The German car magazine "Auto Motor und Sport" stressed the need to update the maps of the navigation systems before embarking on summer car trips, especially if these maps have been in the car for years.
Modern cars usually have an Internet connection that provides automatic download and installation of map updates, and if the driver does not know how to update the navigation maps of his car, he can refer to the car manual or ask the dealer or distributor.
The German magazine pointed out that if the car is older than 10 years, updating the maps with the navigation system is via DVD, as the driver of the car buys new CDs from the distributor provided that map updates are available for the navigation system in question.
SD card or USB stick
When using an SD memory card or USB flash memory units, it is possible to identify the installation locations of these cards from the operating manual, and these slots are often found in the “dashboard” box or in the “console” In the middle, when inserting the SD memory card, it should be taken out in order to store the updated maps, and of course the user should make a backup copy of the old map file before updating it.
In the next step, the memory card or flash memory unit must be formatted according to the instructions of the car manufacturer, otherwise the navigation system will not be able to access the new map file later, and this does not apply to the case of purchasing a USB flash memory unit with new maps from the car dealer .
Map update
Usually the driver is able to download the latest maps from the website of the car manufacturers, but one has to specify the "model" of the car and the year of manufacture, and in most cases a user account is required.
Map updates are available free of charge for some Ford, Hyundai, Skoda and Volkswagen models, and there are subscription options or the ability to upgrade according to individual requirements. It takes a few hours to download the map file depending on the load on the server (server) and the size of the file, so drivers should consider map updates well in advance of travel.
Downloading map updates is usually in a "zip file" (zip), which must be decompressed, after which the new map file must be transferred to a newly formatted storage medium, then insert the memory card into the mounting slot in the car or plug the flash memory unit into the special port This triggers the navigation system that recognizes and prepares new maps or takes actions as instructed.