In this article: We'll give you 11 ideas of what to do while you're in the Coronavirus lockdown with your car.
Since the outbreak of coronavirus, the entire world has changed how it operates. In the United States alone, we’ve been subjected to statewide coronavirus lockdown orders that force some residents to stay out of the public.
After binge-watching a few days of Netflix, the average person starts to go a little stir-crazy. Over time, the walls begin to close in on you and it’s common to feel trapped.
However, there is hope in sight! Just think of all those car audio projects you wanted to work on, but never got the chance to accomplish. Now is the perfect time to get out in that garage and upgrade your vehicle! After all, you aren’t going to be stuck indoors forever.
With a little skill and the right equipment (which you can always order from Amazon), you’ll be ready to enjoy a drive when the lockdown is lifted. Here are eleven car audio projects you can do today.
Car Projects to Do While In Lockdown
Since the outbreak of coronavirus, the entire world has changed how it operates. In the United States alone, we’ve been subjected to statewide coronavirus lockdown orders that force some residents to stay out of the public.
After binge-watching a few days of Netflix, the average person starts to go a little stir-crazy. Over time, the walls begin to close in on you and it’s common to feel trapped.
However, there is hope in sight! Just think of all those car audio projects you wanted to work on, but never got the chance to accomplish. Now is the perfect time to get out in that garage and upgrade your vehicle! After all, you aren’t going to be stuck indoors forever.
With a little skill and the right equipment (which you can always order from Amazon), you’ll be ready to enjoy a drive when the lockdown is lifted. Here are eleven car audio projects you can do today.
#1: Install a New Head Unit
On most vehicles, it’s simple to install a new stereo. If you have a German vehicle, you might find the process to be a little more cumbersome, but still worth the effort. If you have already upgraded to an aftermarket head unit, a new install shouldn’t take long. All of the wiring is already done for you. Otherwise, you could be looking at a longer project.
Before you install a new stereo, consider what you might lose as a result. For example, if you have a vehicle that contains systems relying on the stereo, you might lose functionality, and the upgrade might not be worth it.
However, if this is a project you do want to tackle during the coronavirus lockdown. The steps are simple to follow and you don’t need a lot of skill. Just follow our step-by-step stereo installation guide.
#2: Install New Speakers
If you want better sound, use the coronavirus lockdown as a reason to get rid of those factory speakers. Even though the job looks intimidating, it’s not as difficult as it might seem. Plus, you have a lot of options.
You could replace the door-speakers, upgrade to better dash-mounted speakers or add tweeters to the mix. If you are feeling very adventurous, why not do it all?
What’s wrong with factory speakers, you might ask? Unless you purchased a late model vehicle with a premium sound system, you likely need a complete overhaul to get the best sound. Sure, it might be loud, but is the quality what it should be?
Upgrading to aftermarket speakers offers several benefits, including:
- Better design = better sound
- Better placement for better sound
- Speaker materials are more durable
- Better power handlers
Whatever upgrades you are ready to make, you can consult our step-by-step speaker installation guide. And be sure to check out our best speaker buying guides and vehicle speaker fitment guide to find the right speakers for your car.
#3: Install a Car Amplifier
Most people neglect to install a car amp because they don’t think they need one. However, there are many benefits to adding an amplifier.
- Amps boost sound and help overcome road noise.
- Amplifiers improve the clarity and intelligibility of music.
- Amps increase headroom, making the sudden blasts more powerful.
- Aftermarket speakers sound best when powered with an amp.
- Subwoofers require an amp to run.
As with the other projects, this job shouldn’t take you long with a little know-how. You can follow our step-by-step amplifier installation guide to make it easier and find the perfect amp from our amplifier buying guide.
#4: Install a Car Alarm or Remote Starter
There are benefits to having a car alarm and remote starter. Adding any of these conveniences can change your security and comfort levels.
Owning a car security system doesn’t just keep your vehicle safer during a coronavirus lockdown, but it can also reduce your insurance premiums. Right now, everyone could use some ways to save money.
