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Blog Author - Robert "Rob" Mundell | Streetfighter Motorsports

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Common Car Audio Myths You Should Ignore

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If every car owner had an unlimited budget for car stereo installation, all cars would have top-of-the-line systems that would probably make you want to live in them. That, however, isn’t the case. In fact, some even go the DIY route just to save a few dollars on their car audio install.

If you have the technical expertise, then installing your own car stereo system shouldn’t be a problem, but if you don’t know much about stereo installation, maybe you should rethink the whole thing. After all, there are a number of car audio myths you’ve probably heard about that just might find their way into your DIY car audio installation efforts. These myths could ruin not only your listening experience but in some cases, the stereo system itself.

Here are some of those car audio myths that you should totally ignore.

Subwoofers are unnecessary

Let’s assume that you only listen to classical music while driving, and you confidently declare that you don’t need subs. The thing is, subwoofers will always enhance recorded music with the depth and added richness it provides to any genre. Try playing your favorite Mozart masterpiece in a friend’s car stereo system with subwoofers installed by a reliable car audioinstall company, and hear the difference for yourself.

Subwoofers have to be “broken in” for weeks before they sound good

When you have new subwoofers installed, you may cringe from the not-so-pleasant sound coming out of them the moment you turn the system on, and that’s perfectly normal. That’s because you actually have to mechanically “break in” your subs.

The prevailing myth about subs, however, is that you have to wait for weeks before they actually sound good. It only takes subwoofers minutes to break in and produce those deep tones that enhance any music genre. If your subs have been in use for days and still sound terrible, then there’s probably something wrong with the design and tuning, and the sound isn’t going to get better over time.

4-way speakers  are better than 2-way speakers

Typically, 4-way speakers sound better than 2-way speakers, but you can always make enhancements that would make the opposite true. With a high-quality woofer, tweeter, and a mid-range driver, you can totally change the way your 2-way speakers sound to the point that they would trump the quality of a 4-way speaker.

More speakers, better sound quality

There is no doubt that adding more speakers will boost the volume of your system, but it’s unlikely to improve sound quality. What will likely happen is that you will have speaker interaction issues, as the waves that each individual speaker produces meet, which would lead to peaks and dips in the response. If it’s exceptional sound quality you’re after, always remember that less is more.

You should ground your amps at the battery

Grounding your amps at the battery is a very bad idea, and car stereo install specialists will agree. The battery, after all, is a virtual noise hub where all electrical noise from different parts of the car come to congregate. Ideally, your amplifier should be grounded to a bare metal area of the car body, preferably eighteen inches from the amp itself.

Your car cannot accommodate a subwoofer

Your car—or any car, for that matter, even the compact ones—will always have room for subwoofers. Visit car stereo stores in your neighborhood, and you will see that there are products that will allow you to install subs that will work with your car make, model, and its power capabilities.

These are just some of the car audio myths that have been preventing car owners from getting an enhanced music experience inside their vehicle.

At Streetfighter Motorsports will be more than glad to help dispel those myths. Apart from car alarm installation and car diagnostic services, we also install car audio systems. We have already helped many car owners enhance their vehicle’s audio system, regardless of whether they had cheap car stereos or high-end ones installed. We assure you that we’ll do the same for you.

The Importance of a Car Diagnostics Test

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Have you been ignoring that blinking light on your dashboard? If so, you’re making a big mistake. Car manufacturers didn’t install that light just for the heck of it. They’re there to tell you there’s something seriously wrong with your vehicle, and that it’s time you bring it in for car diagnostics testing.

What is a car diagnostics test?

The majority of cars, especially newer models, have an OBD or On-Board Diagnostics computer system. Technicians can access this system using a variety of diagnostic tools and software that will help them pinpoint problems in a vehicle as accurately and quickly as possible, all without having to perform a time-consuming and costly full inspection.

Why get car diagnostic services?

Think of it like going to the physician for a regular checkup. While some car owners take their vehicles to the shop only when they see a blinking dashboard light or begin noticing drivability issues and reduced fuel economy, there are those who go for a car diagnostic test simply as a preventive measure.

With car diagnostic testing, technicians will be able to catch and repair any problem before your vehicle suffers extensive damage. Better yet, you also won’t have to pay so much more to fix that kind of damage. Most importantly, a car computer diagnostic test will help spare you from the agony and danger of suffering an engine failure or breakdown while on a remote road.

Check engine and other indicator lights

Typically, the dashboard light that commonly gets activated to alert you about a vehicular issue is the check engine light, also known as the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL).

When this light comes on and is steady, there is a problem in your car somewhere, but it isn’t an emergency. Still, you need to set up an appointment for a Check Engine Light Diagnosis In Phoenix, AZ the soonest possible time.

A blinking check engine light, on the other hand, is an entirely different story. Usually, that flashing light means your engine is misfiring badly. A misfiring engine could eventually damage your catalytic converter, as it heats up due to the dumping of unburned fuel into the exhaust system. So if you’re driving and that blinking check engine light comes on, head to your preferred car repair shop and get a Check Engine Light Diagnostics done straight away. If the issue worsens or you’re far from a repair shop, emergency towing may be necessary to prevent further damage. The sooner you have your vehicle checked, the earlier it would be for it to get back to being road-worthy.

