My wife has a 2016 Subaru XV.
It has in car navigation through the Starlink screen in the dash.
The navigation is actually pretty good and handy - but obviously it is now getting out of date.
In my car I just use Waze or Google Maps, but thought it should be a relatively simple process to update her car's maps.
So, on the weekend, I went looking to see if I could download a map update.
I pulled the microSD card out of her car, plugged it into my laptop - then went to Subaru Australia's webpage to get an update.
Perhaps I am incredibly naive - but I honestly thought that since I was doing all of the work myself - and this is a needed update on a car that cost more than $30,000 just a few years ago - that it would either be a free download, or would be some token sum.
I just about threw up when I saw that Subaru wants to charge me $169 to download their map update. When Waze and Maps is free…
I would love to know how they justify this price - but I was wondering if anyone has an Ozbargain solution to this problem (other than just telling her to use Google Maps).
Map Updates for in-Car Navigation
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We use HERE Maps (HERE WeGo on Android) on our phones. Seems ironic that they make customers pay when the app and updates are free on Google Play.
HERE WeGo is a web mapping and navigation service, operated by Here Technologies. Originally developed by Nokia as HERE Maps.
Perhaps I am incredibly naive
This is the answer.
Some Euro manufacturers charge nearly $1k for map updates.
Hyundai give free updates for $20k vehicles.
So does Kia.
That's cheap, several years ago some manufacturers were asking several hundred for a map update. Keep in mind the car manufactuer doesn't make the maps, they buy them from a third party so of course there's going to be a cost passed on. These days there's zero reason to use the built in nav as long as you have Android Auto or Carplay so I don't know why anyone would buy the updates over using the alternative.
According to my stealership annual updated maps for my Kia are free for 10 years, I download them myself from their update website for free.
2 jealous voters?
Too many salty people on ozb. Gotten worse since covid started
What year is your car?
2020
Thanks. I might try that… we have a 2015 Sorento (no CP unit) and I think there was a charge last time we asked about map updates.
Almost $500 for Merc map updates. I just run Andriod Auto/Google maps these days. It is so much more intuitive and easier to use.
I just run Andriod Auto/Google maps these days. It is so much more intuitive and easier to use.
This is the way.
Heh… brings me back to the days of tomtom gps units. I got my updates online back then from the tomtom user forums, I would imagine subaru map gps forums would be a lot smaller if they exist.
I miss my old TomTom - I had won some points in a game and had downloaded some great voices. Darth Vader, John Cleese etc…
Plus they had the uploaded ones from users. Alas, the unit died…
I have this car (same year) and I did not know this. Argh
Where is the SD card btw?
Where is the SD card btw?
Troll reply for sure
Why? (joined 2015 - and, yes, I know user names can be hacked)
Because there are maybe 20 buttons, 5-6 rotating switches and a few extra accessories on a dashboard. If you don't know what they all do (even if you don't use them) then in my opinion you can get off the friggin road.
It would take 5 minutes out of your day to learn what everything is on the dashboard of that lethal weapon you are licensed to be in complete control of.
At the end of the day it's just being bloody lazy.
@Muzeeb: The SD card slot is a very small slot that is part of the outward facing stereo system/interface control on the dashboard. It's purpose is to house the SD card that contains the map. It literally does nothing else and has zero bearing on anything that could remotely be called an important driving skill.
Come on mate.
@jacross: But how has the XV driver not even seen it or wondered what's this thing?
It's near the tune button if memory serves me correctly. His/her hand has probably touched it hundreds of times.Come on.
Kettle and pot …..
There's a tiny little cover on the top right corner of your Starlink panel that says 'SD card' or similar
My 2012 Honda Civic would have cost me $500 a pop to update the maps. Needless to say, Google Maps was a much better option, not to mention less irritating to use than the POS car infotainment system.
I know this is an old thread but just in case anyone finds it useful.
I have a 2013 Honda Civic and the built-in gps uses Garmin maps. You can update the maps on the stock SD card by replacing the gmapprom.img file with forum uploads like this. Add the junction view (.jcv) files to the JCV folder as well.
