Some Toyota-Lexus owners don't receive the original English documentation that (should) include a manual to the navigation system.
Those who receive it rarely read it, but that's an other question.
I've assembled this page for these users, in order to give the chance to make the most out of the original navigation system, including some options that you may not find without a proper manual.
Toyota and Lexus models use similar discs, so use of the navi is almost identical (with minor differences).
There may be some difference between vehicles manufactured in different years, though. Between the working of Camry 2007-2009 models there is barely any difference to find, but the Gen4 navigation of RX400h (2006) differs both in appearance and functionality from Gen5 navi-equipped (2007-2009) versions, or even from the version that the RX300 (2003) uses.
Most information I share here is about the navigation systems of Toyota-Lexus models those were manufactured in the USA, the pictures are made in Camry (2009) and RX400h (2006) models, and just as interesting stuff, someplaces I'll show some pictures about the working of European RX300 as well.
You can find useful tips, tricks for Lexus models on this page as well: Lexus tips
LOADING SYSTEM
The navigation disc also contains the operation program that ensures working of other systems (climate control, Bluetooth phone, CD changer, radio, etc.), so when the car's battery gets removed (in service for example), then nothing is going to work until the system is restored. This message warns us for this:
For American vehicles can only load system from American discs, let's bring out our good old American disc, or the tinkered "System loader" disc that was made for the Gen4 Lexus.
If the navi takes the inserted disc, the system loading process begins:
Now it is recommended to wait until the system loading is finished, otherwise the navi unit might get damaged. Once the loading is done, the navi restarts:
CHOOSE DESTINATION
The first step is to choose the required country from the list in the "Destination-Change" menu, which you reach by touching the DEST button (below, near the screen):
Now in the "Address" menu we can search by city, street name, house number in the selected country.
It is practical to choose city first, then the street. Accents are not required, for after typing each letter, ony those letters remain on the typing board with which there are further city/street names. You don't necessarily have to type the whole name, it is enough to type for example "BUDAP" (for Budapest), when you push the LIST button on the lower right, the city names beginning like that (BUDAP...) are listed. If there are more than 4 cities with the same beginning, only by using the listing option can you choose the different districts of Budapest for example.
The destination you found is surrounded by arrows pointing to 8 different directions, with those you can still refine the exact position of yor destination, for example if the database contains only the next street's name, not the required one's, we can still choose the street we need with the arrows.
With the "Enter" we accept the targeted destination, and then the navi calculates the route, which is sgned with a blue line. On the left side the distance from the target, and estimated duration of the remaining trip are displayed:
Following the route planning in the "3 Routes" option you can choose between 3 different routes calculated by the navi. (Quick1-Quick2-Short):
You can find more information about the 3 routes by pressing the INFO button:
In the "Route" option you can add an other destination, erase destination, or reorder given destinations:
Several destinations can be set in a row, then you must select which one shall be the first, second to reach, in what order it is to plan the route:
It is important to set the road types the navi is allowed to plan the route along.
You can do this via the Route - Route Preference potion:
Freeway and Toll road are them most important for us, for you can't find many Time/Season Restricted Roads around (in Hungary), but for example in Canada there are some of those.
There are not many Ferries around either, but if you feel necessary, you can switch on that option. The Border Crossing option is recommended to be turned on if you travel abroad.
You can set destiantion not only by address, but also by POIs.
What's a POI ? (Point Of Interest).
In different categories there are thousands of such points listed in the database for example gas stations, parkings, hotels, hospitals, museums, train stations, restauranst, etc.:
NAVIGATING
The car's position is signed with the red triangle in a black ring, the destination is signed with the double red ring. With the compass in the upper left corner of the screen you can switch between the paper based map (when North is on the top) and the moving camera (when the front of the car is always pointed to the top of the screen).
From the beginning point to the first street, and at the end of the trip from the last street to the destination the planned rote is not always drawn.
When we start with the car, and already moving along the route signed with the blue line, the screen automatically splits and on the right side of the screen the next maneuver will be displayed.
Appearance of this window on the right side may change depending on the route, but with the button in the left bottom corner of the screen you can choose the favored way of display.
If the language is set to French or Spanish the navi can voice guide in a female voice as well, unfortunately it doesn't speak English, only with a special Germany disc.
By tapping on any point of the map you can store any point with the MARK sign, these can be signed with small flags, or different icons. Stored points can later be edited, erased, new ones can be storedin the Destination - Memory menu. In the Quick Access option the stored points can be assigned to quick access numbers, in the Destination menu they will be signed with 1-2-3-4-5.
Previously set destiantions are not to be set again, for the antecedents store 100 addresses, from which you can choose.
If later you would like to check where you traveled that day, (or someone else) in the "Map view" option you can record the route the car travels along (Record):
In the "Map view" option you can also set the POIs to be displayed (Display POI Icon), you can overview the route (Route Overview) and you can fly along the planned route (Route Preview). In case of this last one it is recommended to set the right level of zoom.
It is important to set the navigation's measure system from miles to metric, which you can do on the MENU-SETUP screen:
In case of models equipped with Gen5 navi systems you can also switch to QWERTY keyboard here:
Certain areas can be avoided during route planning, for example the Margit bridge, which is closed for restauration for a year (another hungarian reference), now it won't guide you that way.
For this you must choose the area by address or from the POI list via the MENU - My Places - Areas to Avoid - Register option:
If you want to set the Navigation to be the default screen, and to make it to automatically change the screen back to Navigation from other screens (Climate control for example) after 10-15 secs, set it with the INFO button, Screen Setting page. The background color of menus can be adjusted here as well.
