Hello all-


New to the forum, but have been reading it for many years.


Had a question regarding the OEM nav system for 2013 chevy suburbans... Was looking to get one to replace my existing factory radio, and I found one on Ebay for what I have read is a good price. However, I was wondering just how simple/easy the installation is. I am not one who is very familiar with what goes on under the dash, and the only thing I am worried about is incorrectly feeding the speed sensor wire through... How easy is the process? Do we think that an automotive simpleton such as myself could complete it correctly?




Thanks for the help!


- Joe

 

The problem is not so much the process of hooking it up, but programming it so it plays nicely with the other computers in the vehicle. I have an 08 that came with the Denso DVD/Nav unit. It was having some problems, so I bought another off eBay. Took it to the dealer to program it to my vehicle. They said an '08 would be iffy, but 2010 and newer I would've been SOL. They were going to charge me $90 whether the programming worked or not. Fortunately, they were able to program it.

The units are programmed to the specific VIN to reduce thefts. You might want to check with a dealer to see if they think it would be feasible at all. You might be better off getting an aftermarket unit from Crutchfield.

Oh, and BTW, Google maps/nav on my android phone is light years better than the nav system in the truck. I almost never use it. Only time I've used the DVD/nav system is when I was out West with limited cell service/coverage.

 

And I don't understand why auto manufactures don't embrace this, its like they want to constantly re-invent the wheel, WTH! Even Google Maps allows you to download map data for offline use, it would seem simple enough that once you plan a route to pull that data down for off line use... SSD's are getting cheaper by the day and optical drives are already obsolete...

 

While the OEM nav is 'worth it'... if you don't have it factory installed... I'd go aftermaket. You're going to gain functionality overall, with a reduced price, and better install...

Like stated here, these things no longer just plug in to 12v, turn on and be happy...

many modern vehicles are getting harder and harder to modify w/electronics.

When I bought my 09 Tahoe, Sat Nav was on my MUST HAVE list.

Just glue an ipad to the dash

 

Straight from the 2015 Owners manual (despite it saying all vehicles do it, not true, it's a result of minimizing weight and engine load for the MPG gains)

Battery Load Management

The battery can be discharged at
idle if the electrical loads are very
high. This is true for all vehicles.
This is because the generator
(alternator) may not be spinning fast
enough at idle to produce all the
power that is needed for very high
electrical loads.

 

yea, the only way you'd run down a battery at idle is running a freaking winch...

GM for the "win".

 

Maybe they need a bigger (more capacity) alternator.

 

I think its still the 160 amp alternator however they are putting under-drive pulleys on to reduce RPM/engine load to maximize fuel efficiency as well as using the smallest battery possible to reduce weight for same MPG gains...

 

good thing I gained .0001 MPG in my 16 MPG SUV.

Shame it won't start because I idled so long in traffic.

.... I'd rather have it start...

I just can't fathom a drastic increase in MPG... there has to be better ways.

Active fuel management, yes, that can improve MPG. More speed transmission, yes more MPG.

shutting off the power... on a 5.3L V8? really? really?

are the 2015s electric power steering yet?

 

Check out my write up on my 2013 navigation install.