Yep, and map updates cost an arm and a leg. Since you just bought the vehicle, I suggest you go back to the dealer, show them the missing cities in your area, and ask them to include (in writing) one free map update a year from now.
If you mean the "speed lockout" the MFD has for the phone and other features, I know there's a dongle sold that removes that. If you mean your own GPS, read the manual.
Is there a way to unlock the GPS so it can be used while driving. It's a little bit useless otherwise. It would be nice if my passenger could use it. Pulling over doesn't work. I just use my iPhone
I hope you mean that your passenger is using your iPhone, not you, while you are driving. There is a reason we have criminalized such use by the driver. I have already had to bail off the shoulder while bicycling because an SUV behind me wasn't staying inside the fog line. As she passed me, her eyes were down below the steering wheel.
My regular GPS advises me not to use while driving, and there is a toggle to block use while in motion, but considering the whole point of GPS is navigation, it's foolish to block use of it while in motion. It would be smarter to design it to be safer to use while in motion.
The GPS in my Prius does not completely block operation. It still allows limited use, such as initiating navigation to locations previously stored on the favorites list, or used recently. What is blocked is the more intensive interface use of keying in new addresses. It is absolutely foolish, similar to driving drunk or drugged, for a driver to key that in while moving. That is why it has been similarly criminalized.
Does this product accomplish what you're talking about? Navigation Speed Lock Override for Toyota Prius (All Models) - PriusChat Shop
My workaround is to click around on the screen until I find my destination on the map itself. I'm serious. I've done this. It's amazing the GPS can understand Mcdonalds and Burger King when you use voice commands but not Bart or Bay Area Rapid Transit or subway or train station. I decided to jab on the map and was pleasantly and unpleasantly surprised, I can still find my destination by just clicking around the map. This cannot be safer than typing in the destination. And Bart does exist on the map if I type it in.
Someone has already posted a link to the dongle to bypass the navigation lockout, but it's not plug & play and requires cutting some wires, etc. I can't imagine why pulling over doesn't work, but some examples might help, along with a step-by-step description of how you are entering your address/destinations. I've used the Prius navigation to drive all over the country from Phoenix to Glacier NP, over to Minnesota and Wisconsin, along I-40 and I-10 to Florida and Georgia, as well as up/down the East coast, through LA, Dallas, New Orleans, Savannah, to name a few. I use voice commands to Find Next McDoanld's, etc., and if it can't find something, I use my phone and then use the Destination command to say the address, 123 First Street Phoenix Arizona, and it has not failed me yet. Voice commands only recognize certain national brands and even some of those are lacking. However, when I've stopped, it then finds local and other national brands. I'm really curious about which cities you say it can't find and would love to help if you'd provide more specific info for me to test.
Assuming the problem is not what Air_Boss said, select the link below and subsequent link on that site. Navigation Speed Lock Override for Toyota Prius (All Models) - PriusChat Shop
