How to... ready your car for an iPod - FM transmitters

FM transmitters plug into your iPod and convert whatever you're playing to an FM radio frequency.

That means your car's radio can pick up your iPod music. There are no messy wires, and FM transmitters can be used with any car stereo.

There are some downsides, though. The sound quality isn't brilliant, especially when you're getting interference from a local radio station using the same frequency.

Some transmitters will automatically adjust the frequency to one that's clear, but it doesn't always work particularly well.

If your car's stereo isn't that great, an FM transmitter is a cheap and clever way of playing your favourite iPod tunes through your car's radio.

If you've got an expensive stereo, though, you'll probably notice the shortcomings in sound quality.

FM transmitters
Belkin TuneCast II FM transmitter
Best price we found - £14.30 (www.ebuyer.com)

iTrip FM transmitter
Best price we found - £23.99 (iTripstore.co.uk)

Kensington Digital FM transmitter
Best price we found - £24.95 (Amazon.co.uk)