Monitoring your car’s performance has become easier than ever. All the latest car models come with built-in computers for that purpose. They can help you to know about all the important aspects of the vehicle’s performance. Moreover, in case you didn’t know, you can also connect this computer to your laptop.
Now, you might wonder how to do that. In that case, we can help you out with some easy steps to achieve that. The methods given below should help you connect your laptop to your car’s computers without any issues.
Connecting your Laptop to your Car’s Computer
You can connect your laptop with your car for various purposes. Now, the methods for connecting them would differ based on that. So, you must proceed with the appropriate method that applies to your case.
Facing any issues with your laptop? Then, contact a professional service that provides laptop repair Dubai for an effective solution that will make sure you don’t face any issues while connecting it to your car.
Here are some methods for connecting your laptop to your car for various purposes:
- For collecting your car’s data
Want to view various aspects of your car on your laptop screen? Then, an OBD to USB adapter is the most suitable for this purpose. So, in case you don’t have one available, consider buying one. Now, since you want to access the car’s data, you must use the OBD2 port.
Connect your laptop and car with the adapter
Plugin the USB end to your laptop and the OBD end to the correct port. Can’t find the OBD port in your car? Then, take the help of the user manual.
Install the driver
Usually, you get a driver CD to install the driver, along with the OBD and USB adapter. In this case, you need to insert it into your laptop. Then, run the installation program for it and follow the instructions you see on your screen.
Install the car diagnostic software
To access your car’s data, you must have software for that purpose on your laptop. So, let’s assume that you don’t have that installed on your device. In that case, you must install one to proceed.
So, insert the CD in your laptop and agree with the terms and conditions. Then, proceed with the installation and wait while your device completes it. Once you’ve installed the software, you can see your car’s data anytime.
- For charging your laptop
Your laptop might often run out of charge while you’re travelling in your car. You might want to charge it immediately in such situations. In that case, you can simply connect it to your car. But, for that, you must use a DC cord instead of the regular AC charger. Also, make sure that you can plug it into the cigarette lighter socket. You can simply buy a suitable car charger for your laptop as an alternative.
Find the cigarette lighter socket
First, you must place your laptop at a proper location in your car. Then, look for the cigarette lighter socket for connecting it to your laptop. Plug the USB end of the charger into your device and the DC end to the socket.
Start the engine to start charging
Has your engine been running when you connected the charger? In that case, you’ll see that your laptop starts charging instantly. Otherwise, if the engine isn’t running, you must start it. Then, make sure that your laptop is charging. In case it isn’t, make sure that you’ve connected it properly.
- For playing audio
Want to play some music from your laptop while travelling? You can simply play it through your car’s stereo for a better experience. And, for that, you need to connect your laptop to your car’s computer. Here are the primary ways in which you can do that:
Using an AUX cable
An AUX cable is the best option for connecting your device to your car’s stereo. So, connect one end to your laptop and the other to the output. Then, go to your car’s stereo modes and opt for the AUX mode. After that, you can play any song you want from your laptop.
Also, you must use the shortest cable that you can find for this purpose. The shorter it is, the better the sound quality you’ll get. However, this isn’t the only way to connect your laptop to your car stereo, and there are a few more methods you can try.
With an RCA cable
You can also use RCA cables to connect your laptop and car stereo. They’re one of the best options when it comes to this purpose. Also, they usually provide you with high-quality audio. You can use them the same way as AUX cables. So, simply connect the end to the port and start playing your favourite music.
Through Bluetooth
The latest car models also feature Bluetooth in their stereo systems. You can utilise it for playing music from your laptop. However, you must keep in mind that wireless connections aren’t as strong as cable ones. So, Bluetooth might not always provide you with optimal performance.
Yet, you might want to give it a try. So, turn on Bluetooth on your laptop and car stereo. Hopefully, it’ll provide you with a stable connection. In case it doesn’t, you can always switch to AUX or RCA cables.
Apply a Suitable Method for your Requirement
You might want to connect your laptop and your car’s system mainly for the purposes as mentioned earlier. Thus, you should use the methods we’ve mentioned to proceed with each of them. There aren’t many options when you want to charge your laptop or collect your car’s data. But, you have four alternatives to choose from for connecting your laptop to the stereo. So, opt for the one that suits your preference.
