The FM radio reception in your car can be affected while travelling. When driving through an area with a poor signal, the reception can deteriorate. Once you have moved away from that area, your signal strength should return.
Turning the Radio Data System (RDS) on will help your car radio find the best signal for the service you are listening to.
Fading and Hissing
If you normally can receive a service, but you are now finding it is fading in and out, or you can hear hissing, this could be down to one of three things. The first is a fault with the local FM transmitter. Secondly, if you know your location, you can use our transmitter checker to see whether there is a problem. Thirdly, if not, then you will need to check the radio and aerial to confirm they are both working properly.
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Poor FM reception can also be caused by equipment used in the vehicle. For example, phone chargers or dash cams sometimes cause interference and affect your radio signal. Try unplugging the items to see if one of them is causing any interference.
Reception in Tunnels
Depending on the specific tunnel and station, Radio reception can cut out or be lost when driving through tunnels. If the tunnel is deep, the radio waves will not reach into the centre, so your radio cuts out. Some tunnels are fitted with signal distribution systems both for FM and DAB so the signal will not be lost while in the tunnel. Or it could be “To help maintain the radio signals within the tunnel”
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Most FM car radios have a Radio Data System (RDS) built in. We use the RDS to ‘tell’ your radio if there is a better or stronger frequency for the radio service you are listening to, as you travel around. However, if you are using a frequency, you have preset and there is no radio service on that frequency in your location, then the RDS may not work. At that point you will need to tune your radio until you find a signal.
If you are having continuous reception problems, check your car aerial for damage. If you have an extendable aerial, make sure it is fully extended to give the best possible reception.
Local Radio Travel News
The RDS system is set up to detect local radio travel news. The way to turn traffic announcements on and off on varies between radios. Check your car manual for yours.
