OPERATION GUIDE
FOR BECKER 1432
Overview
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Prepare to enjoy the many pleasures of listening to a superb sound system:
the Mercedes-Benz AM and FM stereo radio with cassette player. This
Operation Guide is designed to give you both a quick reference of basic
functions and features and a detailed description of the system's entire range
of operation. To maximize your listening satisfaction, take a few minutes to
carefully review all sections of this guide.
Note: The following instructions also include the functions of the optional dealer-installed trunk-mounted
compact disc changer. Not available in station wagon models.
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RADIO FUNCTIONS
BASIC CONTROLS DISPLAY PANEL TUNING
1 Power Button 1 Indicator for Tone Control 1 Wave Band and Station
Recall Buttons
2 Volume Bar 2 Stereo Indicator 2 Function Control Button
3 Bass Control/Balance 3 Indicator for Tuner 3 Tuning Sensitivity Button
Left Button Frequency, Antitheft Code
and Balance Setting
4 Treble Control/Balance 4 Indicator for Selected 4 Seek Tuning Bar
Right Button Station Recall Button
5 Mode Button (Selection of 5 Wave Band Indicator 5 Scan Tuning Bar
Operating Mode)
6 Indicator for Tuning 6 Manual Tuning - Increasing
Sensitivity Setting Station Frequency
7 Manual Tuning - Decreasing
Station Frequency
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CASSETTE PLAYER FUNCTIONS
BASIC CONTROLS DISPLAY PANEL CASSETTE OPERATION
1 Power Button 1 Indicator for Tone Control 1 Reverse Music Search/Fast Rewind
Button
2 Volume Bar 2 Indicator for Antitheft Code, 2 Forward Music Search/Fast Forward
Balance Setting and Cassette Button
Functions
3 Bass Control/Balance 3 Indicator for Dolby® B and C 3 Track Selection Button, Eject Button
Left Button Button (Push and Hold)
4 Treble Control/Balance 4 Tape Selection Button
Right Button
5 Mode Button (Selection of 5 Dolby® B and C Button
Operating Mode)
6 Cassette Port
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COMPACT DISC CHANGER FUNCTIONS
BASIC CONTROLS DISPLAY PANEL CD OPERATION
1 Power Button 1 Indicator for Tone Control 1 Function Control Button
2 Volume Bar 2 Indicator for CD Function 2 Disc Selection Buttons
3 Bass Control/Balance 3 Disc Indicator 3 Forward Music Search/Fast
Left Button Forward Button
4 Treble Control/Balance 4 Track Indicator 4 Reverse Music Search/Fast
Right Button Reverse Button
5 Mode Button (Selection of 5 Random Track Play Indicator 5 Number of Track Display Button
Operating Mode)
6 Random Track Play Button
7 Elapsed Playing Time Button
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BASIC CONTROLS
Volume: Sound level is adjusted by
Power: The sound system will radio display indicates relative bass
means of the volume bar located on the
operate with the car's ignition switch and treble settings.
left side of the radio faceplate. Press
in either the PWR on or off
VOLUME upward to increase
To bring both bass and treble tones
position. To operate the radio or the
volume or downward to decrease
to their midrange settings, press both
optional CD changer, simply push
volume.
buttons simultaneously. To bring
the power button located at the lower
either bass or treble tone to
left corner of the radio faceplate.
Speed-Dependent Volume
maximum level, press and hold the
Pushing the power button again will
Adjustment: A special function
respective button. If the button is
turn the radio off. A tape cassette can
adjusts the volume of sound a preset p
be played without using the power
d
amount according to vehicle speed.
button by simply inserting the tape
released and then pressed again, the
Thus, increased wind and road noise
into the cassette port. As soon as the
tone level will move toward its
are compensated for as the vehicle is
cassette is drawn into position, it will
minimum level. To reverse
driven faster. When vehicle speed
begin to play.
adjustment direction, the maximum
and thus ambient sound level drop,
level must be reached first. The
the volume is automatically lowered
Mode: Pushing this button
system is equipped with a memory
a preset amount.
repeatedly will cause the radio to
function that will store the
adjustment tone levels of AM, FM,
cycle through each of its MODE
Tone: Two tone buttons, identified
cassette and optional CD modes
operating modes: tuner, cassette
by musical notes, are located above
separately.
player and CD player (if so
the volume bar. The left button
equipped).
controls bass, and the right controls
treble. A bar graph at the left of the
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Balance: Left-to-right stereo balance is Antenna: The antenna extends
adjusted using the same buttons that automatically whenever the radio is
control bass and treble levels. First press switched on and retracts whenever the
the function control button, which is on radio or the vehicle's ignition is
the right side of the display and marked switched off.
with a star "*". To shift sound balance to
the left speakers, press the bass control Power-Off Delay: When you are
button. To shift balance to the right listening to the sound system and turn
speakers, press the treble control button. off the ignition key, the sound system
Balance can be set to the mid-position will continue playing for three seconds.
by pressing both buttons simultaneously. This allows you sufficient time to turn
A visual indication of the the ignition key to the accessory
p
position without interrupting the
d
*
function of the radio, the cassette player
balance setting is provided on the
or the optional CD changer.
display when the balance feature is
activated.
