Telematics SIM Card

[COLAN]

Yes, I ordered the SD card with EU maps a week ago - hope it will arrive soon. From the pictures I saw the sd card has the same code as the TCU - does this have to fit in order to work or can you just put the EU sd card in the slot?G

The SD card arrived and.... Doesn't work

Can't be unlocked. Oh boy what a crappy system is this?

I tried to contact Navteq EU weeks ago to buy the maps - no response so far - so i bought on ebay but: apparently the sd card has to be paired with your car - so don't buy the maps on eBay it won't work

[COLAN]

Ok here is an update on the USA Leaf in Europe:

The feedback I obtained from Nissan:

If you want to get your Navigation and Carwings System to work you need to purchase the European Systems:

Navi System: around $5000, TCU around $5000

Total for changing the System: $10000

Apparently the USA System is based on Clarion whereas the EU System is made by Bosch - they are not compatible. Both are using Navteq maps but apparently Nissan customised the map data so Navteq can't help here as well.

Furthermore the SD Cards with the map data are copy protected in a way that they won't be mounted on your computer independent from the OS (tested: Ubuntu, Win and Mac) - No way to have a look at the data files...

I called Clarion but they can't help as Nissan builds the unit based on a license from Clarion but it's again customised by Nissan.

Well, well, well

For the Navi Systembuy a TomTom for 150 bucks, stick it to the car and forget about Carwings.

Nissan's prize for the system exchange is kind of saying "don't bother me with this"....

[Ingineer]

They are lying to you! Nissan has a part that flashes the firmware in the head unit. It's supplied by Clarion as an SD card. It has a Nissan part number, all US dealer Leaf specialists were sent this to perform the updates. If they flash this with the EU spec version, and then replace the SD with the EU maps your nav will work. I'm less sure of the TCU, as there could be a difference, but this is also flashable. Worst-case, all you'd need is the TCU replaced with the EU-spec version.

It's Clarion all the way. Clarion is at least partly owned by Fujitsu TEN, I believe. (Part of the global Fujitsu group which is huge!)



BTW, There is a possibility I may be able to replace many of the built-in functions with an application that runs on LEAFSCAN™. So all settings and displays, other than Nav, would be viewable/adjustable on LEAFSCAN™, thus making it possible to at least ditch the crappy built-in head unit and install a good aftermarket.

LEAFSCAN™ has an SDIO slot that can accept a WiFi adapter, so it may even be possible to replace carwings remote functions (and add more) at least when the car is within range of an access point. For me this would easily handle 95% of the remote functions I use carwings for.

This will be a future enhancement, if possible, but not in the initial release.

-Phil

[COLAN]

Hi Phil, thanks for the info !

Now my head unit is in Europe with my car...
Furthermore I'm not sure if the USA dealer which have the Clarion device also have the EU maps (and vice versa) - are there any EU maps with the Clarion system at all?

I will take the EU SD card to the dealer in US - however, I'm not sure if this helps...

If you have an further information, please let me know

Thanks again, Andy

[Ingineer]

Yes the SD card is matched to a particular head unit, so you have to give the dealer your VIN so you can order.

You will probably have to buy an EU map SD from a EU dealer.

ALL the Head units in Leafs are the same, whether US or EU. The Telematics module may differ, but it will not affect navigation, only Carwings access.

-Phil

[garygid]

The TCU is not part of the Nav unit.
The TCU is located "up behind" the glove box.

One might guess that getting a genuine European
Nav Update SD card would give you the Euro-Maps.

However, I tried taking the SD card out of my
friend's LEAF and putting it in my LEAF, but
it did not work. Both cars are 2011 SL models.

[Ingineer]

However, I tried taking the SD card out of my
friend's LEAF and putting it in my LEAF, but
it did not work. Both cars are 2011 SL models.

That's because each SD card has a lock code based on the VIN number, so it will only work on the car it was issued for. They are seriously trying to protect their lucrative map data business.

If he orders a map SD from a European dealer with his VIN, then it should decode properly in his head unit.

-Phil

[COLAN]

Hi, First of all THANKS for all your support!

To summarize this| The ONLY solution from Nissan is to buy a new Nav unit and a new TCU for about $ 10000 ( If they are lying to me I apparently can't change this). No way to order SD cards with EU maps or change SIM cards.

As Carwings and my Nav System will not work on my U.S. Leaf in Europe and the prize for exchange of the systems is ridiculous I'm now exploring a third party solution: There are Car Multimedia Systems out there even with wifi and G3 possibilities for around $500. I will miss the IPhone App for starting the clima control and the charging notifications but all the rest will work.

Again, I think that the Nissan Leaf is a great car but I also think that Nissan has quite some potential to improve customer orientation and service.....

Best, Andy

[Ingineer]

All I can say is that I've confirmed the same Head unit is used in Europe (albeit with different software). So the most it would really need is a TCU and head-unit software update. (And EU maps if that's desired)

Be warned that if you take out the Nissan head unit, you will lose your Climate control display, (unknown temp) your charge timers, etc.

Although in the future, I may have options for this in LEAFSCAN™.

-Phil

[Ingineer]

If they won't sell you EU map cards, then this means they will not ever offer updates for EU maps? You can definitely buy US map cards.

-Phil