Updating GPS Maps - dealer doesn't seem to know how

[To Infiniti and Beyond]

Now that my Bluetooth problem is solved....anyone know how to update the maps in my 2008 EX35? I thought the dealer would have updated them when I bought the car in December 2009, to the latest maps -- but I still have the 2007-2008 version.

Driving me crazy that my street is not on the map - and it's been there for about 100 years!

Salesman has no idea how to get the maps updated.

[Timmbo]

Now that my Bluetooth problem is solved....anyone know how to update the maps in my 2008 EX35? I thought the dealer would have updated them when I bought the car in December 2009, to the latest maps -- but I still have the 2007-2008 version.

Driving me crazy that my street is not on the map - and it's been there for about 100 years!

Salesman has no idea how to get the maps updated.

Here you go:

http://www.navigation.com/is-b...-Site

What is ironic is that dealer installation is required!

[rishioneq]

is there ne way to bypass dealer for updating gps in my infiniti eX 35 2008 if there is then where do i get this updated file... pls help

[txgcoupe]

The problem is you were talking to the salesman.

Go to the service dept. and talk to them.

[OneOfOne]

this really annoys me and likely only me but its a NAVIGATION SYSTEM not a gps. gps is the series of satellites that are used for numerous functions and the 2 are NOT the same thing though the satellites ARE used to make the NAVIGATION system work. end of rant

[SteveTheTech]

First off, there is no way (legally) to DIY the map update.

Secondly, Don't trust a salesman to give you information on something that would happen after the sale.

Most dealers do not update the map software before the car is sold no matter how long the car has sat on the lot. Check the version before buying one...

If you address of street is missing try contacting Navteq they make the software for all Nissans, and many other manufacturers for that matter, just look at their website.
http://www.navigation.com/is-bin/INTERS ... JE_7GhY2Iw?

A navigation system typically integrates gps capabilities with other functions typically in order to properly navigate a gps receiver is required. A navigation system usually encompasses add-ons like a maintenance calculator, and fuel economy monitors.

The facts are,
-A new navigation software edition is released every year, just like your portable unit
-Only the initial one is free
-Only the dealer can install a new software
- Installation is typically 1 hour labor
-When the purchase is completed the purchase receipt contains an 8 number code. The dealers consult III has a program that when connected to your car they generate a unique code that must be entered (along with a few other details) into a secure website (that can only be accessed through a Nissan dealer portal) to generate a third 12 digit alpha numeric code. There is allot actual work that needs to be done to complete this update and that does not include the time the software takes to update.
-The update is actually the exact same that you can purchase for your mobile device. If you have ever purchased new maps for one of those you know how long the software takes to load as the file size can be a few gigs depending on your OS.

[sashki2]

this update is more expansive then a new gps unit
May be it's better to keep a newer portable gps in a glove box as a backup

[EXceptional]

I would love one day to update the GPS on our EX35.

What I found on our old Car (Chrysler 300C, DVD-based GPS) is that to make room for all the new Roads and Info... other stuff had to drop off. Instead of EVERY Road having a name, we found that only major Roads were named and you only knew what the minor roads were, if you are using the GPS to plot you a route. Otherwise, it's just a Line on a Map.

I would expect since the GPS Info resides on a Hard-drive, that it can take what ever room it needs to include all the info, without having to drop stuff off, because of space limitations.

[sashki2]

If I ever take the radio out, I'll be tempted to remove hard drive to check what really is on the drive and research possibility of upgrading to a bigger size & loading it with mp3 files.
Someone on the forum said the hard drive is 20gb & 50% is allocated to GPS. Most likely allocation size doesn't change wich leaves amount of space for maps roughly equal to a DVD size. I don't think size was an issue on your older cars though, since there's more then enough space on a DVD to store maps. My portable portable GPS if I'm not mistaken had less then 1gb built-in memory and all the small details were there.

[EXceptional]

I also never understood why, a single DVD has to have ALL of North America on it... when a DVD for Canada and a DVD for the USA would suffice. Then the level of Detail and the Graphics would be amazing, because of the space for such information would be there.

In Alberta, Chrysler owners did not have any GPS Mapping Info displayed North of Edmonton. The Powers-that-be, felt that it wasn't necessary... but these same Powers-that-be also didn't mind selling cars North of Edmonton, either.

[inteller]

"When the purchase is completed the purchase receipt contains an 8 number code. The dealers consult III has a program that when connected to your car they generate a unique code that must be entered (along with a few other details) into a secure website (that can only be accessed through a Nissan dealer portal) to generate a third 12 digit alpha numeric code. There is allot actual work that needs to be done to complete this update and that does not include the time the software takes to update.
"

protectionism, pure and simple. That amount of work, assuming that's all there is to it, would take maybe 15 mins. The fact that dealerships charge a full hour for this is a complete crock.

How it should be done is:
Dealer does the above (15 mins)
Download starts to proceed
Dealer moves on to another car to work on
Download completes, dealer comes back and verifies success (2 mins tops)
Dealer charges owner a minimal flat fee....NOT $99.


I don't get paid for things to download and process on my computer, and I don't feel like paying someone else to watch a download progress bar. That's why I'll never buy an update for this thing until NAVTEQ and Nissan stop this racket.

