How to Play CDs in My Car Without a CD Player

Yikes!  My new car doesn’t have a compact disc player!  I love my CD collection and love to listen to my favorite tunes as I make the trek from Spokane to Seattle.  Now what can I do?

As you have learned, many newer model vehicles are built without a CD player.  Why?  CDs have been declining in popularity; hence, vehicle manufactures are following the trend and no longer producing cars standard with CD players.  The audio movement has gone to satellite radio and music apps like AppleCarPlay and Android Auto.

You have the option to install an aftermarket stereo that includes a CD player, but this can be expensive and you would have to make modifications to your vehicle which is not always ideal.  But have no fear, there are options for you to continue listening to your favorite CDs that are less expensive and don’t require changes to your new rig.

USB CD Players

 Here’s an easy option.  Most likely your newer model car will have a USB port.  You can buy a CD player that has a USB adapter and plug it in.  You will want to consider a power source.  Check for a plug-in cord that will work in your vehicle or purchase a player that comes with battery power.

Be sure to mount or place the player so that it doesn’t move around while driving.  You don’t want to miss a beat of your most loved song.

Bluetooth

 Let’s say you don’t want to deal with the cords involved with a portable CD.  In this case, find a CD player that has Bluetooth capabilities.    Pair up your car and your player and you are good to go.

Copy CDs to Your Phone or Memory Stick

 While this option does get rid of using your CDs in your vehicle, it is another way to keep listening to your CD music.  You can copy the CDs to your phone or a memory stick using a personal computer.  If your computer does not have a CD drive, you will need to get an external drive.  Using an appropriate program, you can copy the CDs to your computer.  The next step is to connect your phone or memory stick to your computer, then move the music to your device.  The final step is to pair your phone to your vehicle’s radio or simply plug in the memory stick to the USB port.

Keep in mind, that if you do not have a lot of room on your phone, this could limit the amount of music you can transfer.  Copy your faves and you can update the songs as time goes on.  For a memory stick, you will need to consider the size when transferring your CDs.  The larger the size, the more you can copy.

Purchasing a CD Player

 When deciding which portable CD player to purchase, keep in mind that it should have the capability to be used in a vehicle.  Some CD drives only work with computers.

There are lots of CD player options on Amazon.com with a variety of options and price range.

Ready, Set, PLAY

Technology is always advancing.  Unfortunately for those CD lovers, the advancing eliminated the CD player in your car.  But you still have options.  Just find the best one for you and listen your drive away!

Still need help getting it done?  Reach out to our staff who can show you the steps.

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