Acura TSX Navigation

nerdak · July 2003

I have had this issue with my Nav where the disclaimer screen appears and I get the "Ok" button but cannot press it.

Basically I turned on the car and ignored the navi system. After about 1min, I hit the joy stick to turn it on and the disclaimer and Ok button came on. For some reason I was unable to hit the Ok button or say OK. I restarted the car and problem was fixed. This happened once.

samirrathod · July 2003

I have a TSX on order with Nav. When it arrives, I want to install an after-market deck in place of the stock one. Car Toys claims that it can be installed. They would have to custom-make a kit for the deck to fit in the space under the Nav system, but they have done it. Also, the Nav system portion that controls the stereo would still be there, but would not work.

Questions:
1. Has anyone had it done and if so, what did it cost?
2. Were you able to find a module for the steering wheel controls to work with the new deck? I know they make them, but I don't know if they have one out for the TSX yet.
3. Is there anyway to get those Nav controls to work with an after-market deck, similar to how you can make the steering wheel controls work?

Obviously, if you don't have a Nav system and want to replace the deck, it's no problem... there's already a kit out for that.

jcampod · July 2003

Nerdak--

This happened to me also--only once. Hopefully it won't become a problem.

kivig · July 2003

Order a tsx model w/out nav. but to get it installed seperately for cheaper, since i think nav. would be a wonderful thing just expensive even though i fell in love with the car. Does anyone know a way?

midnightcowboy · July 2003

Then it would be cheaper to order with the car. There a different front panel and a lot of integration with HVAC and radio. It will cost you significantly more to add after the fact.

However, if you want NAV and want to save money an excellent aftermarket NAV is the Garmin Deluxe ( used to be called Street Pilot III with voice) for about $700 actual price.

uncledavid · July 2003

The ACURA NAV system is one of the best on the market. It is faster, more complete, and easier to use than the Garmin Deluxe. If you want a Nav system, I say get the TSX with the NAV to start. There are aftermarket solutions, but none work nearly as well. YOu can't add the Acura system itself after market.

That said, there are two main advantages of the Garmin that are worth considering 1) With a portable GPS, you can move it from car to car as you see fit. So, if your family has more than one car, you can take it with you. 2) Some drivers don't like the way the NAV system absorbs controls on the dash. Its actually more than just a NAV system, since it alters the entire way your interact with the stereo and HVAC controls.

Personally, I have the Acura NAV in my vehicle and can't say enough good things about it. It was worth every penny that I spent on it.

icstars · July 2003

I noticed a few things while catching up on this board....

1. You CAN pick your FM presets directly if you have NAV. Push the AUDIO button and the NAV screen brings up buttons you can push. Personally, I don't mind scrolling through the presets (six at a time) myself with the controls on the steering column.

2. If you don't want your NAV screen to go to "night" setting automatically, go to the set up screen and change it to always stay on the setting you want. I find the need for three settings personally: day, night and rainy day when I have my headlights on. On rainy days, I just alter the brightness with the black twist knob on the dash, go all the way up to override the NAV preset, then back down a few clicks to return to NAV presets. Works well.

3. The car does remind you if you have your headlights on by beeping at you if you open the door with them on. Of course, you can ignore this and the lights go off automatically.

4. In addition to the yellow low-fuel light on the dash, go to the Trip Computer with NAV to find out "exactly" how many more miles you can drive before you run out of gas. I put "exactly" in quotation marks because I haven't and don't plan to put it to the test--but I did get down to about 30 miles on one tank.

I love the trip computer, though it does a fair amount of rounding off so the average fuel economy is slightly optimistic....maybe. On the other hand, comparing odometer miles to gallons put into the tank isn't exact either, but calculations made that way are as a rule 1-2 miles per gallon "worse" than the trip computer. Nonetheless, I'm happy with 24.5-26.5 average mileage with normal driving and 30+ highway.

5. I don't like the HID headlights because of the issue with oncoming drivers and because it is a propagation of a myth--that we have to eliminate nighttime with ludicrously bright lights in the name of 'safety.' In fact, glare and the excess contrast between what is and isn't illuminated by bright lights (HID, gas stations, etc.) is more of a problem than if all headlights illuminated moderately. If you let your eyes become accustomed to a level of light, you will see fine. I'm going to ask Acura service at my next (first) oil change to tilt the headlights a little lower so they are less likely to blind oncoming drivers on uneven roads. When I grew up, headlights were for more for letting other people know you were there, not for providing more light than in an operating room. : (

thepdmm · April 2004

I test drove a TSX and when the car is turned on the Nav system comes up with this intro stuff and has an "OK" button so naturally I pushed it just because.. My question is, what happens if you never push it?? does it go away and leave the the car's controls unobtainable until you push the okay button or does it go away and just bring up the controls?

