Car radio replacement: how it works with installation and removal
Content
Nowadays, a car radio is much more than an old two-handle receiver. A modern car radio should have a lot of extra features and comfort features. The original radios only partly live up to these expectations. Therefore, many customers change the originally installed radio to a new one. Mistakes are often made. Read in this guide what to look for when replacing your car radio.
What is expected from a modern car radio
Radio function itself are only a fraction of the capabilities of this traditional equipment. Especially important in our time is its connection with a smartphone. Sync turns your car stereo into a speakerphone or into a convenient navigation assistant . Thanks to Bluetooth technology for this connection no longer requires wiring.
Modern standard radio equipment includes a remote control built into the steering wheel. Steering wheel radio control is a practical safety measure . The driver does not need to take their hands off the steering wheel for radio control and can keep their eyes on the road . Porting this feature when installing new stereo equipment can be challenging.
What do you have and what do you want
When considering the issue about car radio replacement you must first identify the possibilities.
The accessories market offers a wide range of equipment in several price ranges and with many different features.
For some technologies, it makes sense for manufacturers not to invest heavily in Research and development . After 30 years on the market CDs are gradually becoming obsolete. Like cassette players, CD hardware will eventually disappear from the market. Instead of investing in outdated technology, it's a good idea to check if the radio has USB connection . Nowadays, Bluetooth is also often standard and expected even in cheaper radios. The USB connection allows you to connect an external drive. The radio must play all music formats , at least MP3 and WAV. Many other formats are available.
Synchronizing the radio and hard drive can be a daunting task . By all means, be sure to use the detailed advice before purchasing.
Dismantling an old radio.
Ideally, you should take apart your old equipment before buying a new radio. . This allows you to check the connection requirements of a new radio. A new radio that does not have the necessary connections is not a problem. The seller offers a suitable adapter for each combination . Therefore, be sure to bring the old radio to the consultation. Until you find a new radio and all the necessary adapters, you can return home. It's very frustrating to discover incompatibility between the new radio and the old connections during installation.
However, this is only possible if the radio is relatively easily accessible, i.e. if it is installed with a protective frame and in a standard radio socket.
Disassembling an old radio is very simple, you will need:
- 1 flat screwdriver
- a key to unlock the old radio
- universal wrench
 Wrap the end of the screwdriver with (duct tape). Now remove the radio cover bezel by simply prying it off with a screwdriver. Please act as carefully as possible. The frame can break easily. Tape prevents scratches. |
| You absolutely need the key to unlock the old radio. If it is no longer there, go to the garage and disassemble the car radio there. This is a secondary task for professionals and should not cost more than five euros from your coffee fund. |
| For some designs, disassembling the radio can be a difficult task. VAG, for example, used its own locking system: in the old VW and Audi radios, the unlocking keys were not inserted from the side, but at certain points between the switches. If you get stuck, check Youtube where you can find the proper disassembly guide for each radio. |
Disconnecting the battery is not required when installing or removing a radio with a standard slot. It is enough to remove the ignition key. As long as there is no need to apply new wiring, there is no danger of short circuits or cross wiring. |
| If the radio does not have a standard slot, you must remove the entire casing . You may also need to remove the switches. Now it makes sense to disconnect the battery. Removing the skin can require a lot of effort, as it is usually tightly screwed on with a large number of screws. Proceed with caution or refer to your vehicle's repair manual. |
The golden rule when removing the skin:
| « If it gets stuck, you are doing something wrong. Use force and you will destroy something. " |
Installing a new car radio
New car radios are always sold with the appropriate mounting frame. Therefore the old frames must be removed. .
If possible, use only adapters between the old connection and the new radio. As a layman, you should avoid rewiring existing connections. In modern cars, the risk of damage is too great. However, be sure to take pictures of the connections before installation. This will give you something useful for orientation.
The new radio should offer the following connection options:
- food
- connection to speakers
– connection to the steering wheel remote control, if available.
| In original VW and OPEL radios, the connection for "always on" and "on" is made differently than in retrofit radios . The Always On feature allows you to turn on the radio when the key is removed from the ignition. In a simple "on" function, this is not possible. In addition, a radio that is disconnected from the powertrain may lose its individual settings each time the ignition key is removed.The internal memory erases all channels, as well as the time and date settings, which must be entered again . To prevent this, no new wiring is required: individual flat contacts can be swapped in the adapter socket. Just change the yellow cable to red. |
Don't forget the CD/DVD lock
If you bought a radio with a CD or DVD player, this module must be unlocked before installation . Two bolts in the housing secure the equipment CD tray or inserter mechanism and laser eye. This prevents it from losing position during transport. The bolts must be removed prior to installing a new radio. The player is now unlocked, allowing you to play CDs and DVDs on the radio.
Acoustic improvement
Gone are the days of having to cut holes in a window shelf at the back. The new cars have perfectly positioned standard size speakers. The original speakers are not necessarily the best. They can be replaced with high-quality parts that provide optimal sound. If there are no speakers in the back of a new car, connection wiring is usually present. If that's not enough, an additional amplifier can improve the car's acoustics. However, installing it is more of a challenge than simply replacing a car radio.
