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See the Important Safety and Product Information guide in the product box for product warnings and other important information.
Garmin DriveSmart 55 Device Overview
1 | Power key |
2 | USB power and data port |
3 | Map and data memory card slot |
4 | Microphone for Voice Command or hands-free calling |
1 | Power key |
2 | USB power and data port |
3 | Map and data memory card slot |
4 | Microphone for Voice Command or hands-free calling |
Mounting and Powering the Garmin DriveSmart Device in Your Vehicle
This product contains a lithium-ion battery. To prevent the possibility of personal injury or product damage caused by battery exposure to extreme heat, store the device out of direct sunlight.
Before you use your device on battery power, you should charge it.
While in power saving mode, the screen is off and the device uses very little power, but it can wake instantly for use.
TIP: You can charge your device faster by putting it in power saving mode while charging the battery.
The prompt appears after five seconds. If you release the power key before the prompt appears, the device enters power saving mode.
When you turn on your navigation device, the GPS receiver must collect satellite data and establish the current location. The time required to acquire satellite signals varies based on several factors, including how far you are from the location where you last used your navigation device, whether you have a clear view of the sky, and how long it has been since you last used your navigation device. The first time you turn on your navigation device, it may take several minutes to acquire satellite signals.
in the status bar indicates the satellite signal strength. When at least half the bars are filled, the device is ready for navigation.
The status bar is located at the top of the main menu. The status bar icons display information about features on the device. You can select some icons to change settings or view additional information.
![]() | GPS signal status. Hold to view GPS accuracy and acquired satellite information (Viewing GPS Signal Status). | |||
![]() | Bluetooth® technology status. Select to view the Bluetooth settings (Wireless Network Settings). | |||
![]() | Wi-fi signal strength. Select to change the wi-fi settings (Wireless Network Settings). | |||
![]() | Connected to hands-free calling. Select to place a phone call (Hands-Free Calling). | |||
![]() | Current time. Select to set the time (Setting the Time). | |||
![]() | Battery charge level. | |||
![]() | Garmin Drive™ app connection status. A colored icon indicates the app is connected (Live Services, Traffic, and Smartphone Features). | |||
![]() | Temperature. Select to view the weather forecast (Viewing the Weather Forecast). |
On-screen buttons allow you to navigate the pages, menus, and menu options on your device.
Enabling Automatic Volume
Your device can increase or decrease the volume automatically based on the level of background noise.
The driver alerts and speed limit features are for information only and do not replace your responsibility to abide by all posted speed limit signs and to use safe driving judgment at all times. Garmin® is not responsible for any traffic fines or citations you receive for failing to follow all applicable traffic laws and signs.
Your device provides features that can help encourage safer driving and increase efficiency, even when you are driving in a familiar area. The device plays an audible tone or message and displays information for each alert. You can enable or disable the audible tone for some types of driver alerts. Not all alerts are available in all areas.
Schools: The device plays a tone and displays the distance to and speed limit (if available) for an upcoming school or school zone.
Speed limit reduction: The device plays a tone and displays the upcoming reduced speed limit so you can be prepared to reduce your speed.
Speed limit exceeded: The device plays a tone and displays a red border on the speed limit icon when you exceed the posted speed limit for the current road.
Speed limit change: The device plays a tone and displays the upcoming speed limit so you can be prepared to adjust your speed.
Wrong way on a one-way street: The device plays a message and displays a full-screen warning if you travel the wrong way on a one-way street. The edges of the screen appear red and an alert remains at the top of the screen until you leave the one-way street or correct your direction of travel.
Railroad crossing: The device plays a tone and displays the distance to an upcoming railroad crossing.
Animal crossing: The device plays a tone and displays the distance to an upcoming animal crossing area.
Curves: The device plays a tone and displays the distance to a curve in the road.
Slower traffic: The device plays a tone and displays the distance to slower traffic when you approach slower traffic at a higher speed. Your device must be receiving traffic information to use this feature (Traffic).
Fatigue warning: The device plays a tone and suggests upcoming rest stops after you have been driving for more than two hours without stopping.
You can enable or disable the audible tone for some types of driver alerts. The visual alert appears even when the tone is disabled.
NOTICE
Garmin is not responsible for the accuracy of or the consequences of using a red light or speed camera database.
NOTE: This feature is not available for all regions or product models.
Information about red light and speed camera locations is available in some areas for some product models. The device alerts you when you approach a reported speed or red light camera.
NOTE: In some regions, some product bundles include preloaded red light and speed camera data with subscriptionfree updates.
The maps loaded in your device contain locations, such as restaurants, hotels, auto services, and detailed street information. The Where To? menu helps you find your destination by providing several methods to browse, search, and save this information.
From the main menu, select Where To?.
You can use the search bar to search for locations by entering a category, brand name, address, or city name.
NOTE: The order of the steps may change depending on the map data loaded on your device.
By default, the location search results appear in a list, with the nearest location at the top. You can scroll down to view more results.
