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How to Tell if your Car has Bluetooth Capabilities
Being able to tell if your car has Bluetooth is something that you will find is easy to do. Bluetooth capabilities are something that is slowly becoming more and more popular. It is much safer to have Bluetooth enabled in your vehicle, because it will allow you to make hands-free phone calls. It is important to know if your vehicle has Bluetooth capabilities so that you can get it installed if it does not. You will find that a car with a Bluetooth stereo can end up making your life a lot easier whenever you’re driving and need to make a phone call.
Materials Needed
- Bluetooth Phone
Step 1 – Check Phone Compatibility
The most important tool that you will need with a Bluetooth car is a phone that has Bluetooth capabilities. You will never know if your vehicle is Bluetooth ready unless you have a phone that already has it available. You will find that most cell phones already have Bluetooth installed in them. If you are unsure about whether or not your cell phone is Bluetooth ready, then simply look around on your phone. Typically, if you go to the menu on your cell and then look at the Tools menu, you will see an option for Bluetooth if your phone has it. If you do not have a phone that has this on it, then it may be time to upgrade.
Step 2 – Vehicle Compatibility
Once you are sure that your phone has Bluetooth on it, you are now ready to check to see if your vehicle has it. Typically, if a vehicle was made after 2004, then it is likely to have it. If you purchased the car used, there is a chance that a Bluetooth kit was installed, but it’s not likely.
If you are still unsure, the easiest way to find out if you have Bluetooth capability is to try to pair your phone to the radio. You can do this from your phone’s menu. It should pick up the radio if you attempt to locate another Bluetooth device. Some stereos will have a button that shows a phone or a headset; press this to complete the pairing.
Step 3 – Installation
If you find that your vehicle does not have Bluetooth already installed, there are kits that you can purchase that will allow you to be able to add this. The kits will vary in price depending on the type that you get and the brand name. Installation is something that you can choose to do yourself, or you can take it to a professional. It is usually recommended that you have a professional do it, because installation is something that can be tricky, especially if you don’t have a lot of experience. There are certain Bluetooth kits that will not allow you to install them yourself.
Step 4 – Placement
If you do decide to install the Bluetooth yourself, you should always remember to keep the microphone no further than 16 inches away from your mouth. Be sure that the kit does not interfere with any mirrors or windows. Also ensure that it doesn’t get in the way of any gear shifts or seats for safety reasons.
