Area 41 Car Audio

Georgia's Mobile Enhancement Experts

2220 Cobb Pkwy NW, Kennesaw, GA (678) 594-0141
  • Home
  • Services
    • Car Audio
    • Laser and Radar Detectors
    • Motorcycle Audio
    • Vehicle Security
    • Window Tint
  • About Us
  • Location
  • Contact Us
  • Shop
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
You are here: Home / RESOURCE LIBRARY / Your New Car or Truck Might Not Have a Radio

Your New Car or Truck Might Not Have a Radio

Car Radio

If you visit a new car dealership these days, you’ll notice more and more cars, trucks and SUVs with small touchscreen displays that are mounted in front of or above the dash. While these infotainment systems provide you with AM/FM terrestrial radio, SiriusXM Satellite radio and playback of all your favorite digital media files, these systems aren’t traditional car radios in the classic sense of the word. Confused? There’s no need to be; we’ll explain.

What is a Classic Car Radio?

For decades, the standard for car radios was a chassis that measured roughly 2 inches in height and 7 inches in width. This standard, known as ISO (International Organization for Standardization) 7736, was based on DIN (Deutsches Institut für Normung) 75490 or 180 mm by 50 mm. Although never popular in North American vehicles, ISO 10487 defined a set of standards for radio connectors and wire harness colors. The colors are used by all aftermarket radio manufacturers, but few adopted the connectors due to their large size.

Car Radio
This Sony DIN-sized car radio includes an AM/FM Receiver, Bluetooth, CD playback, a USB port for digital media files and a 45 watt per channel high-power amplifier for great sound.

Contained within these tight confines is a power supply, an AM/FM receiver and, depending on your age, possible a cassette player, a CD mechanism, along with support for digital media playback by USB or a combination of these technologies.

Where is the Radio in My New Car?

If you were to look for the “radio” in a new car, you might find a metal box with two or three multi-pin connectors on it. There isn’t likely to be a display affixed to the box, nor any controls. Referred to by Japanese head unit manufacturers as a “silver box” design, these radio modules interface with the controls and displays already built into the dash, center console and steering wheel of your vehicle. Depending on the design of your vehicle, these silver boxes may be mounted in the dash, under a seat or in the cargo area of the vehicle.

Car Radio
More and more new vehicles come with infotainment modules that interface with controls and displays in the dash to provide entertainment and navigation while you drive.

How Can I Upgrade My Car Stereo?

If you happen to have purchased a vehicle that is designed around a silver box radio, you can still upgrade your car stereo system. You won’t be starting with a new radio. Your upgrade will come in the form of better speakers, more-powerful amplifiers, a subwoofer or a digital signal processor. In the hands of a properly trained mobile enhancement retailer, every aspect of the listening experience in your car can be improved: clarity, detail, tonal balance, low-frequency extension and — of course — overall volume level. You just have to explain your goals and let their expertise guide you to the end goal.

Car Radio

What If I Want to Upgrade the Technology in My Vehicle?

Say, for example, that your vehicle didn’t come with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Companies like NAV-TV offer upgrades for Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Lexus and Range Rover vehicles to add these smartphone interface technologies. More applications are always in the works.

Car Radio
The NAV-TV Smart Link System adds Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to an existing vehicle infotainment system.

Likewise, companies like VAIS Technology offer Satellite Radio interfaces that work with Toyota, Scion, Honda, Hyundai, Ford, Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Fiat, Nissan, Mazda, Porsche, Chevrolet, GMC, Mercedes, Volkswagen, Land Rover, Alfa Romeo and Subaru factory radios. They also have Bluetooth add-on modules for many Toyota and Lexus vehicles.

Car Radio
VAIS Technology add-on SiriusXM Tuner systems work with the USB ports on many late-model vehicles.

Finally, if your new vehicle didn’t come with a CD player, companies like Automotive Integration Solutions (AIS) have add-on solutions that work with your USB port.

Upgrade Your Car Stereo Today!

If the entertainment system that came with your vehicle doesn’t offer the features or performance you want, drop by your local specialist mobile enhancement retailer today to find out how it can be improved. They’d be happy to make your commute to work or school a little more enjoyable through new infotainment options.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Share this:

  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest

Related

Filed Under: RESOURCE LIBRARY, ARTICLES, Car Audio

About BestCarAudio.com

BestCarAudio.com is a showcase for the very best mobile electronics retailers in the world and a place to educate and inform interested consumers about existing and emerging technologies.

Recent Articles

Pioneer DMH-W3050NEX

Product Spotlight: Pioneer DMH-W3050NEX

September 1, 2025 

Pioneer and car audio go together like coffee and cream or a hot dog with ketchup — classic pairings that make sense. On that note, we are going to take a look at one of their … [Read More...]

A coil of wire with gold bricks stacked on one side of it and silver on the other

Why Do Speakers and Subwoofers Sometimes Have CCAW Voice Coils?

August 31, 2025 

You should be aware that copper-clad aluminum wire is the least-preferred option for connecting an amplifier to your vehicle’s battery or alternator. Copper-clad aluminum wire has … [Read More...]

A gray subwoofer

What Happens When Using an Oversize Subwoofer Enclosure?

August 24, 2025 

What happens when a subwoofer is used with an oversized subwoofer enclosure? This article will look at the good, the bad and the ugly in terms of an improper match between the … [Read More...]

Subwoofer Enclosure Terminals Cups and Connections

August 17, 2025 

One thing common to every car audio subwoofer enclosure is that they need to connect to the subwoofer amplifier. Most subwoofer enclosures include a terminal cup or something … [Read More...]

The inside of a car with a GPS system showing on the car radio screen

What Is GPS Locating and How Does it Work?

August 10, 2025 

Undoubtedly, you’ve heard the term GPS. It’s not uncommon for consumers to refer to navigation software like Waze, Google Maps, Apple Maps or a portable navigation device from … [Read More...]

Subscribe!

Enter your email address to subscribe to our website and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Testimonials

Best Experience!

I went into Area 41 today to upgrade my subs and the salesman spent a long time with me and didn't rush me I really appreciate that I was able to listen to different systems in different cars. I was able to get a whole system that is a lot better than just getting the subs I came in to ask about thank you

I Love This Place!

I love this place! Very knowledgeable staff and they installed one 12 that sounds like 2 for cheap. They also took the time to make sure that the car looks like it does before the installation so you can't even tell anything was touched. If you want awesome car audio come here!

Awesome Staff

Awesome staff and very precise with details. Long wait but they have a comfortable atmosphere and make you feel at home so the wait wasn't bad at all. Will be taking my other car for them next week. I highly recommend them!

Subscribe to Our Website

Enter your email address to subscribe to our website and receive notifications of new posts by email.


Get Directions to Area 41 Car Audio

Find Us

Area 41 Car Audio

2220 Cobb Pkwy NW
Kennesaw, GA 30152
(678) 594-0141

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Services

  • Car Audio
  • Laser and Radar Detectors
  • Motorcycle Audio
  • Vehicle Security
  • Window Tint

Hours

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Copyright © 2025 Area 41 Car Audio · Privacy Policy · Website by 1sixty8 media, inc. · Log in

 

Loading Comments...