How to Take Care of Your MP3 Player After Purchase

Once you have made a decision and purchased the perfect MP3 player for your needs, you may think that’s it. But it only makes sense to learn how to protect your investment and care for your new MP3 player to get the maximum use from it. There are a few basic guidelines and precautions you should be aware of.

* Like any electronic device, MP3 players do not like water. Do not use them in the rain and don’t leave them outside where dew can accumulate on them. If you should spill liquid on the player, turn it off and leave it to dry thoroughly. Same advice if you are among the many unfortunate users who have left tiny MP3 players in pockets and inadvertently run them through the washer. Resist the temptation to immediately turn them on to see if they still work as this can allow liquid to fry the delicate electronics. Turn the switch to “Hold” and leave the player in a warm dry place. Don’t try (as some people have) to dry it in an oven or with a blow dryer.
* MP3 players work best in temperatures between 32 and 95F. Don’t leave them closed in a car on a hot summer day as temperatures there can exceed safe limits. In a warm climate, the interior temperature of a closed car can exceed 140F.
* You will probably want to invest in some type of protective case or screen shield to prevent the player from becoming scratched and dull. There are now clear “invisible” screen protectors available that protect your display screen for scratches.
* You can extend the life of your batteries through waiting until the battery is very low before charging them. You can also put less wear on the batteries by using “shuffle” or playing complete albums rather than searching the memory for each song. Another tip is to remember to use the “lock” button to prevent the player from coming on by being bumped in your purse or pocket and running down the batteries.
* Also regarding battery use, if you watch a lot of videos, your batteries will not last nearly as long as if you simply listen. A standard charge varies among brands but is usually 8 to 20 hours for music alone, but can drop to as low as 4 hours of video use.
* Depending upon which brand of MP3 player you chose, your batteries may be AA or AAA, which can be rechargeable or one-time use. Rechargeable batteries are much more economical and also better for the environment. Many of the most popular brands use battery packs which can be recharged hundreds of times and generally last from 18 months to 4 years, depending upon use. A number of these battery packs or modules cannot be changed or replaced by the user. When they will no longer hold a charge, they must be returned to the manufacturer for replacement. If your player is one of these (the info will be in your user’s manual) do not attempt to open the back or replace the batteries yourself. The batteries may be an integrated part of the unit (screwed or soldered in). Opening the back may void your warranty, in addition to possibly damaging components.
* If you should need to clean your player, never use household chemicals like window cleaner, alcohol or abrasive cleaners. Apple recommends cleaning with a soft, slightly damp lint-free cloth. Never use paper towels as they may cause scratches.
* Only use the power adapter that came with your player or a replacement made for the same model. Don’t buy a cheap generic adapter. There are several aspects to consider regarding adapters and even if the voltage is the same, this doesn’t necessarily mean it will work as the polarity or other factors could differ and fry your player.
* Don’t listen to your MP3 player at high volume levels for extended periods. It will not harm the player, but there is mounting evidence you could damage your hearing. Increasing numbers of younger people are reporting symptoms such as tinnitus (ringing in ears) that audiologists have linked to extended use of earbud headphones at high volumes. If you want to protect your hearing, many MP3 players have a volume limit that you can choose under settings.

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