1 | Select a location to view the option menu. |
2 ![]() | Select to view detailed information about the selected location. |
3 ![]() | Select to find parking areas near the location. |
4 ![]() | Select to view alternate routes to the locations. |
5 Go! | Select to start navigating to the location using the recommended route. |
6 ![]() | Select to view the search results on the map. |
Location Search Results on the Map
You can view the results of a location search on the map instead of in a list.
From the location search results, select . The nearest location appears at the center of the map, and basic information about the selected location appears at the bottom of the map.
1 | Drag the map to view additional search results. |
2 | Additional search results. Select to view another location. |
3 | Selected location summary. Select to view detailed information about the selected location. |
4 Go! | Select to start navigating to the location using the recommended route. |
5 ![]() | Select to view the search results in a list. |
By default, the device searches for locations near your current location. You can also search other areas, such as near your destination, near another city, or along your active route.
The selected search area appears next to . When you search for a location using any of the options in the Where To? menu, the device suggests locations near this area first.
A point of interest is a place that you may find useful or interesting. Points of interest are organized by category and can include popular travel destinations such as gas stations, restaurants, hotels, and entertainment venues.
Finding a Location by Category
Searching Within a Category
After you have performed a search for a point of interest, certain categories may display a Quick Search list that shows the last four destinations you selected.
The quick search list provides a list of recently found locations in the selected category.
Finding National Parks
Device models that include maps for North America or the United States also include detailed information for national parks in the United States. You can navigate to a national park or to a location within a national park.
Exploring National Park Features and Amenities
You can explore detailed information about the features and amenities available inside a national park, and navigate to specific locations in the park. For example, you can find campgrounds, landmarks, visitor centers, and popular attractions.
Finding HISTORY® Points of Interest
Your device includes HISTORY points of interest, which allow you to find and learn about historically significant locations and attractions around the world, such as historic buildings, monuments, museums, and notable locations of historic events.
Foursquare
Foursquare is a location-based social network. Your device includes pre-loaded Foursquare points of interest, which are indicated by the Foursquare logo in your location search results.
You can connect to your Foursquare account using the Garmin Drive app on your compatible smartphone. This allows you to view Foursquare location details, check in to a location, and search for points of interest in the online Foursquare database.
Connecting to Your Foursquare Account
Before you can use this feature, your device must be connected to a supported phone running the Garmin Drive app (Live Services, Traffic, and Smartphone Features).
Searching Foursquare Points of Interest
You can search for Foursquare points of interest loaded on your device. While your device is connected to your Foursquare account using the Garmin Drive app, the search provides the most up-to-date results from the online Foursquare database and customized results from your Foursquare user account (Connecting to Your Foursquare Account).
Select Where To? > Categories > Foursquare®.
Viewing Foursquare Location Details
Before you can use this feature, your device must be connected to your Foursquare account using the Garmin Drive app (Connecting to Your Foursquare Account).
You can view detailed Foursquare location information, such as user ratings, restaurant pricing information, and hours of operation.
Checking in with Foursquare
Before you can use this feature, your device must be connected to your Foursquare account using the Garmin Drive app (Connecting to Your Foursquare Account).
TripAdvisor®
Your device includes TripAdvisor points of interest and ratings. TripAdvisor ratings appear automatically in the search results list for applicable points of interest. You can also search for nearby TripAdvisor points of interest and sort by distance or popularity.
Finding TripAdvisor Points of Interest
Navigating to Points of Interest Within a Venue
NOTE: This feature may not be available in all areas or for all product models.
You can create a route to a point of interest (POI) within a larger venue, such as a store in a shopping mall or a specific terminal in an airport.
The device creates a route to the parking area or venue entrance closest to the POI. When you arrive at the destination, a checkered flag indicates the recommended parking area. A labeled point indicates the location of the POI within the venue.
Exploring a Venue
NOTE: This feature may not be available in all areas or for all product models.
You can view a list of all points of interest located within each venue.
Search tools allow you to search for specific types of locations by responding to on-screen prompts.
Finding an Intersection
You can search for an intersection or junction between two streets, highways, or other roads.
Finding a Location Using Coordinates
You can find a location using latitude and longitude coordinates. This can be helpful when geocaching.
Your Garmin DriveSmart device includes detailed parking data, which can help you find nearby parking based on the likelihood of available parking spots, type of parking area, price, or accepted payment methods.
NOTE: Detailed parking data is not available in all areas or for all parking locations.
Finding Parking Near Your Current Location
NOTE: Detailed parking data is not available in all areas or for all parking locations.
Finding Parking Near a Specified Location
NOTE: Detailed parking data is not available in all areas or for all parking locations.
Parking locations that include detailed parking data are colorcoded to show the likelihood of finding parking. Symbols indicate the type of parking available (street or lot), relative pricing information, and payment type.
You can view the legend for these colors and symbols on the device.
From the parking search results, select .
Your device stores a history of the last 50 locations you have found.
Select Where To? > Recent.
Clearing the List of Recently Found Locations
Select Where To? > Recent > > Clear > Yes.
You can use the Where Am I? page to view information about your current location. This feature is helpful if you need to tell emergency personnel your location.
From the map, select the vehicle.
Finding Emergency Services and Fuel
You can use the Where Am I? page to find the nearest hospitals, police stations, and fuel stations.