I like the car VERY impressed with the i-VTEC and I may be having to move away from my V6 need in my next car purchase..

thanks

jimblock · April 2004

If the OK button is not pressed, the screen turns off -- dark. However, all screen functions except Navigation are still available. With the most recent DVD update (which ships on newly delivered TSXs) you can also use Voice commands for all functions except Navigation.

thepdmm · April 2004

thanks jimblock,

so you does the screen come on to control the heating/AC?? or is it off and you are left with only the manual controls??

in your opinion and anybody's opinion for that matter, is the Nav system a pain or is it good, is it a pain to try to use the stereo and the nav and climate control all from the same screen??? or is it make it nicer to use??

thanks for your time

jimblock · May 2004

The screen can be used to control manual functions of the heating/AC. Many of the common functions work with dedicated buttons, and I, at least, almost never use the screen for heating/AC.

I am definitely biased in that I wouldn't buy a car without a Nav system, but I don't think the use of the screen gets in the way. I had a loaner TSX without the Nav system and was not impressed with the standard dash setup. You don't need to use the screen for most audio functions, either. The small LED that is a clock on non-Nav models shows a great deal more information if you have the NAV system (even if the Nav screen is off).

But I strongly suggest you visit a dealer and ask to see/play with both Nav and non-Navi models so you can decide what you prefer...

davestyles · July 2005

I bought an 05 without the navi...cause they couldn't find a dark-gray WITH a navi in it.

What i'd like to do is put a Pioneer or kenwood Navi in it, or maybe get one of those magellan GPS's and put it in.

Anyone done anytihng like this? If so, how did it work out? Any siggestions?

chase53 · September 2005

I just took delivery of an '05 TSX w/ Auto w/ Nav yesterday and was looking to impress my friend with the "wonders" of the navigation system. While parked at his house, I voice queried the system, "Find the nearist Chinese restaurant" and promptly turned off the A/C defroster... After another similar misstep, I defaulted to the "Go Home" voice command and we took off for a test drive.

On the way toward my home, I deviated to a twisty road in the opposite direction of my home and, on every crossroad we passed, the system voice interjected, "Make a U-Turn". I couldn't find a way to cancel the set destination, so the drive proved both annoying and frustrating as I punched the Nav buttons w/o effect...

I've got to believe that I've missed something obvious in the manual, but remain clueless... How do I QUICKLY cancel a Nav destination?

Please have pity on a TSX newbee...
chase53

saruhhh · September 2005

Don't recall what the name of the button is on the bottom of the map screen(while it's guiding you), but it's the one on the left bottom corner. Click that and it brings up a few options. A button like "cancel current route" is on the left bottom of that screen. I haven't bothered t learn the voice command, if there is one, which I'm sure there is.

I'd take the time to read the manual or at least play with the nav and voice command while you aren't driving. It does a TON of things. I love that you can tell it what temperature you want the car at, even though your hand is like 2 feet from the temp up/down button!

rabidkeebler · November 2006

And he told me that the navi comes with traffic updates. I didn't think about this at first but does this cost some sort of monthly fee? Does your navi come with a monthly or subscription fee of some sorts?

jdzbox · December 2006

Can the navigation system in the car play regular dvds? I heard some other ones can.
Thanks~

dynatsx1 · January 2007

This isn't NAV related, but I didn't know where to post it. I just got a new phone yesterday - the LG UX245. I have an '06 TSX w/ nav. If you look up phone choices on the hands free link website, it gives you only 4 choices. One of them is a Motorola that U.S. Cellular doesn't offer, 2 of them are RAZRs, and I heard that they break easily, and the last one is a blackberry.... I don't need a blackberry. In addition, they listed phones that were "in testing," and the LG phone was on this list. I checked this phone out and it was only $50 (plus another $30 off in a mail-in rebate). I took a chance on it because of the price, and it works wonderfully so far, and the pairing was no problem. So this is just to let everyone know that this phone has worked fine for me, and you don't need to drop mucho dinero to get a bluetooth phone that works with your TSX!

erinmm · February 2007

I have a 2006 Acura TSX with navigation. I am having a problem with searching for the names of businesses. For example, if I type in Starbucks, it returns a list of Starbucks shops over 100 miles away, even though I live in a major city with hundreds of Starbucks. Has anyone else experienced this problem?