Battery Conservation: It is possible to
operate the radio when the ignition is off
Fader: A fader control is provided on
for up to an hour. After one hour, the
models equipped with both front and
radio will automatically shut itself off to
rear speakers. Located on the lower
conserve battery power. If continued
console near the gear selector, this
listening is desired, simply press the
thumbwheel control can be adjusted to
power button again.
suit your preference. Dialing the
thumbwheel forward will increase
output of the front speakers while
reducing that of the rear. Conversely,
dialing the thumbwheel backward will
increase output of the rear speakers,
while reducing that of the front.
Positioning the thumbwheel in its center
detent will equalize sound output.
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Radio Operation
Radio Operation
The radio is capable of receiving The scan bar, located directly to the
monaural AM broadcasts and right of the seek bar, allows sensitivity level is automatically
monaural and stereo FM broadcasts. sampling of radio stations within a increased after the entire wave band
A stereo indicator will appear on the wave band for approimately five has been sampled without finding a
radio display whenever an FM stereo seconds each. If no action is taken station.
signal is received. To select the wave during the five-second period, the
band you wish to hear, simply press radio will tune to the next station. Direct Frequency Tuning: To tune
any one of the numbered station Pressing either the seek bar or the directly to a specific frequency,
recall buttons located along the top scan bar a second time will cause the switch to your desired wave band-
of the radio faceplate-1 through 6 for radio to stay tuned to the station AM or FM-as described, then press
FM, 7 through 0 for AM. To tune to being sampled. the function control button, which is
a specific station, use any of the
AM or FM *
following methods: Sensitivity Control: This feature
identified by a star "*" and located
enables you to choose two tuning
just to the right of the radio display.
Seek and Scan Tuning: The seek sensitivity levels by pressing the
The display will go blank. Next,
bar, located on the right side of the sensitivity control button located on
press the numbered buttons
radio faceplate, can be used to tune the far right side of the radio
corresponding to the digits of your
faceplate. The level you select will
SEEK SCAN
desired station. For example, to
be indicated by an L (local) or a D
in broadcast frequencies within AM select the frequency 98.5, you would
(distant) appearing on the right side
or FM wave bands. Pressing the bar first press the function control button
of the radio display. In the local
up will cause the radio to lock onto to clear the display. Then you would
mode, the radio will seek and scan
stations tracked in ascending press button numbers 9, 8 and 5 in
only the strongest signals. In the
frequencies; pressing it down will consecutive order. The display
distant mode, it will seek and scan
track stations in descending order. would then read 98.5, and the station
less powerful signals as well. The
at that frequency would begin
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playing. The driver, of course, Continue holding the button until
should not this station is deleted from memory
and the frequency of your newly CASSETTE OPERATION
v ^
selected station appears on the To play a cassette, insert it into the
use the direct frequency method
display. The new frequency will be cassette port with its side one or A
when the vehicle is in motion.
stored in memory. up and the exposed tape side facing
the port. The cassette will be drawn
Manual Tuning: To manually tune
automatically into the deck. At the
through each possible radio
conclusion of the first side's play, the
broadcast frequency in ascending
auto-reverse mechanism will
order, press the right manual tuning
automatically begin playing the other
button. Each possible frequency
side of the tape.
number will appear in the display as
you reach it. To manually tune
If a tape has already been loaded but
through radio stations in descending
a different mode (tuner or CD) has
order, press the left manual tuning
been subsequently selected, press the
button.
mode button until cassette play
resumes.
Push-Button Memory Tuning: The
most convenient method of tuning is
CR Tape Switch: This feature
to store your favorite stations in the
allows you to select the proper
radio's memory. Six FM stations and
equalization setting for playing
four AM stations may be stored by
chromium dioxide (CrO2) or "metal"
using the numbered station recall
cassette tapes. The radio display will
buttons located along the top of the
show CR when this option has been
radio faceplate.
selected.
First, using either the seek, scan, or
direct frequency tuning methods,
tune in the station you wish to store.
