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Step 1
Find out if an FM adapter is the right option for your specific vehicle. Most FM adapters are designed to be used in the cassette transport of a factory-installed radio. If you do not have a cassette player in your car, find out which accessories you will need to act as an interface between your stock audio system and your changer, including wiring harnesses, cables and interfaces. Most car audio retailers have directories that will tell you the specific accessories needed to hook up a CD changer to your vehicle.
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Step 2
Choose a CD changer that already includes an FM adapter with the hardware kit. Not only will you save money by not having to buy this separately, but it may come in handy if you like to use the changer in more than one vehicle and have to use a different installation technique for each vehicle.
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Step 3
Plug the FM adapter into the cassette well of your factory radio. Check that the cassette-shaped adapter fits snugly into the slot, or else it may not make a solid connection and could create a lot of static or interference.
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Step 4
Tune your FM radio to the frequency specified by the manufacturer of the FM adapter, and press Play on your CD changer controls. You should be able to hear CDs clearly through your FM radio.
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Step 5
Consider using an FM modulator as an interface between your factory radio and your CD changer if your vehicle is compatible with this type of installation. An FM modulator is similar to an FM adapter, but it is wired to the factory radio through its output jacks, as opposed to its tape transport, which often results in better overall sound quality.
