Toyota TNS350, Owner'S Manual

Page: 238 / 260

AUDIO SYSTEM
6
Audio system operating hints
NOTICE
To ensure correct audio system
operations:
● Be careful not to spill beverages
over the audio system.
● 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.
Radio reception
Usually, the 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, 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
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.
Station swapping — If the FM signal you
are listening to is interrupted or weakened,
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.
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
station, causing the radio station to sound
alternately strong and weak.
Station interference — When a reflected
signal 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
broadcast.
Static — AM is easily affected by external
sources of electrical noise, such as high
tension power lines, lightening, or electrical
motors. This results in static.