Acura TL Navigation System Hints and Experiences

calwhiz · January 2005

[However, as I said, my T637 has no problems to connect to other nearby Bluetooth devices automatically. Just not with the TL...oh well.]

This is an update from my earlier post. After complaining to the dealer about not being able to auto connect my T637 to my 04 TL's Handsfree Link and after working with the people who work in the toll free Bluetooth help line, the dealer has finally agreed to replace the car's Handsfree Link's Bluetooth module.

And that fixed everything. My phone now auto connect and disconnect to the Handsfree Link just fine. This tells me that although T637 is an Acura-certified Bluetooh phone, earlier Handsfree Link module may have compatibility problems with it...

So if you have an Acura-certified Bluetooth phone and it doesn't quite work with your car, you might have to replace the Handfree Link's Bluetooth module as well.

bodble2 · January 2005

When I started up my car to go home from the office tonight, I noticed that the Nav had me at the wrong location. It was quite a bit off, it had me at an address probably about at least 1/2 mile from where I actually was. So I drove off, thinking it would correct itself once I started moving. I noticed it didn't right away. So I was started to look for a place to pull over so I can turn the car off and back on to reset the system. Before I could pull over, I looked at the screen and the system had corrected itself by then.

Has anyone encountered a similar problem, or know what may have caused this?

mdhauke · January 2005

I have encountered it myself too but it always fixed itself. Not sure what causes the glitch. May be something that happens to all NAV systems every once in a while just like GPS devices. Solar Flares?

bodble2 · January 2005

Maybe it runs on a Microsoft software

zxc · January 2005

Will the TL nav system play DVD movies? Also, has anyone done the e-brake switch so you can watch them while the car is in motion?

bodble2 · January 2005

"Will the TL nav system play DVD movies?"

No. (For your safety, as well as that of the public!)

zxc · January 2005

Meh, I wonder if Acura would void your entire warranty if you hacked/modded the DVD nav to play DVDs.

bodble2 · January 2005

Maybe not the entire warranty, but at least the warranty on the Nav system.

towertester · January 2005

I have an '04 TL with the HLF and Nav system. I'm trying to pair an ALLTEL V710, but it seems that there is a problem with the HFL. According to the insert, you press the talk button(the one with the little phone on the left of the steering wheel). It says when you press this you will hear a beep and then enter your command. I do not hear a beep and if I give a command it doesn't respond. If I press the talk button for the Nav it works fine. If I scroll through the MID in the gaude cluster to HFL, I can press the select button and it says Booting Up under HFL. What is the sequence to start this process? Do you set the MID to HFL or does it matter? Is there some type of lock code you have to enter before you start? The HFL help desk was very arrogant and would not even try to help me. He even asked if I had the key on? Good grief, if I am that much of an idiot, how the heck am I ever going to figure out how to drive this thing. I'm thinking that there is an issue with the HFL. If there is anyone that does not use the bluetooth with the car, that can press the talks button for the phone and see if you get a beep or if you do speak the command "phone setup". Thanks for any help setting this up.

carnaught · January 2005

Yes, you should get a beep after pressing the talk button even if a bluetooth phone has not been paired. Sounds like your talk button is the problem, if I understand your post correctly.

wmj · February 2005

I have had my '05 TL (red/parchment) about 3 weeks now and upon startup my Nav screen doesn't seem very bright. As time goes on it seems to get brighter. I have even tried max brightness and it just doesn't seem to attain full brightness until 10 minutes later. I also don't know if the temperature has anything to do with it as I am in New Jersey and it has been very cold lately.

I wondered if anyone else has experienced this?

BJ

laguna · February 2005

I have a 2000 TL with factory NAV. I recently changed the battery and can't get the NAV working again.

Yes, I have disconneted the battery, put in the code and sat in a wide open area with no buildings or trees, engine running and not moved the car (about 5 times now). Always waiting with the battery disconnected for 30 minutes in between attempts. I get the message that the GPS antenna could not get a proper signal.

Any ideas???

Thanks

pjchris · February 2005

Usually caused when the GPS can't get signals from enough satellites to locate you exactly. Or, the signal is distorted for some reason. Once the system gets enough satellite info, it will give the correct info.....too bad they don't put a notice on the screen that it's working a bit in the dark at the moment....LOL

pjchris · February 2005

Picked up the car 3.5 weeks ago and began absorbing the nav system. Pretty awesome system. Even my wife is completely amazed at how much information it gives you and how it automatically figures out a new route to your destination if you make a wrong turn or decide to deviate for traffic, etc.