Next, push and hold the numbered
station recall button you wish to use.
The radio will display the station
currently stored at that number.
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Eject: To remove a cassette, push Push the button twice to completely
and hold the track selection/eject rewind the tape. Once engaged, it
button until the tape automatically will lock into position until the tape
is fully rewound or until another tape
1 - 2
function is activated.
disengages and can then be retrieved
I<from the cassette port. Ejecting a
The radio's display will show REW
cassette switches the system to radio
and the current track to indicate that
operation.
the rewind function has been
activated.
Forward Music Search/Fast
Forward: A cassette tape can be
Track Selection: Once a cassette
automatically advanced to the next
has been engaged, the track selection
selection by pressing the forward
button can be used to switch to the
music search button once.
tape's other side without having to
>>I
remove and flip the cassette. The
The radio's display will show MSF
radio's display will always indicate
and the current track to indicate that
the current track being played.
music search has been activated.
Dolby® B and Dolby® C Noise
To fast-forward the tape to the end of
Reduction: This function, which is
the side, press the forward music
activated by pressing the
search button twice. The radio's
B > display will show FF and the current
Dolby noise reduction button,
track to indicate the fast-forward
reduces background hiss while
function has been activated.
playing a cassette that was recorded
using the Dolby® B or Dolby® C
Reverse Music Search/Rewind: A
noise reduction system. Most
cassette tape selection can be
prerecorded cassettes indicate the
repeated by pressing the reverse
type of noise reduction that was used
music search button once. The
during recording (if any). The radio's
radio's display will show MSR and
display will indicate the noise
the current track to indicate that
reduction system selected.
music search has been activated.
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Compact Disc Operation
The radio's station recall buttons,
If the optional dealer-installed CD During this procedure, the display numbered 1FM through 0AM,
changer is connected to your system, panel will read LOAD M if in CD function as CD disc-select buttons as
it can be operated via the same keys mode. Once the CD changer cycles well. To play the disc in the CD
that control the radio and cassette through the discs in the magazine, magazine's fourth compartment, for
player. the first CD will play. example, press button 4FM.
The same instructions that govern Ejecting the CD Magazine: To
volume, tone and balance in the eject the magazine from the CD
radio and cassette modes apply to the changer, press the CD port door lock
CD mode as well. However, some to open the magazine port door.
system functions and procedures are Press the magazine eject button
exclusive to the CD mode. inside the port door and the
magazine will automatically slide
Loading the CD Magazine and CD halfway out of the magazine port;
Changer: The CD changer is inside remove the magazine manually and
the car's trunk. Its magazine will close the port door.
accept up to ten discs. Insert the
discs into the magazine To Play CDs: First, turn on the
compartments with the label surface radio. Press the mode button once or
facing up. twice, depending on the operating
mode set before, until CD appears on
When the magazine is loaded, place the display. If the CD magazine has
it into the CD changer port. An not been inserted into the CD
arrow on the top surface of the changer or if there are no discs in the
magazine indicates which end should CD magazine, the display will
be inserted first. When you feel the indicate CD-M-E, meaning CD
magazine lock snugly into position Magazine Empty.
in the port, close the port door.
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Load 4 appears on the display as the beginning of the last track on the how far you have back-tracked
disc is placed into position; the disc. through the selection, the display
display changes to CD 14 once the will indicate the disc's elapsed
disc begins to play. To fast-forward through a given playing time.
track, press the function control
To interrupt one disc and choose button "*" and then the forward Random Track Play: To play the
another press the appropriate disc- music search button. To help gauge tracks on a CD in nonconsecutive
selector button for the disc desired. your progress through a track, the order, press the Dolby® B/C button
The display will read LOAD and the disc's elapsed playing time will be once. In this mode, the track number
number of the desired disc until the indicated on the display. indicated on the display will be
newly selected disc begins playing. followed by an R to show that
Reverse Music Search/Fast selections are being randomly
Should two horizontal lines appear Reverse: To repeat an earlier track chosen. To cancel this command and
on the right side of the display, this on the disc you are listening to, press return to sequential playing of CD
indicates that an empty compartment the reverse music search button. selections as they are ordered on the
in the CD magazine was selected. Press it once to go back to the disc, press the Dolby® B/C button
beginning of the selection currently once more.
Forward Music Search/Fast playing, twice to return to the
Forward: To move from one track beginning of the previous selection,
to the next on the same CD, simply and so forth.
press the forward music search
button. The current track will fade Press this button for a sustained
out, and a moment later the CD's period, and you will move
next selection will begin. Similarly, consecutively through several
to move ahead three selections, selections, all the way to the
quickly press the key three times. beginning of the disc, if you choose.