If I do a category search by type of restaurant, that usually finds close matches, but if I enter a search by a place name, it finds places far away.

frenchv · March 2007

Is there a way to turn the Nav into a DVD player?

miataforme · March 2007

I very much disagreewith uncledavid above. The Acura navi has far less information that a $700 Garmin both in roads and businesses. The darn thing dosn't even have The Homestead in Virgina which is a large resort taht has ben there over 100 years. It has a very poor database and the CD's to upgrade are $200 each compared to about 50 for an Garmin update. The voice recognition is also very poor- I ahve had the salesman sit in my car a number of times and it just won't work well. It's bad software that Acura is sticking us with.

autoboy16 · April 2007

The TSX in not nav traffic compatible. The TL(07), RDX, MDX(07), and RL(2005+) are the only acuras with nav traffic. Maybe the TSX will get it in 08.

-Cj

foreverudis · May 2007

My navigation voice command is little annoying. Can anyone try this own theirs and let me know if it works fine. Whenever i speak any number the system will take all the numbers properly but when i speak a number staring with 409 it would start with something else and rest 7/8 digits will be perfact. Initially i thought it was my accent but then i had couple of my friends (American , Chinese and a british as well) try on that and the navi did the same thing. Any number that doesnt have area code 409 is fine but this area code seems to have issue.....

autoboy16 · May 2007

Did you say "four zero nine"? That should help somewhat.

-Cj

foreverudis · May 2007

yeah i tried almost all posible way, like four o nine, four zero nine....it would take 0, 9 and rest of the digits but 4, instead it would start with something else like extra zeros and then some other digit and then 0,9,...... if i would say 414, it will take it correctly. it seems it has issues only with 409.

vsauce · July 2007

I have an 06 TSX and a Kenwood DNX7100 navigation deck that I want to install in my Acura, but no one makes a kit for it. Does anyone know whats the best way to install the deck with out spending over $500.00 for a custom made kit?

obladida1 · August 2007

Hypothetically - if one were to pay through the nose and buy an XM NavTraffic box (used on RL/TL/RDX etc) from the Acura parts dept, could you replace your existing XM box and recieve Nav Traffic? Is that the only part that would need replacing or is there other parts that would need upgrading as well? Cosmetically there are no "traffic" buttons on the dash of those cars/SUVs with NavTraffic, so shouldn't this revision be possible?

mickr · November 2007

I am new to this forum, but I have been a very satisfied Acura TSX owner for well over a year. I bought my 2006 TSX Nav in late July of 2006, brand new, and have 43,000 miles on it and nothing has needed to be repaired.

Anyway, I have a RAZR phone that works well with the Nav system, but is there a way to use name dialing? I have only been able to make a call by either manually selecting a listing in the address book in the Navi system, or by vocally saying the number. Can I, for instance, say, "Call Bob" ? If I have that number stored in my phone as Bob ?

jameselee · December 2007

For the record, I have a 2008 TSX and just experienced this exact problem (e.g. find Starbucks, nav returns list from 100+ miles away).

I'd love to know the solution...

rv65 · January 2008

You can have a device that allows dvd movies to be played on the screen.

rv65 · January 2008

A new navi version is coming out soon. This new version will fix the 4.62 bugs

. Going to come out the end of Jan/early feb.

fairfax77 · January 2008

I think you have to choose CITY Location first, then Starbucks and it will find closest. I wish the system would assume that you are looking for retail and restaurant locations closest to your car's present position.

Also, there is no real-time traffic option on any TSX. The closest equivalent would be subscribing to XM and listening to their traffic channels, which are for major metro areas.

lawgirl613 · May 2008

Does anyone know how to change the Navigation voice from a woman to a man? I've managed to change the voice when it comes to making a phone call but I'd really like to have a man's voice rather than a woman. :confuse:

nj2pa2nc · May 2008

if you have an 08-the nav voice is female only-before that you go to setup-then go to more-then basic settings-female or male voice choice is there. I have the male voice on my 06 tsx

bgreer · June 2008

Has anyone used a downloaded update from sources such as File Access Plus? Is there any danger to the system or repercussions from using info other than from the authentic Acura source?

marcindublin · July 2009

Is the algorithm that the Navigation Package uses documented anywhere. On a recent trip, it navigated me 30 miles out of the way for no obvious reason. It does not seem to understand busy streets with lots of lights vs. heading to a freeway that might make the total distance a mile longer but the total time dramatically less. Does it attempt to navigate around traffic. On a recent trip, it told me to take 275 around Cincinnati, OH heading south, but 71 North through Cincinnati heading North. Does time of day enter into its calculation?