You should also take your vehicle for a car computer diagnostic upon activation of the airbag fault, brake system, reduced power warning and ABS lights.

How often should you get engine diagnostic services?

Ideally, your vehicle should undergo a car diagnostics test once a year, even when none of the indicator lights in your dashboard comes on. This way, any potential problem can be nipped in the bud. It’s your best option to make sure your car is running in tip-top shape at all times.

Car diagnostics testing is cheaper in the long run

A routine check engine light diagnosis could set you back about $88 to $111, taxes and other fees not included.

Many would probably think that that price tag is too high for a “simple” car diagnosis. What we should realize, however, is that the kind of damage that arises out of not knowing what’s wrong with our vehicle would cost us even more. Repairing a damaged catalytic converter, for example, could cost you thousands of dollars. Even with vehicles, that cliché about an ounce of prevention being better than a pound of cure also applies.

Know more about car diagnostics testing through this infographic:

Car Diagnostic testing graphic

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Need Car Stereo Repair? Go to the Experts!

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Everyone loves listening to music. Those who have their own cars love listening to music so much they want to feel the beat to their favorite songs and upgrade their vehicle‘s sound system. You can customize your car stereo by adding more features to what was originally in the car when it came out of the factory.

The main part of the stereo is called the head unit. This can be a radio or a CD player. In the 80s and 90s, tape decks were used as the head unit. However, advancements in acoustic technology have resulted to better and more high tech head units, like the WMA, AAC, and MP3 adding support to the conventional CD players. Most cars nowadays are designed with a CD changer where a number of disks are held in the head unit.

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Getting the Best Car Audio Accessories for Your Vehicle

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Car Audio AccessoriesAre you a fan of music? Are you looking forward to upgrading the sound system of your car to boost its sound so you can enjoy the beat of your favorite songs while driving?

There are plenty of places where you can get the best car audio accessories – the dealers, the shops, and even the internet. When getting the audio accessories, start off with the basic audio system then slowly upgrade and move forward to the much more complex components which will improve both bass and sound. You‘ll need to browse through various stores and set your budget.

Do your research and make a checklist as to what things you would like to prioritize on first, so you won‘t feel like you are in it over your head. The most important thing after making a list is sticking to your budget.

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Car Audio Systems

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Car Audio SystemsIf you want to enhance or improve your current car audio system, you have a number of options you can try. In fact, choosing the right system for your vehicle can be a difficult task because the market is flooded with car audio systems! However, there are vital guiding tips that can make the process of choosing the right audio system quick and easy.

First thing you have to do is check your budget. Purchase an audio system that does not burn a hole into your pocket. The best way would be to save for the system you have set your eye on. That way, you won‘t be disappointed with your purchase since your preference would matter a lot and instead of settling for a simple and basic system, it is best to get one with the ultimate sound quality.

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Car Stereo Installation

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To learn how to install your CD player or stereo in your car, you don‘t have to go to a car stereo installation school. However, you need to train yourself how to do the job. To obtain a guide on how to install your car stereo, the best place to start will be the store where the stereo was purchased from.

Car Stereo InstallationSome stores offer to install the stereo for a minimal fee while others do it for free after the purchase is made. If you are a technical person, reading through the manual can be a big help. But for the average Joe, the jargons can be difficult to understand and what is needed is a simple guide that will provide you – the user – with step by step guidelines as you prepare to install the new car stereo.

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The Anatomy of a Car Alarm

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A vehicle alarm is a relatively simple device. At the most basic level, car alarms are made up of three key components, which include the control unit, siren, and several sensors. But in order to function more efficiently, some car alarms come with other devices and components like motion detectors, radio receivers, pressure sensors, and auxiliary batteries. These enable car alarms to work even if the car battery is cut off.

car alarms

The Brain

The brain, or the control unit, is the main part of a vehicle alarm system that is connected to the sensors installed in different parts of the car. It is designed and utilized to monitor the sensors and then it activates the siren when the sensors are tripped.

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Preparing for a Vehicle Security System Installation

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car alarm installationMany modern cars already come equipped with basic car alarm systems. However, vehicle owners may want to upgrade to a more comprehensive car security system, especially if they live in an area where crime is pretty high. Likewise, those who own older car models may want a car alarm installation for the same reason.

In general, car alarm installation cost vary depending on the type of security system you want installed, the complexity of the car alarm installation, and the labor rates. Car alarm installation cost ranges between $30 and $1,300, and may even be more expensive if you are having an advanced security system installed. If you want to save money, a diy installation will shave off labor charges. However, installing car alarms can be quite difficult.

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Protect Your Ride with a Car Alarm System

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Over the years, car alarm systems have come a long way. Technologies such as two-way pagers and remote starters were added to aftermarket car alarm products, while automobile manufacturers have stepped up to offer security features and alarm systems to vehicles to deter theft.

alarm systems

Many car alarm systems today consist of:

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