What does the AM button in the car mean?
2 Answers
The AM button on a car refers to the radio band of the car's radio. Here are the relevant details: 1. Car radios generally have two modes: AM and FM. Typically, drivers use the FM button more often when listening to the radio because FM is used to operate the radio's frequency modulation, while AM is used to adjust the radio's band. 2. AM and FM are two different radio reception systems with distinct working principles. They operate independently and do not interfere with each other. Generally, FM provides better sound quality without interruptions, whereas AM signals tend to have lower sound quality. In contrast, FM operates at a frequency of around 100 MHz, which is about 100 times higher than AM's reception frequency. This is why drivers usually prefer using FM for listening to the radio.
I see you're asking about that AM button in the car. It's actually the switch for AM radio on the car stereo. AM stands for Amplitude Modulation, an old-school broadcasting mode especially useful for listening to traffic updates or news during long drives, as it has extensive signal coverage and can be received even outside cities. Compared to FM, AM has poorer sound quality with more static or interference, but it's more practical in weak signal areas. Press the AM button to switch to amplitude modulation, then press it again to return to FM. Some newer cars integrate this function into the touchscreen with the same functionality. Don't operate it while driving—find a safe place to park first. Remember, a good antenna ensures stable signals; otherwise, FM might be smoother.
