I recently discovered, on a long journey, that using Google maps via the car's infotainment system fairly gobbles up my mobile phones data plan. More so, I suspect, than just using standalone GM on my phone.

 

Is there some way around this? I suppose I could just use the Columbus navigation system, but I like and trust Google maps.

 

I had some vague idea that I could use the car's inbuilt SIM as a WiFi source for my phone, but  I'm not sure if that's even possible.

Have you downloaded the relevant Google map to your phone to stop it doing so each journey? That way GM would only need to keep the traffic information updated.

On 18/05/2021 at 18:36, CJJE said:

How old is your car Crookie? 

 

On my previous Golf SV, when you used lane assist on a straight motorway it gave a similar message if you were driving in a straight line for too long as it the steering wheel to move now and then. And if it didn't, it assumed you had taken your hands off the wheel. 

 

But on MY21 Karoqs I understand it uses capacitive sensors on the rim of the steering wheel to know when your hands were on the wheel. 

 

Car manufacturers obviously can't let drivers take their hands off the wheel and rely on the lane assist to steer the car yet!

 

Chris  

Hmmm. No I hadn't. It was a Dundee to Andover journey so that's a lot of map. I'll try that next time. Ta

14 minutes ago, john999boy said:

Have you downloaded the relevant Google map to your phone to stop it doing so each journey? That way GM would only need to keep the traffic information updated.

Hmmm. No I hadn't. It was a Dundee to Andover journey so that's a lot of map. I'll try that next time. Ta

 

I downloaded the whole of the UK in 5 parts to my phone and keep them updated once every 3 months (as they expire).   I also make sure I put "data saver" on my android phone when on 4G to stop the phone from downloading unecessary junk when out and about. 

 

I was on a 5 day vacation the other week from the west country to Wales (I am on PAYG) and noticed that it used about 250Mb over the whole 5 days (at 1p/Mb it cost me about £2.50).  

I guess that was mainly traffic info when in google maps(and also a bit of google to get reviews of restaurants etc.).

Also,  If you ask the Google assistant a question, that uses some data (depending on what you ask it to do of course).

 

I expect if I did not have the offline maps it would have been more like £25...

 

:-)

 

OT but really as a reply to @smipx. Did you know there was a plethora of deals available for about £5 which would give unlimited calls and SMS with loads more data? I appreciate PAYG might be better for some people but thought I'd mention it - just in case...

:-) john999boy

 

Sure I know...

 

I spend around £30-£40 per year at the moment on PAYG in total but even the cheapest deals come in at 12*£5 = £60pa

 

I have one of the "gold dust" o2 3-2-1 PAYG SIM's that just cant be bettered at the moment for a low use user like myself...