NOTE: Some service categories are not available in all areas.
A list of locations for the selected service appears, with the nearest locations at the top.
Getting Directions to Your Current Location
If you need to tell another person how to get to your current location, your device can give you a list of directions.
You can add shortcuts to the Where To? menu. A shortcut can point to a location, a category, or a search tool.
The Where To? menu can contain up to 36 shortcut icons.
Removing a Shortcut
Saving a Location
Saving Your Current Location
Editing a Saved Location
Assigning Categories to a Saved Location
You can add custom categories to organize your saved locations.
NOTE: Categories appear in the saved locations menu after you have saved at least 12 locations.
Deleting a Saved Location
NOTE: Deleted locations cannot be recovered.
A route is a path from your current location to one or more destinations.
The device calculates a route to the location and guides you using voice prompts and information on the map (Your Route on the Map). A preview of the major roads in your route appears at the edge of the map for several seconds.
If you need to stop at additional destinations, you can add the locations to your route (Adding a Location to Your Route).
Starting a Route by Using the Map
You can start route by selecting a location from the map.
Going Home
The first time you start a route home, the device prompts you to enter your home location.
Editing Your Home Location
As you travel, the device guides you to your destination using voice prompts and information on the map. Instructions for your next turn or exit, or other actions appear across the top of the map.
1 | Next action in the route. Indicates the next turn, exit, or other action and the lane in which you should travel, if available. |
2 | Distance to the next action. |
3 | Name of the street or exit associated with the next action. |
4 | Route highlighted on the map. |
5 | Next action in the route. Arrows on the map indicate the location of upcoming actions. |
6 | Vehicle speed. |
7 | Name of the road on which you are traveling. |
8 | Estimated arrival time. |
9 | Map tools. Provides tools to show you more information about your route and surroundings. |
Active Lane Guidance
As you approach some turns, exits, or interchanges in your route, a detailed simulation of the road appears beside the map, if available. A colored line 1 indicates the proper lane for the turn.
Viewing Turns and Directions
While navigating a route, you can view upcoming turns, lane changes, or other directions for your route.
The map tool displays the next four turns or directions beside the map. The list updates automatically as you navigate the route.
Detailed information appears. An image of the junction may appear for junctions on major roadways, if available.
Viewing the Entire Route on the Map
When you approach your destination, the device provides information to help you complete your route.
Parking Near Your Destination
Your device can help you find a parking spot near your destination. When you approach some destinations, the device automatically prompts you to search for parking.
NOTE: Detailed parking data is not available in all areas or for all parking locations.
The device guides you to the parking area.
Finding Your Last Parking Spot
When you disconnect the device from vehicle power while the device is on, your current location is saved as a parking spot.
Select Apps > Last Spot.
Adding a Location to Your Route
Before you can add a location to your route, you must be navigating a route (Starting a Route).
You can add locations to the middle or end of your route. For example, you can add a fuel station as the next destination in your route.
TIP: To create complex routes with multiple destinations or scheduled stops, you can use the trip planner to plan, schedule, and save a trip (Planning a Trip).
The device re-calculates the route to include the added location and guides you to the destinations in order.
Shaping Your Route
Before you can shape your route, you must start a route (Starting a Route).
You can manually shape your route to change its course. This allows you to direct the route to use a certain road or go through a certain area without adding a destination to the route.
TIP: You can select
to zoom in on the map and select a more precise location.
The device recalculates the route to travel through the selected location.
Taking a Detour
You can take a detour for a specified distance along your route or detour around specific roads. This is useful if you encounter construction zones, closed roads, or poor road conditions.
TIP: If the Edit Route tool is not in the map tools menu, you can add it.
Changing the Route Calculation Mode
From the map, select > Stop.
Before you can use this feature, you must save at least one location and enable the travel history feature (Device and Privacy Settings).
Using the myTrends™ feature, your device predicts your destination based on your travel history, the day of the week, and the time of day. After you have driven to a saved location several times, the location may appear in the navigation bar on the map, along with the estimated time of travel, and traffic information.
Select the navigation bar to view a suggested route to the location.
Avoiding Traffic Delays on Your Route
Before you can avoid traffic delays, you must be receiving traffic information (Receiving Traffic Data Using Your Smartphone).
By default, the device optimizes your route to avoid traffic delays automatically. If you have disabled this option in the traffic settings (Traffic Settings), you can view and avoid traffic delays manually.
Avoiding Toll Roads
Your device can avoid routing you through areas that require tolls, such as toll roads, toll bridges, or congestion areas. The device may still include a toll area in your route if no other reasonable routes are available.
NOTE: The menu changes based on your area and the map data on your device.
Avoiding Toll Stickers
If the map data on your device contains detailed toll sticker information, you can avoid or allow roads that require toll stickers for each country.
NOTE: This feature is not available in all areas.
Avoiding Road Features
Avoiding Environmental Zones
Your device can avoid areas with environmental or emissions restrictions that may apply to your vehicle.
Custom Avoidances
Custom avoidances allow you select specific areas or sections of road to avoid. When the device calculates a route, it avoids these areas and roads unless no other reasonable route is available.
