Scion map upgrades
 

Can anyone tell me if it is possible to upgrade the maps on the nav extension module. I have part #PT296-00140 which is an older module and the maps are from 2011. I'm willing to pay to do it, just not sure how to get it done.

The dealer should be able to give you map updates. But be aware dealers typically charge in the multiple hundreds of dollars for it.

Typically just cheaper (with better maps and more accurate directions) to just get a good phone mount or a stand-alone GPS with lifetime updates.

Yeah, since I wasn't able to find any easy upgrade path I kind of figured a trip to the dealer would be what was involved.


I've got several other options for stand-alones but just like the idea of a factory nav.


What irritates me is that when I was purchasing the car the dealer made it sound like it was this huge process of wiring harness's and an entirely new headunit to justify the 1200$ upcharge. When in reality it takes about 1/2 hour worth of work or less to install a module to the existing HU.


With that said, I'm happy with it as-is. I got a fair price on a used module, installed it myself and got the bonus of the Aha features that I wasn't expecting.


thanks for your help.

So I stopped by a local Scion dealer today to check out the costs of upgrading the unit. The service advisor didn't know right off hand so he took down some information and said he would call me back.




I just got off the phone and yes the module can be upgraded. I would need to purchase and activation code from scion at 169$ and then there is a two hour labor charge to do the "upgrade" for an additional 200$. On top of that is Sales tax so round numbers puts this upgrade at almost 400$.


So for now I'm going to pass and just enjoy it as it is. One aspect I hadn't investigated yet is that there are two ways to navigate using this unit. There is navigation through the maps encoded in the module and there is navigation to places that use the Aha app. The Aha app gets it's data from a cell phone data signal. There happens to be some significant changes to the freeways in my local area so I will test the navigation to a place using the aha app and see if it's getting a different route. In any event for the short term I'm happy with it as is.

That matches up with what Scion Corporate told me although I can't believe they are charging two hours labor for it! Here was their response:

Can you work around that by claiming it freezes? And hope they can reinstall? Mine does freeze every 40min or so

Well, I purchased the nav unit used, its from a 2014 car, mines a 2015 and im sure that they could figure that out fairly easily by looking up the vin, the 2015 nav ships with an upgraded map and carries a different part# as well. (I downloaded the manuals from scion website) And while I cant see any differences between the manuals readily apparent, I believe there were some changes in the bespoke software as well.

While I sometimes despise car dealers in general, im a firm believer in the "you pay to play" camp in regards to modded cars it would be highly hypocritical of me to just outright lie about something like this for personal gain. I make no judgement what others choose to do in that respect, but I hold myself to a higher standard than that.

Im not above asking for a break however, and the owner of this particular franchise also owns a ford dealership from which ive purchased trucks from over the last three decades so I may toss that around next time I take the truck in for service.