Is the USB in the car 5V or 12V?
2 Answers
The USB in the car is 5V. Function of USB port: Many car USB ports are designed for audio data transmission. The current of car USB ports can be either 5V/2.1A or 5V/0.5A. Matching charging current: Many mobile phones require an input current of 5V/1A. A car USB port with 5V/2.1A is certainly no problem, as it can provide 1A current for mobile phones and 2A current for tablets. If it's 5V/0.5A, it's obvious that the current will not meet the standard. Charging a mobile phone under such conditions will not only take a long time but also cause the phone to overheat.
I've modified USB ports in quite a few cars before, and found that vehicle USB ports are generally 5V, definitely not direct 12V output. The reason is, car batteries and alternators usually operate at 12V, but there's a converter inside the USB port that steps the voltage down to 5V, making it safe to charge phones or tablets. Directly using 12V could easily cause devices to overheat and get damaged – I've personally witnessed a phone smoking due to accidental high-voltage connection. Factory-installed USB ports on the market now comply with USB standards, ensuring stable voltage around 5V, but aftermarket accessories sometimes have issues. I recommend choosing quality branded accessories to avoid voltage instability from cheap products and extend device lifespan. Also, you can easily test voltage yourself – just get a USB tester or use a multimeter to check the reading, it's very convenient. Developing a habit of regularly checking charging ports can also prevent minor accidents.