I helped out my uncle by selling his HiAce head unit for 250 for an aftermarket one with car apple play ended up chipping in an extra 250 but he gets life time free maps and apple car play and more features.
As a bonus you've locked him into the very affordable Apple ecosystem for several years to come.
he asked for it not me but ok ?
OP - consider installing an aftermarket headunit with AA or CP.
I just about threw up when I saw that Subaru wants to charge me $169 to download their map update. When Waze and Maps is free…
No true Ozbargainer would pay for shitty in car map upgrades. Use Google Maps, Waze or Apple Maps. Mazda wants over $300 for map updates too. Ridiculous!
There’s probably a way to update for free. Just need to find out where the maps actually are from, they won’t be Subaru, just Tom Tom or Garmin or something.
Having said that, I’ve got old maps in my car. 90% of the time it’s not an issue, but occasionally I need to use my phone maps. It was funny watching the in car map freak out driving the pacific hwy north of Grafton recently. About 50km of recalculating and scrambling to try an find local goat tracks that were somewhere near the new dual carriageway.
I made the mistake of not updating my Mazda 3 and was quoted a price in similar range for another 1 off map. Opted to install Apple CarPlay and Android Auto which whilst a higher initial outlay allows use of Waze etc so no future costs to update
If its still under warranty, next time you get it serviced at the dealership, tell them the unit has been freezing, playing up etc. They should attempt a firmware update and (maybe?) that will include a map update.
Worked on my KIA to get the latest firmware, which I really wanted because the newer version makes the silly "Agree" startup button disappear after 30 seconds without pressing it.
Kia upgraded for free their UI to their premium one several months ago for all owners
To me one of the big advantages of using Google Maps to the inbuilt system (I have a Suzuki) is that they are aware of actual how long it is going to take to get to your destination rather than the assumption that the roads will be empty. It also helps re-routing me if there is major congestion on the road.
When Waze and Maps is free
I've got some news for you… the monetary cost may be $0, but Google extracts payment from you via alternative means. And they're getting the better deal.
You used to be able to use torrents to download new map versions. Been meaning to look into this for awhile now for my wife's Mitsubishi (2014 and was never updated by the dealer as per their promises when we bought it) and see if it can still be done.
As others have said - most of my family have upgraded their head units (Mercedes GLC250, Toyota Landcruisers) to AA/CP capable ones.
It's atrocious on $88-$120k vehicles you don't get decent maps or even free upgrades. Google or Apple maps is SO much better.
Spend the money on a good third party upgrade and never look back. Probably get better resale value too.
Don't do it. I have a Tom Tom, wifi updates - world maps - for LIFE.
Just use your head unit for music etc. Buy yourself a 7" Tom Tom
I've got a 15 year old garmin still running using free open source openstreetmap based map updates.
http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl/I suspect the built in ones in the car they don't make it so easy to use third party maps though.
For ~$500 you can buy a good Sony or similar head unit and installed for ~$100 from Autobarn/SCA, then get any Android Map software with updates for free forever.
Hell,I do my own for both cars!Its free as well!!
have you had any success with this? can you post a screenshot of the file system (or a link of the pic) perhaps there's a way to find the HERE maps online to cut and paste in
I have a 2014 Toyota 86 that has not been updated since new and was only thinking about how to update the maps only last week.
Perhaps someone can answer this one? Can you just copy a current SD card file and download it onto another SD? If so, a solution could be to go and test drive the latest model of said vehicle, pull out the SD card, copy and bingo.
You get 3 years of complimentary map upgrades and then it's paid after that. I would assume most of the fee is paying licensing for "HERE Maps" which is owned by Intel, BMW, Daimler, VW Group etc.
There's no relevance to the value of your vehicle nor comparison to other services that profit by selling your data.
It does suck though. Options are either getting updates cheaper off eBay or third parties if there's hard copy disc versions floating about or replacing the headunit with a CarPlay enabled device to use Waze.