The most common way to change the time in your car is through the infotainment system or digital display in your dashboard. Modern vehicles almost universally handle clock adjustments through their central touchscreen. The specific steps vary significantly by make, model, and model year, so there's no single universal method. For the most accurate instructions, always refer to your vehicle's owner's manual.
Here’s a quick guide to the primary methods you'll encounter:
| Car Type / Era | Common Adjustment Method | Typical Location in Vehicle |
|---|
| Modern Cars (2015+) | Touchscreen Infotainment System | Settings > Clock/Time > Set Time |
| Cars with Navigation | GPS-synchronized (automatic) | Often auto-sets via satellite signal |
| Older Cars (2000s-2010s) | Physical Buttons or Knobs on Radio | "CLK" or "H/M" buttons on stereo face |
| Much Older Models | Pull-out Knob on Analog Clock | Directly on the clock face on the dashboard |
| Luxury/Performance | Dedicated Time Button on Dash | Often near the instrument cluster |
For Touchscreen Systems: Look for a "Settings," "Menu," or "Setup" icon on your home screen. Within that menu, navigate to a "Clock," "Time," or "Vehicle" settings option. You may need to turn off the "Automatic Time Set" feature if your car uses GPS or cellular data to sync the time, as this will lock the manual adjustment options.
For Older Radios with Buttons: The radio often controls the clock. Look for buttons labeled "CLK," "H/M" (for Hour/Minute), or a "SET" button. You typically press and hold this button until the time display flashes, then use the radio's tuning or seek buttons to adjust the numbers.
If you cannot locate the controls, a quick online search for "set clock in [Your Car Year, Make, and Model]" will almost certainly yield a specific video or tutorial. It’s a very common question for every vehicle.
