What Type of Traffic Does My Automotive Device Use?

Note: Certain models may not be compatible with traffic information. If you are unsure of which model number you have, contact Product Support to provide the  serial number or Unit ID of your device.

Your Garmin automotive device may come with an external traffic receiver, which is embedded along the provided vehicle power cable. This receiver allows the device to receive FM radio signals with information about upcoming traffic, which it then displays on the map.

The model of the cable varies by the model of the GPS device. The label for the cable can generally be found on the bottom of the portion of the cable that connects to the 12-volt outlet in your vehicle. 

Since the traffic receiver is built into the vehicle power cable, your device will not receive traffic information unless the cable is connected to your device and vehicle. Using the GPS device without the vehicle cable, or with a third-party vehicle cable, will result in no traffic information.

Using an External Traffic Receiver

NOTE: External Traffic receivers are no longer available for purchase through Garmin. See GTM 60 and GTM 36 Cables are Discontinued for more information.

To View Compatible External Traffic Receivers for your Device:

1. 1. Go to Garmin.com
   2. Locate your device model
   3. On the device's product page, click Accessories
   4. Click Traffic Receivers

This will expand a list of traffic receiver accessories that are compatible with your device model. These receivers come with a lifetime traffic subscription, so no additional purchases are necessary. For more information, see Activate the Free Navteq Lifetime Traffic Subscription that Came with My GPS Device.