Weather and traffic apps.

I have a new 2014 and I've been completely unable to access these apps. When I found out that I didn't have the auto-dimming mirror with compass and temp gauge, I was rather upset but I figured the weather app would do basically the same thing. Unfortunately, every time that I try to use the app I get a message that "HD radio is not available in this area". When I mentioned it to my wife, she suggested that HD radio is probably something that's only available in the larger urban areas but when I was in Erie, PA a few weeks ago, I couldn't use the apps there either.

I live in a very rural area and it doesn't surprise me that I might not get it here but in Erie? Exactly what is HD radio and where should it be available? Do most of you use the weather and traffic apps in your areas? Is my unit behaving as it should or is something wrong that I need to address? By the way, if it matters, I have the Entune Audio Plus.

 

Definitely need to be in a HD radio "zone". Not sure about Erie, but here in Denver and into the mountains, I have no issues getting this data to come through. Traffic app is, meh. I only use it when I see traffic backing up and it seems to be quite delayed, at least for me.

 

Thanks. Like I said, I live in a rural area and very rarely travel into urban zones anyway so I don't need or care about the traffic app but I'd like to have the weather. Sadly, I've got nearly 3000 miles on the truck and have taken several trips (Syracuse, NY, Erie, PA and State College, PA) and have yet to find a spot where I had HD radio. Is there a map posted anywhere that shows where those zones are? Is there such a thing as a booster that I could get for the truck? What exactly is HD; what's the technology, cell towers?

 

OK, so I just looked at a map on Bing images and my area isn't supposed to receive HD coverage but Syracuse, Erie and State College do, according to that map. What gives? Is there anyone in my area (northern PA, western NY) who gets HD coverage?

 

I'm in the PHilly area and I do get the weather and traffic apps. I also have a '14 with the Entune Plus. I know when I visit relatives in upstate, PA, I lose the signal. Even around Scranton/Hazleton, etc. Even when I have the apps....I think they're pretty useless.

 

Thanks Drew. Like I said, I have no use for the traffic app but there are times that I'd like to know the ambient temperature or get a decent forecast(like when I'm camping) and I've never gotten them. I may contact Toyota to see what they suggest or see if others in my area (or in State College, Erie, etc.) are getting the apps. Thanks for the response.

 

I came across this thread from a Google search and have some information to share, so I thought I might as well create an account and add my $0.02.

I called Toyota's 1-800 line about this issue today. I get the impression they get this question a lot. For the Entune Plus models, there's no way to have a paired Bluetooth device supply the GPS or Internet access for weather or map data. The weather and nav apps will only work in major metropolitan areas where an HD radio signal is broadcast.

Toyota's support staff pointed me to the ttwnetwork.com website to check whether there's an appropriate broadcast in my area. When you go there, hover over Solutions --> Navigation / Data --> then click on RDS TMC Coverage Maps. There are only 3 cities in Tennessee that offer this service. Seems pretty useless to me.

By the way, HD stands for hybrid digital according to my local public broadcasting radio station. It does not stand for high definition.

 

Not sure about this but you might want to make sure the HD Radio is on. I have mine off because I can't stand it flipping back and forth between HD and regular.

 

The weather part of the HD radio, to get the weather map and temperature, probably wouldn't really work for you anyway OP. It doesn't give you the info for your specific location, only for the closest major city to where you are, so if you're not near one then it basically becomes useless. I know that because I have a 2014 that had the non nav unit but was the Entune one, and I checked the weather app one day messing around with it. I upgraded it to one with nav and it's the same thing. I don't really use the weather app on it so I don't really care, but the traffic thing on the nav is pretty sweet. That comes in handy for sure!

 

Silly question but do you have your antenna on the truck, I bought my truck new and I just figured they didn't come with one,(since they come with the shark fInn thing) one day I found it laying in the back seat rest by the window..I put it on and helped a lot in getting HD Radio signal

 

I never pull up the traffic, it sux. occasionally look at the weather to get a ballpark temp, but never 100% accurate since its from next door town usually. temp on my phone is better.

 

Yeah, its pretty useless both weather and traffic. Ill use it when im too lazy to pull my phone out of my pocket which isn't often. Firstworldproblems

 

No coverage anywhere around here. I use the phone for weather and did this to take care of outside temps. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/just-installed-new-mirror.387053/#post-10622996

 

good info on that website

 

Pretty much what the others have said. I've got a 2014 T4R.

I live in an area with no HD (no internet either without satellite unless you want dial up or 1x on your cell). But, mine does work when I'm near larger urban areas.

I drive into and out of service going to work and coming home. It isn't a predictable service. Sometimes I get the HD signal 50 miles away from my work and sometimes it's 15 miles from work.

Traffic almost always seems delayed and weather only applies to areas near but not at my location.

I have found the weather map pretty accurate.

 

This is a very good suggestion, OP. Make sure you have the antenna on your ride... if you don't then that might be part of the reason why it doesn't work.

 

Guys I think we can safely say OP is long gone. Nevertheless maybe someone else can benefit from the info.

"GANGGREEN was last seen: May 26, 2014"

 

AH. Didn't even notice that. Totally missed that it was a "dead" thread and someone else "revived" it.