Google's "Send to Car"

Does anyone else find Google’s “Send to Car” to be very slow and delayed? Even if I send an address to my car the night before, when I get in the car in the morning there are times it does not receive a message until 30+ minutes after I start my car(!?), which is USELESS when you are in a rush in the morning, and I end up entering the address in manually. How do I speed this up!? It's not always consistent; sometimes works just ok, sometimes doesn't.

Originally Posted by dbs600

Does anyone else find Google’s “Send to Car” to be very slow and delayed? Even if I send an address to my car the night before, when I get in the car in the morning there are times it does not receive a message until 30+ minutes after I start my car(!?), which is USELESS when you are in a rush in the morning, and I end up entering the address in manually. How do I speed this up!? It's not always consistent; sometimes works just ok, sometimes doesn't.

I have had no issues with it. Maybe you should have your car checked out at dealer.

Originally Posted by dbs600

Does anyone else find Google’s “Send to Car” to be very slow and delayed? Even if I send an address to my car the night before, when I get in the car in the morning there are times it does not receive a message until 30+ minutes after I start my car(!?), which is USELESS when you are in a rush in the morning, and I end up entering the address in manually. How do I speed this up!? It's not always consistent; sometimes works just ok, sometimes doesn't.

At most I've waited a few minutes once starting my car. It's possible you live in or travel through a dead zone for cell coverage and/or there is something wrong with the system in your car.

Originally Posted by dbs600

Does anyone else find Google’s “Send to Car” to be very slow and delayed? Even if I send an address to my car the night before, when I get in the car in the morning there are times it does not receive a message until 30+ minutes after I start my car(!?), which is USELESS when you are in a rush in the morning, and I end up entering the address in manually. How do I speed this up!? It's not always consistent; sometimes works just ok, sometimes doesn't.

It happens to me from time to time. Nothing wrong with my system as it affects both of my BMW's (one assist account so send to the car goes to both cars at the same time). Sometimes it takes a minute and sometimes it takes hours.

Normally, by the time I shut my computer and walk downstairs to the garage, and turn on the car, the address has already been received and appears in the "Office".

Originally Posted by hwf

normally, by the time i shut my computer and walk downstairs to the garage, and turn on the car, the address has already been received and appears in the "office".

+1

I find it slow too. There have been times I receive it the next day.

It normally works fine for me but yesterday it took over an hour to receive the message, needless to say I was already at my destination. That's the only time its taken that long though, its normally there a minute or so after I start the car

It all relies on the data cell signal to the car. So for some reason if you are in a dead zone or poor coverage area (no data service) then you will have delays. I would find it hard to believe it would be hours or days unless you live where there is no data signal.

I've never had a delay (usually instant when I hit send) but I have full 4G in my area.

Probably need to have it checked out if you experience delays an you have good service in your driving area.

Thanks for your replies!

I don't park in my garage, but in my driveway. I also have great cell signal in and around my home.

It's never taken seconds after starting the car; it usually takes 3-5 minutes, and even 5 minutes is a lot when in a rush!

Unfortunately, I've run into the 30+ minute ordeal more than 5 times now; I've used the feature maybe 20 times over the past 2 years.

Watch the dealer claim they've never heard of the problem and that 5 minutes is 'normal' or that the problem is with Google, not BMW.

And, is there any way to easily send this from our iPhones?

You can send from your iPhone using the BMW remote app. This app uses the built-in map app, but allows you to send a location to your car.

Mine is still sending the info to my old 2011 335i that my son bought from me last May. He was wondering why he was getting directions to a Starbucks in San Antonio when he lives a thousand miles from here. We've both talked to BMW assist till we're frustrated beyond belief but they don't seem to want to solve it.

Hmm... Just downloaded BMW Remote; know my BMW Assist Username, which I suspect is the same as what I put into the Google Maps "Send to Car" page, but I can't recall my password. Does anyone know how to obtain / reset same? Thanks!

Was reading up on the web and apparently most of the existing systems use GSM networks. Probably AT&T, since they were the biggest GSM provider in the US. AT&T is in a spectrum crunch and has been reducing their GSM footprint substantially, especially in the NE corridor and other high population density areas in the US (Like CA, etc) Its possible that while you used to have great coverage, they have done away with a lot of the coverage since they need the spectrum and for the most part only M2B uses this network.

I know that they are in the process of making the move to 3G equipped system, but not sure when that started.

Originally Posted by 530CE

Mine is still sending the info to my old 2011 335i that my son bought from me last May. He was wondering why he was getting directions to a Starbucks in San Antonio when he lives a thousand miles from here. We've both talked to BMW assist till we're frustrated beyond belief but they don't seem to want to solve it.