Avoiding a Road
Avoiding an Area
Disabling a Custom Avoidance
You can disable a custom avoidance without deleting it.
Deleting Custom Avoidances
If you are not following roadways as you navigate, you can use Off Road mode.
The next route will be calculated as a straight line to the location.
You can use the map to navigate a route (Your Route on the Map) or to view a map of your surroundings when no route is active.
Map tools provide quick access to information and device functions while you view the map. When you activate a map tool, it appears in a panel at the edge of the map.
Stop: Stops navigation of the active route.
Edit Route: Allows you to take a detour or skip locations in your route (Changing Your Active Route).
Mute: Mutes the master volume.
Cities Ahead: Shows upcoming cities and services along your active route or along a highway (Cities Ahead).
Up Ahead: Shows upcoming locations along the route or the road on which you are traveling (Up Ahead).
Traffic: Displays traffic conditions along your route or in your area (Viewing Upcoming Traffic). This feature is not available in all areas or for all device models.
Trip Data: Displays customizable trip data, such as speed or mileage (Viewing Trip Data from the Map).
Turns: Displays a list of upcoming turns in your route (Viewing Turns and Directions).
Phone: Displays a list of recent phone calls from your connected phone, and displays in-call options while a phone call is active (Using In-Call Options).
Weather: Displays weather conditions for your area.
photoLive: Displays live traffic cameras from your photoLive subscription (photoLive Traffic Cameras).
Report Camera: Allows you to report a speed or red light camera. This tool is available only when you have speed or red light camera data on your device and you have an active connection to the Garmin Drive app (Live Services, Traffic, and Smartphone Features).
Viewing a Map Tool
The Up Ahead tool provides information about upcoming locations along your route or the road on which you are traveling. You can view upcoming points of interest by category, such as restaurants, fuel stations, or rest areas.
You can customize three categories to show in the Up Ahead tool.
Viewing Upcoming Locations
Customizing the Up Ahead Categories
You can change the location categories that appear in the Up Ahead tool.
While you are traveling on a highway or navigating a route that includes a highway, the Cities Ahead tool provides information about upcoming cities along the highway. For each city, the map tool shows the distance to the highway exit and the services available, similar to the information on highway road signs.
Viewing Upcoming Cities and Exit Services
Viewing Trip Data from the Map
Before you can view trip data on the map, you must add the tool to the map tools menu.
From the map, select > Trip Data.
Viewing Customized Trip Information on the Map
You can use the trip data map tool to show customized trip information on the map.
Viewing the Trip Information Page
The trip information page displays your speed and provides statistics about your trip.
NOTE: If you make frequent stops, leave the device turned on, so it can accurately measure elapsed time during the trip.
From the map, select Speed.
Viewing the Trip Log
Your device keeps a trip log, which is a record of the path you have traveled.
Resetting Trip Information
Before you can use this feature, your device must be receiving traffic data (Traffic).
You can view traffic incidents coming up along your route or along the road on which you are traveling.
Viewing Traffic on the Map
The traffic map shows color-coded traffic flow and delays on nearby roads.
Searching for Traffic Incidents
Customizing the Map Layers
You can customize which data appear on the map, such as icons for points of interest and road conditions.
Changing the Map Data Field
Changing the Map Perspective
The Garmin Drive app allows your device to receive smart notifications and live information, such as live traffic data and weather information.
Live traffic data: Sends real-time traffic data to your device, such as traffic incidents and delays, construction zones, and road closings (Traffic).
Weather information: Sends real-time weather forecasts, road conditions, and weather radar to your device (Viewing the Weather Forecast).
Smart Notifications: Displays phone notifications and messages on your device. This feature is not available for all languages.
Hands-Free calling: Allows you to place and receive phone calls using your device, and allows you to use the device as a hands-free speaker phone.
Send locations to device: Allows you to send locations from your smartphone to your navigation device.
Foursquare check in: Allows you to check into Foursquare locations using your navigation device (Checking in with Foursquare).
You can pair your Garmin DriveSmart device with your smartphone and the Garmin Drive app to enable additional features and access live information (Live Services, Traffic, and Smartphone Features).
The main app dashboard appears. After the devices are paired, they connect automatically when they are turned on and within range.
Disabling Bluetooth Features (iPhone)
By default, all compatible Bluetooth features are enabled when you pair your phone. You can disable specific Bluetooth features and remain connected to the other features.
TIP:
appears colored next to the phone name used for hands-free calling.
TIP:
and
appear colored when the services are active.
Showing or Hiding Notification Categories (iPhone)
You can filter the notifications shown on your device by showing or hiding categories.
You can pair your Garmin DriveSmart device with your smartphone and the Garmin Drive app to enable additional features and access live information (Live Services, Traffic, and Smartphone Features).
You can enable, disable, or customize smartphone notifications at any time (Smart Notifications).
The main app dashboard appears. After the devices are paired, they connect automatically when they are turned on and within range.
Disabling Bluetooth Features (Android)
By default, all compatible Bluetooth features are enabled when you pair your phone. You can disable specific Bluetooth features and remain connected to the other features.
