Once upon a time, all that was required for basic maintenance on a car was occasional tire replacements and routine oil changes. There’s more to it, though, if you want to maintain a contemporary BMW with an iDrive operating at its peak.
Maintaining your BMW’s iDrive should be a frequent effort, just like maintaining any other aspect of your car, whether it’s updating your iDrive software or downloading BMW maps to the factory navigation system.
In fact, Bavarians advise performing BMW sat nav updates at least twice annually and preferably more frequently.
Go to your iDrive navigation view, open the settings menu, and scroll down to Navigation system version to check the map version in your BMW. The region, version, and year of your current map are displayed. It’s time to update if it’s older than a year. Do you have a MINI Cooper? Read more on the navigation upgrade for the MINI Cooper.
In This Article...
A BMW navigation upgrade is possible?
Map updates are available from BMW using either a USB stick that has been certified by BMW or the ConnectedDrive Store. It’s crucial to get the most recent information for the best route for you and your BMW because maps are updated frequently.
How can I get free map updates for my BMW navigation system?
BMW suggests conducting a map update every six months, or at the very least once a year, and typically releases up to three new versions of its products each year.
The head unit and the nation have a significant impact on how frequently new releases occur. For instance, more recent iDrives like the NBT Evo ID5/ID6 can receive two or three updates a year, whereas ENTRYNAV may have to wait up to a year for a new BMW navigation update. Even the more recent navigation systems might have to wait in some areas where new map updates aren’t even issued annually.
By entering your VIN on the BMW map update page, you can quickly verify the most recent update for your BMW sat nav. You will then get a list of regions that are compatible with your iDrive, along with years and numbers that represent the quarter in which the update was released.
How can I verify the version of my BMW map? Navigate to the navigation view on your iDrive, select Settings, and then scroll down to Navigation system version. The region, version, and year of your current map are displayed. It’s time to update if it’s older than a year.
Can an outdated navigation system be updated?
Most onboard navigation systems are concerned with this procedure. You have the choice to upgrade your smartphone by downloading the fresh maps, in accordance with the automaker. The update must then be installed by plugging in your SD card or USB key and connecting it to your dashboard. Typically, the maps are obtained through HERE Navigation’s website, which serves as the exclusive retailer for the main automakers. Every supplier offers an online store with model-specific product categories. This gives you access to a sizable selection from which you can pick the update that best meets your requirements. You could also order a DVD or CD, depending on your model, and install the update that way.
What does it cost to upgrade your car’s navigation system?
The quality of built-in navigation systems has increased recently, and they now provide more functionality for a lower price. (Nowadays, some systems just cost $500.) Factory-installed systems are better integrated into your car’s functioning and controls than portable GPS units are. They effortlessly integrate with the entertainment system, respond to voice commands, and have easy access to the contact list on your smartphone. However, maintaining those maps might be more expensive and time-consuming than updating a portable device or a smartphone.
Most built-in systems don’t automatically update themselves over the air with new roads, lanes, interchanges, businesses, or even traffic laws, such speed limits and left-turn prohibitions, unlike Google Maps on your phone. They also don’t provide regular one-click updates like the best navigation applications do.
Updates must instead be bought for a price ranging from $129 to $299 from the automaker, the dealership, or online. Additionally, there can be an additional installation fee. You could purchase a very fine portable GPS device with lifetime traffic and map updates for that amount of money. (See, for instance, the Garmin Nuvi 58LMT.)
For our recommendations for the best presents, information on the newest discounts, time-saving advice, and much more, check out Consumer Reports’ 2015 Holiday Guide. And for the best gift suggestions for everyone on your list, check out our countdown calendar.
In-car upgrades are becoming obsolete because to the integration of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on smartphones.
TomTom, a manufacturer of navigation systems, estimates that 18% of the roads on maps require upgrading each year. You can be using really outdated maps if you haven’t updated them recently. How can I find my way to a certain location, such a restaurant? Prepare yourself to improvise. According to Navteq, their database might receive more than 230,000 new points of interest each year. Therefore, having the most recent maps on your car is beneficial, and the holidays are a good time to consider getting an upgrade.
We advise visiting Navteq’s website first because it provides links to updates for more than 30 different auto brands. Direct downloads from Navteq can be used to install some updates. Others need you to enter your vehicle’s year and model and may direct you to your car manufacturer’s website, where you may download the necessary software or schedule a map update appointment at a nearby dealer. Depending on what your automobile needs, the updated map software is available on either a DVD or an SD card. Of course, hiring a pro to conduct the installation will increase the cost.
Every 12 to 18 months, according to a Navteq spokeswoman, maps are updated for each automaker. Most drivers find it difficult to justify upgrading maps so frequently when they cost more than $100 each. But it’s wise to budget for at least one, if not two map upgrades during your ownership period if you frequently use a built-in navigator and/or depend on it for occasional trips. We have observed specials being offered on maps from several brands during the holiday season.
