How to Connect a Zune to a Car Radio

Use an FM transmitter to play your Zune in the car.

MP3 players like the Zune provide a more convenient alternative to CDs for listening to music on the go. You can listen to your MP3 music files and playlists in your car using an electronic device called an FM transmitter. FM transmitters broadcast music on MP3 players through a car's FM radio. If you are sick of listening to the same songs on the radio and want to avoid the risk of fumbling with CDs while driving, consider using an FM transmitter to play your Zune in the car.

Things You'll Need

• FM transmitter

Instructions

1. Purchase an FM transmitter for MP3 players. Some FM transmitters come with a charger that will charge your Zune's battery while it plays in the car.

2. Attach the cable on the FM transmitter into the dock connector located on the bottom of your Zune MP3 player. Plug the FM transmitter into your car's 12-volt power outlet (cigarette lighter).

3. Turn on your car radio and manually tune to an empty FM station. Search through FM stations 88.1 through 107.9 to find the best empty frequency and minimize static noise.

4. Press the up or down arrow buttons on your FM transmitter until the radio station display matches your selected empty broadcast station on your car radio.

5. Select a song or album on your Zune and press the "Play" button to play your music through the car radio. Use the volume knob on the radio to adjust the volume level as needed.

6. Hold down the "Preset" button on your FM transmitter to save preferred empty broadcast radio stations that transmit your music clearly.

Tips & Warnings

• If your car has an auxiliary jack on the radio (often labeled "Aux"), you can connect an auxiliary cable to your Zune to play it in your car without using an FM transmitter.

• Unplug the FM transmitter from your car's power outlet when not in use to avoid draining the car battery.

References

• Zune: Zune Car Pack User's Guide
• Digital Lifestyle Outfitters: TransDock Micro Sansa Manual