How to Change a Car Stereo

Aftermarket car stereos are often of much higher quality than the pre-installed stereos that come standard in vehicles. Installing the stereo yourself is an easy way to cut down on the cost of installing a new stereo system in your car. Car stereos come ready to install, so you don't have to deal with a lot of wiring to take out an old stereo and replace it with a new one.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Screwdriver

1. Remove the old car stereo. Remove the face plate by pulling gently on it. The face plate will be attached with retaining clips, which should pop loose if you pull. If it doesn't, you may need to use a screwdriver to pry the plate away from the retaining clips. Be careful. The face plate is plastic and can break. Once the face plate is removed, you will have access to the screws holding the radio in place. There will be two screws at the bottom of the radio. Unscrew these screws and pull the old stereo out of the dash. There will be a group of wires bundled together, which provide power to the radio and connect the radio to the speakers, and one single wire, which goes out to the antenna. The wire to the antenna will pop right out. The bundle of wires will be held onto the stereo with a retaining clip. Squeeze the retaining clip to release the wires.

2. Connect the bundle of wires and the antenna wire up to the new stereo. The new stereo may have slightly different attachments from the stereo that you are replacing, but the attachments will be made to fit the wire bundle and antenna wire.

3. Place the new stereo into the stereo housing. There will be space for the wires behind the stereo. Push them back carefully as you set the stereo into place.

4. Secure the radio with screws just as the original radio was secured. There will be holes in the casing of the new stereo for the screws.

5. Replace the face plate. Reattach it to the dash by pressing it back into its original position. If it is lined up correctly, it will click into place as the retaining clips catch.

6. Test the stereo. Turn on the car and try out the stereo. It should begin working immediately. Try the radio to make sure the antenna is working properly. If everything works, you've installed the stereo correctly.

Resources

• All You Need to Know About Car Stereos