2003 Avensis - Traffic System

[Luke-v]

Hi all, I've got a 2003 Avensis T-Spirit with satnav - I believe it is a TNS 300.(non colour screen, but DVD based).

Can anyone shed any light on the traffic function as even if I'm in a 10 mile tailback on the M1, if I flick to the relevant screen it reports "no traffic problems on your route".

Is this a subscription service or something? The satnav works fine, so I'm very confused!

[uumode]

Hi all, I've got a 2003 Avensis T-Spirit with satnav - I believe it is a TNS 300.(non colour screen, but DVD based).

Can anyone shed any light on the traffic function as even if I'm in a 10 mile tailback on the M1, if I flick to the relevant screen it reports "no traffic problems on your route".

Is this a subscription service or something? The satnav works fine, so I'm very confused!

I've found the same, the traffic warning system has never worked for me!

[Luke-v]

Anyone else? Does it do anything for anyone at all?

[TSpirit1]

Have you checked to see if the RDS and Traffic function is enabled?

[Luke-v]

Does that mean it is linked to the radio and only works if the radio is switched on?

[Pat2u]

I was given this information before i bought my vehicle.

As i understand it how the sat nav works, the information is fed to the sats "9 of them" by the bodies that be and it works in conjunction with motorway road signs being displayed, i also was told that the first warnings given out are within five miles of any congestion.

[TSpirit1]

Does that mean it is linked to the radio and only works if the radio is switched on?

I don't know, but mine came on when I accessed the 'menu' button for the satnav/fuel display and came across it switched 'off'. When I turned it on it warned me of a bridge repair in Liverpool about half mile before I got to it. Neat!!

Do you have your TNS 300 manual?

[uumode]

on mine you press the button and display says 'no traffic problems reported' :(

- when there is a bunch of traffic like a car park on the M4??

Definitely no TrafficMaster

[Luke-v]

I don't know, but mine came on when I accessed the 'menu' button for the satnav/fuel display and came across it switched 'off'. When I turned it on it warned me of a bridge repair in Liverpool about half mile before I got to it. Neat!!

Do you have your TNS 300 manual?

Ok, I feel stupid now! Armed with what you wrote and the manual, I looked in the menu and found the system was switched off!!!

I've enabled it, and am pleasantly surprised. The info is useful, and is presented in a useful way. I've not tested it to see if it is ok at rerouting in the event of a traffic jam yet.

So the moral of this story is...... RTFM!!!! :P

[uumode]

This switched on and off business is to do with the TMC Traffic Message Channel which is like TA on RDS which can't re-route the sat nav I believe?

I think the original poster like me are referring to the onscreen (with icons) ETA Electronic Avoidance System which is plumbed into the sat nav and can direct you and re-route, or does the ETA rely on the TMC?

Unless I am utterly confused

Also it sounds like the ETA only works with a programmed route - does this mean if driving to work for example where you do not need directions the route guidance system has to be switched on for ETA to be operational?

[TSpirit1]

If I remember rightly, mine 'spoke' to me about the bridge repair. I'll check again tomorrow.

[uumode]

Since I've changed my work location, the Traffic system does appear to work on occasions, with voice and display with options to re-route and how long the traffic is queued for.

But it doesn't always work and is only reliable as where the system gets it's reports from (and the coverage).

so it only half works for me, I still get stuck in significant traffic :-S