To normalize or not to normalize?

[C Royal]

This may be a stupid question, but I'm going to ask it anyways. I'm currently testing my mixes for a project and on average they are currently peaking at around -3dbs, but are mostly sitting around 4 to -6 dbs.

If I'm cranking (i.e. close to max) my car stereo, boom box, etc. is this going to affect how I percieve my mixes? Like in my car for instance, I normally listen to music at a volume level of 20-28. With my previously mentioned mixes I'm up near 38-40. Will this increase the watts sent to those car speakers/subs and thus in some way change the dynamics of the track? By normalizing I know I'd be able to make up a bit of a difference.

I'm going to make another test mix with normalized tracks and find out for myself, I was just curious about this matter. Err, if only I had the money to spend on pro mixing AND mastering! On a closing note, I do know not to send the normalized tracks to the ME.

[moses]

you are looking for limiting, not normalizing. the latter has its uses, but will not help you to increase the perceived loudness. but a limiter will do!