How to Set the Time on a Car Stereo
By Charlie Bradley
Although many car radios include a clock, many people don't know how to set it so they don't bother adjusting it--especially when times change due to the beginning and end of Daylight Saving Time. But it isn't difficult.
Refer to the section of your owner's manual that addresses the car radio. Each car radio is different in the way you set the clock. If you've installed a car radio other than the one that was manufactured with the car, consult the manual for that radio.
Know that if this is the first time you're setting the clock or are setting the clock after installing a new battery in your car, you have to set the hour and the minute of time. Often, you set the clock with either the radio station up or down arrows. On some car stereos, you use the CD track selector buttons for setting the clock.
Using either the CD or radio selector buttons, set the hour first. Push the button labeled "Set" or "Clock" and then set the minute with the same procedure. When setting the minute, some manufacturers allow you to move through in increments of five by pressing and holding the button. If the time of day were 2:49 p.m., for example, you would push the button 13 times, including nine times to display :45, then four additional times incremented by one to display :49. Push the "Set" button or the "Clock" button.
Determine whether your car stereo is equipped to automatically change when Daylight Saving Time begins and ends. If it hasn't changed at 2 a.m. of the time-changing date, you know it isn't equipped for this. In that case, set the hour either forward or backward and the appropriate time of the year.
If you can't figure out how to set the clock on your car stereo, wait until noon on any given day, disconnect your car battery and reconnect it.
Tips
- It's a good idea to set your car clock a few minutes behind so that you allow for traffic and other delays when you're due at a meeting or appointment at a certain time.
Writer Bio
Charlie Bradley has been a freelance writer since 2007. Bradley's work has been featured on various websites. He holds a certificate in personal computer repair and support from West Georgia Technical College.