From batteries to connecting your phone via bluetooth and asking for help to navigate the way home, your connected car is part of your life. We'll help you figure it all out.
Connected Car Tech
![Hands touching a rendered futuristic instrument panel of vehicle.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.lifewire.com/thmb/x562yeOMRuW1GNtLKp1-SW2b_FI=/2000x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ConnectedCarTech_metamorworks_GettyImages-966859036_CROPPED-a9460403602c4b67a7a8c1acd599c9be.jpg)
Latest Tech News
![A map with many different push pins marking locations](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/wQyUGp2Buuw3r4RGW-gpULMVqX4=/540x405/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-906869866-6ffa6ccefe6343cbb4fc0125395b047b.jpg)
How to Go Back in Time on Google Maps
![Waze app icon](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/Qx8suUzoPyUyyrzslK6I-Er0C_s=/540x405/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/waze-app-icon-87d0e1bccb4b482b94c527d4ddc8c022.jpg)
11 Ways to Fix It When Waze Is Not Working
![Waze vs Google Maps](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/ZihfWcmAjGcAn5mIO4c7to4lip4=/540x405/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Waze-vs-Google-Maps-234fc682e6d24d43aa5d7b9f6500ec6f.jpg)
Waze vs. Google Maps: What's the Difference?
![live traffic in google maps on a tablet](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/QuG-5qltbHgvOfkNmXyFsl_OuOQ=/540x405/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/google-maps-traffic-tablet-1e4db031d7cc44cc9de00bd3bf3780a4.jpg)
How to Check Real-Time Traffic in Google Maps
![Android Auto vs Apple Carplay](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/nPjq8dKxfPk2blHP7ld-qvTcgbA=/540x405/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Android-Auto-vs-Apple-Carplay-392b0e27330d42f4be8ac186a3257459.jpg)
Android Auto vs. Apple CarPlay: What's the Difference?
![live traffic in google maps on a tablet](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/ZOjx6qoOgacS0nkioW0MRpwFWw0=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/google-maps-traffic-tablet-1e4db031d7cc44cc9de00bd3bf3780a4.jpg)
How to Check Real-Time Traffic in Google Maps
![Android Auto vs Apple Carplay](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/_4viXU74NMGmsK3mNHNeZ1JWOGk=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Android-Auto-vs-Apple-Carplay-392b0e27330d42f4be8ac186a3257459.jpg)
Android Auto vs. Apple CarPlay: What's the Difference?
![TPMS light appears in car dashboard](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/R3lz9sqjFIJ8bsy-_L1OGfmqrMI=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/tpmslightcomeson-59daaa4a68e1a20010dc0c97.jpg)
Tire Pressure Monitor Sensor Lights Keeps Coming On
![Apple logo on car steering wheel](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/kQN0hsqM-nggELVbL5byFT4fHO4=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/apple-logo-steering-wheel-25522ee2c5664139948ebfd1cb1df653.jpg)
Apple Car: News and Price, Release Date, Specs; and More Rumors
![Two women jumpstarting a car battery](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/GQlgkzUTMGKItpippJomoeB0SlE=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/483598317-56a104ab5f9b58eba4b6b0f6.jpg)
Car Battery Charging and Maintenance
![Illustration of a person using a laptop in their car via a power inverter](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/3G74VJu85uhfjgHyw_UzmBvNS1c=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/what-is-a-car-power-inverter-534721-9c78d95b3d584b15a7c49052b1fe8ee8.png)
Understanding Car Power Inverters
![Illustration showing a smartphone using the USB and Aux ports](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/AW6HgptXJMZye-2QsM4CJwOfRMM=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/difference-between-usb-and-aux-534612-8a6e2fd2677145eaaa8fb0d8635b39d5.png)
USB vs. Aux: What's the Difference?
![A trickle charger with text explaining what it is](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/6dkyF_MZFPNqaVhITfSxamwbXUY=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/what-is-a-trickle-charger-534853-3490ab37869a443796c5dbf045ddb763.png)
What Is a Trickle Charger?
![yellow fog lights](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/bTsxVApVGXh_PsUETQFg08xDUKk=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/fog-lights-lamps-57ddd24c5f9b58651660ebb1.jpg)
Fog Lights or Lamps: Who Needs Them?