Showing or Hiding App Notifications (Android)
You can use the Garmin Drive app to customize which types of smartphone notifications that appear on your Garmin DriveSmart device.
Status icons appear in the Bluetooth settings next to each paired device.
Select Settings > Wireless Networks.
![]() | Hands-free calling |
![]() | Smart notifications |
![]() | Garmin Drive features and services |
While your device is connected to the Garmin Drive app, you can view notifications from your smartphone on your Garmin DriveSmart device, such as text messages, incoming calls, and calendar appointments.
NOTE: You may need to wait a few minutes to receive notifications on your navigation device after it connects to the Garmin Drive app.
appears colored in the Bluetooth settings when smart notifications are connected and active (Bluetooth Feature Status Icons).
Receiving Notifications
Do not read or reply to notifications while driving.
Before you can use this feature, your device must be connected to a supported phone running the Garmin Drive app (Live Services, Traffic, and Smartphone Features).
From most pages, a popup appears when the device receives a notification from your smartphone. If the device is moving, you must verify you are a passenger and not the driver before you can view notifications.
NOTE: If you are viewing the map, notifications appear in a map tool.
NOTE: Additional actions are available for only some notification types and must be supported by the app generating the notification.
Receiving Notifications while Viewing the Map
Do not read or reply to notifications while driving.
Before you can use this feature, your device must be connected to a supported phone running the Garmin Drive app (Live Services, Traffic, and Smartphone Features).
When you are viewing the map, new notifications appear in a map tool at the edge of the screen. If the device is moving, you must verify you are a passenger and not the driver before you can view notifications.
NOTE: This option is available only when the selected language supports the voice command feature and
appears in the map tool.
NOTE: Additional actions are available for only some notification types and must be supported by the app generating the notification.
Viewing the List of Notifications
You can view a list of all active notifications.
The device reads the notification using text-to-speech technology. This feature is not available for all languages.
You can use the Garmin Drive app to search for an address, business, or point of interest, and send it to your Garmin DriveSmart device for navigation.
As you type, suggestions appear below the search field.
NOTE: While most phones are supported and can be used, it cannot be guaranteed that a particular phone can be used. All features may not be available for your phone.
Using Bluetooth wireless technology, your device can connect to your mobile phone to become a hands-free device (Live Services, Traffic, and Smartphone Features). While connected, you can place or receive calls using your device.
Placing a Call
Dialing a Number
Calling a Contact in Your Phone Book
Your phone book is loaded from your phone to the device each time your phone and the device connect. It may take a few minutes for the phone book to be available. Some phones do not support this feature.
Calling a Location
Receiving a Call
When you receive a call, select Answer or Ignore.
Using the Call History
Your call history is loaded from your phone to the device each time your phone and the device connect. It may take a few minutes for the call history to be available. Some phones do not support this feature.
Using In-Call Options
While on a call, you can select in-call options from the map.
TIP: You can use this feature if you want to turn off your device and remain on the call, or if you need privacy.
TIP: You can use this feature to use automated systems, such as voice mail.
Saving a Home Phone Number
TIP: After you save a home number, you can edit the home number by editing "Home" in your list of saved locations (Editing a Saved Location).
Calling Home
Before you can call home, you must enter a phone number for your home location.
Select Apps > Phone > Call Home.
You can temporarily disconnect a Bluetooth device without deleting it from the paired devices list. The Bluetooth device can connect to your Garmin DriveSmart device automatically in the future.
You can delete a paired phone to prevent it from automatically connecting to your device in the future.
NOTICE
Garmin is not responsible for the accuracy or timeliness of the traffic information
Your device can provide information about traffic on the road ahead or on your route. You can set your device to avoid traffic when calculating routes, and to find a new route to your destination if a large traffic delay occurs on your active route (Traffic Settings). The traffic map allows you to browse the map for traffic delays in your area.
To provide traffic information, your device must be receiving traffic data.
Traffic data is not available in all areas. For information about traffic coverage areas, go to garmin.com/traffic.
Your device can receive subscription-free traffic data while connected to a smartphone running the Garmin Drive app.
NOTICE
Heated (metallized) windshields could degrade the performance of the traffic receiver.
A traffic receiver receives traffic data from an over-the-air broadcast signal, where available. To receive over-the-air traffic data, the device must be connected to vehicle power using a traffic-compatible power cable. A traffic receiver is included with some product models (Traffic). .
Traffic data is not available in all areas. For information about traffic coverage areas, go to garmin.com/traffic.
Connect the device to vehicle power using the traffic compatible power cable (Mounting and Powering the Garmin DriveSmart Device in Your Vehicle).
If your product model includes traffic data, the vehicle power cable included with your device is traffic compatible.
When you are within a traffic coverage area, your device can display traffic information and help you avoid traffic delays.
Traffic Receiver Subscriptions
A regional traffic data subscription is included with most traffic receivers. You can add subscriptions for additional regions to your traffic receiver. For more information, go to garmin.com/traffic.
Viewing Traffic Subscriptions Select Settings > Traffic > Subscriptions.
Adding a Subscription
You can purchase traffic subscriptions for other regions or countries.
