I would think it depends on your stereo in the car really...mine has bluetooth so I connect through that and charge via the normal way. It also has a 3.5mm jack and a usb port so I could use those, but bt is just easier and quicker. I don't know if it would charge via the usb either, never tried it.

So what stereo do you have and what are it's input options?

 

mine charges through the usb cable into my car stereo usb link, but can't seem to play Pandora though just what is in my music playlist.

 

I just run mine through the 3.5mm jack and charge via the USB to 12v adaptor.

 

So just buy a 3.5mm x 3.5mm cable and run it to the stereo?