![Commuter using a navigation device in car at night](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/tuA5iPybxHEOO9U5XjSU-rXegT4=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-7483411671-5bc5031246e0fb00269ddaf1.jpg)
How to Change Voices on Waze
![1s and 0s and waves](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/q0P3DkV_CNVGLLRvBAOEaNzog7U=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-171224995-56a105033df78cafdaa7ec85.jpg)
Pure Sine Wave Inverters: Necessary or Overkill?
![A man using Fixd on a phone to diagnose his vehicle in a car](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/PoIF2i4NC-hX4aHVoGsJ2JZyBks=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/fixd-5bcf5b80c9e77c00511ac234.jpg)
What Is Fixd and Do You Need It?
![Three types of portable car heaters: residential, 12v, and propane](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/XA451cx1FYvpcmr9v67cHXy-zDg=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/PortableCarHeater_534759-b31dbf8ec1a2491ea8ee248280de9f55.png)
Your Best Portable Car Heater Options
![In car DVD](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/94K5GqwuKdK6K1JaENti-KWnxDU=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/dvd-head-unit-rick-5806a1235f9b5805c2869f14-5bd33997c9e77c002612bbc8.jpg)
How to Watch DVDs in Your Car
![high amp alternator](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/Sj5AwPPJdXnBKqZNm_G5jpP11-I=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/high-output-alternator-5793ed883df78c1734ec7efd.jpg)
How to Choose an Alternator: Can High Output Alternators Cause Damage?
![12V socket near a cupholder between two seats.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/Zlxnx7TntY7LA4UpEm7MS4KhjXE=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/DSC_4055-56a104735f9b58eba4b6ac99.jpg)
From Car Cigarette Lighter to 12v Accessory Socket
![Hand holding a burning cigarette in foreground of car interior with two small children in the backseat](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/JO3G2L6-RdxKIhq-8xFKaQ9L4as=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-184988903-56e20b6a3df78c5ba056b76b-2a6b7cc48e234a898d913048b96f3df5.jpg)
Removing Cigarette and Smoke Smells From Cars
![An illustration of a person pushing a car](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/hofjzwWxFXQOP-TMMBgrBGFlUvQ=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/why-does-car-battery-die-4140227-ad907eef646446d6a1306940af16410a.jpg)
Diagnosing a Dead Car Battery
![Projector headlights illuminated by halo rings.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/eHXngyyoX5Le8j_8_iSN0qts3UM=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/projectorheadlights-5c252a8446e0fb0001500eef.jpg)
What Are Projector Headlights?
![An iPod plugged to a car radio through a USB cord that won't work.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/pRe7N6Q9DMhueVOF-dWbf_st6xA=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/usb-to-aux-cable-in-car-audio-3986249-3c8d90ec3abc456aa5a740cc6f56a1a8.png)
Using a USB-to-Aux Cable in Car Audio
![Two-car accident](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/d0mGdrqxpsdprUs6Uuc2MTsWHRg=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/transportation--two-car-accident--wreck-with-people-still-inside-red-vehicle--173056956-5a39d819beba33003715b346.jpg)
Electronic Stability Control and ESC Failure
![A person shivering in a car and saying Brrr...](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/j06Tzo1Z_cjU837zzQo7Wqf6aP0=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/car-heater-suddenly-stopped-working-534657-0434e58bcf8c4b5fb4daf6f2366da711.png)
How to Fix It When Your Car Heater Isn't Working
![A car app displayed on a phone in a car dash mount.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/PMVQJXnIFRUNfZBHZ5eU9JJ7-Ow=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/bestcarapps-5c06e60d46e0fb000125f08a.jpg)
The 10 Best Car Apps of 2024
![Person fiddling with a car radio](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/FSEnoGCMAP0T58dNwB2d4-upLhA=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-688982955-596fff12519de200112ef724.jpg)
How Car Antenna Boosters Work
![Person driving SUV in snow covered road in a forest](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/FLJD5zSJHyO6CM8O3adYQ-qViCc=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/car-heater-blows-cold-56a1050d5f9b58eba4b6b774.jpg)
When Your Car Heater Blows Cold Air
![Man in car with bluetooth earpiece](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/A1vcewoFXU2zKy4SyXWeP5hd2yM=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/170956483-56a104603df78cafdaa7e0cb.jpg)
How Do You Get Bluetooth for a Car?
