Navigation System maps update?

I've noticed that my navigation system (2022 OR) is lacking certain info (new restaurants, etc.) and tried to update it. I don't seem to be able to update my map data, and when I click on "update" (on those occasions when it is not greyed out) it tells me that it can't update and that I should see my dealer (for obvious reasons, trying to avoid that wasted afternoon).

Here are the details from my current navigation system:

Map Version: 05-71-50 [2021-03-0]
Map Update ID: 1902-1310-7302-1021
2021-2022 Ver.2

I also live in Montana but the "coverage" appears to be Washington/Oregon/Idaho (from the navigation system map data screen), although it certainly seems to work fine in Montana.

Also, I don't see where I would stick a micro SD card with map updates that seem to be available from Toyota or from ebay. Is that just for older Tacos? Are all of my updates supposed to be OTA?

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

It’s updated at the dealer using a special usb stick. Updates are released every fall.

I can tell you it’s a huge waste of money unless you wait 5 years to do it. The updates are slow and insignificant.

I would to Google maps using the phone mirroring.

 

In the Toyota app, you should have dynamic navigation for a few years as a trial.


You can read more about it here.

Toyota maps were always on an SD card until 2020. Thumb drive is for updates to the headunit itself.

 

User Google Maps or Waze instead. It's always up to date, and....FREE.

 

I also have a 2022 and the premium audio with navigation package (non-jbl) and it's known as dynamic navigation. The maps are updated in real-time through the cloud so you shouldn't need to go the dealer to update the maps. You also need to be subscribed to the Toyota Connected Services for all of this to work correctly.

https://support.toyota.com/s/article/What-is-Dynamic-Navig-9815?language=en_US

 

I should have noted that I'm a Luddite, don't have a smart phone or the Toyota app, and don't associate with Google. That could be part of the problem!

However, I have not cancelled the Toyota Connected Services deal (thought about it but ironically feared that it would stop the navigation system from working altogether).

 

While I do use a smart phone and do have the Toyota app, I really dislike needing to plug my phone in every time I want to use maps from my phone. Said another way, like you I prefer to use the in-built NAV in my Tacoma. As others have mentioned, you *should* have free and automatic map updates from the cloud; I picked up my Tacoma last week and over the weekend I was prompted to approve an update (I don't remember whether it was maps or something else); I opted for the update to proceed and a few minutes later it was all done.

 

I just continued my old school ways and use a Garmin GPS mounted on a dash mount.
On long trips I will hook up my phone and use Google maps or Waze.
I was never satisfied with the Nav on our Rav4...and use a Garmin in it also.

 

I have a fairly new Garmin DriveSmart 65 MT which I used in my previous car; it is a really nice NAV unit with a nice phone integration, but so far at least, the NAV in my Tacoma is more than good enough to leave the Garmin at home, in fact, in some ways I like the Tacoma's NAV better.

 

I have the Premium Package on my Taco and never had to update the Navigation since day one June 24/2021. I have never subscribed to their Toyota Connections services. My Navigation works great not sure why so many complain about it.

 

We still have USB nav updates, might be different in Canada. I’m not referring to tsb firmware.

 

Interesting. You may be correct, but I don't believe that's the case anymore with the newer headunits being subscription based. But, I suppose it's possible it could be an option for those who don't want to subscribe.

 

Interesting. Wonder why Toyota took that route.

 

I just checked my Owner's Manual and while I haven't fully wrapped my brain around what it is saying yet, it seems the NAV unit is shipped with a baseline set of maps, for the U.S. it is the continental 48, Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, along with at least some mapping for Mexico; for Canadian Tacomas I don't know what they ship with.

With the above said, the manual then mentions "temporary updates" from the cloud which are stored on your unit up to the point where you run out of memory, for as long as you maintain the subscription.

 

And while the Google thing is nice, cell service is not always available. Satellites mostly are.

OE GPS is a bit weak (yes, I have RAV Limited) and the updates are slow and you pay for them.

 

There is no slot for an SD card on my 2020 Tacoma TRD. On checking the map coverages both Canada and the USA are covered in "regions" in the unit. Note Canada is one region while the USA is divided into about 8 regions. A route can be created "coast to coast" because the unit will just track through each region. I'm not sure if you have to use the correct region on the mapping system when using the POI's. The only way map updates can be done on this system in my vehicle is through the dealership that uses a "special USB stick" and the unit provides no access for the owner.

 

My map data is 8 years old. I occasionally will use Nav to get me to an unfamiliar location. Works everytime. It will say I am driving through a field when I am on a newly built road and I noticed some speed limit numbers are not up to date. I can live with that and glad my Nav does not require a subscription.

 

My 5+ year-old standalone Garmin has a better presentation of the map (including current driving street and "next cross street"). The head-unit system in vastly inferior, despite any "possibly still connect to cloud" updates.

 

Once your dynamic nav runs out your radio's maps will revert to what your vehicle had when it was fresh from the factory and will lose all of the updates it downloaded. The only way to get an updated map is to go to a dealer and have them flash an updated map (not free) or continue to subscribe.

 

So I have a 2021 TRD OR and just checked the maps for the expiry date (I am approaching 3 years). There is no expiry and I assume this is because I have a Canadian model. I was shocked to see the current maps being used are from end of year 2020. So if I understand correctly the only way to get an update is to pay the dealer to use the magic USB and load a newer version on? Thx