iPod your car

Unsurprisingly, before installing your new stereo, you'll need to take out the factory-installed deck. This can be more complex than it first looks. Many stereos are tucked away behind cosmetic paneling, which must be removed before you can access the screws that attach it to the dash. Before even touching the electrical connections, it's a good idea to disconnect the negative terminal of the car battery. With the stereo detached from the dash, pull out the main wiring harness, the FM cable, and any other connections.

With the factory stereo removed, you'll need to prepare your new stereo for installation. Typically, this involves stripping the ends of the wires for connecting the power, speakers, and any other systems via the stereo's wiring harness. Next you'll need to connect the wires from your stereo to your car's proprietary harness: the wires are color-coded so it's easy to know which stereo wires connect to which car wires. Use automotive wire connectors for the best connection and make sure to cover over any exposed bare wire with electrical tape to prevent short circuits. With the two harnesses connected, plug them into their respective ports on the car and the stereo.

For stereos that require add-on modules to connect to an iPod, you can either hide the module behind the dash, or, alternatively, run the connecting cable from the back of the stereo behind the dashboard and out into the glove box. Either way, you are going to have to run the iPod connector itself out to the cabin, either through the glove box or through some other opening in the dashboard.