![A car mechanic diagnosing a car engine.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/qDgmIGv-MKnWSKLikR57Fui58lY=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-693170166-5a99f020c67335003717a070.jpg)
6 Reasons Your Car Battery Keeps Dying
![add second car battery](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/Dd2B3zsDarX1-Xug_NIgymlaAyg=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/secondcarbattery-5680931d3df78ccc15a5aadb.jpg)
Do You Need a Second Battery for Car Audio?
![An electronic diagram of a brain with speedometers in the brain](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/RuMU3Fr0cPHrL8k7T5fBnqjnGVE=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/163727875-56a1044b3df78cafdaa7de78.jpg)
Using an ELM327 Bluetooth Scan Tool for Android and PC
![Man working on car battery](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/yrYqQYaeFXkSwlUGx_VUklWUySE=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/batteryelectrolytewateracid-56ad078f3df78cf772b6676a.jpg)
When Does a Battery Need Electrolyte Instead of Water?
![Man removing a car battery in the dead of winter](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/hlStnlL-La1A_-HAmJ_u_rIyoI4=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/carbatterydeadwinter-568099e35f9b586a9edd07db.jpg)
What Can Replace Battery Electrolyte?
![car dashboard with warning lights on](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/U1WNNfKww1l_GLF3rHe80JBsrQs=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/abs-light-comes-on-58891a2f5f9b5874eeafada6.jpg)
Why Your Car Won't Start Even Though the Lights Work
![A phone that is discharging due to the cigarette lighter socket not working.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/LKFN_Lro4pYMdm6FbsJMfVQlGnE=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cigarettelightersocketdoesntworknocharge-5bb3c7fac9e77c0051fbd30d.jpg)
Why Doesn't the 12v Socket in My Car Work?
![Blown cigarette lighter fuse](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/x10ZFE45YbIwXx-HAufMudvNqqo=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cigarette-lighter-fuse-58854b035f9b58bdb39e3e74.jpg)
Why Does My Cigarette Lighter Fuse Keep Blowing?
![1.5 din radio in a car](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/ek56OZgwopZKdldQLBHcOn0x47o=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/15dinradio-592753063df78cbe7e3d333e.jpg)
What Is a 1.5 DIN Car Stereo?
![watching tv in the car](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/9pdqVDMHYj84otiRNYcfbSXwwlE=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-187137745-56a104db5f9b58eba4b6b44e.jpg)
How to Watch Mobile TV in Your Car
![Cigarette lighter and 12v sockets and the dash in a car](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/kEMQY5yoQ-ZetOF15Z7O8y9n7XM=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/82352649-56a104783df78cafdaa7e327.jpg)
How Are Cigarette Lighters and Accessory Sockets Different?
![Icicles on the bottom of a car](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/FVg_U0zA5_X0kYxKcdqiFyCOx7E=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-556692343-56cb7d825f9b5879cc5614e0.jpg)
How Much Does It Cost to Warm up a Car, and Does Heat Really Use Gas?
![Temperature control dial and defroster buttons inside a car](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/8j-98QGw5uc65agog0dTcIA3XZg=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/171340135-56a1046f3df78cafdaa7e262-49f9033c94884aeca9297be8ad01ef6b.jpg)
How Do Car Defrosters Work?
![People in cars looking at a single DIN and double DIN radio](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/bFWPmu8E5fRZ47m9adw311lxp0U=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/what-is-a-2-din-car-stereo-534610-7c144962722c4de98797fdef0324f994.png)
Double Din Radios Explained
![Man driving car fast at night, picture taken with long exposure of interior of car man driving](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/_d6b4mdKfSVf9ovwxrDGHMJ811Y=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-172225784-5c882f13c9e77c0001a67715.jpg)
What Is HD Radio and How Does It Work?
![Drive-by-wire technologies decouple the driver from physical control inputs like hydraulics, cables, and linkages and use electronics instead.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/0p1DcDaMY5_uKqjzMFdpo4FjLFI=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/drive-by-wire-57b7a0ad5f9b58cdfd0155d3-cbc9016fe5074409b060ab21eaf6e2b1.jpg)
What Is Drive-By-Wire Technology?
