DAB reception problems (heated rear window)
 

So my XC60 is the first car ive owned that has DAB radio in it and quite often ive found that i lose reception, sometimes to the point where i have to switch to FM. I went in a insignia hire car the other day and it had no such issues with DAB in the same locations.

Roll on to last night when i switched the heated rear window on while listening to DAB and i instantly lose reception, this is a completely repeatable action, every time i turn on the rear window the reception goes, turn it off and it comes back. Ive not checked the manual yet to see if this is 'normal'

Should i be visiting my dealer?

Do you have a problem with FM?
The reason for asking is because I had similar issues and I had to have a new rear screen fitted as there was slight corrosion on one of the heating elements hence it was creating interference (I don't however have a DAB system so I can only comment on FM).

I had a V60 with DAB prior to my current XC60. I have the same system in the XC60 as I did with the V60, the small rubbishy looking one, not the sexy touch screen. I find that the XC60 does not hold the signal as well as the V60 did. I am doing identical journeys and I know excatly where I will lose DAB signal and it occurs more often and for longer in the XC60. For whatever reason the system is weaker in the XC60.

I have used the heated rear windscreen on a few occasions recently and that has had no effect whatsoever. That is a definite fault in your screen/DAB and it should not impact at all.

I spoke to my dealer about the signal strength and they advised that when they do a service there is a huge update to the system which may help. Apparently the download is around an hour long and as my dealer is not handy for me I did not think it was worth going in for on its own. If they are going to sort out the rear screen issues for you then ask them about the update at the same time. It may have no impact but it is worth asking.

Absolutely no problem with FM, its DAB only

I thought it was the passenger side 'boot' window heating element that was used as the aerial?

Have they now changed to using all the heater elements?

Finally got round to booking the car in. There is an update to the DAB software which they are going to install. They have no other instances on their system of this being reported as an issue.

Honesty would be a virtue
 

I also was told by my dealer that they had no other reports of the DAB failure relating to heated rear window use. Maybe all of us who suffer with it need to sign a joint letter reporting the problem so they cannot deny it any longer?