For the last couple months I see rather irritating issue with my NavTraffic - random areas which typically have traffic displayed miss it. It often looks like some highway has traffic drawn on one side of it and no traffic info on another side of it (or part of another side). Which part is missing changes every minute or about it, so it looks like every time XM updates info it randomly drops a block of data.

Somehow I don't expect much help from the dealer and wonder if anybody else experience the same glitch. I'm in Seattle area. Highly suspect server side issue here, because missing part cannot be restored by zooming/panning and it looks like the data really did not arrive.

Thank you and happy New Year!
Konstantin

 

If you are getting some information it would appear the issue is not with the RL's receiver or NAVI display. Likely the issue is somewhere between the road sensors, the source that reports it to XM and possiblly XM truncating signal information.

If you get info on one side of the road, but not the other, I would suspect there is an issue with the road sensors or possibly the source vendor that collects the information.

 

I've been getting exactly the same thing here in Boston recently. I wondered if it was the Nav disc or the NavTraffic servers. I have version 4.62 (which was screwed up for some people and wouldn't load - it loaded for me but this led me to wonder if something else was wrong with it). What version of the Nav disc do you have? I agree with Tampa that it's likely to be a transmission problem from XM NavTraffic.

I also get data randomly on roads where there shouldn't be traffic info.

 

I have gotten data randomly once, in the northern VA area, where there is typically no traffic flow provided by the Acura. I assume NavTeq actually has traffic data available, because Google shows traffic flow data there when you request over the internet. I am guessing it is a bandwidth problem with XM? The one day I noticed the random snippet of flow data, it was a really bad day, and everywhere was red, so, getting this random snippet of red was interesting, but not of much use.

 

I have Nav software from 2006 (don't remember exact version) and I'm positive that for some time it worked fine, although I also saw some temporary traffic data on unusual roads.

So it is not the software in the car - something got broken on XM servers.

Road sensors and all the data gathering infrastructure are fine - maps.live.com on my smartphone shows the traffic data quite well all the time, while NavTraffic randomly drops pieces of it.

Really seems like they overrload the channel (push too much data too fast) and receivers start to miss parts of it.

 

I see this issue all the time. I'm in SF Bay Area. I attibute problem to XM and NavTech.

 

I have had the same problem for several weeks. I have a 2005 RL and live in the Boston area. I don't know whether it is a car problem or an XM problem. I will be taking the car in for recall and service shortly and will discuss it with the dealer but I don't have much hope. I frequently know more about what's wrong with the car than the dealer does. If I get any sensible answers I'll post again. Good luck!

 

At least ask the dealer to ping XM about it. I will do the same. When the issue get some volume they may finally pay attention.

 

I have a 2008 RDX and live in Northern Virginia. I see random pieces and parts missing from the traffic flow ALL the time. Sometimes its one side of the road, most of the time its here or there. Kind of annoying considering XM is charging for this option. I am hoping that it gets better with time cause I really like the idea. More roads covered in NOVA would even be better.

 

I'm getting the random missing traffic data too. I'm in Southern California.

 

Ditto on the Northern Va area. It's been that way for about a month now.

 

I sent an email to XM Technical Support about the NavTraffic issues and got a canned response about it likely being a "hardware issue" and to contact the hardware manufacturer. Next step will be a call to XM technical support, then to Acura Client Services.

 

Do you know how to get to NavTraffic Tech Support? XM Tech Support does not seem to be very much aware of NAvTraffic. I found this number for NavTraffic - (866) 374-9396 but right now Voice Mail answers. I will keep trying though.

 

I tried calling XM techsupport - their only advice is "refresh XM Radio signal". Needless to say it does not help at all.

Called Acura Customer Relations. They opened a case and asked me to take the car to the dealer. Will do just for completeness.

 

I've seen this for some time here in the Boston area. The "missing" data started at the same time as XM started expanding the coverage area slightly, and they also seemed to increase the update times so the flow data is more current than before.

