End of Sensus Support
 

This is by no means urgent but I felt it would be worthwhile starting a thread to draw attention to the impending ending of Volvo support for map updating on the Sensus system. While I feel that this is disgraceful, the purpose of the thread is not for whingeing. Apparently, after 2020 there will be no new maps issued for the built-in Sensus system. This means that little by little owners will not be able to safely rely on their Volvo supplied navigation system. In the case of spare parts in Europe, manufacturers have to stock all parts for 10 years after a car ceases production. This does not seem to be the case with free issue software and Volvo are pulling the plug on their Sensus system regardless.

There are three possible courses of action that I see.

1. Owners bite the bullet and accept that their cars no longer have built-in navigation systems and buy stand-alone sat nav units and plug them into the car's electrical system and stick them on the windscreen. I had to do that with my previous cherished car but in that case the system dated back to the 1980s and was a very poor system at that. The Sensus system has its shortcomings but it is fully effective and to abandon it seems a shame.

2. Organise the largest possible campaign to lobby Volvo to encourage them to reverse their decision and to continue to support a system which is built into the cars that they sold. Amongst our membership there must be someone with the understanding of public relations, publicity and social media to apply pressure upon Volvo before the abandonment of the Sensus system is a done deal.

3. Is there someone who can investigate whether it is possible to change the software and use maps from ongoing sources. This is a long shot and for me an area well beyond my abilities, but the concept that software in the sat nav system could be re-written to allow the display system and the receiving aerial to operate and display a supportable GPS system would allow these high quality cars to continue to deliver what Volvo offered and are now about to withdraw.

I cannot say that I personally can do very much about headings 2. and 3. but at least I can open the debate which can perhaps enable someone who can bring about an effective solution to deliver what Volvo seems unable to do and enable me from having to go down the route of heading 1.

They can't do that with plenty of cars with the system not even 3 years old yet , where is the source of your information?
There is nothing wrong with keeping the "old " maps going though , roads do not change much even in 5 years ... I've got a 10 year old Volvo Garmin nuvi 760 one which still works fine ...

Agreed. Roads rarely change but when they do the change will be minor. Treat the change like road works! Common sense will see you through. Very few new roads are created and the likelihood of you needing to be there are slim at best. You will find other roads nearby.

Many people have 10 year old road atlases in their cars and navigate just fine with them.

I would be interested to know if this is just a rumour or is it from an authoritative source. I am awaiting delivery of a brand new V60 (due October), fitted with the Sensus navigation system. The salesman told me that I will be entitled to free upgrades of the software for at least 3 years. I have taken out a service deal whereby in addition to the services, I get the software updates and the AA membership. Have I been mis-sold? I will be checking when I visit the dealer in just over a weeks time. Selling a system with built in obsolescence is surely mis selling. This will be my first Volvo, and if true, it will not be a good start to my dealings with Volvo.

Regards

Pilkers

There are several “sensus” versions the new cars have the new touch screen solution I expect to be live for many years the previous versions may loose free updates but there may be paid for updates available afterall Volvo purchase the map data from a commercial map data supplier may offer map updates or may not. This has been very common practise in IT for many years...........

Normally there is an official announcement of end of support the dealer or Volvo U.K. should be able to reassure you.

exactly and this is the best way to navigate if you have a passenger ..

.....tell my wife that!

Sat navs have helped to prevent many an argument.

It looks as if the older sensus systems will not have updates, my Jaguar lost updates when they changed from one dvd to three.

My motoring atlas in my 2004 V70 is 2002 vintage, and my built in sat nav is the original 2004 version, Other than driving though the fields on certain parts of the updated A1(M) up here in the north east I have no real issue.
The biggest let down is getting to a home in all the new housing estates which have sprouted in the last 15 years - but even that is not insurmountable.

Still typical of modern big business - smacks of Micosoft and forced update from earlier operating systems to WIN 10. - except we appear to have no upgrade path...needing to buy a new car even from Volvo is a bit extreme. then again Rolls Royce, new, ash tray, full joke springs to mind. :)

In principle I agree with you but two incidents, one in France and one in Belgium last year persuaded me to upgrade my Sensus system on my return.

Both incidents involved new motorway junctions and lead to long unnecessary detours to get off the motorway.

I thought that the updates were available until 2025?