What does the AM button in a car mean?
2 Answers
Car radio modes: There are two modes for car radios, one is AM and the other is FM. Generally, drivers use the FM button more often when listening to the radio, as FM is used to operate the radio's frequency modulation, while AM is used to adjust the radio's wavelength band. AM and FM: AM and FM belong to two different broadcast reception systems with distinct working principles. They operate independently and do not interfere with each other. Typically, FM provides better sound quality without intermittent broadcast signals, whereas using the AM band usually results in lower sound quality when receiving signals.
Yesterday, I just saw a friend asking about this AM button, and I've encountered a similar situation before. In a car's center console, the AM button is essentially the switch for controlling the AM (Amplitude Modulation) radio band. Pressing it allows you to switch to AM channels to listen to broadcasts. AM signals have a longer transmission range but slightly inferior sound quality, making them particularly suitable for listening to traffic news or talk shows while driving. Some older car models have separate AM/FM buttons on the radio panel, but many newer vehicles integrate this function into the multimedia screen. Remember, AM signals tend to be much more stable than FM in tunnels or remote areas. In case of severe weather when GPS fails, tuning into AM radio can serve as an emergency source of information. If your car has an automatic station search function, holding down the AM button usually locks onto the local station with the strongest signal automatically.