catpride · December 2009

I have a 2005 TSX and my Navi is no longer working. I have had it diagnosed at the local dealer and it will cost me over $6,000 for a new unit or ship it away for repairs with no guarantee's for $700.00. I barely use my navi as I live in canada and most areas are not illustrated due to the region I'm in. I have boughten updates over the years. I have 160, 0000kms on my TSX and like the car. I did plenty of research on this navi system and at the time was the best on the market. Now I'm faced with no navi and limited settings for radio and heater controls. This is a non wearable part and all it does is sit in the trunk and read a disk. I strongly believe this is not my fault as the option is nearly 20% of the cars value at new. Now if I spilt a soft drink on the navi system yes I will be to blame. But all Acura is standing on is your off warranty. I would like to know if anybody has experienced any other problems with their own navi system or if there is any other forums out there that you read any articles on. Or if you know of any understanding dealerships out there that would know how to further diagnose the problem.

czsloopy · December 2009

Does anyone know if we can take the nav DVD out of our new Acura TSX with Tech package and use on our 2008 Honda Accord? Our TSX has Accuweather as well.

Thank 4 any info
:shades:

biker4 · December 2009

That seems like a huge rip off. The most likely culprit is the DVD drive itself which should only be a few hundred $. One of the main reasons virtually all cars have gone away from touch screens is their reliability. Most new cars use a joystick instead. You may want to visit Acurazine, wade through the various posts in the TSX section and if needed register/post a question there. They are helpful bunch.

biker4 · December 2009

It would take a few seconds to try it. You can also Google the version of Nav used in each vehicle.

pudge033 · January 2010

Yes i have this same problem with my navigation in my 2004 acura tsx it stopped working right around 100,000 miles and i took it to the dealer ship and they said cause of the lines that had been in the disk that it was a sign of the navigation system wearing out. But I have subs in my car but im not positive it broke from that!!!!

gbosil · January 2010

Anybody experiencing a problem with the turning instuctions by voice? My lady keeps telling me second right or second left turn when it's the next right or left turn not the "Second." She keeps saying "Second." I think there is a glitch in the Nav disc. :mad:

biker4 · January 2010

I can't say that I've noticed that. I glance at the screen to make sure about direction regardless of what the voice prompt says.

nanbevi · January 2010

same thing happened to me beginning last month. 2004 tsx w/ only 70k. navi voice gargles and sounds like the game pac-man. directions work but voice command is useless because it is just a gargling noise. screen also goes in and out randomly and constantly requests a password. had to go back and get pin reset.

nanbevi · January 2010

same problem @ 65K on 04 TSX. haven't brought it in yet.

jlpc81 · February 2010

I am having the EXACT same problems with mine! Except sometimes, when the navigation resets and then asks for my PIN, the touchscreen is unresponsive. The voice commands do nothing at all when I press the button and give it a command except give me a garbled static computer noise. Have you been able to figure out the problem? I just bought mine from eBay.

jlpc81 · April 2010

How did you reset the PIN? Did that fix your problem? This problem is killing me. Thanks

nanbevi · April 2010

No. Dealer "alledgedly" reset pin. Today, I Iooked in my manual for radio code and the "new" pin was the original pin when I was purchased the car. So they never changed it. Navi voice came back on but now screen gets frozen/black every other day/hour. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Pulled fuse for car to try and reset but still doesn't work. Has the green bar(as if it is rebooting) but then nothing!!!!!!!!! Haven't had time to bring it in yet plus scared of COST!!!!!!!

dgreene697 · May 2010

2005 TSX with Nav. Notice after driving the car for 30 minutes or so, navigation system stops working. Screen frozen, sometimes get message "disc read error' . Happens more often in hot weather. Checked box/player in trunk, when display freezes the box is *hot* to the touch. I believe, like a computer, it's shutting down because it's getting too hot. If I shut off the car for about a half hour, it works again. Had this problem for about 6 months but just discovered the heat issue. Acura wanted me to replace disc or player but disc isn't scratched and nav works fine most of the time, especially in cooler weather. Does chassis have a fan in it? Is it replaceable?

sandyvelez · June 2010

I have a 2010 TSX and have a problem finding places. I can never get anything to show up in my STATE!!! There are multiple spellings for some places, it is a disaster. I was looking for a Walgreens the other day and it wasnt in the database anywhere! My little Garmin does a better job. It almost looks like they took input from some users at one point and that is what they are using for a database. Has anyone else seen this issue?

biker4 · June 2010

Yep - it's a combination of the database with the way the front end software looks for stuff - certainly not as good as some portable systems.

nj2pa2nc · June 2010

I agree- some of the portables are better but I have had no regrets with the nav in my 06-

Acura TSX Navigation

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