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Comments
Sorry to hear you are having these problems with the NAV system on your '08 model. :
This is a continuation of the problems experienced with 2007 models and earlier. Toyota apparently has not addressed the problems and probably will continue to deny that they exist. See my several posts and what I did to get some financial resolution for the problems with the system.
Generose
I say the command go home and it gives me everything except ...go home....
Very disappointing that Toyota has denied a fix..
I then looked for that info on the Nav then name it "Home". Worked for me.
NAV system problems...Go To It
.....have a 2007 avalon with a GPS....I can not tell you how many times this thing has taken me astray...Ihave told the dealer to no avail. I have called the toyota home office and they say they have no complaints about the GPS system...
Toyota America is lying to you. I finally got results after I called Toyota in Japan (Tokyo)and sent them documentation of my travails with the factory representative who saw my car malfunction and said that there was nothing wrong with the system. A certified letter to Toyota in California got me a phone call from a representative who said that the word of the Factory Representative was final and I could go to arbitration if I felt there was a basis for a complaint. They refused to put their response in writing. After the call to Japan (which must be made at night after 9PM EST), the lady I spoke to, who spoke perfect English, expressed the concern that the position being taken by Toyota America was not appropriate and that she would contact them. I received a call from a gentleman in the Executive Offices of Toyota America after about 5 days who advised me that they had heard about problems with the Navigation system. He said that they intend to make changes in future models. I asked what good that would do for me and he asked me what I would thought would be appropriate. I said I either wanted the system fixed or I wanted monetary compensation for the less-than-perfect system.
He asked what I thought would be appropriate. I asked for $500 and he agreed. I got a check with a cover letter that made no mention of the problem, merely that the check was for "goodwill". Anybody with the problem should consider dealing with Toyota regarding this problem in the same way since they are taking the STONEWALL POSITION on the problems with this system. I got the number for Toyota by going on the Toyota website (Japan). Good Luck to All. Write back after you try this! It worked for me! By the way.... I used STARTEC phone service (see GOOGLE) The call to Japan for 20+ minutes cost about $1.00 :mad: :mad:
Roland
However, putting aside the voice recog., I find the system extremely accurate; I would say within, at most, 1 foot of deviation. I have used other GPSs, and when it comes to accuracy, the Denso unit in my '08 Limited is excellent.
Also, the system relies on two different tracking systems, and they continually check each other for correction. One system relies on satallite signals; the other system is the on-board gyroscope, meaning that if you loose the satellite signal then the gyro takes over for guidance. I have checked this when crossing the Lincoln and Holland Tunnel here in New York City.
It is a pitty that the system plagged with other minuses but I have come to understanding them, and I could say that I feel happy with it (the system).
Note: when I purchased the '08 Limited back in Sept. '07, the car came with software map version 6.1. I complained to Toyota. They suggested me to buy the latest version, 7.1, (which I paid $967). I submitted the invoice for full reimbursement. I've got the check in the mail. Happy story.
Amaury
'08 Limited
The manual sucks big time. There are NO examples, I mean precise examples taking me thru the task of setting up a destination?
Japanse/English manual is NO HELP at all...
Help please?
Exactly where is the EJECT button? I slide the door open, but can't figure out where to eject the DVD. Thought maybe the switch was built into the sllide, but pushing that in did not do anything. Tried with the car running and with it off.
Thanks,
Tony
I just bought a 2008 Limited that had 5K miles...widow brought car back when husband died. It had the nav installed already. I didn't buy the car because it had nav...but it defintely influenced my decision. If I had read all of your notes, I would have bought a Limited without nav...my original intent...and used my Garmin Nuvi 350.
I was flabbergasted when I tried to use the nav the first time. I just assumed Toyota would have the same quality in the nav that they have in everything else in the Limited. Not so! The experts at the dealer tried to demo the unit to me...and they could not get it to function right!