[sashki2]

I'd say the update should be done by an owner via compact flash card or several CDs/DVDs. For an average programmer to prepare installation package like that would not take more then a day. Divide this by the number of car owners & the upgrade would be mere $5 more for the downloaded package.
I think the reason they do it is so that owners don't share the downloaded content. However, there's a way to program to stop the sharing too.

[SteveTheTech]

No one really updates their map. I had one today that hadn't been updated since its original 2001 software, some people get the new version the week it comes out. It really has more to do with priorities. I had one old M recently that had a TomTom suction cupped to the display screen...It worked but...

All the 10+ models run dvd data file updates, the 08 style cf update will always remain a pain in all of our rears.

From a random sampling of techs (from several dealers) point we hate those updates (and despite what inteller has read they can take significantly longer) and they are not really worth the actual fraction of 1 hours labor that makes it way to me. If my bay is tied up waiting on an update I deserve to get paid for it, I get paid to perform all warranty electronic diagnoses and updates it only seems fair. Technicians are commission compensated and the map update requires several tools we use to feed our kids.

[sashki2]

If my bay is tied up waiting on an update I deserve to get paid for it

I get it. It's like being at full time job when an employer doesn't have an assignment you're still getting paid. In your case, doesn't matter if you do anything or not - you're still spending your time & that worth something.
So, I get it you're an Infinity Technician?

[inteller]

point being is you shouldn't allow an update like this to tie up one of your bays. That isn't your fault but infiniti's. It is a racket colluded by Infiniti uppers and NAVTEQ. As you have alluded people aren't getting updates. For the DVDs you can buy directly from NAVTEQ this makes no sense, but I bet the uptake on HDD updates that require tech intervention are abysmal....even though no physical media needs to be cut and everything -should- be automated down to a few minutes.

Bottom line is the whole process is flawed. Why this hasn't been communicated to Infiniti is beyond me. I ALWAYS mention it on the customer comment cards I get after service.

[txgcoupe]

Took my 2010 in for another issue and it will get the latest update also.

Service advisor mentioned the bulletin that was out. Although I had gotten a letter in the mail... I had forgotten about it.

John

[SteveTheTech]

The way issues and updates with third party software is something Infiniti is working through. They now send us discs (at the dealers expense of course) to perform these services. They are fairly quicker to update now than they used to be but something has to change.

The cars now have a usb interface so in theory the cpu should be accessible. I really doubt you will see someone crack the software as Nissan is not playing around (according to the end user agreement attached to a few products) with their intellectual properties. Seems pretty standard though as far as technology contracts go.

Bottom line is the whole process is flawed. Why this hasn't been communicated to Infiniti is beyond me. I ALWAYS mention it on the customer comment cards I get after service.

While I agree with you the system is running at fraction of Moores' law they are still ahead of the curve.

Next time you are asked to participate in rating your service experience please bear in mind a negative impression of the structure of something far beyond the control of anyone in the dealers service department (and the people that read them for that matter) will most likely cost the service advisor his CSI pay (which is a significant portion of their compensation in many dealers). If you have a legitimate service related concern by all means a survey is the place to be honest, but don't beat the service guys up for something like that they are really two separate entities.

[SteveTheTech]

I get it. It's like being at full time job when an employer doesn't have an assignment you're still getting paid.

It's actually the opposite.
Everything done at a dealer (warranty, or COD) is assigned a percentage of an hour rate. The techs direct compensation rate is determined by qualifications and many other variables. How many hours they get make is directly related to the amount of work they perform in a certain period of time. Service writters are similar but much harder to survive with.

During the blizzards this past winter we lost a week of work...and a week of pay.

[inteller]

all the better then. You have to sometimes hit someone's pocketbook to get a reaction. If that starts a legitimate discussion with the proper people at Infiniti corporate then it is a success, because I certainly can't get to the right people to complain. Corporate seems to busy posting BS on facebook and shooting commercials for the Emmys to actually listen to customers.

Oh and BTW your compensation structure is FUBAR. If that is the norm and not the exception I don't see how Infiniti keeps good help around.

[SteveTheTech]

I agree with your logic in theory but in reality we are just a bunch of hard working guys just trying to feed out our families with a really bad system.

I have been trying to find someone that would listen for years, but they have a different approach. You are echoing comments that have been prevalent for as long as I have been there. They really are trying. For technicians Nissan has a tech support line that employs technical specialist that meets weekly with engineers in TN. They also closely monitor warranty claims and request warrantied parts back to diagnose things themselves.

Many techs I have met over the years have been through training programs at other manufacturers and Nissans has consistently been described as the most thorough and comprehensive available. They have a decent media library of instructional videos and online courses and exams that must be completed for credit.
Where the variable comes in is the dealers are all independently owned although there are many things are requested of the dealer staff I have yet to see anything other than financial penalties on the table. You just can't make some people not suck at their jobs though.

In addition to an extremely competitive pay structure there are also certain csi levels that must be retained and constantly exceeded, or else the writers position will be in jeopardy. That is why their turnover is higher than average.
Hitting a writer in their pocket for something they cannot do anything about and did nothing to deserve is pretty unfair, and will instantly sour their impression of you. It is basic human nature.

The people most likely posting on twitter and FB are interns. Nissan has a very active corporate recruiting program for college level positions which seem this the perfect group to tweet for money.