Hey all,

Anyone know if the MCS and Bose sound system has power on protect circuits like most advanced home units?
I'm wondering if it's necessary to shutoff the radio before turning off the car in preparation for the next time I startup.

Any thoughts? BTW vehicle in question is the 2000ML, thanks!

__________________
Ed "Don't Benz's just feel better..."

Current wives...
2000 ML430 Skyview "The Mel"
2000 CLK430 Cab "The Cab"
85 300D Turbo "The Diesel"

Past wives...
92 300E
85 190E

"One should as a rule respect public opinion in so far as is necessary to
avoid starvation and to keep out of prison, but anything that goes beyond
this is voluntary submission to an unnecessary tyranny, and is likely to
interfere with happiness in all kinds of ways."
Bertrand Russell

As far as I know, all car audio equipment is designed to turn on and off with the ignition key. Late units have under and over voltage protection.

Unless the stereo has key-off circuitry, it is a good idea to turn it off before stopping the engine. On start-up there are high drains on the battery when the starter is engaged (more so on diesel engines) and then there is a surge of electricity through the circuitry that could damage the stereo - much less the engine not starting right up and then a quick re-start try meaning just as the stereo comes on you end power to it and then quickly begin power delivery again. If you have separate amps, then they too would be affected. MB's have a lot of relays to protect electrical components from voltage surges, esp. at start-up, my 300D's radio is not protected by a relay. Also, I was a manager/salesman/installer for a business selling car & home stereo and based on my knowledge & experience I would not leave my stereo on while starting or stopping an engine - that's why they made an on/off switch/knob, unless the stereo has key-off circuitry (key-off circuitry was usually an advertised feature). If your stereo does not turn on when the key is turned on, then your stereo may have key-off circuitry - you will need to read the owners manual, or check the manuf. web site, or call them. The occasional time when a non-key-off stereo is not turned off before stopping the engine should not result in harm - the key terms are "occasional" and "should not harm."

Hope this helps.

Tom

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America: Land of the Free!

1977 300D: 300,000+ miles

American Honda: Factory Trained Technician & Honor Grad.
Formerly:
Shop Foreman;
Technical Advisor to Am. Honda;
Supervisor of Maintenance largest tree care co. in US for offices in Tex.