6 Practical Uses for the USB Port in Your Car You Were Aware Of. People frequently mention the sound system, the panoramic sunroof, or even the heated seats when discussing automotive features. However, one of your car’s most underappreciated features may be the USB port on the dashboard (or wherever it is located in the cabin).
You might be surprised at how much you can accomplish with it.
Get Your Wearables, Tablets, and Smartphones Charged
Charging your devices is arguably the most obvious use. For your smartphone, tablet, smartwatch, wireless earphones, etc., the USB port in your automobile is essentially a lifeline. Your phone will charge while you drive because the majority of contemporary automotive USB connectors provide 1 to 2.4 amps of power. Don’t be shocked if your gadget doesn’t reach 100% as soon as it does with your home wall charger, though, as older USB ports may charge more slowly than you’re used to.
Purchase a USB hub or multi-port converter that fits into the port on your automobile if you need to charge several devices at once. This eliminates the need for charging wires and allows you to charge your phone, tablet, and other USB devices all at once.
You never know when a passenger may be in dire need of a charge, and you’ll become their roadside hero. That being said, have a couple different kinds of cables in your car: USB-C, Lightning, and (gasp!) micro-USB.
Update the firmware for your car’s infotainment system.
The infotainment system in your car is essentially a computer on wheels, and like your laptop or smartphone, it occasionally need software updates to function properly. Firmware updates are typically released by manufacturers to address issues, better compatibility with your devices, add new features, or improve performance. Usually, you will download the update file from the website of your vehicle’s manufacturer, move it to a USB flash drive (8GB or more is safe), insert it into the port on your vehicle, and then follow the on-screen instructions.
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While many cars still use USB, some more recent models update over Wi-Fi. If you need instructions unique to your make and model, always consult your owner’s handbook or the manufacturer’s website.
You don’t want to ruin your system by unplugging the drive in the middle of an upgrade.
Charge Your Dashcam
One of the best investments you can make for your vehicle is a dashcam, and setting one up is made exceedingly simple by your USB port. You can just put your dashcam into the USB port and let it do its job without having to waste your car’s battery or struggle with difficult hardwiring.
Because most dashcams use very little power, the USB port in your car can easily handle the load. Because multiple USB ports in this design immediately switch off when your car is turned off, your dashcam won’t unintentionally drain your battery over night. However, you might want to consider a dashcam with an integrated battery for recording in parking mode in the unlikely event that your port remains active when the engine is off.
To ensure a clean installation, run the USB wire along the A-pillar and down the border of your windshield. Another benefit of USB-powered dashcams is that they are simple to take out and put back in if you need to take your car in for maintenance or transfer cars.
Use LED lights to illuminate your vehicle.
USB LED strips from Amazon are ideal for adding delicate accent lighting to door panels, cup holders, and beneath your dashboard. They are unlikely to put undue strain on your car’s electrical system because, like dashcams, they consume relatively little power. Options with color-changing capabilities, static hues, or even music-reactive lights that pulse in time with your favorite tunes are available. Amazon has a wide selection, including this one.
USB-powered lights are useful in addition to being aesthetically pleasing. Without turning on your car’s dome light at night, a tiny LED reading light can assist passengers in finding misplaced objects. To make getting in and out at night much safer (and less awkwardly dark), you can even use LED strips to light up the footwells.
Plug-and-play is the norm for installation. All you have to do is plug the lights into the USB port, remove the backing, and place them anywhere you like. No permanent modifications or intricate wiring are required. Tasteful lighting adds flair, but too much of it can be distracting, especially when driving at night. Just be careful not to go overboard.
Savor entertainment and music offline.
I can still clearly recall the time I had to burn CDs for road trips. The modern (and far superior) equivalent of it is a USB drive. They can store thousands of songs and provide you with entertainment without requiring you to have a streaming service subscription or worry about data overages when traveling long distances.
Common audio formats like MP3, AAC, and WMA may be read straight from a USB drive by the majority of automobile infotainment systems. Just make sure the files are arranged in a format that your car can read and that your USB device is formatted appropriately. Connection problems can be avoided with a high-quality flash drive that is USB 3.0 and from a reliable manufacturer like SanDisk or Samsung.
Rotate a few USB sticks, each with a different theme. Perhaps one for road trips with the kids, one for rainy days, and one for lonesome drives.
Access Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The way we interact with our automobiles has been completely transformed by Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and the USB port is your entryway to this stunning smartphone integration. Just connect your iPhone or Android smartphone to your car, and the screen turns into an extension of your phone that is made especially for safe driving.
Here, the USB connection serves two purposes: it charges your phone and sends data to replicate the interface of your device on the screen of your automobile. This wired connection is frequently more dependable than wireless options, guaranteeing seamless hands-free calling, music streaming, and navigation without the lag or connection drops that can be a problem with Bluetooth.
Once linked, you can use voice commands or the touchscreen in your car to access your favorite apps, including messaging apps, Waze, Spotify, and Google Maps. With voice-activated controls, streamlined menus, and larger buttons, the interface is expressly made to reduce distractions and keep your focus on the road.
Verify compatibility with the model of your automobile because not all cars enable these technologies. Additionally, confirm that the software on your phone is current. Updates for Android Auto and CarPlay are frequently released, adding new features and improving functionality to make driving more enjoyable.
Make use of a good USB cable, ideally the one that was included with your phone.
Take another look at that USB port the next time you go behind the wheel. For your daily commute, it might be your ideal companion.
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