Have you set a new username and/or password for your new car?

Originally Posted by dbs600

Hmm... Just downloaded BMW Remote; know my BMW Assist Username, which I suspect is the same as what I put into the Google Maps "Send to Car" page, but I can't recall my password. Does anyone know how to obtain / reset same? Thanks!

Need to call BMW Assist.

Originally Posted by miamiboyca

Was reading up on the web and apparently most of the existing systems use GSM networks. Probably AT&T, since they were the biggest GSM provider in the US. AT&T is in a spectrum crunch and has been reducing their GSM footprint substantially, especially in the NE corridor and other high population density areas in the US (Like CA, etc) Its possible that while you used to have great coverage, they have done away with a lot of the coverage since they need the spectrum and for the most part only M2B uses this network.

I know that they are in the process of making the move to 3G equipped system, but not sure when that started.

at&t has a built out data network on 3G (WCDMA) and is now building a 4G network (LTE). However as far as I know BMW uses Verizon's CDMA network. Very large footprint, probably the largest of all.

glad this topic came up..My car is in for service this week and the dealer told me this is NOT available to me without the paid service. My SA told me I have a plan for accidents only and the google to car service is part of the upgraded "tele service" Is this correct? I also cannot get my bmw app to work as something is wrong with my username/ password..He said this again was part of a paid service only???

Originally Posted by solstice

at&t has a built out data network on 3G (WCDMA) and is now building a 4G network (LTE). However as far as I know BMW uses Verizon's CDMA network. Very large footprint, probably the largest of all.

Correct, and in many areas they have reclaimed their 2G spectrum in order to do this buildout of HSPA/HSPA+. Everything I have read points to GSM - AT&T. Considering their European heritage - GSM makes all the sense in the world, and CDMA unlikely.

Originally Posted by jenchrisre

glad this topic came up..My car is in for service this week and the dealer told me this is NOT available to me without the paid service. My SA told me I have a plan for accidents only and the google to car service is part of the upgraded "tele service" Is this correct? I also cannot get my bmw app to work as something is wrong with my username/ password..He said this again was part of a paid service only???

It is not part of the paid service. But my dealer couldn't help either. I called BMW Assist a couple of times. Still never worked. It's a feature I gave up on - just no time to keep trying to send myself a destination. On the positive side, the voice entry of addresses has worked rather well.

Ranger Walker: I thought I was correct..I had called BMW assist a feww times when I first got the car and they said the dealer needed to address the issue and something was not working..I'm not sure if I will even use it..It's been ten month and I totally forgot until I brought it in for service..The bigger question will be to see what is done to my pulling to the right issue..The first reply from the SA to get a $400 alignment was not a step in the right direction..Although, he called this afternoon and said that he did not relaize I have been having the issue from week #1..They are going to keep the car for awhile and see what happens

Originally Posted by dbs600

Does anyone else find Google’s “Send to Car” to be very slow and delayed? Even if I send an address to my car the night before, when I get in the car in the morning there are times it does not receive a message until 30+ minutes after I start my car(!?), which is USELESS when you are in a rush in the morning, and I end up entering the address in manually. How do I speed this up!? It's not always consistent; sometimes works just ok, sometimes doesn't.

I have send five destinations one after the other to the car, walked to the car and all five are there instantly. I've never experienced a delay at any time.

Originally Posted by miamiboyca

Correct, and in many areas they have reclaimed their 2G spectrum in order to do this buildout of HSPA/HSPA+. Everything I have read points to GSM - AT&T. Considering their European heritage - GSM makes all the sense in the world, and CDMA unlikely.

This bulletin http://support.nanocustoms.com/bmw/SI_B84_63_06.pdf seems to point towards Verizon but it's old so it could very well be that BMW now uses at&t gsm TCUs. And Dual LTE/GSM are probably coming soon. It's quite secretive it seems. Probably to make it tougher for hackers to unlock your car etc.

Originally Posted by solstice

This bulletin http://support.nanocustoms.com/bmw/SI_B84_63_06.pdf seems to point towards Verizon but it's old so it could very well be that BMW now uses at&t gsm TCUs. And Dual LTE/GSM are probably coming soon. It's quite secretive it seems. Probably to make it tougher for hackers to unlock your car etc.

Interesting bulletin.

I wonder if BMW made the change from 2G to 3G with a recent model year. We need Technic and his access to the uber database.

Unfortunately, it will probably be a while before we see LTE on any cars as part of the standard equipment. I hope I am wrong.