Features of your vehicle
114
4
How vehicle audio works
AM and FM radio signals are broadcast
from transmitter towers located around
your city. They are intercepted by the
radio antenna on your vehicle. This signal
is then received by the radio and sent to
your vehicle speakers.
When a strong radio signal has reached
your vehicle, the precise engineering of
your audio system ensures the best pos-
sible quality reproduction. However, in
some cases the signal coming to your
vehicle may not be strong and clear. This
can be due to factors such as the dis-
tance from the radio station, closeness of
other strong radio stations or the pres-
ence of buildings, bridges or other large
obstructions in the area. AM broadcasts can be received at
greater distances than FM broadcasts.
This is because AM radio waves are
transmitted at low frequencies. These
long, low frequency radio waves can fol-
low the curvature of the earth rather than
travelling straight out into the atmos-
phere. In addition, they curve around
obstructions so that they can provide bet-
ter signal coverage.
FM broadcasts are transmitted at high
frequencies and do not bend to follow the
earth's surface. Because of this, FM
broadcasts generally begin to fade at
short distances from the station.
Also, FM signals are easily affected by
buildings, mountains, or other obstruc-
tions. These can result in certain listening
conditions which might lead you to
believe a problem exists with your radio.
The following conditions are normal and
do not indicate radio trouble:
JBM002
AM receptionJBM001
FM receptionJBM003
FM radio station
procarmanuals.com
4115
Features of your vehicle
Fading - As your vehicle moves awayfrom the radio station, the signal will
weaken and sound will begin to fade.
When this occurs, we suggest that youselect another stronger station.
Flutter/Static - Weak FM signals or large obstructions between the trans-
mitter and your radio can disturb the
signal causing static or fluttering nois-
es to occur. Reducing the treble level
may lessen this effect until the distur-
bance clears. Station Swapping - As a FM signal
weakens, another more powerful sig-
nal near the same frequency may
begin to play. This is because your
radio is designed to lock onto the clear-
est signal. If this occurs, select anotherstation with a stronger signal.
Multi-Path Cancellation - Radio signals being received from several directions
can cause distortion or fluttering. This
can be caused by a direct and reflect-
ed signal from the same station, or by
signals from two stations with close
frequencies. If this occurs, selectanother station until the condition haspassed.
Using a cellular phone or a two-way
radio
When a cellular phone is used inside the
vehicle, noise may be produced from the
audio equipment. This does not meanthat something is wrong with the audio
equipment. In such a case, use the cellu-
lar phone at a place as far as possiblefrom the audio equipment.
JBM005JBM004
CAUTION
When using a communication sys-
tem such a cellular phone or a radioset inside the vehicle, a separate external antenna must be fitted.
When a cellular phone or a radio set is used with an internal antenna
alone, it may interfere with the vehi- cle's electrical system and adversely
affect safe operation of the vehicle.
WARNING
Do not use a cellular phone while
driving. Stop at a safe location to
use a cellular phone.
procarmanuals.com
