Pontiac Grand Am (2002 year). Manual - part 9

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Section 3

Comfort Controls and Audio Systems

In this section, you’ll find out how to operate the comfort control and audio systems offered with your vehicle. Be
sure to read about the particular systems supplied with your vehicle.

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2

Comfort Controls

3

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2

Climate Control System with 
Air Conditioning

3

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3

Air Conditioning

3

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4

Heating

3

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4

Defogging and Defrosting Windows

3

-

5

Rear Window Defogger

3

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5

Ventilation System

3

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6

Audio Systems

3

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6

Setting the Clock

3

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7

AM

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FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player

with Programmable Equalization and Radio
Data System (RDS)

3

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15

AM

-

FM Stereo with Cassette Tape and

Compact Disc Player with Programmable
Equalization and Radio Data System (RDS)
(If Equipped)

3

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26

Theft

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Deterrent Feature (If Equipped)

3

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27

Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped)

3

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28

Understanding Radio Reception

3

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28

Tips About Your Audio System

3

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29

Care of Your Cassette Tape Player

3

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30

Care of Your Compact Discs

3

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30

Care of Your Compact Disc Player

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30

Fixed Mast Antenna

3

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30

Chime Level Adjustment

3-2

Comfort Controls

With this system, you can control the ventilation 
and heating in your vehicle. Your vehicle also has 
the flow

-

through ventilation system described later 

in this section.

Climate Control System with 
Air Conditioning

Fan Knob

The left knob regulates the fan speed. To select the force
of air you want, turn the knob. The fan is always
running unless the fan knob is moved to OFF.

Temperature Knob

The center knob regulates the temperature of the air
coming through the system.

Mode Knob

The right knob changes the functions of your system.

 MAX (Maximum): Use this mode for 

maximum cooling. This setting recirculates much of 
the air inside your vehicle. It maximizes your air
conditioner’s performance and your vehicle’s fuel
economy. The air conditioning compressor will run
automatically in this position when it is needed to 
help dry the air in the vehicle.

 (Vent): In this mode most of the airflow comes

through the instrument panel outlets. A small amount of
air comes through the floor vents. Set the center knob to
the desired temperature for comfort.

 (Bi

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Level): In this position the airflow 

comes through the instrument panel outlets and 
through the floor outlets. Set the center knob to the
desired temperature.

3-3

 (Floor): In this mode most of the airflow comes

through the floor outlets. The rest of the air comes
through the windshield and side window vents. Set the
center knob to the desired temperature for comfort.

 (Defog): This mode divides the airflow between

the floor outlets and the windshield defroster vent. The
air conditioning compressor will run automatically in
this mode when it is needed to help dry the air in 
the vehicle.

 (Front Defroster): This mode directs most of the

airflow through the windshield defroster vent. Some of 
the air goes to the floor outlets. The air conditioning
compressor will run automatically in this mode when it
is needed to help dry the air in the vehicle.

Mode Button

A/C (Air Conditioning): Press A/C to operate the 
air conditioning. The indicator light above the button
will glow when the button is pressed to indicate that the
air conditioning system has been turned on. The fan
knob must be set to a speed for the air conditioning 
to operate.

Air Conditioning

The air conditioner and heater work best if you keep
your windows closed while using them. Your vehicle
also has the flow

-

through ventilation system described

later in this section.

For normal cooling on hot days, use the vent mode with
the temperature knob in the blue area and the A/C
indicator light glowing. The system will bring in outside
air and cool it.

On very hot days, begin by opening the windows long
enough to let hot inside air escape. This reduces the time
it takes for your vehicle to cool down, which should
help fuel economy.

On cool, but sunny days, the sun may warm your upper
body, but your lower body may not be warm enough.
You can use bi

-

level mode with the temperature knob in

the middle and the A/C indicator light glowing. The
system will bring in outside air and direct slightly
warmer air to your lower body.

3-4

Heating

On cold days, use floor mode with the temperature knob
all the way in the red area. The system will bring in
outside air, heat it and send it to the floor outlets.

Your vehicle has heat ducts that are directed toward 
the rear seat. Keep the area under the front seats 
clear of objects so the heated air can reach the rear 
seat passengers.

If your vehicle has an engine coolant heater, you can use
it to help your system provide warm air faster when it’s
cold outside (0

_F (

-

18

_C) or lower). An engine coolant

heater warms the coolant in your engine and heating
system that is used to provide heat. See “Engine Coolant
Heater” in the Index.

Defogging and Defrosting Windows

Your system has two modes for clearing the front and
side windows. For each setting, adjust the temperature
control as desired.

