Ensuring Your BMW's Navigation is Up-to-Date in 2023
Gone are the days when vehicles only needed oil changes and new tires for maintenance. For BMW owners with iDrive systems, keeping the navigation maps current is crucial. Regular updates to your BMW's navigation system, akin to routine car maintenance, are essential for optimal performance.
BMW experts advise updating the satellite navigation system semi-annually, or at least once a year. To verify the version of your BMW's map, navigate to the iDrive's navigation settings. Here, you'll find details like the map's version and its release year. If your map is outdated by a year or more, an update is due. This process is equally applicable to MINI Cooper models with iDrive systems.
Why Should You Update Your BMW's Navigation Maps in 2023?
Road networks are constantly evolving, with new roads being constructed and old ones undergoing changes. An outdated BMW GPS map might lead you astray or miss new, more efficient routes. By updating your BMW iDrive maps regularly, you ensure smoother and more accurate navigation. Each update not only improves route accuracy but also enriches the map with new points of interest, like restaurants and gas stations, enhancing your travel experience.
Release Frequency and Process for BMW Map Updates
BMW typically rolls out up to three new map versions annually. Depending on the iDrive model and geographical location, the frequency of updates can vary. For instance, the NBT Evo ID5/ID6 may receive multiple updates a year, whereas ENTRYNAV systems might have longer intervals. Updates may vary by region, with some areas seeing more frequent updates than others.
You can check for the latest BMW sat nav updates on our website, OemNavigations, where we list available regions and update timelines. If you find your map version is outdated, OemNavigations offers options for a one-time update or lifetime updates for continual coverage.
Updating Your BMW's Navigation Maps in 2023
The process of updating your BMW's navigation maps has evolved over the years. Earlier iDrive systems, like the CCC head unit, utilised DVDs for map data, which could be easily swapped for updates. This method was common for BMW models like E6x, E8x, and E9x, with the last update released around 2018/2019. For more recent maps, upgrading to a CIC iDrive system is advisable, allowing updates via USB.
The USB Update Method for Modern BMW Models
For newer BMW models, map data is stored on an internal hard drive and can be updated in a couple of ways. You can manually update by downloading the latest map data and transferring it to your iDrive via USB.
Manually updating your BMW's navigation system is straightforward. Simply load the map data onto a USB stick, insert it into your BMW's USB port (located in the glove compartment for older models with CIC iDrive, or the armrest for newer models), and follow the on-screen prompts. An FSC activation code initiates the installation, with no coding software required. The duration of the update depends on the age of your current map version.
OemNavigations caters to a variety of BMW models and head units including ENAVEVO, CIC, NBT, and NBT Evo. Our updates cover multiple regions like North America, Europe, and Australia/New Zealand, catering to different navigation versions like Premium, Motion, Next, and Move.
Determining Your BMW's Current Map Version
To find out which map version your BMW requires:
- Access the iDrive map view.
- Press the 'Option' button on the iDrive controller.
- Select 'Navigation settings'.
- Choose 'Position and version', then 'Version information'.
You'll see the map's region, version, and release year. It's essential to match the update version to your current one (e.g., Premium maps require Premium updates). If planning travel outside your usual region, you can order updates for other areas like Europe or North America. Note that for regions like East Asia, the update process can be more complex.
For NBT Evo units, an additional conversion file is required along with the map update.