Calibrating Compass - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

classicrockr · 11-25-2011, 05:45 PM

Had the car in a parking garage for most of the day today. When we came out onto the main road, I see "CAL" in the lower left side of the HUD. I figured it meant "calibrate" & the owner's manual says to "Drive the car a short distance and the GPS will automatically calibrate."

We drove for about 15 miles & it still keeps reading "CAL" - anybody know of a fix to reset the compass?

Flashpoint135 · 11-25-2011, 06:19 PM

Compass and GPS are two different things. To calibrate the compass drive slow figure-8's in a parking lot somewhere. To calibrate GPS you just drive, preferably straight and level. It helps both if you do this away from big buildngs and other potential interference.

Sounds like your issue is compass, so try some figure-8's.

jtzako · 11-25-2011, 06:33 PM

I get CAL on the compass sometimes, normal driving will usually fix it as long as it involves some turns. If I see it come up I just got he long way out of my neighborhood which involves 3 right turns to get to the main street, by that time it has calibrated.

classicrockr · 11-26-2011, 08:14 PM

tried the figure 8's & driving around the block - compass still reads "CAL"...guess i'll have to have the service department fix it...

IROCanSS · 11-26-2011, 08:22 PM

Time for a trip to the dealer. 10 to 1 it fixes itself on the way there. Probably as you turn in the dealership lot.

DerekT · 11-28-2011, 10:37 AM

I bought my Camaro in Ontario and drove it back home which involved a 12-hour ride in the cargo bay of a ferry. When I drove out, I had the same problem.

Apparently, it has something to do with the OnStar system, something called "dead-reckoning" (or something like that). I popped the OnStar fuse out my fuse panel, waited about 5 minutes, popped it back in, drove it for couple of miles and then it was fine.

11-25-2011, 05:45 PM	#1
classicrockr Pills are for Pansies Drives: 2023 2SS Red Hot Vert Camaro Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Citrus Springs FL Posts: 1,296	Calibrating Compass Had the car in a parking garage for most of the day today. When we came out onto the main road, I see "CAL" in the lower left side of the HUD. I figured it meant "calibrate" & the owner's manual says to "Drive the car a short distance and the GPS will automatically calibrate." We drove for about 15 miles & it still keeps reading "CAL" - anybody know of a fix to reset the compass?

11-25-2011, 06:33 PM	#3
jtzako Drives: 2010 IBM Camaro SS Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: DFW, Tx Posts: 1,157	I get CAL on the compass sometimes, normal driving will usually fix it as long as it involves some turns. If I see it come up I just got he long way out of my neighborhood which involves 3 right turns to get to the main street, by that time it has calibrated. __________________ 2010 Camaro SS Imperial Blue \| CAI Inc, CAI \| Solo Hi Flow Cats \| X-Pipe \| Backup Camera \| PDIM

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
compass not displaying	cab2g	Camaro Issues / Problems \| Warranty Discussions \| TSB and Recalls	7	07-15-2014 06:01 PM
In dash compass "CAL"	fishbrownie	USA - Texas	12	03-29-2013 03:45 AM
Test Drive 2011 Jeep COmpass trail rated	Stew	General Automotive + Other Cars Discussion	5	06-12-2011 08:54 PM
DIC Compass Problem on 2SS	GRSCAMARO	Camaro Issues / Problems \| Warranty Discussions \| TSB and Recalls	15	02-21-2011 03:37 PM
Compass	ZCT	5th Gen Camaro SS LS LT General Discussions	18	12-21-2010 07:24 PM

11-25-2011, 06:19 PM	#2
Flashpoint135 Drives: 2016 SS Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Newark, NY Posts: 1,284	Compass and GPS are two different things. To calibrate the compass drive slow figure-8's in a parking lot somewhere. To calibrate GPS you just drive, preferably straight and level. It helps both if you do this away from big buildngs and other potential interference. Sounds like your issue is compass, so try some figure-8's.

11-26-2011, 08:14 PM	#4
classicrockr Pills are for Pansies Drives: 2023 2SS Red Hot Vert Camaro Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Citrus Springs FL Posts: 1,296	tried the figure 8's & driving around the block - compass still reads "CAL"...guess i'll have to have the service department fix it...

11-26-2011, 08:22 PM	#5
IROCanSS Account Suspended Drives: 89 IROC 350 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Back roads, southern Ohio Posts: 12,504 View My Garage	Time for a trip to the dealer. 10 to 1 it fixes itself on the way there. Probably as you turn in the dealership lot.

11-28-2011, 10:37 AM	#6
DerekT Drives: 2011 Camaro 2LT/RS Inferno Orange Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 8	I bought my Camaro in Ontario and drove it back home which involved a 12-hour ride in the cargo bay of a ferry. When I drove out, I had the same problem. Apparently, it has something to do with the OnStar system, something called "dead-reckoning" (or something like that). I popped the OnStar fuse out my fuse panel, waited about 5 minutes, popped it back in, drove it for couple of miles and then it was fine.