Mazda 3 Owners Manual: Radio Reception
AM characteristics
AM signals bend around such things as buildings or mountains and bounce off the ionosphere.
Therefore, they can reach longer distances than FM signals.
Because of this, two stations may sometimes be picked up on the same frequency at the same time.
FM characteristics
An FM broadcast range is usually about 40—50 km (25—30 miles) from the source. Because of extra coding needed to break the sound into two channels, stereo FM has even less range than monaural (non-stereo) FM.
Signals from an FM transmitter are similar to beams of light because they do not bend around corners, but they do reflect.
Unlike AM signals, FM signals cannot travel beyond the horizon. Therefore, FM stations cannot be received at the great distances possible with AM reception
Atmospheric conditions can also affect FM reception. High humidity will cause poor reception. However, cloudy days may provide better reception than clear days.
Multipath noise
Since FM signals can be reflected by obstructions, it is possible to receive both the direct signal and the reflected signal at the same time. This causes a slight delay in reception and may be heard as a broken sound or a distortion. This problem may also be encountered when in close proximity to the transmitter.
Flutter/Skip noise
Signals from an FM transmitter move in straight lines and become weak in valleys between tall buildings, mountains, and other obstacles. When a vehicle passes through such an area, the reception conditions may change suddenly, resulting in annoying noise.
Weak signal noise
In suburban areas, broadcast signals become weak because of distance from the transmitter. Reception in such fringe areas is characterized by sound breakup.
Strong signal noise
This occurs very close to a transmitter tower. The broadcast signals are extremely strong, so the result is noise and sound breakup at the radio receiver.
Station drift noise
When a vehicle reaches the area of two strong stations broadcasting at similar frequencies, the original station may be temporarily lost and the second station picked up. At this time there will be some noise from this disturbance.
Operating Tips for Audio System
WARNING
Always adjust the audio while the
vehicle is stopped:
Do not adjust the audio control
switches while driving the vehicle.
Adjusting the audio while driving
the vehicle ...
Operating Tips for CD Player
Condensation phenomenon
Immediately after turning on the heater
when the vehicle is cold, the CD or
optical components (prism and lens) in
the CD player may become clouded with
condensation. At t ...
Other materials:
Keyless Control Module Configuration
1. Connect the M-MDS (IDS) to DLC-2.
2. After the vehicle is identified, select the following items from the initialization
screen of the IDS.
Select “Module Programming”.
3. Then, select items from the screen menu in the following order.
Select “Programmable Module Ins ...
Rear Door Child Safety Locks
These locks are intended to help prevent
children from accidentally opening the
rear doors. Use them on both rear doors
whenever a child rides in the rear seat of
the vehicle.
If you slide the child safety lock to the
lock position before closing that door, the
door cannot be opened from th ...
Information on Temporary Tires
Please refer to the sample below
Temporary tires
Nominal width of tire in millimeters
Ratio of height to width (aspect ratio)
Diagonal
Rim diameter code
Load index & speed symbol
T115/70D16 90M is an example of a tire size and load index rating. Here is an
explanation
of ...
