car kit version could be older than your phone, both devices should work together in most circumstances. An exception is when one devices Bluetooth Smart. Bluetooth Smart devices can only pair with devices that are Bluetooth smart compatible. If you can’t connect to your car Bluetooth kit, do some research to determine if the two devices are compatible.

  1. The Device Are Too Far Apart
Car stereo connected to a Bluetooth device(Pexels)

Bluetooth devices remain paired and connected at distances of about 30 feet, although with increasingly poor functionality depending on obstruction. These devices work better when close to each other, but proximity is more important when it comes to pairing them. If your devices refuse to connect, remove any obstruction between the two devices. Once you pair your phone with your car, it should remain connected when you put in your backpack, phone holder or pocket.

  1. Insufficient Battery Power

If you have used Bluetooth before, you might have noticed the it can reduce your operational battery life when it’s active. Because of this, some devices are designed to enter a power-saving mode when the battery life is low. This shuts off Bluetooth. You may need to turn Bluetooth back on manually. In some instances, charging your devices might be the only solution to get them to pair correctly. It is recommended to make sure your devices are fully charged or plugged into a power source when experiencing connection issues.

  1. Bluetooth Is Disabled on Your Device

If you have problems with Bluetooth connection in your car, it could be disabled in the system setting.  Check the settings to make sure Bluetooth is enabled.

  1. Devices Are Not in Pairing Mode

When you pair your phone to your Bluetooth car adapter, you have to make sure that the phone’s Bluetooth is on and the accessory device is in pairing mode. If your device has a single multi-function button, you have to power down the device and then power it on with a long press until it enters the powering mode. If the car adapter has an LED, it flashes blue and red when in this mode. Always make sure that your device is discoverable. If you have set your devices as discoverable, and they still can’t find each other, you may be dealing with a Bluetooth compatibility issue.

  1. Outside Signal Interference
Signal and Bluetooth signs depiction on black background(Unsplash)

Wi-Fi interference is common in your home or office. However, public Wi-Fi networks and hotspots can interfere with Bluetooth in your car as well. If you are using a mobile hotspot in your car, make sure its switched off.  You can turn it back on without any issues once the devices have paired.

USB 3.0 connections can also cause interference in the same 2.4GHZ spectrum used by Bluetooth devices. This is also common in your home or office than in your car. However, if your laptop uses USB 3.0 and is sitting in the passenger seat, it is a potential source of interference.  Basically, any electronic device that uses the 2.4 GHz spectrum can interfere with the pairing and operation of Bluetooth devices.  To minimize interference in your car, pair with the vehicle turned off or with the Bluetooth adapter unplugged.

Factors to Consider When Purchasing a Bluetooth Car Adapter

Here are important factors that you should consider before purchasing a Bluetooth car adapter.

  • Design

Before buying any new product, the first thing you are looking at is the looks and design. Bluetooth car adapters come in various colors, styles, and designs. So make sure you choose a design that fits your test.

  • Compatibility

Make sure that you buy a car Bluetooth adapter that is compatible with the operating system of device that you are currently using. Otherwise, you can experience connection issues.

  • Support

Before buying a Bluetooth adapter for your car, make sure to check if your chosen adapter supports the device you are using.

  • Select a Bluetooth Adapter  That Uses 4.0 Technology

Another thing you need to consider is that if the Bluetooth adapter is equipped with 4.0 technology. This is because this technology offers more range allowing you to pair your smartphone and your car stereo system even if you are not close to it. In addition, it consumes lesser energy.

Wrap Up

Besides enabling hands-free driving, Bluetooth car adapter are capable of streaming music from your cell phone to the cars audio speaker system. This allows you to listen to your favorite music from your music apps through your car audio system. Most Bluetooth car adapters come with a USB that you can use to charge your phone.

Since hands-free calls are less distracting while you drive, it is the legal way to make calls in most countries and states. If your car doesn.t have a Bluetooth car stereo, then this article is for you. You can easily convert the car into a Bluetooth hands-free car with a Bluetooth car adapter.  The main benefit of Bluetooth car adapters is that you won’t need additional wiring and the set up is easy.  

This brings us to the end of our comprehensive article on Bluetooth car adapters. I hope you found it informative. Keep it here for related content.

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Bill David