
Navigation System103
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 signals from the Global 
Positioning System (GPS) 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 several 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 page48. You may 
also have Unverified Area Routing set 
to OFF. See  Unverified Area Routing  on 
page 87.
Additionally, the mapping database 
contains verified and unverified maps. 
See  Map Overview  on page6. 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.
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124Navigation System
Coverage Areas
Operation in Alaska and 
Hawaii
Certain functions that rely on a satellite 
signal will not work correctly in Alaska 
and Hawaii. These functions include but 
are not limited to XM radio, automatic 
clock updates, and time zone 
adjustments.
Alaska
If the vehicle was purchased in the 
lower 48 states and driven to Alaska, the 
system cannot display maps. The 
message “Vehicle is out of the 
database...” will be displayed.
Hawaii
This section describes the differences in 
navigation system operation for vehicles 
delivered in Hawaii.
XM Radio
Navigation-equipped vehicles delivered 
to Hawaii are equipped with XM 
hardware, but XM broadcasting is not 
available; therefore sections of the 
manual that mention XM audio do not 
apply. Vehicles originally delivered to 
the U.S. mainland and shipped to Hawaii 
also have XM, but will not function 
because the XM satellites (aimed toward 
the U.S. mainland) are too far away to 
obtain reception.
Map Coverage
All roads displayed on the Hawaii  map 
screens are detailed coverage roads. 
Text related to “unverified” roads or 
areas are not applicable. The following 
topics do not apply in Hawaii:
• Unverified road descriptions (see  page 6 and  87).
• Cautions and pop-up windows related  to unverified roads (see page 64).• Setup entries that relate to turning on 
or off unverified routing (see 
page 88).
• When zooming in and out, there is no  350-mile scale for Hawaii.
Other Map Issues
• See the coverage section for a list of  islands with coverage (see page 110).
• Freeway Exit information does not  exist in Hawaii, so the “Freeway Exit 
Info” icon is not shown on the icon 
bar.
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Navigation System133
Troubleshooting
Screen Error Message Solution
Navigation system is unable to  acquire a proper GPS signal.
Make sure there is nothing on the dashboard blocking the GPS antenna 
(aftermarket metallic window tinting or aftermarke t devices placed on the 
dashboard, like radar  detectors, cell phones, or loose items). If the dashboard 
is clear of objects, move the vehicle to an  open space away from tall buildings, 
trees, etc.
 
Navigation unit door is open or  No DVD disc is inserted. 
Please check system. Make sure that the navigation DVD disc
 is inserted with the label side up 
and the navigation unit door is fully  snapped closed (see page109).
No DVD disc. Please check system. Check that the navigation DVD disc is in serted with the label side up (see 
page 109). If the problem persists, see your dealer.
DVD disc reading error (unfor matted). Please consult your 
dealer. Check the DVD disc surface
 for deep scratches or other damage. Make sure 
you are using a navigation DVD (white-colored label). The system cannot 
read other mapping databases or vide o DVDs. If the problem persists, see 
your dealer.
Display temp is too high. Syst em will shut down until display 
cools down. This message will appear briefly when
 the display temperature is too high, 
and then the display will turn off  until the temperature cools down. The 
system will turn back on when the display cools down.
Outside temperature is low. System will take awhile to start 
up. The temperature is below -22°F and 
the navigation system has difficulty 
reading the DVD. The system will st art up when the temperature warms up.
Navigation system  voice recognition ca nnot be activated 
when another unit is us ing the audio system. Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® can override 
the navigation system. Make 
sure the  HFL TALK  button is not on when you press the NAVI TALK  
button, or the message will  appear. Simply press the HFL BACK button to 
resume control of the  navigation voice buttons.
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136Navigation System
Glossary
LCD - Liquid Crystal Display. The 
navigation screen.
Map Matching - The received GPS  information allows the navigation 
system to position the vehicle on the 
map. Map matching has occurred if 
the  map  screen is displaying the 
current street name in the bottom-
shaded area.
Mic -  Abbreviation for the microphone 
used for receiving  voice commands. 
It is located near the map light in the 
ceiling.
MW -  Maneuver Window. While en 
route to a destination, this window 
displays informatio n about the next 
maneuver.
Navi -  Abbreviation for the navigation 
system.
North Pointer - The map symbol  showing the map orientation. See 
page 57. Off Route - This occurs when the user 
leaves mapped roads. Off-road 
tracking dots (“breadcrumbs”) are 
displayed if the option is enabled in 
the Setup  screen. The user can use 
them to return to a mapped road. The 
bottom of the navigation screen will 
say, “Not on a digitized road.”
Outlying Areas -  These are rural areas 
that typically have  only their main 
roads mapped. All other roads are 
shown in light brown for reference 
only, since they have not been 
verified.
PIN -  Personal Identification Number. 
A 4-digit number created by the 
customer to protect personal 
information.
POI -  Point of Interest. These are the 
businesses, schools, etc. found under 
the Places option on the  Enter 
destination by screen. See page 32.Polygon - Colored areas on the 
map 
screen denoting parks, schools, etc. 
See Map Screen  Legend  “Map 
Features” for a list of the assigned 
colors. See page 52.
QWERTY -  Keyboard layout 
resembling the typewriter keys. The 
keyboard layout can be changed to an 
alphabetical layout in the Setup, 
Basic Settings  screen.
Reminder - Automatic “pop-up”  Calendar message. See  Calendar on 
page 72.
Security Code -  Code needed to 
activate the navigation system or 
audio unit. See  Entering the Security 
Code  on page 101.
Touch Sensor -  The touch sensor on the 
front of the LCD consists of a touch 
sensitive resistive membrane with an 
infinite number of possible touch 
locations. The sensing locations are 
confined to a grid of 20 vertical and 
10 horizontal touch locations.
2011  Ridgeline