Voice traffic alerts

[creativeguy]

When I rented a 2010 Prius a few months ago, it would make audible traffic announcements every once in a while like "heavy traffic ahead". Now that I have my own, I haven't heard anything like this (though I haven't driven in heavy traffic much yet). Besides turning on all the features in the Nav settings, do I have to do anything else to hear these?

Does anyone know what the conditions need to be to get the alerts? The manual doesn't go into much detail regarding all the nav features. It just basically says "to turn feature x on, push this", without telling you what feature x even does.

[NovaStu]

Originally Posted by creativeguy

When I rented a 2010 Prius a few months ago, it would make audible traffic announcements every once in a while like "heavy traffic ahead". Now that I have my own, I haven't heard anything like this (though I haven't driven in heavy traffic much yet). Besides turning on all the features in the Nav settings, do I have to do anything else to hear these?

Does anyone know what the conditions need to be to get the alerts? The manual doesn't go into much detail regarding all the nav features. It just basically says "to turn feature x on, push this", without telling you what feature x even does.

You need to be subscribing to the traffic alerts from XM. In addition to the audible warnings, you'll see red, yellow, or green lines alongside the major highways to depict graphically how well (or slowly) traffic is flowing.

Stu

[creativeguy]

> You need to be subscribing to the traffic alerts from XM.

Yes, and there is a badge that says "Prius" on the back of the car. Got it!

Anyone know what the conditions need to be to trigger the audible alerts?

[Blind Guy]

How long have you had your car? If your FREE trial period is over and you've renewed your XM subscription you'll also have to subscribe to the Traffic Service.

To the best of my knowledge, this Trafic Service is ALSO subscription based, and is in addition to the normal XM fee.

David (aka Blind Guy)

Originally Posted by creativeguy

When I rented a 2010 Prius a few months ago, it would make audible traffic announcements every once in a while like "heavy traffic ahead". Now that I have my own, I haven't heard anything like this (though I haven't driven in heavy traffic much yet). Besides turning on all the features in the Nav settings, do I have to do anything else to hear these?

Does anyone know what the conditions need to be to get the alerts? The manual doesn't go into much detail regarding all the nav features. It just basically says "to turn feature x on, push this", without telling you what feature x even does.

[IraS]

Originally Posted by creativeguy

When I rented a 2010 Prius a few months ago, it would make audible traffic announcements every once in a while like "heavy traffic ahead". Now that I have my own, I haven't heard anything like this (though I haven't driven in heavy traffic much yet). Besides turning on all the features in the Nav settings, do I have to do anything else to hear these?

The navigation alerts depend on where you are. If you rented the Prius in the area where you live, you should get the same information. If you rented the Prius in a different metropolitan area, the level of traffic information may be different.

For example, here in Austin, TX there is very little traffic information available through the navigation system. I believe the only alerts which are available are about traffic incidents (i.e. accidents). There is no information about traffic conditions (like slowdowns).

[dc202]

I found the XM traffic info to be next to useless in terms of accuracy.

[HTMLSpinnr]

You'll also need to enable traffic voice alerts - dig through your NAV settings under Voice. They also only work if a route is pre-programmed. W/o the route, no voice guidance as it doesn't know which way you're going (that construction 10 miles down the road may not be on the way).

That being said, XM traffic is a tad laggy, and when the slow spots change shape, they're constantly re-announced. Annoying indeed.

[creativeguy]

Originally Posted by HTMLSpinnr

They also only work if a route is pre-programmed. W/o the route, no voice guidance as it doesn't know which way you're going (that construction 10 miles down the road may not be on the way).

Finally, some useful info. Thanks!

[bob brown]

How does the subscription traffic alerts from XM compare to the free alerts on certain after-market units (like Garmin)? Anyone had both to compare?