I have a 2005 prius and noticed that the operating systems interface is more up to date looking in the new models. Is there any way to update the software on the Prius? I plan on purchasing the 8.1 gen 4 map disc, but I take it that only updates the maps available. On a side related note, does the 8.1 have that much more than the 7.1 or 6.1 disc? Thanks!
Does your screen look like this? (photo by aminorjourney - her 2004 PHEV conversion) This is the lower-resolution 'analog' screen. The newer cars in the US all use the higher-resolution 'digital' screen. It's not an OS upgrade, I have the same graphics in my 2008 car - the lower-spec car here has this screen, the T4 and T Spirit get the high-res screen. It may be possible to swap out the MFD unit entirely since they both use the same AVC-LAN bus system. If you swap out the MFD you probably need to swap out the NAV system as well. My recollection is that the newest NAV discs are only compatible with the newer generation NAV system.
Yep, that is exactly how mine looks except for the 88mpg part . I did read in many places that the gen 4 nav discs are for 05-06 prius, my question about this was is there a big difference between the gen4 8.1 disc and the gen4 7.1 and 6.1? I am guessing the 8.1 is the newest disc that corresponds to the 2009 model? And if I do upgrade to the latest nav disc, does it change the nav interface at all, or is it the exact same but with newly added areas on the map? Also, this is kind of a random question, but I can't notice any changes in the night map when I changed the color of it. What does it consider "night" and is there a color that is high contrast (i.e. black white and green)? I wasn't able to notice any changes with the night colors.
The 04-05 Prius have a different MFD from the 06-09. The newer ones have a higher resolution. That's why they look different. There is no software "upgrade" to accomplish what you want. You can update the NAV DVD, however, it's pricey and you want to make sure it is for the 04-05 model as the 06-09 version won't work for you.
