How Does a Bluetooth Car Stereo System Work?

Upgrade Your Stereo to Feature This Smartphone Connectivity Technology

Once upon a time in a not-so-distant future, people had to use a tape deck converter or auxiliary cable if they wanted to hear music on their phone or MP3 players through their car stereo. There was even a device that used a radiofrequency to play music from your MP3 player! Our cars were full of extra devices just so we could enjoy the music we wanted to listen to while on a road trip, commuting, or running errands.

Car stereos have come a long way. New cars, and even older, luxury models, now come equipped with Bluetooth technology that makes it possible to play your favorite tunes straight from your smartphone without the clutter of wires and cords. Bluetooth technology also enables hands-free calling for a safer ride. In short, a Bluetooth stereo system can make your overall driving experience a lot more fun.

If you’re thinking about upgrading to a Bluetooth car stereo, you’re probably wondering if it’s really worth the investment. We’ve created a quick guide to help you become familiar with the basics of Bluetooth technology so you know what to look for when you start shopping for upgrades for your car audio system.

What IS Car Bluetooth?

Bluetooth is a wireless communication technology that allows electronic devices to link together over short distances. You can use Bluetooth to connect a wireless mouse to your laptop, or to hook up wireless headphones to your smartphone.

Car Bluetooth functions the very same way. It allows you to use your smartphone completely hands-free, which means you don’t have to hold your device, or wrestle with cables to plug it into your car to make calls, play music, or use GPS navigation. You’ll hear the audio through your car’s speakers, rather than the tinny-sounding one on your smartphone. The connectivity makes it easier to hear the person you’re talking to, or your driving directions so you can get safely to your destination.

How Does a Car Bluetooth Stereo System Work?

Bluetooth stereo systems use low-power, short-range transmitters to send and receive information over radio waves. When you enter your vehicle with your smartphone in hand, in your pocket, or in your handbag, your car stereo will recognize your smartphone and pair to it, either automatically or through a “pair request,” that requires you to tap a button on both devices so that they connect over one of 79 available channels.

Once connected to Bluetooth, you can access your phone’s contacts, messages, music, and digital maps from your Bluetooth stereo interface.

Will My Smartphone Ever Play on Someone Else’s Bluetooth Car Stereo?

In short, it isn’t likely! Why? Many systems require you to acknowledge a pairing request, and even those that don’t will change the digital channel they’re using thousands of times per second to minimize interference with other Bluetooth devices.

This is called “spread-spectrum frequency hopping,” and it keeps your Bluetooth device and smartphone secure as you listen to music or follow driving directions. And because Bluetooth works over very short distances only, your smartphone will automatically disconnect when you reach your destination and get out of the car.

What Can a Car Bluetooth Stereo System Do for Me?

While late-model vehicles likely come with Bluetooth, if your car doesn’t have the feature, buying an aftermarket stereo system is a great idea. When you choose aftermarket equipment, you can choose the features you want, specifically, and not have to pay extra for those that you don’t.

Depending on the model of your new Bluetooth stereo, you can answer a phone call or send a text message with voice activation. Other systems might require you to take the screen on your Bluetooth car interface to accept a call and hear it from your speakers.

Nearly all Bluetooth stereos will stream music from a compatible device to your speakers without creating a tangled mess of cables across your console. Advanced Bluetooth stereo models can even connect with a car video system to create a full-blown mobile entertainment center that your backseat passengers will love.

How is Bluetooth Different from Apple CarPlay or Android Auto?

The best thing about Bluetooth connectivity is that it is completely wireless and compatible with whatever cell phone you have, as long as it has Bluetooth capabilities.

Apple CarPlay will only work on Apple smartphone devices. Currently, Apple CarPlay requires a wired connection via a lightning-to-USB cable or similar in your vehicle. CarPlay, however, is set up to be able to use lots of features of your iPhone and relies on Siri, the Apple virtual assistant, to accomplish things like reading your text messages aloud to you as you drive.

Similarly, Android Auto doesn’t support handsfree phone usage perfectly, though it does rely on Bluetooth connectivity to link to your car stereo. Some Android Auto systems require you use a cable to connect your smartphone to your car, while newer models have become completely wireless.

Regardless of which system you choose, Bluetooth is a key player in connecting your phone to your vehicle. For simplicity’s sake, Bluetooth can be the best option because it doesn’t matter which manufacturer your cell phone comes from.

Get Connected with a Bluetooth Stereo System at Car Stereo City in San Diego

California law makes it illegal to talk on your cell phone while driving. A Bluetooth car stereo system allows you to stay connected hands-free and avoid pricey traffic tickets for violating the law. Plus, the fact that Bluetooth enables you to bring your entire music library along with you makes sitting in southern California rush-hour traffic a lot less painful.

At Car Stereo City, we’ll set you up with a Bluetooth stereo that’s compatible with your smartphone and provide installation right here in our San Diego car audio store. Contact us at 858-277-1823, or stop by 8252 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard today to see how we can help you with a stereo replacement in your vehicle.