Tesla propelled the emergence of electric vehicles that mandated a move away from fuel. Some models have an electric motor that creates interference with the AM radio band. Perhaps you’re wondering how to make the AM band work and how to change radio stations.
You can enjoy listening to your favorite AM radio station in a Tesla through the inbuilt radio tuner, or Tesla radio app, or use an aftermarket AM radio tuner. Switching between stations is via the touchscreen, voice activation, or physical buttons.
New Tesla owners are amazed to discover that their car doesn’t have AM radio. Some people are still loyal to AM radio despite others believing it’s becoming obsolete. Access to AM radio allows listening to live sports, talk shows, 24-hour news, and alternative language broadcasts.
Why Doesn’t Tesla Have An AM Radio?
Tesla lacks AM radio because of its electric motor that causes electromagnetic interference with the AM radioreceptor. Instead of listening to music from your favorite AM radio station, you’re likely to hear too much static.
The effect of electromagnetic interference makes AM radio be heard from the trunk and driver’s seat. Electronics emit electrical noise which makes AM radio signals distort and crackle. Engineers at Tesla haven’t yet figured out how to beat this.
Tesla ditched the AM radio because it’s easily interrupted by things such as power lines and buildings. It makes the signal not as good as FM radio. There’s also worry that AM radio consumes too much battery power making it inefficient.
Another reason for the lack of AM radio in Tesla is its fall in popularity. It makes fewer stations available on the frequency.
How Can I Make AM Radio Work In A Tesla?
AM signals travel longer distances making them ideal for people who want to listen to local and talk radio. Fortunately, there are some alternative ways to make AM radio work in a Tesla. You can choose what works better for you to even switch between radio stations.
There are three options if you want to listen to AM radio in your Tesla.
Through The In-Built AM Radio Tuner
This is fairly basic in Tesla cars. Accessing it requires going to the media menu in the center of the console screen. Afterward, scroll through the available radio stations. Remember that the AM radio range is fairly limited. You may not pick up many radio stations in the area.
Stream Through The Tesla Radio App
To have more control over the AM radio stations in your Tesla, use the handy Tesla app to stream radio stations. Open the app and go to the media menu and choose the AM radio option. You’ll see a list of available radio stations that you can stream.
Get An Aftermarket AM Radio Tuner
You can invest in an aftermarket Am radio tuner to get the best AM radio experience in your Tesla. The devices are designed to enhance AM radio reception. They also come with a plethora of features including playing MP3 files.
How Do I Change Radio Stations In Tesla?
There are three options to change radio stations in a Tesla. You can use the touchscreen and choose the radio tab. Afterward, choose your desired radio station using the scroll wheel.
The second option is to use voice activation commands. You say “Radio” and your desired station name or number. The last option is to use the physical buttons on the steering wheel. Use the add or plus buttons to browse through available stations.
Is AM Radio Still Relevant Today?
Radio is a must-have for car buyers making it a standard in new vehicles. Regardless of new technology, such as USB ports, radio is still necessary. People who use AM radio declined around 2007 but not enough to make carmakers leave it out of their products.
The reasons why people still prefer AM radio include AM signals traveling faster than FM broadcasts. To broadcasters, AM is cheaper to transmit allowing catering to listeners in sparsely populated areas of the country. Users have something to listen to regardless of their location.
When Did Tesla Give Up On AM In Their Cars?
Tesla stopped including AM in their cars with the S Circa 2008 model. The AM frequency isn’t available in later models. However, some Tesla models allow access to AM radios through HD stations. It’s a radio service that offers AM broadcasts in all-digital format.
A car with inbuilt HD radio allows accessing AM radio over FM frequency without any issues. HD radio allows listening to the crystal-clear sound in high-quality stereo. You enjoy various stations on a single frequency with virtually unlimited listening options.
What Are The Benefits To Use AM Radio In Your Car?
About 47 million Americans listen to AM radio, especially in their cars. People who listen to AM radio are usually older with a third of them over 65 years. They listen to AM radio for over two hours daily.
AM radio signals travel faster than FM radio allowing accessibility in distant locations. Programming for AM radio is targeted toward niche audiences such as cultural or religious communities.
AM radio transmissions are ideal for emergencies including news reports during hurricanes, flash floods, tornadoes, and inclement weather. Broadcasts over AM frequency are cost-effective, dependable, and easily accessible when communicating with the public.
Final Thoughts
If you love Tesla and AM radio, there are ways to enjoy both. The carmaker removed AM from their models after 2008. However, you can enjoy listening to your favorite AM radio stations through the inbuilt radio tuner, Tesla radio app, or aftermarket AM radio tuner.
