Radio in the car: Android Auto, Bluetooth and Tesla
In the car, FM and DAB radio only reach as far as the signal does. With streaming you can listen to your favorite station anywhere, even one from another country. Hereâs how in the three most common cases.
Bluetooth: works with any car
Almost every recent car has Bluetooth. Pair your phone with the car stereo, start the radio on the phone (app or website) and the sound comes out of the car speakers. With an app like My VibeOn you can often change station from the steering-wheel controls, if your car supports them for Bluetooth audio.
Android Auto
If your car supports Android Auto, a compatible radio app appears right on the car screen: pick stations from favorites or the list, with big buttons designed for driving. The free My VibeOn app for Android works with Android Auto.
Tesla and cars with a built-in browser
Teslas donât allow third-party apps and currently donât have Android Auto. But the carâs browser plays website audio: open myvibeon.com, pick a station and the audio keeps playing in the background, with play and pause from the media mini player. Save the site in the browserâs favorites to open it with one tap.
Data on the road
One hour of radio at 128 kbps uses about 58 MB; a 3-hour trip about 175 MB. On a limited data plan, choose lower-bitrate stations (64 kbps or AAC+), which still sound fine in the car.
Tunnels and no-signal areas
Streaming needs internet: in a tunnel or in the mountains without coverage the radio may pause for a few seconds. Apps keep a small buffer that helps bridge short gaps.
Safety first
- Choose the station before you set off.
- Use steering-wheel or voice controls, not the phone in your hand.
- Keep the phone in a fixed holder.
Which option to choose
If you have Android Auto, itâs the most convenient and safest: big controls, no phone in your hand. If your car only has Bluetooth, the app on your phone with steering-wheel controls works great. In Teslas and cars with a built-in browser, the website is the simplest way. In older cars without Bluetooth you can use an AUX cable or a small FM/Bluetooth transmitter in the cigarette lighter.
Frequently asked questions
Does online radio replace DAB? Not entirely: DAB uses no data and works without internet. Streaming, though, gives you stations from around the world and local stations from other cities.
Can I record in the car? With the app, yes, even with the screen off. But think of the road: start recording before you drive off.
How much does a long trip use? About 58 MB per hour at 128 kbps: a 5-hour trip is about 290 MB.