I have the MYFord Touch Navigation System. I have gone to the Ford support site and it tells me there is no update for the Navigation System.

Aside from the Navteq database being out of date by a few years, the system will show me quite a distance off my actual track.

I navigated home from the local DMV site. The route showed go west for .5 miles, go north 5.5 miles and then go east to my home. As I was traveling on the north leg of the route, the Nav system showed me as traveling north paralleling my actual track by about 1/4 miles. The Nav then started giving me corrections on how to get back on track. But I wasn't off track.

Subsequently, I am reluctant to use the system.

I am reluctant to take it in to the dealer as I don't want the downtime for that and I don't know what they can do.

Any advice?

 

Hi, SBV45 -

Do you happen to have large aftermarket tires on your truck? This can cause the navigation system to be off.

If not, I recommend making an appointment with your dealership to have your GPS module tested.

Jaclyn

 

No, Stock tires.
Unless the Ford system uses something different, GPS determines location from reading signals from satellites. It shouldn't matter if I am on foot or in a vehicle. I own several hand held GPS devices and have used them for years. As long as the GPS receiver antenna has a clear view of the sky (not in a tunnel , parking garage, canyon or canopy), it should show a location within +/- 30'. I typically get <10' accuracy on my hand held. The day that I got the route errors, the vehicle had a clear view of the sky.

How does tire size affect GPS location with the Ford system?

 

I have found much difficulty using the "sometimes" inaccurate Ford Nav system. So now, I mostly use the smartphone Destinations app from SYNC. Then send the directions to SYNC for better navigation.

 

Try removing your negative cable for 15 min then reconnect and see if it eliminates the problem.

 

I am totally grasping here, but perhaps the GPS unit thinks you are located in a different zone of the globe. IT sees you but has different algorythms being used to compensate. This could make it interpret/process your location a bit off.?.?

 

Most of the time, the Vehicle Mark (cursor) shows my location and heading properly. It has not shown the weak satellite icon.

The problem has occurred a few times, once the first time I set a route and tried to navigate that route. I am proficient with GPS technology and I have read the owner manual section on Navigation.

I guess I will take it in to the dealer.

 

I don't have the specifics on how as we do not recommend them, SBV45.

However, I've seen threads where customers mention the larger tires causing their navigation system to be off.

Hi, sd75mac -

Please send me any examples of these occurrences that you've ran into.

I'm happy to look into them and/or report your feedback.

Jaclyn

 

Again , unless Ford does something really different, that would make as much sense as tire size affecting reception of the Sirius radio.
See Garmin | What is GPS?

 

Went to the dealer today at Mac Heik in Georgetown TX.

They were familiar with the Navigation problem and the Harsh shift problem I was experiencing.

They fixed both with software upgrades. One for the PCM/TCM and one for the Nav. All under warranty. Took about an hour.

According to the shop manager, if you change your tire size and don't have the system changed to the new tire size, it will compound the harsh shift problem.

It is much smoother now.

 

I'm not sure about Ford but some manufacturers incorporate other inputs such as current speed into the Navigation system. They do this to estimate your location when there is no GPS signal or a weak signal. It is also done to compensate for signal error or to make you location more accurate. Garmin uses WAAS technology to make their system more accurate.