During the Summer months, millions of families decide to take a long driving vacation across North America and use their car a lot more regularly than they normally do. Preparation is key to a happy and stress free driving vacation, and nothing is more important than making sure your family is safe, secure, and arrives at the final destination in one piece… which is where a GPS comes in very handy. However, a GPS device is only really as effective and accurate as the maps that are loaded onto it which is one aspect often over-looked by drivers.
Most GPS devices including Garmin, TomTom, and Magellan use Navteq maps on their devices so make sure that you update your Navteq maps before you travel. This is why you should make sure you do it – read the compelling reasons below.
New Roads Added to the US Road Network Every Year
The United States Department of Transport regularly updates the roads on the North American networks. In 2011 alone there were nearly 100,000 new miles of roads added to the country’s maps – and without a Navteq map updates on your GPS, you will not have these routes and directions available to you whilst driving on your vacation.
Due to these constant updates, there is every chance that your GPS is completely out of date, which can lead to you being late or getting lost whilst driving in unfamiliar territory. You don’t want to have the scenario where you take a wrong turning or head down an old junction – not only is it dangerous, but it can also waste valuable time that you could be spending with your family over the Summer.
New Navteq Maps for GPS Devices Released Annually
This is where Navteq are particularly strong, because they release new maps throughout the year to be compatible with the majority of GPS brands and motor vehicles that come with fully integrated in-dashboard GPS devices. Car brands such as Acura, Audi Chrysler, Ford, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Oldsmobile, and Volkswagen often come with in-dash GPS – and they all use Navteq mapping and routing software to provide turn by turn directions for the driver.
Installing new Navteq maps is very easy and there are two different options available. You can either download new Navteq maps to install them via USB straight into your GPS, or if you have car with GPS integrated then you will need to order a Navteq Navigation DVD instead and then insert the disc straight into the console.
What’s Included on the 2012 Navteq Map Update
Why update your Navteq GPS maps though, and what’s included? Well, in 2012 there were lots of new additions and content added to the new map update software. These included the following updates:
- Nearly 100,000 new miles of North American and US roads updated
- Around 20,000 new POI files (points of interest) including tourist attractions and destinations
- Includes expanded maps for every single city and town in the US and Canada
Buy New Map Regions Depending on Your Destination
If you have planned a car journey outside of the United States, then it’s worth taking your GPS with you because you can then use it in a hire car. However, you will need to install new Navteq maps for that region – so for example, new Navteq maps for the United Kingdom and France would be included on the Navteq European map update software (version 2012).
Navteq also have map updates for the following regions:
- United States, North America, and Canada
- South America including Brazil and Peru
- Asia including Japan, China, and Thailand
- Europe and the Middle East
Save Money with a Navteq Promotion Code
If this article has encouraged you to update the Navteq maps on your GPS then you should take advantage of this Navteq Promotion Code that is available on the GPSBites.com website. GPS Bites offers independent advice, reviews, and news from the GPS industry and is updated on a daily basis.