If you want a new aftermarket stereo system for your Nissan Altima, you will first need to remove the OEM stereo from the dashboard. To do this, you will need to pry off the upper dashboard trim panel and remove the four bolts that secure the stereo system.

A solo car ride, whether it’s a

cross-country road trip

or a quick jaunt down to the grocery store, while listening to your favorite tunes, audiobooks, or podcasts, is easily one of life’s greatest joys. But, nothing sucks the joy out of moments like these than having muffled, scratchy, or otherwise sub-par sound quality from your car’s OEM stereo system.

To get the absolute most from your Nissan Altima’s sound system, you’ll need to remove your original radio and swap it out with an aftermarket one. And

Jerry

is here to help! Our licensed insurance broker and comparison shopping app is here to show you how to remove your stereo in three easy steps, give you our top pick aftermarket replacement picks, and show you how to lower the

cost of Nissan Altima car insurance

in minutes.

Jerry sends free alerts to keep your car up-to-date so you can avoid costly repairs

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

Get ahead of my car maintenance

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

How to change the radio on a Nissan Altima

Unlike other vehicles, removing the OEM stereo in the Nissan Altima is pretty simple: it just takes a little bit of time and elbow grease. Before we begin, you’ll need a

flat panel removal tool

, a 10 mm socket wrench, and a socket extender at the ready.

1. Remove upper dashboard trim panel

With your flat panel removal tool, you will need to pry off the upper dashboard trim panel. For context, this is trim that wraps around the back of your Altima’s infotainment screen,

This step can take a while and a little bit of strength. You’ll need to use the panel tool at multiple angles and places along the seam to get the panel to snap off successfully. But don’t be worried about breaking it: the panel is designed to come off—it just takes some force and determination.

2. Unbolt the four 10mm bolts

With the upper dashboard trim panel out of the way, you’ll be able to access the four 10mm bolts that mount your stereo system to the rest of your vehicle. There are two of each bolt on each side of the infotainment screen. Grab your 10mm socket wrench and extender, and remove the four bolts.

We’d recommend using a socket wrench with a magnetic tip for this step. You’ll need these bolts to install your aftermarket stereo, and you don’t want them falling into the chasm behind your dashboard!

3. Pull out and disconnect the stereo

Lastly, with the stereo system unbolted, you can pull it out. Place your hands behind the infotainment screen and pull forwards. The radio should slide out, but it will stay connected to the rest of your vehicle. Unclip these cables from their respective ports, and your entire OEM stereo system can now be removed.

To install your new aftermarket stereo, just follow these steps in reverse! But, keep in mind that some sound systems require serious electrical rewiring. If that’s the case for your vehicle, it’s best to leave the installation to a certified Nissan technician.

MORE:

Nissan tune up cost

The best aftermarket car stereo head units for Nissan Altima

Now that you know how to remove your Nissan Altima’s OEM stereo, it’s time for the more fun part: choosing your stereo upgrade! And, when it comes to stereos, aftermarket is definitely the way to go: whether you’re looking for something with the works or something just, well, works, we’ve got you covered.

Best all-around stereo with Apple CarPlay and Android Audio: Jensen CAR110W

At $629.99, the

Jensen CAR110W

is the most expensive stereo on our list. But, if you’re looking for something with the complete package, this is the real deal. With a built-in backup camera, massive 10.1-inch touchscreen, and seamless Apple CarPlay and Android Audio compatibility, there’s not a whole lot this stereo can’t do.

Best aftermarket stereo with CD compatibility: JVC KD-T920BTS

On the flipside, if you’re looking to pare down your sound system to something a little (or a lot) simpler, then you’ll probably prefer the

JVC KD-T290BTS

. In fact, it’s the only one on our list with CD compatibility, making it great for those of you who held onto those CD’s your BFF burned for you back in high school.

These easy-to-use controls and built-in Amazon Alexa ensure that you’ll effortlessly be able to flip between tunes and keep your eyes on the road. And, if you’re keen to take your car DJing sessions to the next level, you can sync up the lights on this stereo to match the beat of the music!

Best aftermarket stereo with backup camera: Boss BE10ACP-C

The

Boss BE10ACP-C

is comparable to the Jenson CAR110W, but is about $200 cheaper. It also comes with a backup camera and an outsized 10.1 inch touchscreen. Anything you’d think to do on your phone, you can do on this stereo system: use your navigation system, have your texts read aloud to you, pull up your favorite podcast or playlist, etc. Plus, this system comes with a five-year warranty, which is longer than most sound systems.

Best expandable aftermarket stereo: Pioneer MVH-S522BS

With an impressive six pre-amp outputs, the

Pioneer MVH-S522BS

is yours for the customizing. Or, with a built-in amplifier and a 13-band equalizer, you can use this system as is. The large buttons on the face of the stereo make it easy to toggle between different audio sources while staying focused on the road ahead.

MORE:

Jerry insurance review

How to save on Nissan Altima insurance

Your upgraded Nissan Altima sound system will absolutely increase your ride quality…but it may also increase your

car insurance

premium. That’s because aftermarket sound systems make your vehicle more likely to be the target of theft, which means you need to ensure you have

comprehensive coverage

included on your car insurance policy.

You may also want to consider adding

sound system coverage

to your policy to protect your upgrades in case they are stolen from your car or damaged in an accident. After these policy changes, you should shop for a

cheaper car insurance rate

to help pay for it all!

And

Jerry

can help you do both, fast! In less than a minute, our

trustworthy super app

can pull you customized Nissan Altima car insurance quotes from a pool of 55 premium insurance providers. On average, drivers save over $800 a year when they shop and switch with Jerry!

“I usually hate all the phone calls that come with getting car insurance quotes, but with
Jerry
I was able to do everything over text. I went from $224 with my previous provider to $193 with Nationwide. Such a relief!” —Gabby P.