It was a big deal for automobiles when they began to be equipped with any kind of radio at all. For some years, drivers and passengers sang to each other if they wanted any kind of entertainment (although they were probably too afraid to sing or talk, given the wild 15 mph speeds!).

After a while, AM radios became luxury features and then standard features. AM/FM radios extended the range and gave what seemed then like a huge choice of stations to listen to.

Only in recent years have automobiles routinely come equipped with stereo tape players, cd players, and most recently jacks for MP3 players (what we commonly call IPods). But it is pretty much accepted at this point that a car will have a nice audio system of some kind.

Automobile audio is not just a luxury anymore. For one thing, music and talk provides stimulation to the driver. Many accidents are caused by tired drivers falling asleep at the wheel, and peppy music or controversial talk shows are very useful in keeping the brain active and alert so that sleep doesn't take over.

If you're caught in a traffic jam while you wait for construction to open up or for an accident to be cleared, soothing entertainment can help alleviate the "road rage" that causes many unnecessary encounters that threaten the well-being of those in potentially life-threatening vehicles.

In recent times, it's become recognized again that cars are lethal weapons when used in anger against other drivers. But perhaps having a wide range of stations to tune into on the radio will help you avoid some of those bottle neck spots. You can scan until you find a local channel that gives a traffic update.

You can find out where the problem areas are so that you don't drive into them unaware. Some stations even give you pointers as to how to get around the problem area. When you buy an audio system for your car, or listen to the one the car you're considering is already equipped with, it's helpful to think about how you will use it.

A strong bass is necessary if you listen to music with a heavy beat most of the time. However, if that annoys you and you mostly want to listen to classical or light music, that quality needs to come through. You want to choose a system that is worth the money you are going to spend and meets your particular needs.

As nice as radios are, you may be stuck going through an area where it's, for instance, "all country music, all the time" and you're bored to tears. In that case, CD's allow you to bring and choose your own music all the time.

If you're going to play CD's in your car, make sure you can play them directly without having to install a complementary device. And perhaps you'd like an audio system that can "stack" them so that you can move through a series of them without having to change CD's. Some offer storage for as many as a hundred. See about the capacity of the system to play live music, and decide if you want a way to plug in an MP3 player.

The better looking your system, the more likely that an unsavory type of person will look into your car and decide to take it. There are devices you can install that connect to your car's alarm so that that will not happen without some kind of warning going off. Your auto's audio system is going to keep you company for as long as you own your car, so choose wisely and you'll be a happy driver.