Car Audio System Operating Hints; Radio Reception - Toyota 1996 Avalon Owner's Manual

If you pushed any wrong buttons,
"Err" and the number of errors you
have made will appear on the display
before "SEC" does. Go back to step 2
and try again. If the display returns to
"- - -" while you are entering the code,
go back to step 3.
To make sure the security code has been
accepted, turn the ignition to "LOCK" and
then back to "ACC". "SEC" should appear
on the display.
NOTICE
A tenth error will activate the
anti-theft system and "HELP" will
appear on the display. The audio
system will be
inoperable. At this
anti-theft light also comes on. If this
occurs, contact your Toyota dealer.
—Car audio system operating
hints
ILLUMINATION CONTROL LOGIC
When the instrument panel lights are on,
the letters on operable buttons of the
mode in current use light up. On some au-
dio units, the mode selection and eject
buttons also light up.
On some audio-units, when a cassette
tape and compact disc are not in the slot
the letters on the tape and disc mode but-
tons do not light up, but the slot lights up
for easy access. Once a cassette tape or
compact disc is inserted, the letters on the
tape or disc mode buttons light up, and the
slot stops illuminating.

RADIO RECEPTION

Usually, a problem with radio reception
does not mean there is a problem with
completely
your radio—it is just the normal result of
time, the conditions outside the vehicle.
For example, nearby buildings and terrain
can interfere with FM reception. Power
lines or telephone wires can interfere with
AM signals. And of course, radio signals
have a limited range, and the farther you
are from a station, the weaker its signal
will be. In addition, reception conditions
change constantly as your vehicle moves.
Here are some common reception prob-
lems that probably do not indicate a prob-
lem with your radio:
FM
Fading and drifting stations—Generally,
the effective range of FM is about 40 km
(25 miles). Once outside this range, you
may notice fading and drifting, which in-
crease with the distance from the radio
transmitter. They are often accompanied
by distortion.
Multi-path—FM signals are reflective,
making it possible for two signals to reach
your antenna at the same time. If this hap-
pens, the signals will cancel each other
out, causing a momentary flutter or loss of
reception.
Static and fluttering—These occur when
signals are blocked by buildings, trees, or
other large objects. Increasing the bass
level may reduce static and fluttering.
Station swapping—If the FM signal you
are listening to is interrupted or weak-
ened, and there is another strong station
nearby on the FM band, your radio may
tune in the second station until the original
signal can be picked up again.
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