Yesterday I updated the maps in my built in GPS in my 2016 Dodge Durango. Its amazing to me, in this day and age, that the process would be so complex, and I could only imagine what someone who is technology challenged would have done. I guess I could have had the dealer do it, but I can't imagine how much more expensive it would have been. As it is, the cost was $150 (maybe I was crazy to do this at all) and what you receive from Chrysler is a flash drive and an instruction book.
You would think that what needed to be done was just to insert the drive and let the vehicle do the rest, but not by a long shot. You have to start the vehicle, find the settings screen (easy enough) and then go down through a few menus to find what software edition your car has. If not the latest, then you go through a moderately simple process to get the software updated via over the air signals. But then you have to go back into the settings, find and WRITE DOWN manually the software edition. Then you go back online (obviously not in your car) to the Chrysler website, be prepared to enter appropriately the 20 character (aproximation) "Request Code", your full VIN #, and the aforementioned software edition. That gives you an Activation Code which you need again to manually WRITE DOWN. Then you return to your car, again enter the settings and get to the point where you say "Yes" to an update. You have to then enter this lengthy Activation Code with the flash drive inserted into the car. Then you wait about an hour, with the engine running, for the map data to download.
You would think then that you are done, but not by a long shot. After everything appears to be done, you have to open and close the driver's door and then wait 60 seconds, during which time you are warned not to put your foot on the brake pedal nor to open any door. Then you are instructed to open and close the driver's door again, and again wait 60 seconds during which you are not to touch the brake or open another door. Only then are you done with the process and can you remove the flash drive.
I went through this whole process but was flabbergasted at this complexity, especially after possibly being foolish enough to spend $150 just for updated maps in the first place. Unbelievable.
You would think that what needed to be done was just to insert the drive and let the vehicle do the rest, but not by a long shot. You have to start the vehicle, find the settings screen (easy enough) and then go down through a few menus to find what software edition your car has. If not the latest, then you go through a moderately simple process to get the software updated via over the air signals. But then you have to go back into the settings, find and WRITE DOWN manually the software edition. Then you go back online (obviously not in your car) to the Chrysler website, be prepared to enter appropriately the 20 character (aproximation) "Request Code", your full VIN #, and the aforementioned software edition. That gives you an Activation Code which you need again to manually WRITE DOWN. Then you return to your car, again enter the settings and get to the point where you say "Yes" to an update. You have to then enter this lengthy Activation Code with the flash drive inserted into the car. Then you wait about an hour, with the engine running, for the map data to download.
You would think then that you are done, but not by a long shot. After everything appears to be done, you have to open and close the driver's door and then wait 60 seconds, during which time you are warned not to put your foot on the brake pedal nor to open any door. Then you are instructed to open and close the driver's door again, and again wait 60 seconds during which you are not to touch the brake or open another door. Only then are you done with the process and can you remove the flash drive.
I went through this whole process but was flabbergasted at this complexity, especially after possibly being foolish enough to spend $150 just for updated maps in the first place. Unbelievable.