I have used my Nuvi 350 for a year and love it. It works well even in rural areas on dirt roads. The Avalon nav can't find its way from my house to the next major road!
The DVD player for the Nav is in the trunk by the tail lights, driver's side. You need to set aside portion of the trim cover in order to access the unit. Nothing complex here. Once you see the unit (player), find the eject button. This is like inserting/removing CDs/DVDs in any CD/DVD player.
However, while doing this, juice has to be flowing in your avy; therefore, has the IG switch in the "acc" position. Once the new DVD is inserted, the Nav system will update itself within a few seconds.
I still consider the NAV in the avy more superior and accurate than many other stuff I had seen (I have owned two GPS, laptop based, which are far more powerful than any 4" LCD unit). The true is that the voice recog really SUCKS big time. So I rely on the manual approach for all my inputs.
Amaury
'08 Limited
My issue with the nav is the ability...or lack of ability...to navigate within secondary roads. Apparently, the 6.1 ver of software in my unit does not have enough data to provide navigation in non-metro areas. I live in a community that has been here 20 years, but the nav only has data for the main highways that come through town.
Does the 7.1 ver improve the data for secondary roads in non-metro areas?
If not, I will have to haul my Nuvi 350 when driving in out-of-the-way places.
No matter which software one uses, these software are prone to go solo due to lack of map data. Heck even the laptop-based Navigation I own, powered by the laptop’s Pentium 3.2 GHz processor and having the laptop hard drive as storage, does not include every geographical point in the US.
It is just pure luck that the other Nav system you use, which is cheaper than the Avalon’s, does have all the routes you need for navigation. I’m lucky, too, that for my navigation needs my Avy’s GPS has everything (and I have been to many rural areas in New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts).
Amaury
'08 Limited
Amaury
'08 Limited
No reply is necessary, you just don't get it.
:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:
Case in point: One major complaint about the system is its “apparent” inability to calculate an efficient route. The fact is you don’t need to accept the route (or any of the other “3rd Route options) the system gives you. You can force the system to take the route that you want (the system has tool for this). You can even see the entire route, street by street turn, at your own pace before putting the car in motion. This gives you time to examine the route for consistency (efficiency). If you don’t like what you see, drop it; take another one.
You can save multiple routes along with all your preferences well in advance of your trip(s). This way when the trip day comes, you just jump in the car; your route(s) will be there waiting for you. With this I’m also implying that the system has the capability of saving multiple destinations from one single location in one step. For example, if you want to go from point A to point B, then C followed by D and ending in E, you can put all those destinations (along with routes) while you’re at point A. And, of course, you can re-order the priorities of these destinations at will. You can insert any stop, overnight stay, etc. into your route without changing the original route. And in case you make an “unprogrammed” deviation from your route, the system will still get you to your destination using your remaining road preferences. And this is just the tip of the iceberg.
But, of course, most of this stuff is not in the manual. I found this out by playing with the system and making my own notes. This is way I said this system is a two-way communication; the user’s reaction counts a lot here.
I understand people fustration about this but that does not necessarily mean I need to be fustrated as well. My view is that, as is the GPS on the Avalon should not be intended for mass market because it seems to be experimental even though it is not.
Amaury
'08 Limited
I have a tremendous level of patience if there is a reason to be so. However, if this GPS is experimental, I don't appreciate being used as a Guinea Pig. :lemon: :lemon: :lemon: :lemon:
When in route overview, the user have the option to either see the entire route by itself on the map, or a listing of the street turns involved, or both. This way the opportunity is given to explore your route before "lift-off".
My findings are not a matter of patience. Being stuck with a $2K gadget that at first seemed to be a waste was not an option for me.
Amaury
'08 Limited
In summary, the system is an inferior, difficult, overpriced, inconvenient and outrageous offering by Toyota. :lemon: :mad: :lemon: :mad:
While your car is parked in your garage, activate your Nav system:
Hit “Destination” button.
Choose the “By Emergency” option.