In addition, having a remote starter brings its own list of benefits, including:
- Warm or cool the car before getting in
- Easier to scrape icy windows
- Prolongs engine life by allowing it to warm up before driving
- Increases resale value of the vehicle
While these jobs might take you a couple of hours each, there’s no limit to the advantages you will receive. Start today with our car alarm and remote starter installation guide and find the right car alarm or remote start from our buying guides today.
#5: Add WiFi to the Car
If you or your family spends a lot of time in your vehicle, it’s wise to add WiFi. Having this connectivity makes it simple to:
- Connect your laptop and work on the go
- Watch content from your tablets
- Avoid public WiFi dangers
- Play games in the car
There’s more than one way to add internet to your vehicle.
- Turn your phone into a hotspot
- Use a mobile hotspot device
- Install a router
- Use your OBDII port with a specified device
All of these require a data plan from a carrier, so you will want to call around and get pricing before moving forward. Once you are ready to enjoy internet on the go, read our in-car WiFi installation directions and our best WiFi hotspot devices buying guide.
#6: Install a Power Inverter
With all the things that run on power these days, it only makes sense that you would install a power inverter to ensure you have the connections needed to keep your equipment running. Whether you want to charge your cell phone or need to power up your tire inflator.
In fact, the power inverter works well when you go camping too. Blow up the air mattress like a champ or run that electric heater and keep everyone warm. You can also use the inverter to increase the entertainment aspect of your vehicle. Plug in your laptop or add a gaming console for those long road trips.
With this project, you might spend more time picking out which inverter to buy versus actually installing it. Just check out our power inverter installation guide for more help.
#7: Add a Backup Camera
Since May 2018, all new passenger vehicles weighing less than 10,000 pounds must have come equipped with rearview monitoring technology. If your car is older than that, you want to add a system to improve your on-road safety.
For most people, the installation shouldn’t take more than four hours. It also costs a lot less than you might think to add this technology. Whether you want to add a wired or wireless backup camera, our complete rearview camera installation guide should help. And our backup camera buying guide should help you find the best one.
#8: Add Bluetooth
There are several ways to add Bluetooth to a vehicle and none of them require too much effort. With this simple technology, you can make calls hands-free while driving. The key to superior audio clarity is purchasing the best universal car Bluetooth kit, which we have already evaluated for you.
#9: Add an Aux-In Port
If you own a classic vehicle or your beater is still kicking, consider throwing an aux-in port to upgrade the sound system capability. With this installation, you can connect your smartphone, MP3 player and other digital devices.
You might need to disassemble your dash to get the project done, but it shouldn’t take you long. Follow our aux-in port installation directions. It'll also open up your options to add a universal Bluetooth kit in the #8 above.
#10: Install a Gaming Device
Are you planning a road trip when the coronavirus lockdown ends? If so, you might want to bring your gaming system along. Whether you can’t be separated from your Call of Duty: Modern Warfare or your teens need access to Fortnite, there are solutions available to make the trip easier.
You will need to consider what type of video input you have and you might require an Internet connection as well (see #5). After you follow our gaming system installation instructions, the only struggle you will have is determining who gets to play first.
#11: Clean Up That Car
If you want to stay healthy, you must disinfect your vehicle. You can use sanitizing wipes, a UV light, carpet cleaning products and an air purifier.
While you are working on social distancing, washing your hands and covering your cough appropriately, you also want to brush up on the proper cleaning guidelines from the CDC.
It’s simple to focus solely on our homes as we start the cleaning procedures, but you don’t want to overlook your car cabin as well. Take steps to keep this environment clean for maximum protection.
Bonus Coronavirus Lockdown Project: Convert Your RV to LED
Once you finish all of the car audio projects you can think of, it’s time to move onto your recreational vehicle. You can choose versatile LED strip lighting around the counters, borders, steps and other locations. Plus, you will find the strips in a variety of color options.
From there, it’s simple to replace your existing lights with LED options. It will cost a little more up front to make the swap, but LED lights use less power and can last fifty times longer than incandescent lights, twenty times longer than halogen and ten times longer than CFL.
Get some LED installation ideas from our handy guide.
More Coronavirus Lockdown Tasks To Stay Entertained
We know that you have all become quite creative during this coronavirus lockdown. With that in mind, we would love to hear what projects you are tackling during this time. Give us some inspiration and share your thoughts in our comments section!
