[wedgewa]

I've read and been part of a number of threads about how integrated "live" traffic info is supposed to work with the Connect 7.0 system. Lots of confusion and lack of knowledge at the studios I've talked with and also at Fiat USA support (they all seem to try hard and seem frustrated to not have better answers). So in addition to that, I've been digging into online info from and about Mazda and Fiat and FCA and talked with tech support at Sirius/XM. Without claiming absolute total knowledge, here's what I've found out.

Classica models do not and cannot have any fully integrated traffic info even with the 7.0 Connect touchscreen and nav sd card installed. Because they don't have a satellite radio system. The section in the Fiat manual about FM radio (RDS/RBDS) traffic data does not apply to any Spider model. Neither does the section about "built-in wifi" sourcing. These appear to be simply copy and paste boilerplate from other manuals and, as FiatUSA pointed out on the phone, they include the words "may be equipped with" - and neither exists in any Spiders.

Models equipped with the satellite antenna and satellite receiver module and with a Sirius/XM subscription including both their "Travel Link" and "Traffic" apps activated and the Fiat SD nav card installed are "supposed to" have fully integrated live traffic. But Sirius/XM tech support says they have no experience base yet as to whether that fully functions. Fiat USA told me directly that a Sirius/XM traffic subscription is a requirement for integrated real-time traffic information. That's why Classica models will not have access even though Classica owners pay full price for the nav system itself.



Mazda introduced the Connect system in late 2014 and it briefly included built-in wifi and live traffic via internet but those functions were disabled after just months. Many Mazda owners were pretty unhappy about that and continue to be even now. Mazda has said clearly that there is no plan to bring back traffic data for their Connect system. And there have been several tech articles published that Mazda has a completely new system in the works to replace "Mazda Connect" by as early as 2018

 

[ameridan]

Classica models do not and cannot have any fully integrated traffic info even with the 7.0 Connect touchscreen and nav sd card installed. Because they don't have a satellite radio system. The section in the Fiat manual about FM radio (RDS/RBDS) traffic data does not apply to any Spider model. Neither does the section about "built-in wifi" sourcing. These appear to be simply copy and paste boilerplate from other manuals and, as FiatUSA pointed out on the phone, they include the words "may be equipped with" - and neither exists in any Spiders.

I disagree, based on the traffic data screens in my Classica. I got in my car @ 4:01 pm and the data had just refreshed as of 4 pm. It seems to update on the hour. These aren't blank screens, they change every hour. Where are you getting your information? I've already determined that it's a waste of time contacting Fiat for information.

 

[ameridan]

Unable to edit my last post > I was going to delete the last sentence.

Anyways, perhaps what I am seeing is historical data that is on my SD card for the U.S. by the day + hour. That might explain why the data is only refreshed on the hour. Like you stated, that would be a bummer after paying so much for what the manual leads you to believe is a fully operational Nav system with traffic workarounds.

 

[wedgewa]

What you're looking at there is not fully integrated live traffic that would display right on your regular main route map and show icons for real and current road issues. The screen in your pic is derived from what the menu calls historical traffic. It shows your current location on a map displaying typical traffic patterns by day of week and time of day - and it does change every hour just as you observed. If you have selected "Use historical traffic" in your setup, that typical data will be taken into account in a programmed route when the destination entered. The manual suggests deselecting that feature on days that are not "typical" like a weekday that's a holiday. Three dealers, Fiat USA support, Sirius/XM and Mazda support were all consistent on this.

In order to get fully integrated live/real-time traffic date to flow into your programmed route minute by minute and provide "specific-to-your route" alerts mile by mile and turn by turn, a Sirius/XM traffic subscription (and sat antenna and sat receiver module) is required for these cars.

FM RDS radio traffic can also do that but requires a scanning FM broadcast RDS subcarrier tuner that is separate from the FM/HD tuner used for personal listening. The Connect system never had one of these. And Mazda removed built-in wifi in 2015.

I did not get a consistent answer as to where the "historical traffic" data comes from. Except that it's not a system that "learns" from our personal driving habits.

 

[phillawson]

It appeared to me last week like the traffic feature was working - I've got a prima with satellite and nav. For those familiar with the SF Bay Area, I was heading from SF down to San Carlos. Normal route the nav system takes me is down 280 which had heavy traffic that morning. The nav system was telling me to go Highway 1, and Skyline blvd that morning. So it seems to me that it is working at some level.


-Phil

 

[wedgewa]

It appeared to me last week like the traffic feature was working - I've got a prima with satellite and nav. For those familiar with the SF Bay Area, I was heading from SF down to San Carlos. Normal route the nav system takes me is down 280 which had heavy traffic that morning. The nav system was telling me to go Highway 1, and Skyline blvd that morning. So it seems to me that it is working at some level.

Actually Phil that confirms the information I found. You have nav and satellite (your intro "free" Sirius/XM subscription I imagine) and you are getting the real-time live traffic that we've been wondering about for weeks.

So it would seem the case is closed, the bow is tied, the fat lady has sung. Me, even though I bought the nav card for my Classica, I'll be plugging my Garmin (with live traffic) into the "convenient" 12v socket by the passenger's left foot and sticking the suction cup mount back on the windshield. Or I can just let my wife tell me the traffic info from her phone.

 

[Unknownsir]

i have not had my car out in a situation yet that would allow me to see what the traffic info would do. i have the premium package with sirius and nav. from the factory. on my chry 200 when i looked at my sat. subscription online it flat out said i had sirius traffic but this current subscription only says all access and does not list the live traffic. so i asked sirius and they said that it is an additional service and costs but i thought FCA gave it free w/ all their cars for a year. sirius is telling me no, so i will ask the dealer.

 

[Unknownsir]

so in the mean time, until i talk to the dealer, i was looking at the Fiat website and none of their cars list travel link or live traffic. on the dodge website they do have both of those options on their cars for a 5 year trial and 1 year for sirius radio. sirius did offer it to me for an additional $3.00 a month i will talk to the dealer and see what they say.

 

[Unknownsir]

i had asked at my local dealership and they did not have a ready answer for me. ie: they didn't know. I reached out to sirius online chat. she asked my personal info and they pulled up my sirius id. their response is that the radio in the 124 is not compatible with Sirius live traffic. so back at square one. that unlike any other FCA vehicles this one being mazda tech is not compatible.