Bingo! The screen provided by this option (latter) includes the Latitude and longitude of your garage. Now, you can find that spot once again in your system either by the common method of street by name or by the not so common method (among us civilians) of Cartesian way of Lat and Long.
How can your find your spot in the middle of Interstate 95 or Route 66 or Coyote land? Not by street name my friend. Lat & Long is way more reliable.
Amaury
’08 Limited
This junk sucks!
Here are the results:
Avalon contains navigation information for secondary roads/highways only in metropolitan areas. It worked fine in and around Tampa, but could not navigate anywhere near my house in central Florida. The system had most of the road locations and names right...it just would not use the information for navigation. (Nuvi had no problems anywhere along the route.)
Avalon contains limited data for points of interest. It could not find a well-known seafood restaurant (Landry's Seafood) within 2 miles of my hotel. It could not find movie theaters anywhere in Tampa. (Nuvi found both and navigated us to them nicely.)
I compared all of this to Microsoft Streets & Trips 2006 that I use at home. It could navigate all of the roads in the routes and found all points of interest. I dare say the version that was available eight years ago could do so.
Avalon's navigation system is at least 10 year old technology.
Jordanfl
'08 Limited with difficient navigation
Reviewers are saying this is the best portable GPS system on the market right now but it is pricey at $999 compared to the $349 Magellan Maestro 4250 that does essentially the same thing with AAA Tour book included.
My wife has OnStar in her automobile and I just love the way everything is so integrated especially when the stereo is muted so you can hear the directions loud and clear on your car speakers rather than on the built-in speakers on the GPS units. Hands-free phone, XM radio, MP3 and OnStar turn-by-turn directions all work together so seamlessly.
I know it is perhaps difficult to find a portable GPS that works with your stereo but I am not sure if the Garmin 880 or any other system can do that.
So my question is: Are there any voice interface accessories, other than the FM transmitter, that can be used to integrate the sound system with the GPS?
Any portable GPS like TomTom, Nuvi and the likes are not perfect either. If you want to see these devices fail miserably, try to find your way out of the Sumner Tunnel or Callahan Tunnel in Boston City, MA, (especially if you are heading to Logan International) assuming you don’t know your way around. All of these tiny devices go dead under the Lincoln and Holland tunnels in New York City as well; a weak point where the Avalon’s system excels. Again my point is, nothing is perfect. Many complaints about the Avalon’s GPS and I fully understand why. To me it is almost perfect because I understand it, and it has never failed me so far. Almost perfect because I did notice a glitch (no wonder Toyota honored my complaint to my full satisfaction).
Amaury
'08 Limited
bob
The dealer says it has more secondary roads available for navigation...not just display. They cannot tell me specifics about the new roads added.
I am tempted to upgrade...but I am wondering when the next version of the nav software/database will come out. It appears Toyota has released a new version almost every year. My ver 6.1 is dated 2006 and ver 7.1 was apparently released in Oct 2007.
Will there be a Gen 3 ver 8.1 coming out in October of this year?
Have any of you downloaded the Gen 2 & 3 ver 7.1 from the www.mininova.org site, created a DVD and successfully used it in an Avalon Limited to replace Gen 3 ver 6.1? Several folks on that site have apparently done so...but they appear to be super techies...that know DVD software and hardware inside and out.
jordanfl
Avalon Limited '08
If Octane is used for high performance, (if high performance means faster speed) it would not apply to me. I don't have understanding of what performance means, it could mean performance of Specs.
I bought the car Oct./05, and reached 15,000 last month.
Another thing I found out from the 15K check up, is that wipers are not replaced on the Avalon.
The description on the card I received from Dealer had wipers replaced listed. Well, I assumed that was done.
Now weeks later I'm on the highway and here comes the rain. The wipers were in same condition (before check up). I called dealer when I arrived home and told them that the wipers were not wiping as new ones should and that they were replaced last month.