You can enable or disable traffic data.
The traffic map shows color-coded traffic flow and delays on nearby roads.
Searching for Traffic Incidents
NOTE: Voice command is not available for all languages and regions, and may not be available on all models.
NOTE: Voice Activated Navigation may not achieve desired performance when in a noisy environment.
Voice command allows you to use your device by saying words and commands. The voice command menu provides voice prompts and a list of available commands.
The wakeup phrase is a word or phrase you can say to activate voice command. The default wakeup phrase is OK Garmin.
TIP: You can reduce the chance of accidental voice command activation by using a strong wakeup phrase.
You can say the names of popular, well-known locations.
You can disable the voice prompts for voice command without muting the device.
For regions where the Voice Command feature is unavailable, the Voice Control feature is activated. Voice Control allows you to use your voice to control the device. Before you can use the Voice Control feature, you must configure it for your voice.
Configuring Voice Control
The Voice Control feature must be configured for a single user's voice and does not work for other users.
NOTE: You do not have to read the exact phrase on the screen. You may say an alternative command with the same meaning based on your preference.
To use a voice control feature, you must say the command you recorded for the feature.
Using Voice Control
Voice Control Tips
You can view the complete owner's manual on the device screen in many languages.
Before you can use this feature, your device must be receiving weather data. You can connect your device to the Garmin Drive app to receive weather data (Live Services, Traffic, and Smartphone Features).
Viewing Weather Near a Different City
Viewing the Weather Radar
Before you can use this feature, your device must be connected to a supported phone running the Garmin Drive app (Live Services, Traffic, and Smartphone Features).
Viewing Weather Alerts
Before you can use this feature, your device must be connected to a supported phone running the Garmin Drive app (Live Services, Traffic, and Smartphone Features).
NOTE: This feature is not available in all areas.
While you are traveling with your device, weather alerts may appear on the map. You can also view a map of weather alerts near your current location or near a selected city.
Checking Road Conditions
Before you can use this feature, your device must be connected to a supported phone running the Garmin Drive app (Live Services, Traffic, and Smartphone Features).
You can view weather-related road conditions for the roads in your area, on your route, or in another city.
You can use the trip planner to create and save a trip, which you can navigate later. This can be useful for planning a delivery route, a vacation, or a road trip. You can edit a saved trip to further customize it, including reordering locations, optimizing the order of stops, adding suggested attractions, and adding shaping points.
You can also use the trip planner to edit and save your active route.
Planning a Trip
A trip can include many destinations, and it must include at least a starting location and one destination. The starting location is the location from which you plan to start your trip. If you start navigating the trip from a different location, the device gives you the option to route to your starting location first. For a round trip, the starting location and final destination can be the same.
Editing and Reordering Locations in a Trip
Optimizing the Order of Destinations in a Trip
The device can automatically optimize the order of destinations in your trip to create a shorter, more efficient route. The starting location and final destination are not changed when you optimize the order.
While editing a trip, select > Optimize Order.
Discovering Attractions Along Your Trip
The device can suggest interesting or popular attractions to add to your trip.
Changing Routing Options for a Trip
You can customize how the device calculates the route when you start your trip.
Navigating to a Saved Trip
The device calculates a route from your current location to the selected location, and then it guides you to the remaining trip destinations in order.
Editing and Saving Your Active Route
If a route is active, you can use the trip planner to edit and save your route as a trip.
Before you can use this feature, your device must be connected to the Garmin Drive app (Live Services, Traffic, and Smartphone Features).
photoLive traffic cameras provide live images of traffic conditions on major roadways and intersections. The photoLive service is not available in all areas.
Viewing and Saving photoLive Traffic Cameras
You can view live images from nearby traffic cameras. You can also save traffic cameras for areas you travel frequently.
Viewing photoLive Traffic Cameras on the Map
The photoLive map tool shows traffic cameras from the road ahead of you.
Saving a Traffic Camera
Before you can use this feature, you must enable the travel history feature (Device and Privacy Settings).
You can view your previous routes and places you have stopped on the map.
Select Apps > Where I've Been.
Select Settings > Map & Vehicle.
Vehicle: Sets the vehicle icon that represents your position on the map.
Driving Map View: Sets the perspective on the map.
Map Detail: Sets the level of detail on the map. More detail may cause the map to draw slower.
Map Theme: Changes the color of the map data.
Map Tools: Sets the shortcuts that appear in the map tools menu.
Map Layers: Sets the data that appears on the map page (Customizing the Map Layers).
Auto Zoom: Automatically selects the zoom level for optimal use of your map. When disabled, you must zoom in or out manually.
myMaps: Sets which installed maps the device uses.
Enabling Maps
You can enable map products installed on your device.
TIP: To purchase additional map products, go to http://buy.garmin.com.
Select Settings.
Route Preview: Shows a preview of the major roads in your route when you start navigation.
Calculation Mode: Sets the route calculation method.
Avoidances: Sets road features to avoid on a route.
Custom Avoidances: Allows you to avoid specific roads or areas.
Toll Roads: Sets preferences for avoiding toll roads.
Tolls and Fees: Sets preferences for avoiding toll roads and toll stickers.
