Global Positioning System (GPS)

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2011 Honda Pilot, 2010 Honda Pilot, and 2009 Honda Pilot. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The global positioning system (GPS) enables the navigation system to determine the current position of the vehicle by using the signals transmitted from the satellites in orbit around the earth. The satellites transmit the satellite identification signal, orbit information, transmission time signal, and other information. When the GPS receiver receives a signal from four or more satellites simultaneously, it calculates the current position of the vehicle based on the distance to each satellite and the satellite's position in its respective orbit.

Position detection Image with GPS satellite

Fig 1: Identifying GPS Satellite Signal

Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Precision of GPS

The precision of the GPS varies according to the number of satellites from which signals are received and the view of the sky. The accuracy is indicated by the color of the GPS icon shown on the display.

GPS FUNCTION TABLE

GPS ICON COLOR	NUMBER OF SATELLITES	CONDITION	DESCRIPTION
No GPS icon	None	Faulty reception	The GPS can't be utilized due to a faulty GPS receiver, open in the wire, or other fault or interference.
White GPS icon	2 or less	Impossible to detect vehicle position	GPS function is normal. The satellite signals received by the GPS are too few to detect the vehicle position.
Green GPS icon	3	Vehicle position detectable in 2 dimensions	The longitude and latitude of the vehicle position can be detected. (Less precise than detection in three dimensions)
Green GPS icon	4 or more	Vehicle position detectable in 3 dimensions (elevation displayed)	The longitude, latitude and the altitude of the vehicle position can be detected. (More precise than detection in two dimensions)