To defrost the front window quickly, turn the
temperature knob all the way in the red area. Use front
defroster and adjust the fan to the highest speed. To
warm passengers while keeping the front window clean,
use defog.

Your vehicle is equipped with side window defogger
vents. The side window defogger vents are located on
the outside of the side instrument panel vents. To defrost
the side windows, turn the temperature knob all the way
in the red area. Use floor mode and adjust the fan to the
highest speed.

To defog the side windows while using air conditioning,
use bi

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level mode and adjust the fan to the highest speed

and press the A/C button so that the indicator light is
glowing. For added airflow to the side windows, aim 
the side vents toward the windows and close the 
center vents.

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Rear Window Defogger

The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the rear window.

The button is located 
near the center of the
instrument panel.

Press the defogger button. The indicator light above the
button will glow. The rear window defogger will turn
itself off after about 10 minutes after the first time the
button is pressed, and after five minutes each additional
time the button is pressed. You can turn the defogger off
by pressing the button again or turning off the ignition.

Do not attach a temporary vehicle license across the
defogger grid on the rear window.

NOTICE:

Don’t use a razor blade or anything else sharp on
the inside of the rear window. If you do, you
could cut or damage the warming grid, and the
repairs wouldn’t be covered by your warranty.

Ventilation System

For mild outside temperatures when little heating or
cooling is needed, use the vent mode to direct outside 
air through your vehicle. Your vehicle also has the
flow

-

through ventilation system which supplies 

outside air into the vehicle when it is moving. Outside
air will also enter the vehicle when the air conditioning
is running. Recirculation of the air is automatic in 
MAX A/C.

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Ventilation Tips

D Keep the hood and the area around the windshield

wipers free of ice, snow or any other obstruction,
such as leaves. The heater and defroster will work
better, reducing the chance of fogging the inside 
of your windows.

D Keep the air path under the front seats clear of

objects, to help air circulate throughout your vehicle.

D When an objectionable odor outside the vehicle is

encountered, use MAX, with the temperature knob 
at a comfortable setting to prevent the odor from
being drawn into the vehicle through the ventilation
system. For example, this usage of recirculation can
be helpful when driving through a long tunnel with
poor ventilation. However, extended usage of
recirculation in cold or cool weather can cause
window fogging.

Audio Systems

Your audio system has been designed to operate easily
and give years of listening pleasure. You will get the
most enjoyment out of it if you acquaint yourself with it
first. Find out what your audio system can do and how
to operate all of its controls to be sure you’re getting the
most out of the advanced engineering that went into it.

Your vehicle has a feature called Retained Accessory
Power (RAP). With RAP, you can play your audio
system even after the ignition is turned off. See
“Retained Accessory Power (RAP)” in the Index.

Setting the Clock

Press and hold HR or MIN for two seconds. Then 
press and hold HR until the correct hour appears. AM
will appear on the display. Press and hold MIN until the
correct minute appears. The clock may be set with the
ignition on or off.

To set the clock to the time of an FM station
broadcasting Radio Data System (RDS) information,
press and hold HR and MIN at the same time for 
two seconds until TIME UPDATED and the clock
symbol appear on the display. If the time is not available
from the station, NO UPDATE will appear on the
display instead.

3-7

AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player
with Programmable Equalization and
Radio Data System (RDS)

If your vehicle (coupe only) is equipped with the
Monsoon audio system, included are eight speakers 
and an eight channel amplifier. The radio will display
MONSOON when the radio or the ignition is turned on.
See your dealer for details.

Playing the Radio

PWR (Power): Push this knob to turn the system on
and off.

VOL (Volume): Turn the knob clockwise to increase
volume. Turn it counterclockwise to decrease volume.

SCV (Speed

-

Compensated Volume): With SCV, 

your audio system adjusts automatically to make up for
road and wind noise as you drive. Set the volume at the
desired level. Press this button to select MIN, MED or
MAX. Each higher choice allows for more volume
compensation at faster vehicle speeds. Then, as you
drive, SCV automatically increases the volume, as
necessary, to overcome noise at any speed. The volume
level should always sound the same to you as you drive.
If you don’t want to use SCV, select OFF.

RCL (Recall): Push this knob to display the station
being played and to display the clock. Pressing this knob
with the ignition off will display the clock.

Finding a Station

BAND: Press this button to switch between AM, FM1
and FM2. The display shows your selection.

TUNE: Turn this knob to choose radio stations.

 SEEK 

: Press the up or down arrow to go to the

next or previous station and stay there. The sound will
mute while seeking.

