So, Toyota wants me to pay for the built in GPS now? Not happening. I can use gmaps, Waze or Apple maps for free. But I'd still like to use the navigation it came with. According to Toyota I should be able to do it but without the live updates (don't care about it, really). But in reality I can't get past the paywall. Anyone knows how to use the built in GPS for free?
I was quite happy to see that Toyota is still including a built-in GPS. It gives me an alternative when I turn it off in my phone, so those idiots can't track my whereabouts.
It is nice for 1 year, at which point it stops working unless you pay. Question being asked is if there is a way to use it after 1 year without paying.
I don't know which one the GPS goes under, but I'm good until 2027 with Drive Connect and Remote Connect. I'm good until 2034 on Safety Connect and Service Connect.
It is part of Drive Connect, which stopped working for me exactly 1 year after car purchase. Then you have to pay, as far as I know, and looks to be $15 per month. Did you pay to have it till 2027, or is that something you can negotiate at purchase? Yes, safety connect and service connect are for 10 years.
I honestly have no idea. All I know is what the app tells me. I've fallen out with the dealer since I felt I got screwed on the deal. They even had the nerve to ask me for a five-star online review. lol
The thing is that it doesn't actually have a fully built-in system. The US comes with a cut-down online mapping system - branded "Smart Connect". To actually have offline mapping, you need the "Smart Connect Plus", which is what you get in Europe, and is available in Japan (optional on HEV Z trim as part of a $400 bundle, standard on PHEV). That then has pretty full offline capability, in addition to getting some extra live information. (I've never actually signed up to the Toyota services, so not sure how much more I'd get, but I understand it would be extra POI info, traffic info etc). Presumably the Smart Connect saved money on the necessary 32GB of storage for maps. So it's not that they're wilfully disabling something that your car can do - they're cutting off the online map service it relies on.
I used to use the Waze app, but since Google took it over, they have added some of the same features.
I guess Canada gets two extra years on the remote and drive connect. I’ve noticed Toyota offers different warranties for different countries as well. USA gets 10 yrs of Safety Connect and Service Connect. Maybe I’ll purchase Remote Connect for a few months in the winter but not all year long.