My guess as to what is going on:

The sensor at that location has not reported in time, and instead of just displaying the last value sent, they display "nothing". This guess makes sense if they truly have increased the update rate. With a slower update rate, there is more time for the sensor to chime in, and thus less missing data. With a faster update, missing sensor data is more obvious.

They may have also changed the display algorithm slightly, so where previously they would "hold" the last value seen, and now they don't. This would be consistant with trying to make the data more current, and more correct.

 

Just to compare notes - I have a 45 to 60 minute commute each way.
The traffic data will completely disappear at least once during my commute.
Portions of the traffic will disappear 2 or 3 times during my commute.
I talked to the NavTraffic guys at a trade show and they showed me an online version of their traffic flow data. They supply the feed to multiple web sites and radio stations with traffic maps. There is no random missing parts or disappearing data in these web sites, so I believe the problem is the way XM delivers the data. The web sites are truly "real time" into the NavTraffic systems whereas XM does a refresh. Looks to me like the refresh occurs every 5 minutes. It is probably compressed so the Navi system then has to decode the data and display it. So I think it is this refresh data that gets messed up. Perhaps, one small portion gets lost in the transimission which causes the random missing portions. And, a larger portion gets messed up causing it all to go out.
That's my theory.

 

I didn't renew my XM subscription when it expired a few months ago but back when my car was new and I was still the SF BA there were often gaps in the traffic coverage. I regularly complained to XM about this and a few times I got a call back from someone who knew what they were talking about in navtraffic support. This was around the time when XM was also nice enough to send data that would reboot our nav systems. Remember those good ol' days? At the time at least XM was aware that we hold them responsible for the quality of their service irregardless of what's wrong down stream with their suppliers. We pay XM, XM pays whoever collects the data.

So my advise is to call XM every time you notice such a problem. Be specific about when it occurred and what data was missing. Depending on how this is received you can tell them you talk about these issues online and you're wondering why so many people report this. You know the drill.

Good luck,

Sander

 

For the last couple of days my NavTraffic is very stable again and no noticable drops of the traffic data on the screen. Is it just me being lucky or they fixed something indeed?

 

You must have transferred the problem to the other Washington. I have been getting lots of dropouts on the VA 267 and I-66 lately, as well as some additions along the VA 267 where there is usually nothing!

 

I have had the same good luck for the past two days (Jan.17 and18) in the Boston area.

 

As I mentioned in another post ... I am seeing the exact same as yourself in my 2008 RDX. The toll road out past Reston parkway more or less has nothing. I have seen flow however as far away as the airport.

 

I can't comment on whether part of my NavTraffic is missing since I live, currently work and commute in areas where it will not load anyway. I have to be at my Eastern location in Alabama before Atlanta will load, and when at my Western location, have to cross the unguarded Louisiana/Texas border before Dallas will load. However, I just completed my 340 mile commute from one home in Mississippi to another in Louisiana, and noticed that the Nav bar is missing. Also missing is the NavTraffic option in the Icon menu...it's blanked out. This just happened.

I pulled over once and restarted the car with no results.

One odd thing about the Nav bar/icon options missing is that the car's computer seems to have unstuck itself...for the most part...I can access the message option without waiting for several minutes for the menu items to pop up. I've gotten out my manuals and will check to see if I accidentally changed some menu option somewhere before calling XM. The computer has been wonky almost from the get go...insofar as receiving any messages. ..they quit coming early right after I purchased the car, and there have been none since. Recently, while at the Vicksburg, Mississippi welcome station, I got a surprise random quick tip message...and at the same time, my Razr lost its access to the Simm card. All of this happened while I fiddled with the driver's seat for several minutes trying to extricate a coke bottle cap which had fallen between the seat and console. Maybe all this is related...maybe not. It's rather odd.

I've since gotten three more general information messages, for a total now of 4, which I'm so glad to see that I'm not deleting them. I'm revisiting the message section and letting the car re-read them to me! It's like hearing from an old friend. )

'05RL and 108,000 miles.

 

There have been various reports of Nav Traffic data not being complete. Likely the data stream gets truncated as the music data is their priority.

I have also read various reports where RL owners have not received any messages or they just stopped, particularly appointment reminders made on OwnerLink.

