Radio Reception

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2015 Chevrolet Trax and 2015 Buick Encore. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

AM/FM Radio Signal

The radio signal is sent from a broadcast station and is then received by an antenna. The strength of the signal received depends on the following:

The power output (wattage) of the broadcasting station
The location of the vehicle (or receiver) relative to the broadcast tower.
Height of the broadcast antenna
Height of the receiving antenna
Obstacles between the tower and the receiver
Atmospheric conditions
What band (AM or FM) the station is broadcasting
Type of antenna and the ground plane

Radio Data System (RDS)

The RDS feature is available only on FM stations that broadcast RDS information. This system relies upon receiving specific information from these stations and only works when the information is available. While the radio is tuned to an FM-RDS station, the station name or call letters display. RDS data is carried in what is known as a "subcarrier". A subcarrier is a frequency that the FM broadcaster is authorized to use to send data that is not audible in the main audio program.

RDS functions will only work with FM broadcast stations that are broadcasting RDS data. Not all FM Broadcast stations broadcast RDS data or offer all of the RDS services.

The information displayed is dependent upon the information broadcast by the particular station. The information may vary greatly between stations. RDS functions may not work properly when reception is weak, reception is of poor quality, or RDS is not implemented properly by the FM Broadcaster. In some cases, a radio station broadcasting incorrect information may cause the RDS features of the radio to appear to work improperly.

With RDS, the radio can do the following:

Display text information such as: station identification, type of programming, and general information (artist and song title, station messages, call in phone numbers, etc.).
Seek to stations broadcasting the selected type of programming
Receive announcements concerning local and national emergencies
Receive alert warnings of local or national emergencies. When an alert announcement comes on the current radio station, ALERT! displays. You will hear the announcement, even if the volume is low or a CD is playing. If a CD is playing, play stops during the announcement. Alert announcements cannot be turned off. ALERT! is not affected by tests of the emergency broadcast system. This feature is not supported by all RDS stations.