After being placed on hold for almost five minutes, I was told that Avalon wipers are not included in the 15K check up, that they have separate motor unit, or something like that, and it would cost 42.00 per wiper.
I argued that their Ad listed wipers replaced.
Long story short the Mgr. said that he would replace at no charge, because I was not told that wipers were not replaced.
Mind you I paid 265.00 for check up and that was advertised as a Special.
I am not happy with the Nav. system, because I can not have radio on when using. When audio comes on it does not lower radio volume. That's a poor feature. My friend has a GMC and her Nav. audio, lowers radio volume and after message, radio goes back to same volume. Thanks for reading. Seems I can't win for losing.
Avvy
If you are considering an upgrade, I would wait for the next release from Toyota based on NAVTEQ 2007. I am betting it will come out later this year.
jordanfl
Avalon Limited '08
I just read your Thread.
We just bought a 2008 Limited with the NAV unit. It's taking us quite awhile to learn how to use it.
I can't even figure out where the NAV DVD is located? Do you know? Chevrolet made this easy to find on our Corvette.
I guess I can't determine what version our DVD is, until I can find it.
We don't see many secondary roads on our screen either. The one on my Vette shows lots of side roads in the 1/2 mile range. We have to put the Avalon down to 1/16 or so, in order to see anything else.
Is the dealer supposed to have all of the answers for this thing? GM has a special website just for the NAV system. They answer the questions and sell you the newer DVD's there.
The voice commands are the toughest feature. They don't always work...and you can get stuck with some weird results.
It is easy to turn the Nav system on. You pop out the control console under the radio compartment and press Map....then go from there.
jordanfl
Avalon Limited '08
What my question was; where is that actual DVD disc for the NAV unit? Somewhere in the dash, or in the trunk? If/when I want to upgrade the disc, I'll need to locate it.
BTW: we followed the procedure that was given by jn0me1 (10-15-06) on how to over-ride the NAV in his 2006. It worked just fine on our 2008 system. Now when we take trips, the passenger can enter addresses while we are driving (we won't have to stop to enter them).
Question: on the map screen, there is black circle (with four small lines at the n,s,e,w positions). As we understand it, you are supposed to be able to move this icon (which we can do) over a POI, and it will tell us information about that POI. We have been unable to figure out this maneuver, as the system doesn't allow us to place the circle directly over the POI, and thus we can't get information (business name, address, etc) about it.
Can you explain this procedure to me?
Put the car in accessory mode with push button starter, then slide the switch on the DVD player to the right. The door opens and DVD rolls out.
As soon as my Verbatim DVD+R DL media arrives, I plan to upgrade to version 7.1. I downloaded PowerISO software to use with my LG DVD unit to make the double layer DVD.
re black circle, I cannot figure this one out either. I saw the dealer demo the feature, but I cannot get it to work.
jordanfl
Avalon Limited '08
I did find it, right where you said that it would be.
However, after sliding the bar to the right, nothing came out. It made some whiring noises, but no DVD.
I assume that a DVD must be in there, otherwise we wouldn't have a working NAV unit.
Reference turning on the Accessory mode; I found that the car has two Accessory modes (like my Vette). Push the first time, and you get an organge/red light. Push it in a second time, and the whole dashbord lights up (both with the engine off). I tried seeing my DVD while in both modes.
You seem to know quite a bit about these cars. Do we really have to take it to the dealer in order to reduce the amount of time that the headlights stay on, after we turn the car off? The book says that there are shorter times available, but only the dealer can make the adjustment/changes. True?
You really lost me with the information starting with the Verbatim DVD+R. You say that you will update to version 7.1. Our 2008 Avalon came with version 7.1.
What does all that information mean in layman's terms?
I need to read the NAV owners manual. I've been relying on my wife (it's her car) so far, and asking her questions...how things work.
gabbott
If you ever leave your trunk lid open in a driving rain, you will be in deep yogart! The DVD player will go belly up!
jordanfl
Avalon Limited '08