NOTE: This feature is not available in all areas.
Environmental Zones: Sets the avoidance preferences for areas with environmental or emissions restrictions that may apply to your vehicle.
Restricted Mode: Disables all functions that require significant operator attention.
GPS Simulator: Stops the device from receiving a GPS signal, and saves battery power.
Calculation Mode Settings
Select Settings > Navigation > Calculation Mode.
The route calculation is based on road speeds and vehicle acceleration data for a given route.
Faster Time: Calculates routes that are faster to drive but can be longer in distance.
Shorter Distance: Calculates routes that are shorter in distance but can take more time to drive.
Off Road: Calculates a direct line from your location to your destination.
Setting a Simulated Location
If you are indoors or not receiving satellite signals, you can use the GPS simulator to plan routes from a simulated location.
The wireless network settings allow you to manage Wi‑Fi® networks, paired Bluetooth devices, and Bluetooth features.
Select Settings > Wireless Networks.
Bluetooth: Enables Bluetooth wireless technology.
Paired Device Name: The names of paired Bluetooth devices appear in the menu. You can select a device name to change Bluetooth feature settings for that device.
Search for Devices: Searches for nearby Bluetooth devices.
Friendly Name: Allows you to enter a friendly name that identifies your device on other devices with Bluetooth wireless technology.
Wi-Fi: Enables the Wi‑Fi radio.
Saved Networks: Allows you to edit or remove saved networks.
Search for Networks: Searches for nearby Wi‑Fi networks (Connecting to a Wi‑Fi Network).
Select Settings > Driver Assistance.
Driver Alerts: Allows you to enable or disable alerts for upcoming zones or road conditions (Driver Awareness Features and Alerts).
Speeding Alert: Alerts you when you are exceeding the speed limit.
Proximity Alerts: Alerts you when you approach speed cameras or red light cameras.
Proximity Alerts Settings
NOTE: You must have custom points of interest (POIs) loaded for proximity points alerts to display.
NOTE: This feature is not available in all areas.
Select Settings > Driver Assistance > Proximity Alerts.
Audio: Sets the style of alert that plays when you approach proximity points.
Alerts: Sets the type of proximity points for which alerts are played.
The backup camera settings allow you to manage paired Garmin backup cameras and camera settings. This menu appears on your navigation device only when the device is connected to a wireless camera receiver cable. See the owner's manual for your backup camera for detailed information about pairing cameras and camera settings. Go to garmin.com /backupcamera to purchase a Garmin backup camera.
Select Settings > Backup Camera, and select a paired camera.
Unpair: Removes the paired camera. You must pair the camera again before you can view it using this device and cable.
Rename: Allows you to rename the paired camera.
Guidance Lines: Shows or hides guidance lines and allows you to adjust the position of the guidance lines.
Select Settings > Display.
Color Mode: Allows you to select day or night color mode. If you select the Auto option, the device automatically switches to day or night colors based on the time of day.
Brightness: Allows you to adjust the display brightness.
Display Timeout: Allows you to set the amount of idle time before your device enters sleep mode while using battery power.
Screenshot: Allows you to take a picture of the device screen. Screenshots are saved in the Screenshot folder of the device storage.
From the main menu, select Settings > Traffic.
Traffic: Enables traffic.
Current Provider: Sets the traffic provider to use for traffic data. The Auto option selects the best available traffic data automatically.
Subscriptions: Lists the current traffic subscriptions.
Optimize Route: Enables the device to use optimized alternate routes automatically or upon request (Avoiding Traffic Delays on Your Route).
Traffic Alerts: Sets the traffic delay severity for which the device displays a traffic alert.
To open the Units and Time settings page, from the main menu, select Settings > Units & Time. Current Time: Sets the device time.
Time Format: Allows you to select a 12-hour, 24-hour, or UTC display time.
Units: Sets the unit of measure used for distances.
Position Format: Sets the coordinate format and datum used for geographical coordinates.
Setting the Time
To open the Language and Keyboard settings, from the main menu, select Settings > Language & Keyboard. Voice Language: Sets the language for voice prompts.
Text Language: Sets all on-screen text to the selected language.
NOTE: Changing the text language does not change the language of user-entered data or map data, such as street names.
Keyboard Language: Enables keyboard languages.
Select Settings > Device.
About: Displays the software version number, the unit ID number, and information on several other software features.
Regulatory: Displays regulatory markings and information.
EULAs: Displays the end-user license agreements.
NOTE: You need this information when you update the system software or purchase additional map data.
Device Data Reporting: Shares anonymous data to improve the device.
Travel History: Allows the device to store a record of the places you go. This allows you to view the trip log, use the Where I've been feature, and use myTrends suggested routes.
Reset: Allows you to clear your travel history, reset settings, or delete all user data.
Resetting Data and Settings
The device offers several options for deleting your user data and resetting all settings to the factory default values.
This option deletes all user data, including your saved locations, recently found locations, and travel history. Installed maps are not deleted.
