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What Type of Traffic Does My Automotive Device Use?

Your Garmin automotive device is compatible with two different types of traffic:

  • Live Traffic using an app on a smartphone paired with the device via Bluetooth
  • A non-embedded external traffic receiver built into an HD Traffic Mount purchased separately

Use the Garmin Drive App to receive Live Traffic for the best results.


Live Traffic

Note: Your phone must be in a coverage area for your carrier for the Garmin Drive App to provide traffic. This coverage varies by the cellular provider.

The traffic information is received from the Garmin Drive App on a compatible smartphone, which is paired with the device via Bluetooth. See Traffic Service Differences for North American Automotive Devices.

See Garmin Drive App Compatibility and Availability for a list of compatible devices.

See Troubleshooting Garmin Drive App Traffic on Automotive Devices for troubleshooting.


Adding an External Traffic Receiver

You can purchase an HD Traffic Mount if you prefer to use a traffic receiver rather than a mobile app.

This traffic mount comes with a lifetime traffic subscription. No additional purchases are necessary.

Your device will not receive traffic information unless the vehicle power cable packaged with your device is connected to the mount and vehicle. Using the GPS device without the included vehicle cable, or with a third-party vehicle cable, will result in no traffic information.