Compass Calibration and Magnetic Variance DIC

The compass is self calibrating but under certain circumstances the compass may have to be calibrated especially if the vehicle is driven over long distances. If the compass heading is blank or the driver information center (DIC) shows CAL, the compass must be re-calibrated.

Depress the Menu button to get to the COMPASS ZONE item. Depress the Set/Reset button to scroll through the available compass zones. Depress the Menu button to get to the COMPASS CALIBRATION item. To calibrate the compass, depress the Set/Reset button until the CALIBRATION BEGUN DRIVE UNTIL DONE message appears DIC. Drive the vehicle through two circles less than 5 mph in a magnetically clean area. The calibration will be complete when the CALIBRATION FINISHED message is displayed in the DIC.

Compass Magnetic Variation Adjustment

Compass variation is the difference between magnetic north and geographic north. In some areas of the country the difference is great enough to cause the compass to give a false reading. If this occurs, the compass variance must be set. View the variance zone map to determine the correct zone. The zones are numbered 1 through 15. While the DIC is in the COMPASS ZONE item, the DIC will display the current compass zone. Depressing the Set/Reset button will scroll through the available compass zones. Depressing the Set/Reset button for a few seconds will select the displayed compass zone.

You cannot reset the Compass mode. This mode is retained during ignition OFF.

Compass Calibration and Magnetic Variance ISRVM

Before calibrating the compass, drive the vehicle to an open area that is magnetically clean or free of large metallic objects such as high tension power lines or large steel buildings. Verify there are no magnetized roof antennas, magnets on or hanging from the mirror, or any other magnetized objects on the inside or outside of the vehicle close to the mirror.

1. Start the engine.

Important: Before calibrating the compass, make sure the mirror has the correct zone number. Refer to Compass Magnetic Variation Adjustment mentioned below.

2. Press and hold the switch for the compass, which may be depicted as COMP, COMPASS, or on/off (w/UE1) depending on the type of mirror on the vehicle, until the letter "C" or "CAL" is displayed.
3. Drive the vehicle in circles at a speed of less than 8 km/h (5 mph) until the "C" or "CAL" is replaced by a proper vehicle heading. The calibration procedure is now complete.

Magnetic variation adjustments are required when the compass displays a constant error in heading. Variation is the difference between magnetic north and true north due to geographical location.

World Magnetic Variation Map




1. Locate your current geographic location on the World Magnetic Variation Map.
2. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
3. Press and hold the on/off switch for the compass until a zone number appears on the compass display.
4. Depress the switch for the compass to select the desired zone number.
5. Wait 5 seconds. The display will return to a compass heading. The variance procedure is now complete.
6. Calibrate the compass. Refer to Compass Calibration mentioned above.