Cassette Tape Handling Precautions

Proper handling of cassette tapes extends the life of the tape.

Always protect cassettes and cases from direct sunlight, extreme cold, and dirt. Store cassettes in the protective cases in which they were sold.

If the vehicle interior is too hot or too cold, set the temperature to a more comfortable level before playing cassettes.

• Never leave a cassette in the player after playback.

This may damage the player mechanism and the tape.

• We strongly recommend not using cassettes longer than 60 minutes (C-60). Tapes such as C-120 or C-180 are very thin and do not perform well in a vehicle.

• Make sure the cassette label is not peeling or coming off, otherwise cassette ejection may be difficult.

• Do not touch or contaminate the surface of the audio tape.

• Keep all magnetized objects, such as electric motors, speakers, or transformers, away from cassettes and the player.

• Store cassettes in a cool, dry place with the open side facing down to prevent dirt from entering the cassette case.

• Do not repeatedly play the same track or section of a cassette using fast forward or rewind. This may cause the tape to wind poorly and possibly cause internal tape drag and reduced sound quality. If this occurs, it can sometimes be corrected by rewinding and fast-forwarding the tape several times from beginning to end.

If this does not solve the problem, do not use this tape in the vehicle.

Head / Cotton Swab

The tape head, capstan, and pinch roller leave residue on the tape, which may cause poor sound quality such as unstable sound. These parts should be cleaned monthly using a commercially available head-cleaning cassette or a special cleaning solution sold at audio specialty stores.

Strictly follow the manufacturer's instructions and never apply oil to any part of the player.

• Before inserting a cassette into the player, make sure the tape is wound tightly on the reel. To remove slack, turn the take-up spool with a pencil inserted in the cassette hub.

• Before inserting a cassette, inspect it. If the tape is slack, tighten it by turning one of the hubs with a pencil or finger. If the label is peeling, do not insert it into the drive mechanism.

• Do not leave a cassette in hot or highly humid conditions, such as on the instrument panel or in the player. If the tape has been exposed to very hot or cold conditions, allow it to reach a moderate temperature before inserting it into the player.