I updated the maps in our 2013 Land Cruiser from 2012 to 2018. The installation also updates the head unit software. The Navi is Gen7, so it also works for 2012 and 2014 Land Cruisers, among other models.
In a recent post, I talked about Campbell, our new-to-us 2013 Land Cruiser. The maps were still the factory install and were from June 2012.
I found a map Gen7 update at ToyotaMAPS Online. The available version was June 2018, and the price was $85. That is a six-year improvement over what we have now, sold!
I used the USB update method, so I ordered a thumb drive from Amazon for next day delivery. It was $9.62, making the total cost for the update less than $95 plus my time to install it. I saved somewhere around $200 compared to having the dealer do it.
Windows
If you use a Windows computer, follow the instruction PDF that comes with the update.
MacOS
I use a MacBook, so I had to modify the USB creation process. If you use a Mac, follow the steps in the PDF up to the USB creation. Then use the steps below to create the USB. After that, resume the steps in the instruction PDF.
Summary
The instructions that come with the update are excellent, and the online support was great. Remember that the business hours of ToyotaMAPS Online are during the early morning hours here in the US. The update went perfectly, and we won’t hesitate to use them again next time.
Notes
- It took three days, from placing the order, to complete the update. You could shorten that if you worked during the business hours of ToyoteMAPS Online.
- Plan to leave your cruiser idling for an hour during the process.
- The software update took 10 minutes.
- The map update took 49 minutes.
- I received two emails from ToyotaMAPS Online during the process, and they came around 2:00 am eastern time.
Optional
Create the update USB using an Apple computer.
The update comes in a 7-zip format, so you will need to download a free utility from the app store that can read that format on your Mac. Then extract the update and copy it to your thumb drive.
Follow these steps:
- Download and install The Unarchiver from the App Store. It is free.
- Download the files from ToyotaMAPS Online that have “7z” near the end of the name just before a number.
- Insert your thumb drive into your Mac, and it will appear on the desktop. I used a fresh new thumb drive, and it was already formatted correctly.
- Double-click the file that ends with “.7z.001”. When it completes, you will have a new folder. The folder has the same name as the file but without the number at the end. It will take a while to complete.
- Inside that folder, you will see two other folders. One is named “gracenote_data”. Drag it on top of your thumb drive icon on the desktop and wait for it to finish copying. Do the same with the folder named “mapupdate”.
- Safely eject your thumb drive and remove it from your Mac.
- Finish the rest of the steps in the installation PDF that follow the USB creation.