3-8

 SCAN 

: Press and hold one of the SCAN arrows

for two seconds until SCAN appears on the display and
you hear a beep. The radio will go to a station, play for a
few seconds, then go on to the next station. Press one of
the SCAN arrows again to stop scanning. The sound will
mute while scanning.

To scan preset stations, press and hold one of the SCAN
arrows for more than four seconds until PSCAN and the
preset number appear on the display. You will hear a
double beep. The radio will go to the first preset station
stored on your pushbuttons, play for a few seconds, then
go on to the next preset station. This feature will only
scan the six presets that are in the selected band. Press
one of the SCAN arrows again to stop scanning presets.
The radio will scan preset stations with a strong signal
only. The sound will mute while scanning.

Setting Preset Stations

The six numbered pushbuttons let you return to 
your favorite stations. You can set up to 18 stations 
(six AM, six FM1 and six FM2) by performing the
following steps:

1. Turn the radio on.

2. Press BAND to select AM, FM1 or FM2.

3. Tune in the desired station.

4. Press EQ to select the equalization.

5. Press and hold one of the six numbered pushbuttons

until you hear a beep. Whenever you press that
numbered pushbutton, the station you set will return
and the equalization that you selected will also be
automatically selected for that pushbutton.

6. Repeat the steps for each pushbutton.

3-9

Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble)

TONE: Press and release this button until BASS, 
MID or TREB appears on the display. The SELECT
LED indicator will light to show that the tone control
can be adjusted. When adjusting BASS, MID or TREB,
turn the SELECT knob clockwise to increase or
counterclockwise to decrease. If a station is weak or
noisy, you may want to decrease the treble.

To adjust all of the tone controls to the middle position,
press and hold TONE until FLAT appears on the display.

EQ (Equalizer): This feature allows you to choose
preset bass, mid and treble equalization settings
designed for different program types. Press EQ to select
the desired preset equalization setting. Each time you
press EQ, another setting will appear on the display.

You can preset up to six equalization settings by
performing the following steps:

1. Turn the radio on.

2. Use the TONE button and the SELECT knob to

select the desired equalization.

3. Press and hold EQ for two seconds. SELECT EQ #

will appear on the display. The EQ icon will flash.

4. Press EQ or turn the SELECT knob to select the

desired EQ number. Each time you press EQ or turn
the SELECT knob, another EQ setting will appear on
the display.

5. Press and hold the EQ button or push the SELECT

knob to store the equalization preset. You will hear a
beep and EQ SAVED will appear on the display.

6. Repeat the steps for each EQ setting.

EQ 5 has been programmed at the factory for use with
talk radio, but it can be preset to a different tone.

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Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)

BAL (Balance): Press and release this button until BAL
appears on the display. The SELECT LED indicator will
light to show that the speakers can be adjusted. Turn the
SELECT knob to move the sound to the left or right
speakers. The middle position balances the sound
between the speakers.

FADE: Press and release this button until FADE appears
on the display. The SELECT LED indicator will light to
show that the speakers can be adjusted. Turn the
SELECT knob to move the sound to the front or rear
speakers. The middle position balances the sound
between the speakers.

Pressing and holding the BAL FADE button for 
two seconds will return all speaker settings to the 
middle position.

Using RDS

Your audio system is equipped with a Radio Data
System (RDS). RDS is a system that receives data 
along with the audio of the FM station you are 
currently tuned to.

You can use RDS to display program information 
and to control your radio. With RDS, the radio can 
do the following:
D Seek only to stations with the types of programs 

you want to listen to,

D seek to stations with traffic announcements,
D receive announcements concerning local and

national emergencies, and

D receive and display messages from radio stations.
RDS is always on. RDS features are only available for
use on FM stations which broadcast RDS information.
The RDS features of your radio rely upon receiving
specific RDS information from these stations. These
features will only work when the RDS information 
is available. In rare cases, a radio station may broadcast
incorrect information that will cause the radio features
to work improperly. If this happens, contact the 
radio station.

When you are tuned to an RDS station, the station name
will appear on the display, instead of the frequency.
Most RDS stations provide their station name, the time
of day and a Program Type (PTY) for their current
programming. Some stations also provide the name of
the current program.

3-11

Finding a PTY Station

PROG TYPE (Program Type): This button is used to
turn on and off Program Type (PTY) select. P

-

TYPE

will appear on the display and the SELECT LED
indicator will light. The last selected PTY will appear on
the display for five seconds. Turn the SELECT knob to
select the PTY you want to listen to. Press the SEEK up
arrow and the radio will search for an RDS station that
is broadcasting the PTY that you have selected. The last
PTY selected will be used for seek or scan modes. When
the SELECT LED indicator is on and a PTY is not
displayed, the first time SEEK is pressed, the last
selected PTY will be displayed. Press the SEEK up
arrow again to seek. If a station with the selected PTY is
not found, NOT FOUND will appear on the display.

