WMark

Against the advice from this forum, I purchased the Nav update for my '16. I know... Likely a waste of money, but I'm kind of nerdy about stuff like this..

Anyway, arrived in the mail. Read the instructions...

It takes at least 50 minutes to update from the USB stick. The kicker is that the car MUST BE RUNNING. Not accessory... Motor RUNNING.

I was looking forward to updating in my garage. Now I have to plan an hour long trip, somewhere. Oh, and you can't stop and restart. Must keep engine running for the entire download. I could do it in the drive-way, but not liking the car sitting in hot AZ sun, idling for an hour.

Here is the funny part. To see if it worked, you ask to find a Starbucks, in Detroit, that wasn't there a few years ago. I wonder how much Starbucks paid for that little commercial??

mpuzach

I believe that you can put your car into "On" mode (not accessory) by pressing and holding the start button and not depressing the brake pedal (automatic) or clutch pedal (manual). Just push and hold the srart button until everything lights up (takes around 10 seconds) and you should be good to go. I know with 100% certainty that the C6 has this capability and I'm quite sure the C7 does as well.

owc6

Yes, this mode is also called "service" or "service only" mode. Hold the start button w/o foot on brake or clutch in for the vague 5-10 seconds.

Although, I think I would have the car hooked up to an external power source, if an hour is needed. Just to be on the safe side.

It's a useful mode. It's much like keyed ignitions "on" position, you can do pretty much everything there as when the engine is on, even running codes. Helpful, especially if the car won't start.

WMark

Not sure you are right, but I'll try it.

To quote the instructions, "Important: DO NOT remove the USB device or TURN OFF the engine until the update is completed. THE ENGING MUST BE RUNNING THE ENTIRE INSTALLATION PERIOD."

See my previous post. If this was an option, why wouldn't they offer it, and insist the engine be running at all times??

owc6

The service mode is just as if the engine is running.

Or you could just drive an hour somewhere. That's better for the car than just sitting idling in the driveway, at any rate.

eta: my guess is that they don't bring up the service mode because they would have to explain what it is, and 90% of Corvette owners never have heard of it, and then they would have to tell you to plug your car in or you risk running your battery down. Too complicated for them, so they just say drive it somewhere. Doesn't mean it won't work.

WMark

Thanks. I will give it a try. If it works/doesn't work, I'll let everyone know.

Worst case, I have to drive my Corvette an hour... And that ain't bad!!

mpuzach

Lisa - can you confirm that on the C7 "service mode" does not time out? Thats the only part I'm not certain about.

owc6

It does NOT time out.

You must exit service mode. Thanks for bringing this up.

WMark

Love this forum. Still great after almost two decades! Thanks to owc6 and mpuzach for helping out!

Will follow their recommendations, and report. Thanks, people!

felkebg

What is the cost and the promoted benefits for installing the update please?

Sailfun

Just run it in the driveway early morning or evening.

Z06NJ

If you go for an hour ride, make sure you don't stall the engine (If you have manual trans)

obxchartercaptain

I use this mode at car shows to play a memory stick I use to show off the car....IT TIMES OUT after about 15 mins

thill444

This makes sense to me. I would just do the install at 7am or earlier.

dmaxx3500

reason for ''eng running'' is probably so you don't kill the battery,,you could put a batt charger on the battery and the run the ''service mode''

vbdenny

OR not do the updates.

mpuzach

To be clear, are you sure you're in service mode and not accessory mode?

Flame Red

The OEMs are just way behind the technology curve. And they are greedy and want to extract as much $ as possible for their crapulant nav systems that are inferior.

I once updated my Acura where the maps on a brand new car were four years behind and was constantly driving off road as the highway outside my house was only sitting there for 4 years. Took them two years to come up with a map update!?!?! I was so pissed at it complaining it was off road and "recalculating" constantly I was ready to sell the POS.

At least with the Acura you could shut off the car and the update would continue on restart. But it took SEVERAL hours! I finally left the car with the engine on but not running in the garage hooked up to the largest battery charger I had. A trickle charge won't cut it.

PegasusCapital

More importantly, once you get the update done (by whatever means) let us know if you think it was worth the cost. Most Nav updates are already way out-of-date by the time you get them.

ETHYL

I got into service mode and didn't know it. I was resetting the oil percentage and then could not restart the engine. The dashboard would light up and then go out when starter button released. Called On-star and was turned over to a person who tried to guide me thru. Nothing was mentioned about service mod. After following through his directions, he said he would get a tow truck over. I waited for about 15 to 20 minutes tried again and it started. Called up On-star and had tow truck cancelled. Took it to the dealer next day and was brought to the service bay and told the problem to the Corvette technician. He checked the complete electronic system. No problems. He said most likley it went into a "diagnostic" mode. He said if it happens again, get out of the car shut the door, then get back in, foot on the brake then press starter button. It has not happened again so I have not tried his direction. This Corvette tech is one of the most highly qualified Corvette technician in the country.