Dealer told me they make updated DVD's available on-line annually in January. Don't know if that's true.

bodble2 · February 2005

"Dealer told me they make updated DVD's available on-line annually in January. Don't know if that's true."

Not for free though, I wouldn't expect.

7rickyd · February 2005

i've heard they are about $180

bodble2 · February 2005

Ouch! In that case I don't need an update every year.

punjabi_sahib · February 2005

hi, i dont have a acura TL yet but i plan to buy that or the infiniti FX35...dont ask how it got down to those two, but is the Nav system on the TL touch screen, on yahoo autos i read all the options and it says it is, is that true?

bodble2 · February 2005

Yes, the Nav on the TL is a touch screen, or by voice command.

ljwalters1 · February 2005

That's right. You've got several options - you can use voice command to navigate a few screens (you'll need to type in street or business names), or use the touchscreen, or use a joystick to scroll and click. The system is amazing. I've found that if you're looking for a business and know the phone number, you can go through the whole process using your voice only - your hands never need to leave the steering wheel.

johnsandiego · March 2005

I have noticed in my 2003 Murano that occasionally under extremely hot or cold temperature conditions, the nav screen seems to be dim when first turned on, but after some time driving it returns to normal brightness. This may be a property of LCDs, although I am not a tech expert.

bodble2 · March 2005

You may be right, with computer LCD monitors anyway, don't they always specify an optimum operating temperature range?

johnsandiego · March 2005

I have one minor complaint about adjusting the screen brightness on the nav system.

My preference is to have the screen at maximum brightness in the daytime, since if the sunlight hits it, it will still be readable.

However, at night I prefer minimum brightness so it will not distract me or impair my night vision.

On my 2003 Murano, the system will hold both of these settings separately. On my new TL however, it seems that the brightness setting is common to both day and night mode.

Is there any way to retain each setting so I do not have to change it every time I switch between day and night mode?

bmwdoug · March 2005

I just read a review on the USA Today website of the TL, the reviewer loved the car, but said the voice commands do not work. He said the voice commands are way off. He said the system does not recognize what the driver says. The review was from the 2004 model year, the first year of the new TL. Maybe, things are better with 05 model. Any comments?

carnaught · March 2005

Over all on my '04 Tl. the voice commands work well and I'm satisfied. Occasionally the (actually quite sexy) female voice gets things wrong, especially when taking down bluetooth phone numbers containing frequent "0"'s.

johnsandiego · March 2005

I have had very few problems with the voice command in my 2005 TL. Actually, I'm surprised at how well it works. It's true that if there is a lot of background noise or if someone else is talking at the same time, the system has problems understanding. I use the male voice. Maybe he's smarter!

ljwalters1 · March 2005

Like the other 2 replies, I'm amazed at how accurate the voice recognition is. I have an '04 TL, and while certain things get misheard ("find chinese restaurant" is often interpretted as "display post office"), the basics (selecting menu options, radio stations, navigation phone numbers, climate control temperature settings, etc) are handled very well.

pashi · March 2005

Does anyone know how to do this? Interesting possibility....

ljwalters1 · March 2005

I bet it's an after-market add-on. I'm sure you can't just pop in a movie. I think it's illegal to watch movies while driving in the front seat so they couldn't sell a car like that. If you can figure our how to do it, please steer clear of me!!!

smiles · March 2005

It is the cold I have an 04 TL with the Navi and mine is the same. I am here in Baltimore and it has been pretty cold. It takes a little while to get warm and then everything seems to be fine.

Later

doja · March 2005

I had problems with the voice commands when I first started driving my 05 but I've now got it mastered.

If I speak clearly and repeat the commands in the exact order that is repeated by the system, it allows works.

For example: "radio 680 AM" "radio 101.1 FM" "XM channel 130" "play cd disc one track 5" etc....

