Compact Disc - Care and Cleaning
GROUP 65Radio and Accessories
Bulletin Number
65 09 93 (3891)
Woodcliff Lake, NJ
Oct. 1993
Product Engineering
SUBJECT:
Care and Cleaning of Compact Discs
MODELS:
All
Situation:
Some customers have brought accessory BMW CD Changers to dealers for service, experiencing problems with skipping, drop-outs, mistracking, and other Compact Disc errors.
Cause:
The density of digital information encoded on the surface of a Compact Disc is extremely high. Dust, hairs, fingerprints, and other debris can cause playback problems when combined with the harsh temperature and vibration extremes of an automobile.
Correction:
Before attempting to diagnose a CD Changer playback problem, it is critical to verify the cleanliness of all the discs. If finger prints or debris are found, these must be completely cleaned before effective diagnosis can begin.
In order to clean a disc, use a soft lint-free cloth (such as a clean white cotton T-shirt) and wipe the disc in a radial direction from the center to the edge. Never wipe or rub a CD in a circular motion. This can cause scratches that ruin the tracking of the disc.
Commercially available CD cleaner kits can be used to remove stains such as fingerprints. The following cleaning systems have been tested by BMW and are recommended:
Any residual dust or solution remaining after using these cleaners can be removed with a soft cloth.
Other cleaners and "scratch removers" (polishes) are not recommended. Scratched Compact Discs should not be used for testing and diagnostics.
Compact Discs must always be stored away from extreme heat or cold, moisture and direct sunlight. Discs can warp from heat or sunlight, and such damage usually makes the disc unplayable.