how to play music in car without aux

How to Hear Music in the Car From a USB

By Sean Hemmer

i flash drive image by Antonio Oquias from Fotolia.com

Music has become more mobile than ever before, as numerous devices can store and play music on-the-go. Companies have developed car audio decks that incorporate USB ports in the faceplate. This allows flash drives to be plugged into the deck, and music on the drive to be played. Flash drive format issues are minimal, considering nearly all flash drives are formatted in the FAT32 file system by default. FAT32 is readable by any operating system, or stereo deck with a USB port.

Determine if the stereo deck in the vehicle is capable of playing music off a USB flash drive. Read the stereo deck user's manual, or inspect the deck faceplate for a USB port.

Plug a USB flash drive into an available USB port on a computer.

Check the drive to make sure there is enough available space for music files. Using Windows, double-click the desktop icon labeled "My Computer." Right-click the flash drive icon, and select "Properties." Capacity will be shown. Using Mac, click the flash drive icon once it appears on the desktop. Click "File" in the top menu bar, then click "Get Info." A dialog box appears, and capacity is listed.

Drag and drop any desired music files onto the flash drive. Be sure the files are in .mp3 format. Although some stereo decks are capable of playing other music types, the .mp3 extension is universal and all decks will play it.

Spend a short amount of time organizing the files into folders. Organize by genre, artist, or create mixed playlists. Selecting music while driving will become much less distracting.

Close the drive window, and safely eject the flash drive from the computer.

Plug the flash drive into the stereo deck of the vehicle.

Select the USB port as the music source, via the stereo deck. Read the manufacturer's user manual if unsure of how to change the source.

Adjust the volume, listen, and enjoy.

References

Tips

Be sure the music files are in .mp3 format.

Writer Bio

Located in Wisconsin, Sean Hemmer has been writing professionally since 2010. Hemmer has contributed several articles to Gamewinners.com and has written for a blog titled "The Tequila Sunrise." He started attending Blackhawk Technical College during the year of 2008 in pursuit of an Associate of Applied Science in information technology/network administration.