The exact commands in the correct order are on the "info" screen under navigation commands. I think that's the trick...along with speaking clearly.

ljwalters1 · March 2005

My '04 TL nav display always shows where teh Honda & Acura dealerships are. Can I turn this off (or "hide" them) like I can with other screen icons? I've even gone into the help menu and command list, but don't see how to do this.

zkirt · March 2005

There is a personal address book in the Nav system that is very usefull: store all your contacts in the system and you do not have to remember their numbers again. You can dial their phone number from the navigation system either by voice or touch screen if the car is too noisy (few kids in the back!!). It is easier to use than the blue tooth phone book that could be frustrating if you have company in the car!
It take some time to enter the info in the system, but it is worth it. I wish they have a simpler way: like if you can synch you PDA with the nav phone book either by blue tooth or using the type 2 slot in the DVD drive in the trunk.
Does any body know what is the use of the type 2 slot in the back?? Acura is quiet about it!

elpasopup · March 2005

Hello there, I just bought my 05 Aucra TL on Friday and I am already locked on of the handsfree link. While entering my phone numbers, the voice command entered some numbers and locked it in the security system part and then I didn't get the number it recorded so now I am locked out. Is there a way to unlock it or do I have to go to the dealer and have them unlock it. Also, my XM radio has to be reset by the dealer according to XM because it can't get the satelite feed. Is anyone else having these issues? Thanks.

carnaught · March 2005

You may beable to reset your xm radio if you go to refresh.xmradio.com.

raharris1 · March 2005

There are quite a few commands that I can't get to work on my system...for example, 'What time is it?' never does anything. It just goes back to my stereo after it times out. There are several other commands (the more obscure stuff) that don't seem to get any type of response. Has anybody else experienced this? Just curious...

ljwalters1 · March 2005

No, but realize you need to(1) use the exact language, (2) not have much road noise or (3) not have other people talking in the car. "What time is it," is probably the right command, but maybe you're traveling at a rate of speed that has too much road noise, or your sunroof is open? Try holding the speaking button until your done talking. Maybe you're taking too long to voice the command, or (alternatively) speaking too quickly and slurring your words?

ljwalters1 · March 2005

What do you use to clean the screen? There's no food stains or anything, I just want to remove the fingerprints. Would a cloth that's advertised to clean eyeglasses work well?

raharris1 · March 2005

Thanks for the reply. I am using the exact language, have done this at a standstill with windows up, tried all sorts of inflections, etc., and I still can't get it to work. I'll have some friends try it, too, to see if they have any luck. Most commands work well for me...guess I'll keep working with it! I'm curious...can you get "What time is it?" to work? I'm guessing yes, but figure it can't hurt to ask...

Thanks!

condott9 · April 2005

Just picked up my '05 TL w/Nav and noticed that the display map always shows an orientation of North no matter what the zoom level setting. On my '03 TL the map would actually orient itself to the direction you were traveling with a 1/20 or 1/8 zoom level setting. This way a street on the right would match the display even if you were traveling East, West or South. Is there an option to configure the new Nav to display the map in this orientation?

Thanks.

battrl · April 2005

Pressing the compass icon in the upper-left corner of the screen toggles the display between North and direction of travel. I think this works for the three highest zoom levels.

battrl · April 2005

I am having a problem with my nav where the location of the car on the map appears that it isn't updating as fast as the car is actually travelling. So, when I approach an intersection, the map still shows that I am a just under a half block away. When I actually make the turn, the car location will run parallel to the new road for a second or two, then snap over to it.

I used to have a BMW and the position of the car on the map was nearly exact over 95% of the time. I have watched this for a couple of weeks and it is not specific to certain roads.

Anyone else seen this?

carnaught · April 2005

Mine has the same problem.

ljwalters1 · April 2005

can you get "What time is it?" to work?

not only can I get it to work, but it often tells me the time when I'm experimenting with different voice commands! I don't blame the car, though - there's so many different commands, I just experiment w/o looking at the exact lingo.

ljwalters1 · April 2005

There's also a voice comand that'll do this, but I forget what it is. Something like "Direction up".

liferules · April 2005

Apparently there's a way to calibrate the nav map GPS, but they recommend extreme caution when doing it as you can really mess things up. I believe it was in the manual or maybe I stumbled across it in the on-screen display. Anyway, you can adjust your position somehow (to kind of compensate for where it "thinks" you are...), but unfortunately, I cannot recall the details.

battrl · April 2005

I think the calibration you are referring to only allows you to tweak the compass orientation.

bodble2 · April 2005

Has anyone in Canada purchased the update disk? There's an order form for it on acura.ca, but no price listed. How much is that thing?

ljwalters1 · April 2005

I recall several posters asking about ordering a nav dvd update, so here's some info I came across:

an update for an '04 TL is $185 + $6 s/h. At the following acura website, you can enter in your car's info & it'll tell you how much it is. You can then go and purchase an update if you want.

https://iweb.alpine-usa.com/Acuradvdsales/naviorder.php

bhelsdon · April 2005

It mutes only the front speakers.

Acura TL Navigation System Hints and Experiences

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