To move consecutively through To fast-reverse through a given
several tracks, press and hold the selection, press the function control
forward music search button; in this button "*" followed by the reverse
way, you can advance as far as the music search button. To help monitor
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Display of Tracks and Playing for it to read the contents of a disc. danger from invisible laser
Time: To determine the number of As soon as relative humidity has radiation. Do not remove the
tracks on the selected disc, press the decreased, this situation will correct cover. There are no parts that can
function control button "*", and then itself, usually within one or two be repaired by the user. Only
the tape selection button CR. The hours. qualified service technicians
display will indicate the total number should attempt internal
of selections for eight seconds. Although compact discs are specially maintenance or repairs.
Similarly, to determine how long a coated for durability, they should
disc has been playing, press the still be handled carefully. Handle
function control button "*", and then discs only by the edges and avoid
the mode button. A three- or four- fingerprints, dust, scratches, and
digit number will appear in the dampness on both surfaces. Do not
display - the first one or two label the discs or affix paper or tape
indicating minutes, the second two to them. After removing a disc from
indicating seconds. A display the magazine, store it in its original
readout of 3417 means the disc has case.
been playing for thirty-four minutes
and seventeen seconds. If needed, clean the disc with a CD
cleaning cloth, wiping radially from
Maintenance Notes for CD the center of the disc to the edge. Do
System: Extreme temperatures will not use solvents such as benzene,
affect the performance of the CD thinner, or commercially available
system. However, optimum cleaners intended for analog discs.
performance will occur between 32
and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Mistracking or skipping due to road
shock is unavoidable but will not
Dampness on the disc surface can be damage the unit or discs.
caused by changing temperatures and
may affect disc performance, Caution: This CD player contains
inhibiting the system's laser from a Class 1 laser unit. If the cover is
focusing and making it impossible opened or damaged, there is
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High Performance Sound
Developing vibrant stereo power by system has six speakers: two low-
Standard on all S-Class and SL means of separate audio power frequency, two mid-frequency, and
models, as well as the 300E, 300E amplifiers, the system plays through two high-frequency units.
4MATICTM and 300 CE*, is a special ten high-quality speakers in the S-
*
High Performance Sound System, Class and 300 Class models: two Optionally available on the 300 D
which has been specifically low-frequency, two mid-frequency, 2.5 Turbo and the 300 E 2.6.
engineered and equalized for the four high-frequency and two mid-
interiors of these particular models. high-frequency units. The SL sound
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Antitheft System
4. Enter the rest of the antitheft code. further recoding attempts. The radio
The Mercedes-Benz AM and FM Each number will be displayed when must be left ON during this period in
stereo radio with cassette player and it is keyed in. 5. When all four order for it to reenter the CODE
CD compatibility is fitted with a antitheft code numbers have been mode.
built-in system designed to help correctly entered, radio operation
render it inoperative in case of theft. will resume. The station stored at Code cards should not be stored in
If the radio or battery is push-button 1FM will play. the glove compartment. During
disconnected, the radio will be vehicle service at an authorized
automatically disabled. To indicate Incorrect Code: If an incorrect Mercedes-Benz dealer, we
this state, the word CODE will antitheft code digit is entered, recommend that you leave one card
appear on the radio's display. To continue to enter numbers until four with your service advisor. Thus, if
render the radio operable again, the are displayed. The word CODE will the battery is disconnected, the
correct four-digit code must be appear again. The system allows two service advisor can recode the radio
entered into the radio via its more recoding attempts. After the before the car is returned to you.
numbered station recall buttons. A third incorrect attempt, the word
code is preassigned to each radio and WAIT is displayed. A period of 15 If the car is equipped with a
supplied to the owner on two wallet- minutes must pass and the word Mercedes-Benz antitheft alarm
sized cards. CODE must again be displayed system, the alarm will sound should
before recoding can be successful. the radio be removed from the
Recoding Sequence: To recode a The radio must be left ON during console while the alarm system is
radio, follow this procedure: 1. Turn this period. This measure is meant to armed. If you have difficulty
ignition key to lock position one. prevent a thief from recoding the reprogramming the radio or if the
2. Turn on the radio. The word radio by randomly entering numbers. reprogramming function fails to
CODE appears on the display. 3. operate, please contact your
Enter the first digit of the radio's If the correct antitheft code has not authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer.
antitheft code as it appears on the been entered after three separate
code card. The word CODE will attempts-and therefore after two 15-
disappear and the first number that minute WAIT intervals-the radio will
you have entered will be displayed. lock for 24 hours to prevent any
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