You probably don’t want to take a chance by traveling by car for the holidays this year if your map is more than a few years old. Additionally, upgrading maps for a family member can be a thoughtful gift because they might not know how to do it. And if your vehicle’s system cannot be easily updated because it is outdated, you may still suction-cup-mount a new portable GPS device to the touch screen.
Do you have access to free navigation system updates?
The OpenStreetMap project lets you get maps and upload them to your system without spending any money, so you can update your GPS for nothing. A database of free maps that is updated by volunteers makes up this Open Source software. Different navigation systems are compatible with the downloaded maps. For instance, you can install the suggested formats right on your Garmin GPS. OpenStreetMap files can be converted for your TomTom assistant so that your GPS can play them. However, because a plug-in installation is necessary, the process takes longer. Discover the procedures that must be taken to accomplish this in the following two paragraphs.
Do upgrades to the BMW maps cost money?
Several times a year, changes to the maps are released. They are offered in the BMW Shop as a one- or two-year subscription. If you have a current subscription, you can use the BMW Update Manager to obtain the most recent refresh from the BMW Connected Drive portal and update your map data. You’ll need a 64GB FAT-32 formatted USB drive and the methods below to accomplish this.
- First, use the icon in the site top to connect into your My BMW Account. Go to “My Vehicles” by navigating.
- Choose the vehicle for which a map update is desired.
- Go to the “Map update” section. If a new map version is available, a notification will appear.
How do I update my SD card’s navigation?
Create a new folder on your computer called “Map Update” and save all of the files for the new version there. Place the SD card in your computer’s SD card slot or an external card reader after sliding the switch on the SD card to the “Unlock” position. Delete all information from the SD card or format it.
How can I tell if the software in my BMW is current?
How will I be informed when an upgrade is ready? Similar to when other new software is made available to your phone, any newly available update packages will be instantly announced as a notification on your BMW control display or on your smartphone via the BMW app.
What is the cost of a map update from BMW?
Theoretically, the dealer offers one free national map update, but you must insist on getting one because not all BMW dealers are aware of this arrangement. When the three years are up (or earlier if you want a second national map upgrade), updates from the dealer cost about $200.
What version of BMW iDrive do I have, and how do I know?
The iDrive system’s navigation is a crucial component that makes getting from A to B simple. But since roads and sites of interest constantly change, it’s critical to maintain your BMW’s GPS maps updated if you want to get the most out of your iDrive.
Many of the most recent BMW models include over-the-air (OTA) map updates, which use the vehicle’s integrated SIM card to automatically download the most recent map data. The procedure in these automobiles is comparable to updating your smartphone to the most recent iOS or Android version; all you have to do is restart your car after your iDrive has downloaded the data.
For vehicles that do not allow OTA updates, a manual upgrade is necessary. Previously, updating BMW navigation maps required changing a DVD holding the map data. More newer vehicles include built-in hard drives that hold the data, allowing you to update your map by overwriting the hard drive’s contents. You can accomplish this with BMW by connecting a USB stick with the updated map data to the USB port in your vehicle.
It’s a good idea to determine which map version you need, which relies on your iDrive system, before purchasing a new BMW map. Use the settings menu when your iDrive navigation is open to navigate to “Navigation system version,” where you can see the region, version, and year of your current GPS data.
Is Google Maps compatible with my BMW?
Visit Google Maps in any web browser, log in using your Google userid, and then search for and select the “gear” icon. You may register your BMW with Google there by entering your BMW Assist user name and password.
What mapping software does BMW employ?
2020 saw the release of the BMW Maps navigation system for automobiles using the BMW Operating System 7. By fusing real-time data with predicting models, the cloud-based solution accelerates route calculation and also makes it more dynamic.
Without using a computer, how can I update my GPS?
The device may have to download huge files in order to receive map and software upgrades. Your Internet service provider’s normal data caps or fees still apply. For further information on data caps or fees, speak with your Internet service provider.
By connecting your device to a Wi-Fi(r) network that offers Internet access, you can update the maps and software. By doing this, you can update your gadget without having to connect it to a computer.
The gadget checks for new updates while connected to a Wi-Fi network. On the Settings icon in the main menu, an alert states when an update is available.
Select Updates under Settings.
The gadget checks for new updates. Update Ready, which shows up beneath Map or Software when an update is available.
- Choose an option:
- After reading the license agreements, choose Accept All to accept them.
NOTE:You can choose Reject if you disagree with the conditions of the license. This halts the updating procedure. Updates cannot be installed until the license agreements are accepted.
- Connect the gadget to external power with the provided USB cord, then choose to continue (Charging the Device).
A USB wall charger with at least 1 A of power output is advised for the best outcomes. Numerous USB power adapters for mobile phones, tablets, or portable media players might work.
- Till the update procedure is finished, keep the device powered by an external source and in the Wi-Fi network’s coverage area.
TIP:Your device can be missing map data if a map update is canceled or paused before it is finished. You must update the maps again using Wi-Fi or Garmin ExpressTM to replace any missing map data.