Greetings. My Lexus is a 2022 ES300h. Warranty ran out two months ago, but that's fine. About the maps, it is so confusing. Last month I signed on to what Lexus calls "Dynamic Navigation." It is $80 a year. But today I'm told I still have to update the map software in the car. Is this something I have to every year or two forever? I noticed that as soon as I added Dynamic Navigation, my maps are far more detailed than they used to be. I'm able to get directions from the cloud. Do I really have to pay $350 +/- to update the mapping software? Would appreciate any advice.

 

I think I have this sorted out. You get different answers from the dealer and from Lexus Enform, hence the confusion. A support rep at the tech department at my Lexus dealer cleared my confusion just now. He said that if I have subscribed to Lexus Enform Dynamic Navigation, the latest maps are downloaded from the Cloud so I don't need to pay for the dealer to install a map update using an SD card or whatever they use. What annoys me is that they tend to push the idea that I have to pay $350 to install the latest map update, when in fact Dynamic Navigation does that automatically. Geez. Hope this thread will be useful for anyone facing the same mapping mess that I did.

 

It is my understanding and might be wrong but updating the software that is in the car will update roads etc and not sure if the dynamic navigation will add a road that is not in your database on car. There is not a lot on this as most people do not do this and most dealers don't have a clue. Did not do it in mine because it did a really poor job when i tried to use it in the beginning. It wanted to route me 45 minutes out of the way for an accident that happened the day before. Let us know how you like it and maybe it has improved.

 

I think its ridiculous that you have to pay a monthly or yearly fee for GPS that came with your car. Toyota will be charging you for power steering next...

 

Your Lexus dealer's support rep is only partially correct. For the Dynamic Navigation in 2019 through 2022 Lexus ESs, after the 3-year trial subscription, Dynamic Navigation (paid) subscription renewal is (supposed to be) $169 for a 2-year renewal period, which includes an update to the latest version of the on-board map database. There can be a dealership charge for installing the updated map database. If you don't get the on-board map database update installed, the only map data that is downloaded from the cloud is any (limited) data needed for any up-to-date local area navigation that will fit within the system's allocated map temporary data storage; will be purged as needed to accommodate later dynamic navigation updated data needs; and will be completely purged when the paid subscription period expires.

On the US Lexus support website, there used to be a webpage where you could purchase the $169 2-year renewal and get a "ticket" to download the map database for self-updating the on-board database. However, when US Lexus updated their website for the Lexus Interface with Drive Connect Cloud Navigation, etc., information, that webpage either got deleted or buried somewhere that it is no longer findable by mere mortals.

FYI, the on-board map database is updated by downloading the map database update file onto a USB flash drive, then inserting the USB flash drive into one of the two data-capable USB ports (the ones located at the front of the console that are also usable for wired Apple CarPlay or wired Android Auto), and then invoking the vehicle's built-in update function. (The update process is similar to the update process for the infotainment system's navigation and multimedia firmware/software.)

When I updated/renewed my 2019 ES 350's Dynamic Navigation subscription, my Lexus dealer's service department took a bit of figuring out the correct on-board map database update means and methods. They finally figured out the update file for the on-board map database was downloaded and installed on a USB flash drive using TechStream. (IIRC, TechStream was also the means of activating the 2-year subscription renewal with the US corporate subscription servers.) There was also an update glitch that took some time to get fixed in that initially the on-board navigation system was still showing "Expired" for the subscription expiration date whereas, the corporate subscription server was showing an expiration date 2 years in the future for the Dynamic Navigation subscription. (Only the 2019 Dynamic Navigation vehicle firmware/software displays the subscription expiration date or "Expired" status, so I don't know how you would detect that sort of problem with 2020 through 2022 ES Dynamic Navigation systems.)

It is up to you, but I would advise getting the on-board database updated to the most recent version available. First, you've paid for it as part of the subscription fee (the dealer may charge a fee for installing it). (See the Lexus 22MY Connected Services Feature Applicability Chart Final where "Dealer Installed 2-Year Renewal. $169 MSRP (Before Dealer Installation)" is listed for "Subscription and Renewal Pricing" in the Dynamic Navigation column.) Second, without the on-board map database update, when this year's subscription expires, all the temporary Dynamic map update information will be deleted, and your navigation system will revert back to using the old, original factory-installed on-board map database instead of reverting to using the now-latest on-board map database version.

 

Thanks for this post. The warranty on my ’22 ES is expiring at the end of the month, and just last week I renewed the subscription via the app. It didn’t tell me anything about the dealer having to make any updates. I’m taking her in to the dealer for an annual servicing (very low mileage so I only do an annual - I’m just at 10K miles) but I will be sure to see what they say about having to update the system there as well.

 

Adding (or subtracting!) from the clarification nicely decoded by GRP52 is that the 36-month trial for the various Lexus connections also has Lexus Enform Remote that is also $80/year to keep the Lexus App in our phones operational. While the key fob can be used to Remote Start for up to 120 months (10 years) because the trial period for Service Connect is that long, the Lexus App and its many features including Remote Start will expire after 36 months along with the Dynamic Navigation. On the bright side, even if we don't subscribe to the Dynamic Navigation, we still have the original appearance Map to display and use. Starting with the 2023 model year, the Navigation became an entirely subscripted feature, when it expires the screen reverts to the Blue Screen of Regret and invites you to pay!

 

Thankfully there are other applications available for navigation such as Waze, Tom tom, and Google which are all free. At least so far... ​​​​​​​

 

Just interested in your maintenance with just 10k miles and 4 years out since put in service have you changed the oil at each year per OM OCI?
Thanks

 

You’re not paying for GPS. You’re paying for the map display for the free GPS.

 

Whatever... You still have to pay for navigation...

 

My 2019 has 16645 over a period of 7 years... Approximately 2500 miles per year. I still change the oil every year by the calendar.

 

Appreciate your comments. On the Lexus website, I couldn't find any downloadable software updates for my 2022 ES300h. Anyhow, after paying the $80 per year, the maps really look so much more detailed. My car ran out of warranty two months ago, and I'm not paying $350 for a map update at the dealer! Now I'm trying to see if I can connect Android Auto wirelessly. Using a USB cable, it works fine but on the Android Auto setting on the phone, Startup, "Start Android Auto automatically" I had to choose "Always" instead of "Default set by the vehicle." If I use the default, I have to press on Menu, then tap on Android Auto on the screen. Extra nuisance. Now if I can figure out if Wireless Android Auto works....

 

Yes, I change the oil annually at the dealership. Regardless of miles, the oil will degrade over time and since most of my driving is quick hops which can induce moisture it’s a good idea to do.

 

That's what I figured even if 0 miles, good plan.
Thanks.