Navigation System5
Introduction
The navigation system applies this location, direction, and speed information to the maps and calculates a route to the destination you enter. As you drive to that destination, the system provides map and voice guidance.
The navigation system is easy to use. The locations of many places of business and entertainment are already entered in the syst em. You can select any of them as a destination by using the touch screen, joystick, or voice control.
There are several ways to enter a destination, such as by point of interest (POI), by address, by phone number, and by selecting it from the map. The last 50 destinations are saved for reuse at a later date. The system also allows you to store a home address to simplify returning home from your destination.
Accessories Precautions
If you have front or side window tinting installed, be aware that if the tint has metallic properties, it can seriously degrade or prevent GPS reception. This is because the GPS antenna is located under the dashboard.
If you plan to install electronic components, such as radar detectors, vehicle tracking devices, remote starters, additional amplifiers, or other audio components, ensure that they are not located near the navigation control unit under the dashboard, near the navigation screen in the dash, or near the GPS antenna under the dashboard. Signal noise emanating from these devices can cause intermittent disruption of the navigation system.
Important Safety Information
The navigation system can distract your attention from the road if you focus on the screen or operate the system’s controls while driving.
Enter as much information as possible into the system before you begin driving, or when the vehicle is stopped. Then, as you drive, listen to the audio instructions and use voice commands when possible.
98Navigation System
System Limitations
Although your navigation system is one of the most highly sophisticated pieces of equipment you will find in a modern automobile, you may find during its use that it has certain limitations.
The system uses Gl obal Positioning System (GPS) signals to aid in determining its current location. The GPS is operated by the U.S.Department of Defense. For security reasons, there are certain inaccuracies built into the GPS that the navigation system must constantly compensate for. This can cause occasional positioning errors of up to se veral hundred feet.
For example, in urban areas where streets are close together, this could cause the system to show that you are traveling on a street that parallels the street you are actually on. The system will, under most circumstances, correct itself while you drive.
Depending on your current view of the sky and the position of the satellites, the elevation may be shown incorrectly. You may also notice some delay of the vehicle position icon at intersections; this is normal.
GPS Reception Issues
The signals received from the GPS satellites are extremely weak (less than a millionth of the strength of a local FM station) and requir e an unobstructed view of the sky. The signal can easily be interrupted or interfered with by the following:
• Aftermarket metallic window tint above or to the sides of the GPS antenna (located under the dashboard)
• Cell phones, PDAs, or other electronic devices docked in a cradle or lying loose on the dashboard
• Radar detectors mounted on the dashboard
• Remote starters, or “hidden” vehicle tracking systems mounted near the navigation unit
• Other aftermarket audio electronic devices mounted near the navigation unit
• Trees, tall buildings, freeway overpasses, tunnels, or overhead electrical power wires
Although the system will direct you to your desired destination, it may not always generate what you consider to be the most direct rout e. Try changing the method of routing. See Changing the Routing Method on page 46. You may also have Unverified Area Routing set to OFF. See Unverified Area Routing on page 83.
Additionally, the mapping database contains verified and unverified maps. See Map Overview on page 6. A Disclaimer screen will warn you if your route includes unverified streets.Unverified streets may be missing from the map, in the wrong location, or have an incorrect name or address range.Exercise addition al caution when driving in these unverified areas.