To use the PTY interrupt feature, press and hold PROG
TYPE until you hear a beep on the PTY you want to
interrupt. An asterisk will appear next to the PTY name,
for example (CLASSICAL*). The radio will also
display brackets around the PTY when the PTY
interrupt is active. To disable the PTY interrupt, 
select the interrupt format and press and hold the 
PROG TYPE button until you hear a beep. The 
asterisk will be removed from the display and so will the
brackets. When you are listening to a compact disc, the
last selected RDS FM station will interrupt play if that
selected PTY format is broadcast.

BAND (Alternate Frequency): Alternate frequency
allows the radio to switch to a stronger station with the
same programming. Press and hold BAND for two
seconds to turn alternate frequency on. AF ON will
appear on the display. The radio may switch to stronger
stations. Press and hold BAND again for two seconds to
turn alternate frequency off. AF OFF will appear on the
display. The radio will not switch to other stations.

Setting Preset PTY Stations

The six numbered pushbuttons let you return to 
your favorite Program Types (PTYs). These 
pushbuttons have factory PTY presets. You can 
set up to 12 PTYs (six FM1 and six FM2) by 
performing the following steps:

1. Press AM FM to select FM1 or FM2.

2. Press PROG TYPE, if it is not already on.

3. Turn the SELECT knob to select a PTY.

4. Press and hold one of the six numbered pushbuttons

until you hear a beep. Whenever you press that
numbered pushbutton, the PTY you set will return.

5. Repeat the steps for each pushbutton.

3-12

RDS Messages

ALERT!: This type of announcement warns of national
or local emergencies. You will not be able to turn off
alert announcements. ALERT! appears on the display
when an alert announcement plays. When an alert
announcement comes on the current radio station, you
will hear it, even if the volume is muted or a compact
disc is playing. If the compact disc player is playing,
play will stop for the announcement and resume when
the announcement is finished.

This function will only work during actual emergency
broadcasts, and will not work during tests of the
emergency broadcast system. This feature is not
supported by all RDS stations.

INFO (Information): If the current station has a
message, INFO will appear on the display. These text
messages are from the RDS broadcaster to the listening
public and may be general information such as artist and
song title, call in phone numbers, etc. Press this button
to see the message. If the whole message does not
appear on the display, parts of the message will appear
every three seconds until the message is completed. 
To scroll through the message at your own speed press
the INFO button again for less than one second. 
A new group of words will appear on the display. 
Once the complete message has been displayed, INFO
will disappear from the display until another new
message is received.

The old message can be displayed by pressing the INFO
button until a new message is received or a different
station is tuned to. If the INFO button is pressed when
INFO is not displayed and an old message has not been
stored by the radio, the radio will display NO INFO.

3-13

TRAF (Traffic): Press this button to receive traffic
announcements. The traffic announcement brackets will
appear on the display. TRAF will appear on the display
if the current station broadcasts traffic announcements.
If the current station does not broadcast traffic
announcements, the radio will seek to a station that
does. When the radio finds a station that broadcasts
traffic announcements, it will stop. TRAF will appear on
the display. If no station is found, NO TRAFFIC will
appear on the display.

Your radio can be programmed to interrupt the playback
of a CD or FM radio by enabling the traffic interrupt
feature. Press the TRAF button once to turn on the
traffic feature, if supported by the current RDS station.
If the station does not support the traffic interrupt
feature, the radio will search for an RDS station that
does support the feature. When the traffic interrupt
feature is on, TRAF will appear on the display.

When a traffic announcement comes on the current radio
station or a related network station, you will hear it,
even if the volume is muted or a compact disc is
playing. If the compact disc player was being used, the
compact disc will stay in the player and resume play at
the point where it stopped.

Radio Messages

CALIBRATE: Your audio system has been calibrated
for your vehicle from the factory. If CALIBRATE
appears on the display, it means that your radio has not
been configured properly for your vehicle and must be
returned to the dealership for service.

Playing a Compact Disc

With the ignition on, insert a disc partway into the slot,
label side up. The player will pull it in and the disc
should begin playing. If you want to insert a CD when
the ignition is off, first press the eject symbol or push
the RCL knob. If you insert a CD with the radio off and
the ignition on, it will start to play.

When the disc is inserted, the CD symbol will be
displayed. If you select an EQ setting for your CD, it
will be activated each time you play a CD.

As each new track starts to play, the track number will
appear on the display.