I think there is an issue with AcuraLink and XM. I don't think Acura is very forthcoming about it as so few RL owners pay attention or fully understand AcuraLink. Heck, I have a difficult enough time trying to get anyone from Acura or XM who understands this message relay process works. XM points to Acura. Acura points to XM.

Bottom line, I bought an Acura. I don't care what vendors they use, I expect Acura to better answer to these issues. If they cannot adequately answer to the technology they promote and sell, then get out of the Advance kitchen.

 

Agreed. I've gotten a couple of curt, rude email responses from XM saying that they are having no issues with NavTraffic and it must be a hardware issue on my end and take it up with the hardware vendor. My next call will be to Acura Client Services. I'm sure it will go nowhere but if Acura is going to advertise functionality it had better deliver on it.

 

Please do that call. I already called them about it and they registered the issue, but told me that nobody else ever complained about it. If they tell the same to you... well it would be a lie or at least lack of information on their side.

I opened the case number b012008-01-1401986 for that XM NavTraffic issue. Point Acura Client Services to that case if they again say "it is the first time we hear about it".

Thank you!
Konstantin

 

I hate to form a posse...

But everyone with NavTaffic issues and / or not receiving AcuraLink messages SHOULD call Acura CS.

It seems to be the only way to get Acura to respond to this with intelligable answers. And if the issue is truly with XM, then Acura needs to breath some heat on this vendor they chose.

If it is a known issue, the lack of awareness to RL owners or limited complaints voiced gives them the excuse to sweep it under the carpet.

 

I got in the car again for the first time since posting the above. Since I was fairly close to the Texas border, I drove into Texas. On the way, I still didn't have my navbar, but checked the Icons, and the traffic icon button was available for activate. So I was able to activate the "traffic" icon and the navbar came right up. The other night, the traffic icon was blanked out and could not be accessed or activated.

Soon, I found that I'm still getting NavTraffic...began getting bits and pieces of Dallas soon after crossing the State Line. Dallas is some 180 miles away as the crow flies. The coverage seemed complete, but I didn't examine that.

The computer was also somewhat "sticky" when attempting to access messages.

FWIW.

 

Same issue here. Two highways on my way into work have had flow data, and for the past three days nothing. This morning I got an icon indicating an accident, but still no flow data.

This morning my boss (who has an MDX) asked me "What happened to I96 & M39?" indicating that he has noticed the same thing.

So I called XM and some clueless lady told me she was going to send a refresh signal. I told her it's not my equipment. I get flow data for other roads, and others have reported the same issue.

She insisted that they had to refresh the radio .

I gave up and said fine.

I called again and got someone else who said he would put in a call to NAVTEQ or whoever it is who actually supplies the information I'm on hold as I type this.

 

My GO I HATE INCOMPETENCE!!!!!

NAVTEQ said that they don't process the flow data, and directed me back to XM.

I make my third call to them and I finally find someone who has a clue. She said that they had a repeater down, but indications were that it was fixed. She said she would escalate the issue and I would get a call back.

 

I had the same problem and, after dealing with XM's useless support in Montego Bay, Jamaica and western (bumbf-ck) North Carolina for 9 months, cancelled NavTraffic.

Do I miss it? Not one bit.

If I need traffic I pick up my BlackBerry, fire up Google Maps (free), and see even MORE LIVE coverage of Atlanta (including the section of I-285 by my house that NavTraffic doesn't cover). NavTraffic is generally crap (turns red long after something happens rather than in a reasonable amount of time).

Reinforces my position that I will never pay for one of these stupid "add-on" services that XM offers. XM Weather (stupid), XM Note (I use my camera phone and something called my memory), XM Parking (whatever), etc.

 

Well in my case, the missing flow data reappeared about a week or so ago. Never did get a resolution call from XM, but I'm glad it's back. I truly have come to rely on it.

 

Imagine if you owned a 2009 RL and the automatic re-routing feature routed you right into a traffic jam? Beyond service outages (partial or complete), the data is woefully inaccurate.

This is one major reason I'm shying away from the NavTraffic service until they have things better sorted out.