iPod Integration - Sort of.

Even though I've purchased a couple of new cars since the iPod's debut, the Smart was my first that came with a direct connection. Finally, I can listen to my favorite podcasts over the built in stereo system and throw away those awful FM transmitter cables (I've had very frustrated experiences with these work-around technologies - they're unusable in urban areas beacuse there's way too much interference).

The Smart has a simple mini jack input inside the glove box - plug in a short mini jack connector cable to your iPod and you're off and away. Of course there is no display or control of the iPod from the car's stereo unit itself (unlike the more sophisticated systems from BMW etc), but then I prefer navigating on my iPhone's slick interface anyway. Just keep the mp3 player close at hand and it's a cinch to shift tracks etc. You can still change the volume on the car's stereo, of course.

However you are stuck with an unsightly cord dangling out of the glove box - pretty messy if you ask me. I'm not sure what they were thinking locating the audio jack in the glove box. So I drilled another hole in the glove box allowing the cable to come out under the dash and substituted a 3 foot black cable to make it less obtrusive. Now I have full access and a much tidier solution.

Before:


After:


The Process:



I made sure I wasn't drilling into anything by looking up under the dash and feeling around a little. A better solution would be to avoid going into the glovebox at all and just tapping into the stereo itself. But that would have been a lot more work!