Navigation traffic data

welcome! i bought a garmin nevi with lifetime free traffic. same problem: useless.

 

I use TomTom w/ Traffic RDS or something... does decent job highlighting jams... cost like 170 or so

 

It gets the traffic information from the cell phone's internet connection. That's actually one of my few gripes with the "Entune" system- I have to specifically start a program or tool that uses the internet for the car to initiate the connection. If you're on the map already, the quickest way I've found is to tap 'Dest' on screen, and then the 'Traffic Messages' button. This will connect to the Entune app in your phone (presuming you've set that up already). Unfortunately, it seems only to get traffic data for highways and interstates, and not general "surface streets", but I have had the car advise me of traffic congestion far enough ahead for me to detour.

As for subscribing to XM's traffic data service, the Entune system does not interact with this at all.

 

This can't be right, since I don't have a data plan on my iPhone but my Entune nav is receiving traffic data. Could it be from the OTA traffic data that regular GPS devices utilize?

 

Found this on the Toyota Entune site:

Why is Toyota using HD Data for Traffic and Weather?
With HD Data 15, Toyota drivers will be able to receive Traffic and Weather data services without a subscription. HD Traffic Data 15 is available in the top 100 US metros (and growing) in the US., covering a road network of over 225,000 miles. And, with a paired and registered App Suite-enabled smartphone, customers can continue to receive Traffic information when the vehicle is out of HD Data 15 range, via their cellular connections.

When the Entune 8 system utilizes the customer's smartphone to provide traffic information to the vehicle, the customer is responsible for cellular data charges that incur.

 

Welcome, fellow Orange County Prius C owner. I too know your pain of what the congestion is like here as I'm driving all around Orange County too. I've had a few hiccups here and there before, but it's usually not too bad. It's just odd since the traffic patterns are pretty steady here, so it feels like it's always the same reports. 55 South stopped, 405 North accident, 5 North accident... it never gets old.

As mentioned, the traffic information is provided through your Entune enabled phone with the app running, there is no other way for it to establish a data connection. Depending on your phone, you may have it set to connect without you knowing. The refreshed Prius C models route their traffic data through HD radio though, but your 2012 model won't have that. The system tends to route well enough if you have the traffic data connection established at the start of your trip, so that it has time to route alternatives before you're stuck in the middle of a mess. The best option is to enter your destination while still parked, then hit Dest. from the map, then Traffic Messages, which will prompt you to accept any additional data charges from your carrier for running Entune, which is when it connects for information.

 

Imnopaul, if you were responding to me, I have no data plan so I can't have an Entune enabled phone with the app running or accept any additional data charges. But we have a 2015 Prius C and as I posted above, "With HD Data, Toyota drivers will be able to receive Traffic and Weather data services without a subscription." which is how I'm getting a traffic and weather data connection. For free, no smart phone + data plan needed. I like free stuff!

 

The traffic service on the Entune is part of Clear Channel (now iHeartRadio)'s traffic service. It's over the air on a HD channel. In San Diego, that is on 101.5 KGB, HD3. You cannot tune it in on the HD radio -- it's strictly data. However, to fully use it, you must have Entune deployed on the phone (Android or iPhone or .. other). (At least on my 2013 C3).

I believe the channel in LA is KBIG, a 110,000 watt FMer. Reading above, the radio/map service may bypass the Entune requirement.