How to play an iPod in a Subaru Outback?

Answer 1

Have an auxillary audio input jack (optional incessary) installed by your Subaru dealer (Costs $145 AUS as at may 2008). On the 2008 model, this is installed in the centre onsole right under the second cigarette lighter input. You connect the headphone port on your iPod to the auxillaty audio jack with a 3.5mm plug. You can then listen to your IPOD on the car stereo by pressing the "AUX" button. You can also charge your IPOD at the same time, using a car charger plugged into the cigarette lighter jack above. (Two connections - two cables). The set up is quite neat, although not ideal. The hinged lid of the centre console has a divot that allows the lid to shut with the IPOD cables protruding, so you can put your IPOD in the centre cup holders. A dash mount is possible, but you would have cables running from the centre console - not very pretty. This set up allows you to hear your IPOD through the car stereo speakers, without the interference experienced with FM transmitters. I tried my FM transmitter first, but signifcant intereference and awkward positioning of the cigarette lighter jacks meant either I had to unplug the IPOD from inside the centre console to make any adjustments (volume, change playlists etc), or alternatively, access to the airconditioner was blocked and I cracked my knuckles when moving gears (using the lower dash cigarette lighter jack). The set up we have does not allow you to control the IPOD using the stereo controls - you still need to use your IPOD wheel for that. Basically, you are just attaching a speaker connection. You also need to be careful about volume when changing from IPOD to CD or radio. To achieve decent sound, turn your IPOD volume up to the max, and then adjust the volume using the car stereo volume control. You'll have to turn the car stereo up higher than usual. Remember to turn the stereo volume down before switching to CD or radio or you'll get a sound blast. Hope this helps.