Viewing Regulatory and Compliance Information
Operating temperature range | From -20° to 55°C (from -4° to 131°F) |
Charging temperature range | From 0° to 45°C (from 32° to 113°F) |
Radio frequency/ protocol | 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi 2.4 GHz Bluetooth |
Power input | Vehicle power using the included vehicle power cable. AC power using an optional accessory (for home and office use only). |
Battery type | Rechargeable lithium-ion |
NOTE: This Class III product shall be powered by an LPS power supply.
You can charge the battery in the device using any of these methods.
You can purchase an approved Garmin AC-DC adapter suitable for home or office use from a Garmin dealer or www.garmin.com. The device may charge slowly when connected to a third-party adapter.
Go to support.garmin.com for help and information, such as product manuals, frequently asked questions, videos, and customer support.
For the best navigation experience, you should keep the maps and software on your device up to date.
Map updates provide the newest available changes to roads and locations in the maps used by your device. Keeping maps up to date helps your device find recently added locations and calculate more accurate routes. Map updates are large and may take several hours to complete.
Software updates provide changes and improvements to the device features and operation. Software updates are small and take a few minutes to complete. You can update your device using two methods.
You can connect the device to a computer and update it using the Garmin Express application (garmin.com/express).
Connecting to a Wi‑Fi Network
The first time you turn on the device, it prompts you to connect to a Wi‑Fi network and register your device. You can also connect to a Wi‑Fi network using the settings menu.
The device connects to the network, and the network is added to the list of saved networks. The device reconnects to this network automatically when it is within range.
Updating Maps and Software Using a Wi‑Fi Network
NOTICE
Map and software updates may require the device to download large files. Regular data limits or charges from your Internet service provider apply. Contact your Internet service provider for more information about data limits or charges.
You can update the maps and software by connecting your device to a Wi‑Fi network that provides access to the Internet. This allows you to keep your device up to date without connecting it to a computer.
NOTE: If you do not agree with the license terms, you can select Reject. This stops the update process. You cannot install updates until you accept the license agreements.
TIP: If a map update is interrupted or canceled before it completes, your device may be missing map data. To repair missing map data, you must update the maps again using either Wi‑Fi or Garmin Express.
Updating Maps and Software with Garmin Express
You can use the Garmin Express application to download and install the latest map and software updates for your device.
The small end of the cable connects to the mini-USB port 1 on your Garmin DriveSmart device, and the large end connects to an available USB port on your computer.
The Garmin Express application downloads and installs the updates onto your device. Map updates are very large, and this process may take a long time on slower internet connections.
NOTE: If a map update is too large for the internal storage of the device, the software may prompt you to install a microSD® card in your device to add storage space (Installing a Memory Card for Maps and Data).
For example, during the update process, the Garmin Express application may instruct you to disconnect and reconnect your device.
Installing Garmin Express
The Garmin Express application is available for Windows® and Mac® computers.
NOTICE
Avoid dropping your device.
Do not store the device where prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures can occur, because it can cause permanent damage.
Never use a hard or sharp object to operate the touchscreen, or damage may result. Do not expose the device to water.
Cleaning the Outer Casing
NOTICE
Avoid chemical cleaners and solvents that can damage plastic components.
Cleaning the Touchscreen
Avoiding Theft
You can restart your device if it stops functioning.
Hold the power key for 12 seconds.
Removing the Device from the Mount
Removing the Mount from the Suction Cup
Removing the Suction Cup from the Windshield
NOTICE
When replacing the fuse, do not lose any of the small pieces and make sure they are put back in the proper position. The vehicle power cable does not work unless it is assembled correctly.
If your device does not charge in your vehicle, you may need to replace the fuse located at the tip of the vehicle adapter.
TIP: You may need to use a coin to remove the end piece.
To repeat the pairing process, you must unpair your phone and device (Deleting a Paired Phone), and complete the pairing process (Live Services, Traffic, and Smartphone Features).
You can install a memory card to increase the storage space for maps and other data on your device. You can purchase memory cards from an electronics supplier, or go to www.garmin.com /maps to purchase a memory card with pre-loaded Garmin mapping software. The device supports microSD memory cards from 4 to 32 GB.
You can store files on your device. The device has a memory card slot for additional data storage.
NOTE: The device is not compatible with Windows 95, 98, Me, Windows NT®, and Mac OS 10.3 and earlier.
About Memory Cards
You can purchase memory cards from an electronics supplier, or purchase pre-loaded Garmin mapping software (www.garmin.com). In addition to map and data storage, the memory card can be used to store files such as maps, images, geocaches, routes, waypoints, and custom POIs.
Connecting the Device to Your Computer
You can connect the device to your computer using a USB cable.
A picture of your device connected to a computer appears on the device screen.
Depending on your computer operating system, the device appears as either a portable device, a removable drive, or a removable volume.
Transferring Data From Your Computer
Disconnecting the USB Cable
If your device is connected to your computer as a removable drive or volume, you must safely disconnect your device from your computer to avoid data loss. If your device is connected to your Windows computer as a portable device, it is not necessary to safely disconnect the device.
Hold for three seconds.
Go to garmin.com/accessories.
Here you can download full pdf version of manual, it may contain additional safety instructions, warranty information, FCC rules, etc.
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