Cars are one of the most popular ways to get around in the UK. As of September 2021, there were 39.2 million licensed vehicles which proves their prevalence on the British roads. Driving allows for convenience, privacy and a chance to listen to the car’s audio system to help boost your mood when driving.
There are many ways that people utilise their car audio. This includes listening to a podcast on Spotify, playing a CD or simply tuning into the radio with Heart FM being the current most popular. As ever with cars though, the audio system is just another thing that can need fixing from time to time.
Read on to find out how to test your car audio and ensure you never have to drive without listening to your favourite song again.
Common audio problems a car may face
Audio can be a real headache to listen to when something goes wrong. Within a car, however, it could prove a real distraction from the roads. Here are some of the common audio problems that cars face now and again:
- Blown fuse
- Power connection issue
- Loose connectors
- Damaged wiring.
How to find out which issue the car is having
Now that you know some of the issues you’re looking for, it’s time to troubleshoot the car and find the actual source of the issue.
Begin by playing something familiar through the speakers – this way you’ll know how it’s supposed to sound. Next, have a good listen, some of the things you’ll be looking out for include:
- Distortion in volume
- Little or no vibrations
- Poor range of sound
- Rattling sounds from the speakers
- Car radio simply won’t turn on
Still having trouble diagnosing the issue?
There are a few things you can do to test the audio further. Try using an oscilloscope to measure the signal strength of the audio. This will determine the frequencies of electronic and acoustic signals and will be able to tell you where the problem lies.
Does it need a mechanic DIY?
Most of these problems can be fixed by the car owner themselves, although unsure hands may cause further damage to the system. Ensure you feel confident enough to tackle the issues and you’ll save money and time fixing your audio system.
There are, however, some issues that untrained people simply won’t be able to solve. These are repeated CD ejections, inoperable screen display and static sounds with a tape player. If the car is facing these issues then a mechanic will be needed to fix the issues.
Your car stereo is precious. It allows you to enjoy the freedom of the roads whilst listening to your favourite soundtrack. Ensure yours is always working and don’t miss out on that feeling.