If an error appears on the display, see “Compact Disc
Messages” later in this section.

 

 1 (Forward): Press and hold this pushbutton to

advance quickly within a track. You will hear sound at a
reduced volume. Release it to play the passage. The
display will show elapsed time.

3-14

RDM 3 (Random): Press this pushbutton to hear the
tracks in random, rather than sequential, order. RDM
and the track number will appear on the display.

4 

 (Reverse): Press and hold this pushbutton to

reverse quickly within a track. You will hear sound at a
reduced volume. Release it to play the passage. The
display will show elapsed time.

EQ (Equalizer): Press EQ to select the desired preset
equalization setting while playing a compact disc. The
equalization will be automatically set whenever you
play a compact disc. See “EQ” listed previously for
more information.

 SEEK 

: Press the down arrow while playing a CD

to go to the start of the current track if more than eight
seconds have played. Press the up arrow to go to the
next track. If you hold the button or press it more than
once, the player will continue moving backward or
forward through the disc.

 SCAN 

: Press and hold one of the SCAN arrows

for more than two seconds until SCAN appears on the
display and you hear a beep. The disc will go to the next
track, play for a few seconds, then go on to the next
track. Press this button again to stop scanning. The
sound will mute while scanning. SCAN and the track
number will appear on the display.

RCL (Recall): Press this button to see how long the
current track has been playing. To change what is
normally shown on the display (track or elapsed time),
press the button until you see the display you want, then
hold the button until the display flashes. While elapsed
time is showing, CD TIME will appear on the display.

BAND: Press this button to listen to the radio when a
CD is playing. The inactive CD will remain safely inside
the radio for future listening.

CD AUX (Auxiliary): Press this button to play a
compact disc when listening to the radio. CD will appear
on the display when a compact disc is loaded.

 (Eject): Press this button to eject a CD. Eject may

be activated with either the ignition or radio off. CDs
may be loaded with the radio and ignition off if this
button is pressed first.

3-15

Compact Disc Messages

CHECK CD: If this message appears on the radio
display and the disc comes out, it could be for one of the
following reasons:
D The road is too rough. The disc should play when the

road is smoother.

D The disc is dirty, scratched, wet or upside down.
D The air is very humid. If so, wait about an hour and

try again.

If the CD is not playing correctly, for any other reason,
try a known good CD.

If any error occurs repeatedly or if an error can’t be
corrected, contact your dealer. If your radio displays an
error message, write it down and provide it to your
dealer when reporting the problem.

AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape and
Compact Disc Player with Programmable
Equalization and Radio Data System (RDS)
(If Equipped)

If your vehicle is equipped with this Monsoon audio
system, included are eight (coupe only) speakers and an
eight channel amplifier. The radio will display
MONSOON when the radio or the ignition is turned on.
Please see your dealer for details.

3-16

Playing the Radio

PWR (Power): Press this knob to turn the system on
and off.

VOL (Volume): Turn the knob clockwise to increase
volume. Turn it counterclockwise to decrease volume.

SCV (Speed

-

Compensated Volume): With SCV, your

audio system adjusts automatically to make up for road
and wind noise as you drive. Set the volume at the
desired level. Press this button to select MIN, MED or
MAX. Each higher choice allows for more volume
compensation at faster vehicle speeds. Then, as you
drive, SCV automatically increases the volume, as
necessary, to overcome noise at any speed. The volume
level should always sound the same to you as you drive.
If you don’t want to use SCV, select OFF.

RCL (Recall): Push this knob to display the station
being played or to display the clock. Pushing this knob
with the ignition off will display the clock.

Finding a Station

BAND: Press this button to switch between AM, FM1
and FM2. The display shows your selection.

TUNE: Turn this knob to choose radio stations.

 SEEK 

: Press the up or down arrow to go to the

next or previous station and stay there. The radio will
seek to stations with a strong signal only. The sound will
mute while seeking.

 SCAN 

: Press and hold one of the SCAN arrows

for two seconds until SCAN appears on the display and
you hear a beep. The radio will go to a station, play for a
few seconds, then go on to the next station. Press one of
the SCAN arrows again to stop scanning. The radio will
scan to stations with a strong signal only. The sound will
mute while scanning.

To scan preset stations, press and hold one of the SCAN
arrows for more than four seconds until PSCAN and the
preset number appear on the display. You will hear a
double beep. The radio will go to the first preset station
stored on your pushbuttons, play for a few seconds, then
go on to the next preset station. This feature will only
scan the six presets that are in the selected band. Press
one of the SCAN arrows again to stop scanning presets.
The radio will scan preset stations with a strong signal
only. The sound will mute while scanning.