![Four examples of Wi-Fi in an automobile](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/AbUU4zD-uREP7Hddr_1MmMfCNoQ=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/get-wifi-in-your-car-4047954-0f36e2ee5fc4412e88cd1407eefe47df.png)
How to Get Wi-Fi in Your Car
How to Pair a Phone With Your Car
![Close up of a heater element.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/kAaYTILT6PtX5TwlPY9MxlnL1Xg=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-102142747-e2a68bfe0b414461a2044b6450ffd236.jpg)
Plug-in Car Heater Options
![Police officer pointing to a dash cam in a car window](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/sQBbfS76EVhDrTzRCc30MBIBJzg=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/are-dash-cams-legal-534879-f2e0dfc4b9a64dea81c7f5ab9fb1fc43.png)
Dashcam Legality Depends on Where You Mount It
![cigarette lighter heater windshield frozen](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/RAznkkhWGBFPf0nWWSreN8GZRsA=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-557060361-5689ea815f9b586a9e6bd3d0.jpg)
Do Cigarette Lighter Heaters Work?
![Key fob pointed at a SUV in the background](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/v0l1IA_gMoemOcoiwWPmBG7N0ZM=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/car-key-fob-not-working-57f182cb5f9b586c35574ca5.jpg)
5 Things to Check When Your Car Remote Isn't Working
![Bluetooth vs Wi-Fi](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/PIJYvmfXf-l0OOTMvEYTD27lf3U=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Bluetooth-vs-Wifi-9056516fca7541d2b34da5ecff3dd200.jpg)
Bluetooth vs. Wi-Fi: What's the Difference?
![A technician helps a woman look up her car radio code.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/zaFWrymGKqQiLUXr5cPKg7tSi_k=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/car-radio-code-dealership-58322bdf5f9b58d5b111f8bc.jpg)
How to Find a Car Radio Code
![Double DIN car radio](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/nc1wEX5GaojM2h_QVipTcxMB0w0=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/doubledinradio-59274b373df78cbe7e3cf838.jpg)
What Is a Car Radio Code?
![1 DIN car stereo in a car](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/GKoXAnr5TarfxUH_6G5lFhJw0sU=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/1-din-583b69cb3df78c6f6a1c3fd1.jpg)
What Is a Single DIN Car Stereo?
![View Of Modified Sine Wave Inverter (12 Volts DC 230 Volts AC)](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/0nYlPeB2HDpEvePHZQLsw0JQYK0=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/europe--greece--2018--view-of-modified-sine-wave-inverter--12-volts-dc-230-volts-ac--965514438-5c4e004d46e0fb0001a8e7f3.jpg)
Can a Modified Sine Wave Inverter Damage Electronics?
![Choosing a car heater](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/GPqvIdpsYoVTnqShFbVBGpH3mtE=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-56915089-5806a3b55f9b5805c286cf4a.jpg)
Choosing a 12 Volt Car Heater
![Mechanic working on car removing battery](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/0w4jsUGrSUctcyN4mBJGzwFk0Xc=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/man-working-on-car-removing-battery-578194587-5ad18e683de4230037b02284.jpg)
Adding an Auxiliary Battery
![Various car fuses in a pile](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/PkBSflW0jvA1_rPCV8cOyBzbZYU=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/carfusecolors-56faeed73df78c78419b86d3.jpg)
Car Fuses and Fusible Links Explained
![Woman using a manual transmission gear stick in car](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/X92RhA6NIkJ3oAFwRQ5WZLnJAHc=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-10167762-56e0c5183df78c5ba0567e95-f35b0830d6914680b656251d1b7fad10.jpg)
Using a Remote Car Starter With a Manual Transmission
![Equalizer vs DSP in car audio](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/KGbcsOjRCMlyE8cvrDamJsB0jA8=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Car-Equalizer-vs-DSP-1ac9313ae24741cf929bccf3e31befb3.jpg)
Equalizers and Digital Sound Processors for Your Car
![Coaxial component speakers sound systems cars](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/xkoSTr2ZfyMBBIdtH0LqWAKv_zc=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-157674021-56d8eaa15f9b5854a9c5ef96.jpg)
Revel's First Car Audio System in the Lincoln MKX
![Reasons Bluetooth Won't Connect illustration with a phone in a car that won't connect.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/DZVVb6meH27Or2hJydHP0KxZDmg=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/why-your-bluetooth-wont-pair-534650-9c8f56a5dcfd4d75aed0b9c2d7b7a8b0.png)
Top 6 Reasons Bluetooth Won't Connect