Toyota 2003 Avalon Service Manual page 166

Car audio system operating
hints
NOTICE
To ensure correct audio system op-
erations:
z Be careful not to spill beverages
over the audio system.
z Do not put anything other than a
cassette tape or Compact Disc into
the slot.
z The use of a cellular phone inside
or near the vehicle may cause a
noise from the speakers of the au-
dio system which you are listening
to. However, this does not indicate
a malfunction.
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. The farther you are from a
station, the weaker its signal will be. In
addition, reception conditions change
constantly as your vehicle moves.
162
'03 AVALON U (L/O 0206)
Here are some common reception prob-
lems that you may experience.
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 transmit-
ter. They are often accompanied by distor-
tion.
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 oth-
er 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 origi-
nal signal can be picked up again.
2003 AVALON (OM41401U)
I n f o r ma t i o n P r o v i d e d b y :
AM
Fading—AM broadcasts are reflected by
the upper atmosphere−especially at night.
These reflected signals can interfere with
those received directly from the radio sta-
tion, causing the radio station to sound
alternately strong and weak.
Station interference—When a reflected sig-
nal and a signal received directly from a
radio station are very nearly the same
frequency, they can interfere with each
other, making it difficult to hear the broad-
cast.
Static—AM is easily affected by external
sources of electrical noise, such as high
tension power lines, lightening, or electri-
cal motors. This results in static.