Lexus 2003 LS Owner's Manual page 238

AUDIO
CAUTION
Operate the steering pad switches with due care while
you are driving to avoid accidents.
Car audio system operating hints
NOTICE
To ensure correct audio system operations:
R Be careful not to spill beverages over the audio
system.
R Do not put anything other than a cassette tape or
compact disc into the cassette tape slot or compact
disc slot.
R The use of a cellular phone inside or near the vehicle
may cause a noise from the speakers of the audio
system which you are listening to. However, this
does not indicate a malfunction.
224
Radio reception
Usually, a problem with radio reception does not mean there
is a problem with your radio – it is just the normal result of
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. 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 problems that probably do
not indicate a problem 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 increase 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
happens, 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.